AYER – The town of Ayer has been notified that it will receive a $150,000 grant through the state Dept. of Energy Resources (DOER) that will subsidize a planned energy performance contract to improve energy efficiency and drive down utility costs in the community, according to town administrator Shaun A. Suhoski.

The funds, together with an additional award of technical assistance from the DOER, will allow the town to negotiate a favorable contract with Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI), the town’s energy services vendor, he said.

“This award will greatly enhance the town’s ability to develop capital improvements that save both money and energy,” said Selectman Cornelius “Connie” Sullivan, the board’s chairman. “In addition, the project development agreement also calls for an assessment of the feasibility of a solar power purchase agreement on town-owned lands or building rooftops.”

The Board of Selectmen will hear an update on the energy audit at a public meeting beginning on March 9 at 7pm in Town Hall.

That meeting will also feature a presentation on how the town can become a designated “Green Community” in the Commonwealth, according to Selectman Carolyn L. McCreary who has spearheaded the effort.

Both grant applications were developed and submitted to DOER by Mr. Suhoski with technical input from JCI.

The funding was provided through an Energy Efficiency and Block Grant (EECBG) sub-grant that is made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 through the US Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block grant program. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) developed and is responsible for administering this sub-grant program.

Effective Jan 2010

Arts Council - 3 Vacancies
Communications Com. - 3 Vacancies
APAC-Cable Board of Directors - 2 Vacancies
Commission on Disabilities - 5 Vacancies
Personnel Board - 1 Vacancy
Recycling Committee - 3 Vacancies
Zoning Board of Appeals - 1 Vacancy
Capital Planning Com. - 2 Vacancies
Historical Com. - 1 Vacancy

Contact Janet Lewis at (978) 772-8220 in the Selectmen’s Office if you are interested in serving on one of the above Boards, Committees, Commissions.

The Ayer brush dump, located behind the Department of Public Works building, will be open on two Saturdays to accommodate Christmas tree & brush disposal. The dates that the brush dump will be open are:

Saturday 1/09/10 Saturday 1/16/10

The hours that you may use the brush dump on these days are 9am – 1pm. You must access the brush dump using the gate on Bishop Road. No tree bags can be left in the brush dump and no trash is permitted. Use of the brush dump is for Ayer residents with a valid vehicle or recycle sticker only.

If you have questions or need more information, please contact the D.P.W. office at 978-772-8240.

Ayer residents throw away 25% more trash during the Thanksgiving to New Year's holiday period than any other time of year. So, to help trim the trash while trimming the tree, please remember to recycle all that you can. It saves money for our Town and is good for the environment.

Cardboard: Please recycle all of your cardboard boxes. Flatten and either fold or cut to a size not larger than 2 feet by 5 feet.

Gift Boxes and Wrapping Paper: Gift boxes and all non-foil wrapping paper can be included with your mixed paper recycling. Tape and twine is OK, but no ribbons please.

Holiday Cards and Calendars: Holiday cards (including envelopes and gift tags) and calendars can be recycled with your mixed paper.

Other Non-trash items: Magazines & catalogs, old files, paperboard (e.g. cereal boxes), shredded paper, copy paper, paperback books, tape, and staples are all OK for the mixed paper bin!

Christmas Trees and Wreaths: Special drop-off periods will take place at the brush dump on Saturday, 1/9 & 1/16/10 from 9 – 1. Please remove all tinsel/garland and DO NOT put in plastic bag.

According to the National Christmas Tree Association, over 33 million real Christmas trees are sold in North America every year and Christmas tree recycling helps return a renewable resource back to the environment.

H1N1 Flu Clinic sponsored by:
The Ayer Board of Health
At the Ayer Middle/High School
Please use the side entrance by the Business Office
Tuesday, December 1st, 3:30-7:00PM

For more information on eligibility and required form, click here.

A Winter Parking Ban is in effect AS OF SUNDAY, November 15, 2009 through April 15, 2010. The Winter Parking Ban prohibits the parking of any motor vehicle on the street or sidewalk throughout the Town of Ayer overnight and during snow storms (12:01a.m. to 6:00a.m.)

