Town Meeting Articles of the Day
Articles 1 through 7
In preparation for the Special Annual Fall Town Meeting on October 26, 2020 at 7pm in the Ayer Shirley Regional High School Auditorium, the Town will be publishing the “Articles of the Day” to provide further information on each of the Town Meeting Warrant Articles. Each day, the Town will feature 2 or 3 Town Meeting Warrant Articles with a brief summary of each Article.
The complete Town Meeting Warrant can be found here.
Click here for supporting documents
For any questions about the Town Meeting or the Town Meeting Warrant, please do not hesitate to contact the Town Manager at 978-772-8220 or at tm@ayer.ma.us Thank you.
Article 1: UDAG Replenishments: This Article would transfer $230,000 from Free Cash to replenish the Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG) account in the amount of $230,000 for the Worthen Dale Depot Square Eminent Domain Settlement. As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic and for the purposes of reserving these funds to address any potential financial impacts to the Town; the Town Meeting voted on June 15, 2020 on recommendation of the Select Board to defer this Article to the Special Annual Fall Town Meeting on October 26, 2020 The Town’s current financial condition is such that the Town may proceed with consideration of this Article.
Article 2: Forward Funding of the Town’s Pension Assessment: This Article would forward fund the Town’s pension assessment from the Middlesex County Retirement System in the amount of $300,000 for the purposes of realizing estimated future savings. As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic and for the purposes of reserving these funds to address any potential financial impacts to the Town; the Town Meeting voted on June 15, 2020 on recommendation of the Select Board to defer this Article to the Special Annual Fall Town Meeting on October 26, 2020 The Town’s current financial condition is such that the Town may proceed with consideration of this Article. For more information on Article 2, please click here Presentation to be made at Town Meeting.
Article 3: Stabilization Fund: This Article transfers $9,139 from Free Cash into the Town’s Stabilization Fund and transfers $940,000 into the Town’s Capital Stabilization Fund for a total transfer of $949,139. As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic and for the purposes of reserving these funds to address any potential financial impacts to the Town; the Town Meeting voted on June 15, 2020 on recommendation of the Select Board to defer this Article to the Special Annual Fall Town Meeting on October 26, 2020 The Town’s current financial condition is such that the Town may proceed with consideration of this Article.
Article 4: Acquisition of West Main Street Property for a New Senior Center: This Article would authorize the Select Board to acquire the property at 211 West Main Street for the purposes of constructing a new Senior Center. This property was the optimal site identified by the Senior Center Feasibility Study (authorized by the 2018 Annual Town Meeting). The Article would also authorize the Town to borrow up to $750,000 for the purchase. The cost of the property is $670,000 with an additional borrow authorization of $80,000 for any unforeseen contingencies and will only be borrowed if needed. The purchase is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory appraisal and Phase 1 21E (environmental assessment). The Town would not proceed with the purchase if the environmental assessment and/or appraisal is not in the best interests of the Town. Presentation to be made at Town Meeting. For more information on Article 4, click here.
Article 5: Borrow Authorization for Additional Funding for the Spectacle Pond Water Treatment Plant for PFAS Removal: This Article would authorize the Town to borrow up to $610,000 for the purposes of constructing the Spectacle Pond Water Treatment Plant for the removal of PFAS. For more information on Article 5, click here.
Article 6: Establishment of the Ayer Affordable Housing Trust: This Article would authorize the Town to establish an Ayer Affordable Housing Trust for the purposes of providing for the creation and preservation of affordable housing in Ayer; for the benefit of low and moderate income households; and for the funding of community housing. For more information on Article 6, click here.
Article 7: Ayer Affordable Housing Trust Initial Funding Request: This Article would transfer $30,000 from the Community Preservation Fund Balance Reserve from the Housing Category to the Ayer Affordable Housing Trust.