Special Town Meeting - September 25

Ayer Town Hall - Great Hall
Town of Ayer

September 25, 2017  Town Meeting has passed Article 1

 

Ayer Board of Selectmen Call Special Town Meeting for September 25, 2017 to consider Special Tax Assessment Agreement

Ayer - - The Ayer Board of Selectmen have called a Special Town Meeting to be held in the Great Hall of the Ayer Town Hall on Monday September 25, 2017 at 7:00 PM to consider a Special Tax Assessment Agreement (STAA) with American Superconductor Corporation (AMSC) currently located in Devens, MA and 114 East Main Street, LLC property owner of 114 East Main Street, the former Cains’ Building.

The Town of Ayer and AMSC have entered into an agreement, subject to Town Meeting approval, which provides AMSC with a reduced property tax assessment for 10 years. In return, AMSC will move its corporate headquarters, Gridtec manufacturing operations and administrative support functions to Ayer.  AMSC and the property owner will make capital investments to the property. AMSC will relocate all its employees that are currently in its existing corporate headquarters to Ayer, use local contractors and companies to support its business operations, and will partner with the Ayer Office of Community and Economic Development to develop a High School Innovation Technology Apprenticeship Program.

The Ayer Board of Assessor’s Office estimates that the first year’s impact to the average single family tax bill will be approximately $29 per year. The impact on the average single family tax bill will decrease annually over the life of the agreement.

“The prospective attraction of American Superconductor to Ayer will serve a critical macro-economic need to grow and expand our innovation and advanced technology professional community”, stated Alan S. Manoian, Director Ayer’s Office of Community and Economic Development.   “It will also drive the ongoing attraction of additional world-class 21st century knowledge-based, innovation and advanced technology firms to the Town of Ayer; thereby enhancing our industrial/commercial tax base for the rising generation of Ayer residents and business-owners.”  

AMSC Windtec Solutions provide wind turbine electronic controls and systems, designs and engineering services that reduce the cost of wind energy for wind turbine manufacturers through its European operations. AMSC Gridtec Solutions provide engineering planning services and advanced grid products and systems that optimize network reliability, efficiency and performance for power grid operators.  AMSC is committed to protect and electrify the US Navy fleet with its advanced ship protection systems and power distribution systems. The Corporate headquarters as well as the Grid and Navy businesses would operate in Ayer.

The Town of Ayer will host a Public Information Forum on Thursday September 14, 2017 at 6:00 PM at the Ayer Town Hall, 1 Main Street, Ayer, MA  01432 for residents to learn more about the STAA and AMSC.   The deadline to register to vote for the Special Town Meeting is 8:00 PM on Friday September 15, 2017 in the Town Clerk’s Office.  

The annual Fall Special Town Meeting will take place as usual on Monday October 23, 2017 in the Auditorium of the Ayer Shirley Regional High School at 7:00 PM.

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