The purpose of the parking ban is to assist the Town of Ayer’s Department of Public Works with snow and ice removal operations.

THE AYER POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ENFORCING THE WINTER PARKING BAN.

It’s time to clean out the attic!

Saturday, November 14, 9am-noon
Ayer Public Schools Parking Lot

Sponsored by:
The Ayer Public Schools
The Ayer Recycling Committee
The Wish Project


Wouldn’t it be nice to remove unwanted items from your house and donate them to needy families?

In 2008 the Wish Project provided over $1million worth of free furniture, clothes, home goods and baby gear to 25,500 clients being helped by more than 65 social service programs. Free furniture means a family has a table to gather at for dinner, children have warm coats and blankets in the winter and babies get basics such as diapers and cribs to sleep safely.

Saving more than 452 tons of servicable goods from being deposited in landfills, the Wish Project distributes utems such as headboards and mattresses for those that had previously slept on the floor. Helping more than 786 families receive furnishings allows them to move from homeless shelters into homes giving then a better chance of sustainability.

Help needy families in the Merrimack Valley. Clean out your attic and closets, recycle items that still have life in them. The Wish Project matches your goods with a well qualified needy client referred to us by one of our many social service agency partners. Programs involved include homeless shelters, housing, early intervention, mentally retarded, senior citizens and many more.

Items will be turned away if they are not in good condition. For a list of acceptable items, see www.lowellwishproject.org/goods.html


Acceptable Items

CLOTHING: Preemie baby sizes up to very large adult, casual and in-season

BABY GEAR: Diapers, cribs, strollers, swings, Pack-N-Plays, bassinets, crib bedding, baby towels, car seats, baby tubs, high chairs, bouncy seats, and changing tables.

FURNITURE: COUCHES AND LOVESEATS: Please no rips, broken legs or hygiene issues like excessive smoke, heavy staining, dry rot, pet hair or mold. Reasonable wear is fine. Futons, daybeds, sleepers are welcome.

FURNITURE: MATTRESS SETS AND FOLDING BED FRAMES Twin, Full, Queen
We welcome large hotel donations of mattresses! Mattresses alone YES. Boxsprings alone YES. We love bunk beds, toddler beds and trundles.

KITCHEN TABLES/DINETTE SETS:
We love sets of tables with chairs but will accept chairs in sets of 2 or more and tables alone. Fancy dining room sets can be matched with clients who have room. Email for details.

BEDDING: TWIN, FULL, QUEEN (NO FLANNEL JUNE-AUGUST PLEASE)
PLEASE LABEL WITH SIZE - They will go out weeks faster. Sheets, towels, shower curtains, new liners, comforters, blankets, bathroom rugs. Towels always welcome.

SMALL APPLIANCES AND BASIC KITCHEN:
AC's (summer), heaters (winter), fans, lamps, microwaves, hand mixers, coffee makers, clocks, clock radios, irons, toaster ovens, toasters. Nothing that requires extra wiring (like ceiling fans or wall sconces)

BATH:
Bath towels are always needed. Small defects OK. Used fabric curtains OK but shower curtain liners must be new only. Hampers, spring loaded rods, curtains, rugs welcome. No decorations but any basic practical goods welcome. NO hand towels.

LARGE APPLIANCES: Please email for details
We welcome washers, electric dryers, and refrigerators. RUST FREE PLEASE.

ELECTRONICS:
Color TVs VCR's, game systems, walkmans, radios, boom boxes and DVD's are a big hit. NO console TV's, stereo turntables, or casette decks.

Gameboys and game systems welcome. Most go to kids in hospitals or in other critical situations that have lots of time on their hands while dealing with a crisis.

COMPUTER CPU's, laptops or sets PENT III(3) or better (please - complete sets or CPU's NO lone monitors, scanners or other peripherals). We welcome large corporate computer donations.

We do NOT accept: used toys, decorative items, sports gear, anything that requires installation, or dressy clothing.

Please email www.lowellwishproject.org/contact.html if you have questions about an item.

