Select Board Opens Town Meeting, Election Warrants

In this report: Key decisions · Next dates · Full report · Sources

What happened

The Ayer Select Board voted 2-0 to open the 2026 Annual Town Meeting warrant for April 27 and the Town Election warrant for May 12, and authorized pursuit of a federal CDBG grant for the new senior center. Only two of three members were present due to a scheduling mix-up. The board approved a $29,801.70 change order for water treatment and a $46,800 contract for wastewater improvements, while the fiscal 2027 budget draft runs $161,919 or 5.8 percent above target.

Key decisions

• 📜 Authorize pursuit of federal CDBG grant for senior center. Board voted 2-0 to authorize the Office of Community and Economic Development to pursue a Community Development Block Grant for senior center construction. The town anticipates roughly $850,000 per year if approved; Pontbriand stated the project is shovel-ready with approved site, town meeting approval, and funding in place. (Vote 2-0). Read case details
• 📜 Approve updated Community Development Strategy for 2026-2031. Board voted 2-0 to approve the updated Community Development Strategy for 2026-2031. (Vote 2-0). Read case details
• 📝 Execute $46,800 contract for wastewater tank rehabilitation. Board voted 2-0 to execute a contract with John W. Egan Co. of West Newton for tertiary filter tank rehabilitation at the wastewater plant for $46,800. (Vote 2-0). Read case details
• 📝 Approve $29,801.70 change order for Grove Pond PFAS project. Board voted 2-0 to approve Change Order No. 3 for $29,801.70, extending the Grove Pond Water Treatment Facility PFAS System Improvements Project by 53 days. (Vote 2-0). Read case details
• 📜 Approve amendment to Ayer Library home rule petition H.4174. Board voted 2-0 to approve amended language to Home Rule Petition H.4174, clearing the way for the bill to move through the state Senate. (Vote 2-0). Read case details
• 📜 Open 2026 Annual Town Election warrant and nomination process. Board voted 2-0 to open the Annual Town Election warrant and nomination process for the May 12, 2026 election. (Vote 2-0; Next: May 12). Read case details
• ● Approve Jabez LLC assumption of affordable housing mortgage. Board voted 2-0 to approve Jabez LLC's assumption of the 2004 CDBG mortgage and affordable-housing deed restriction at 25 Main Street, with subordination to IC Federal Credit Union contingent on a $250,000 corporate guarantee. (Vote 2-0). Read case details
• 📜 Open 2026 Annual Town Meeting warrant for April 27. Board voted 2-0 to open the warrant for the 2026 Annual Town Meeting set for April 27, 2026. (Vote 2-0; Next: April 27). Read case details
• 👤 Authorize chief of police to assign election details for 2026. Board voted 2-0 to authorize the Chief of Police to assign police details for 2026 calendar year elections. (Vote 2-0). Read case details
• 📝 Execute easement agreement for storage tank on O Nemco Way. Board voted 2-0 to execute an easement agreement with Catania Spagna Corporation for a storage tank on O Nemco Way, previously authorized by fall Town Meeting. (Vote 2-0). Read case details

Next dates

• Jan. 21: Hazard Mitigation Plan public comment period begins
• April 27: 2026 Annual Town Meeting
• May 12: 2026 Annual Town Election

Research this meeting with Townbrief AI: “How much federal funding is the town seeking for the new senior center?” Ask this question

Full meeting report

The complete, section-by-section account of the meeting, 1,182 words, for members.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.