“On February 2, 2010 the Board of Selectmen authorized the regional transit authority to seek project approval from the Federal Transportation Administration to begin design and engineering and related land acquisition.  The Town has $3.15 million in federal earmarked funds and up to $2.0 million in matching state bonding authority that must be released by the Executive Branch.”

Link to 2-2-10 BOS vote

BEST CHOICE FOR THE FUTURE LOCATION OF A COMMUTER RAIL STATION
TO SERVE THE TOWN OF AYER

After several public meetings to discuss the best choices for the future location of a commuter rail station to serve the Town of Ayer and after sponsoring the "Ayer Transit Workshop" conducted by Steve Cecil of The Cecil Group, the Ayer Board of Selectmen makes certain findings of fact and reaffirms the spirit of its prior findings of fact on this issue as follows:

1. That the total traffic generated by the current downtown commuter rail station or any future commuter rail station in downtown Ayer will have a relatively insignificant impact on the volume of traffic in our downtown.

2. That having a commuter rail station in our downtown is an asset to our Town because it enhances residential property values, contributes to the welfare of our downtown businesses, offers convenient rail service for our resident users, is consistent with "smart growth" principles and enhances the competitiveness of our Town when seeking various state grants.

3. That we have a downtown parking deficit of approximately 450 spaces, which are needed to serve our residents and downtown businesses.

4. That we need to create an effective parking and associated redevelopment strategy for our downtown business district.

5. That we favor multiple small parking structures and/or surface parking lots with adequate lighting and security to serve our residents, downtown businesses and train station parking needs.

6. That we need to develop design standards for any parking structures and surface parking lots serving our residents, downtown businesses and train station parking needs.

7. That we need a parking management and enforcement program to insure that commuters using our train station use parking facilities intended to serve our train station rather than on- street parking.

8. That we adopt the recommendations of The Cecil Group as set forth in the February, 2005 "Ayer Transit Workshop Summary Memorandum" and as set forth in the October, 2005 "Ayer Transit Parking Study Report".

9. That we secure funding to secure the services of The Cecil Group to assist the Town of Ayer in moving forward to implement the recommendations of The Cecil Group as set forth in the February, 2005 "Ayer Transit Workshop Summary Memorandum" and as set forth in the October, 2005 "Ayer Transit Parking Study Report".

Findings of Fact Approved: March 20, 2007 Ayer Board of Selectmen