Below are some safety tips for Halloween from the Ayer Police Department


Trick-or-Treaters

• Carry a flashlight
• Walk, don't run.
• Stay on Sidewalks
• Obey traffic signals
• Stay in familiar neighborhoods
• Don't cut across yards or driveways.
• Wear a watch you can read in the dark.
• Make sure costumes don't drag on the ground.
• Shoes should fit (even if they don't go with your costume)
• Avoid wearing masks while walking from house to house.
• Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props.
• (If no sidewalk) walk on the left side of the road facing traffic
• Wear clothing with reflective markings or tape.
• Approach only houses that are lit.
• Stay away from and don't pet animals you don't know.

Parents

• Make your child eat dinner before setting out.
• Children should carry quarters so they can call home.
• Ideally, young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult.
• If your children go on their own, be sure they wear a watch, preferably one that can be read in the dark.
• If you buy a costume, look for one made of flame-retardant material.
• Older children should know where to reach you and when to be home.
• You should know where they're going.
• Although tampering is rare, tell children to bring the candy home to be inspected before consuming anything.
• Look at the wrapping carefully and toss out anything that looks suspect.

Homeowners

• Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots that can trip the young ones.
• Pets get frightened on Halloween. Put them up to protect them from cars or inadvertently bitting a trick-or-treater.
• Battery powered jack o'lantern candles are preferable to a real flame.
• If you do use candles, place the pumpkin well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.
• Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won't be blown into a flaming candle.
• Healthy food alternatives for trick-or-treaters include packages of low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut butter filling, single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be microwaved later.
• Non-food treats: plastic rings, pencils, stickers, erasers, coins.

Flushing of water mains will commence on 10/5. Flushing will take up to 6 weeks to complete. The approximate schedule is as follows:

Weeks 1 and 2
Washington St. from Schools to Groton town line, Moore Dr., Madigan Ln., Autumn Ridge, Groton Harvard Rd. to Central Ave., Oak Ridge area, Calvin St. to Snake Hill Rd., Wright Rd. and all dead end streets around Sandy Pond.

Weeks 2 and 3
Central Ave. from the Post Office to the Town Beach, Birch St., McDowell St., Samantha Ln., Groveland Oak, Grove St., Sandy Pond Rd. to Willow Rd., Patricia Dr., Westford Rd. to Groton Town line, Sandy Pond III, Pondview and Crabtree subdivisions, Nemco and New England Way.

Registration information for the Ayer Fire Department’s 5th Annual Thanksgiving Day 5K road-race is now available. Please come out and support the AFD in this terrific event.

More information can be found on the AFD 5k race page.

Nashoba Associated Boards of Health in conjunction with the Towns Local Boards of Health will be holding SEASONAL FLU CLINICS throughout the month of October. Please see the Health Board webpage for information and dates.

The Massachusetts State Police along with Fisher College will be conducting a Child Safety Seat Checkup on Saturday, September 19, 2009 from 9:00 AM to 12 noon.  The location is at The Devens Fire Department Headquarters, 182 Jackson Rd. Devens, MA.

Effective 9/14/09 through April 2, 2010 the D.P.W. office will be open to the public Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

The Ayer Board of Health is sponsoring a public forum on Lyme Disease

Thursday, September 17th, 7:00 -8:30 PM
Ayer Town Hall, The GreatHall

Learn about Lyme diseaseprevention, identification, treatment, controversy, and ultimately the elimination of Lyme disease as a Public Health Hazard in Ayer and Massachusetts.

email LymeLITE@verizon.net or (978) 621-8616 for more information

Great news! The Ayer Transfer Station has begun accepting plastics #3-7 on a trial basis. Help the trial become permanent by being careful to deposit your 1s and 2s in the proper bins as always. And please don’t put Styrofoam in with the plastic.

Thanks to transfer station foreman John Gamelin, recycling coordinator Laurie  Milan and DPW superintendent Dan Nason for coordinating this important effort.  

The Community Preservation Act Committee adopted a Community Preservation Plan for fiscal years 2010-2014 on April 1, 2009.  The plan describes the CPAC’s goals for Ayer’s Community Preservation Act program overall as well as for each of the four CPA funding areas:  community housing, historic preservation, open space, and recreation.  To download, click here.

The Town of Ayer Department of Public Works will begin the Semi-Annual Flushing Program of the Town's water mains the week of June 1, 2009 and will continue for approximately four weeks. The flushing will take place on weekdays between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Flushing will be discontinued during the hours of 5p.m. – 7p.m. in an attempt to keep residential pressure loss to a minimum during peak usage time. During flushing, you may experience reduced water pressure and some discoloration of your water. The discoloration should subside within 24 hours. If you are still experiencing problems after this 24 hour period, please call 978-772-0666.

The Town's flushing program is considered mandatory maintenance and will be conducted as efficiently as possible under the current water restrictions. This maintenance program allows us to continue to provide the residents with water that is as aesthetically appealing as possible.

The 2009 street sweeping schedule has been posted on the DPW’s Highway department page.

The Ayer Business Alliance is teaming up with the American Cancer Societies Relay For Life of Greater Ayer to Paint the Town Purple.

Please join us on Saturday, May 30th from 10:00-2:00 on Main St. in Ayer. You will find the street lined with Relay Teams and Purple Balloons. RFL Teams will have baked goods, yard sale items, fabulous prizes to win and fun for the whole family. The Ayer Alliance Business' are currently providing informational brochures and opportunities for folks to donate their spare change for a 'cure'. On May 30th, please visit those business' decorated with purple balloons. They have chosen tomake a difference by donating to the Greater Ayer RFL.

The 10th annual Relay For Life of Greater Ayer will be held on June 19-20 at the Ayer High School Track. Contact Amy Messcher at: jamesscher@verizon.net with any  questions or go to www.relayforlife.org/ayerma for more information.

New Transfer Station fees go into effect July 1, 2009. Please click here for more information.

The U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship comes to Red Tail Golf Club June 22 to June 27, 2009. Red Tail and The USGA Championship Committee are seeking eager and enthusiastic volunteers who will help us make this the most unforgettable Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship to ever be staged.  This Championship will bring 156 of the best female amateur players in the country to Red Tail Golf Club. The participants could range between 14 and 50 years old. A majority of the players are between 18-25 years old and will be traveling alone.

Please see the Rad Tail Golf Club website for more information about the event.



Unfortunately not all of the players have the financial means to provide adequate housing for themselves during the Championship. If you are interested in helping by providing housing and transportation, let us know by contacting us via the information provided below.

Responsibilities for hosting one or more of the players will require providing transportation to and from Red Tail Golf Club and to allow them to be guests of you and your home for the week. Most players will arrive on June 19th where they will be required to register for the Championship and then will have practice rounds on June 20th and June 21st. Championship play will begin with rounds on Monday and Tuesday where the field will be cut to 64 players for match play. Match play will begin on Wednesday and the field will be cut in half in each day until two players remain to play the championship match on June 27th. It is unknown the length that a player will be staying with you for the duration of the championship.

More information about becoming a volunteer, a caddie or hosting can be found at: www.redtailgolf.net/volunteer.html

Or you can contact Kris Coates at: 978-772-3273 or via kcoatesrtgc@yahoo.com

While no cases of the so-called “Swine Flu” virus have been reported to local
school or health officials, the Town’s emergency management agencies and School
Department remain in close contact to ensure a coordinated and swift response should
an outbreak occur locally.

The Board of Health and School Department administration have posted relevant
information on the flu – and basic methods of prevention – on their respective Web sites
and are communicating with the Town’s emergency and administration officials. The
School Dept. will also utilize its automated telephone system tonight to forward an
informational-only advisory to parents.

Citizens are reminded that the most basic forms of prevention are also the most
effective. Remember to:

• Wash hands frequently
• Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing
• Stay home from work or school if you develop symptoms

Persons interested in more information can log onto www.ayer.ma.us/boards/health to
be linked to the latest information posted by the Board of Health. For school-related
news log onto www.ayer.k12.ma.us.

If members of the general public have a particular question please email the Board of
Health or Town Administrator at boh@ayer.ma.us or ta@ayer.ma.us or through the
phone numbers listed above. School related queries may be directed to the
Superintendent’s office at 978-772-8600.

A Cleaner Ayer, the town-wide trash pickup on Saturday, April 25, was a success. More than 100 adults and children gave up an hour or more of their time to make a Cleaner Ayer. At least 57 bags of trash and 48 bags of recyclable materials were picked up.

THANKS for support from volunteers, the town DPW and Transfer Station, and for donations from Ayer businesses: The Public Spirit, Aubuchon Hardware, McDonalds, Carlin's and Hannaford's.

Four selectmen demonstrated how much they care about Ayer by picking up trash: Connie Sullivan, Carolyn McCreary, Gary Luca and Rick Gilles. Brownie leader Julie Muldoon, Cub Scout leader Mike Blood and soccer mom Melissa MacDonald rallied the troops to make a Cleaner Ayer. Ayer-Shirley Local and the Greenway Committee also supported the effort.

Special thanks to a crew of 10 volunteers who sorted recyclable containers for a Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection study to determine rates of recycling: Carolyn McCreary, Shoko Yoshikawa, Andrew Crowley, Dave Bodurtha, Tessa David, Kim Krieser, Jean Diemert, Julie Muldoon, Ruth Maxant, and Laurie Sabol.

THANKS to many volunteers throughout town who quietly patrol their streets regularly -- keep up the good work. You are appreciated.

There are still streets we couldn't get to. Please feel free to pick up roadside litter in Ayer anytime. I have extra trash bags and will dispose of the roadside trash FREE if you pick it up. All I ask is that you sort it into recyclables and regular trash and drop it off at my house.

Call or email me to arrange -- 772-3930, susan.tordella@gmail.com.

If you have suggestions on how to improve A Cleaner Ayer for next spring, please e-mail or call me.

The Board of Health has provided the advisory sent out April 27, 2009 from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) about swine influenza (H1N1). It, along with an accompanying fact sheet provides useful information as well as many links to help you stay informed.

Please see the Board of Health page to download the information in PDF format.

The following items should never be disposed of into the public sewer system:

• Diapers
• Baby wipes
• Cooking oils and grease
• Sanitary napkins, tampons and applicators
• Condoms
• Cleaning wipes, (i.e., Swiffer® wipes or equivalent), shop rags, etc.
• Volatile substances (i.e., gasoline, chemicals, paint, etc.)
• Syringes
• Small toys
• Plastic bags
• Caps from any containers (shampoo, soda, etc.)

Flushing of these items into the municipal wastewater collection system may cause major blockages in sewer lines (triggering back-ups in the system which may lead to damage in or on your property). These items also cause severe damage to expensive sewer equipment (i.e., grinder pumps) in the wastewater collection system or inside the wastewater treatment facility.

The Ayer brush dump will be open on the following Saturdays & Sundays to accommodae spring yard clean up:  4/4, 4/5,4/11, 4/18, 4/19, 4/26, 4/27/09.  The hours on these days are 8 -4.  Access for the brush dump will be from Bishop Rd.  No paper or plastic bags can be left in the brush dump and no trash is permitted.  Please keep leaves 7 brush separate.  The brush dump is available to ayer residents with valid vehicle stickers only.

The police department would like to remind everyone that your sidewalk must be cleared and/or made safe within twelve hours after snow ceasing to fall. This is per article IX, Section 5 of the town bylaws.

As a reminder the winter parking ban is in effect.

There is no overnight, on street parking from November 15th to April 15th

The Ayer brush dump, located behind the Department of Public Works building, will be open on four weekends in November beginning 11/8 to accommodate fall yard clean up. The brush dump will be open from 8am – 4pm. You must access the brush dump using the gate on Bishop Road. The brush dump is for leaves, brush, etc. No paper or plastic bags can be left in the brush dump and no trash is permitted. Use of the brush dump is for Ayer residents only and you must have a green or blue transfer station sticker on your vehicle.

If you have questions or need more information, please contact the D.P.W. office at 978-772-8240.

Individuals are encouraged to call Ayer’s Spill Hotline if they see material other than water going into the town’s stormwater system or if they notice signs of contaminated material in a wetlands. The Spill Hotline number is 978 772-8240