The application presented by eni 256 Air Road LLC, detailed by a representative from Greer Peterson, was met with positive feedback from the Department of Public Works (DPW), which provided a comprehensive summary and clarification. The proposal highlighted not only the immediate need for a private sewer connection for mobile homes but also included plans for potential future connections that would serve residents. The board’s recommendation to the town meeting reflects the project’s anticipated impact, its capacity to support the area’s needs, and the projected benefits for the town’s residents.

In alignment with the town’s environmental and educational goals, Neil Angus from the Devens Enterprise Commission updated the board on the Pocket Forest project, a collaborative initiative between Devens and Ayer. Funded through a municipal vulnerability preparedness program grant, this project aims to combat climate change effects and enhance local resilience by creating new green spaces. With two pocket forests already under construction at the Ayer Shirley Middle School and a nearby playground, and two additional forests planned for next year at the high school and the Sandy Pond Schoolhouse, the project not only addresses stormwater management and air quality improvement but also provides increased access to nature for the community. The initiative’s educational components and plans for community engagement, including an Earth Day event and the celebration of the project’s first anniversary, were also highlighted. The Pocket Forest project has garnered attention beyond the local community, earning a nomination for the Community Choice Award by the Environmental Business Council of New England.

Addressing local safety concerns, the DPW provided an update on the Sandy Pond Road sanitary sewer Rehabilitation project, which experienced a minor setback due to a shortage of liner length, resulting in a contract price adjustment. Furthermore, the intersections of Summit Ave, Choate Ave, and Coolidge Road were identified as areas of concern regarding traffic safety. Near misses and reports of drivers ignoring traffic controls prompted the consideration of safety measures, including the installation of stop signs at the intersection of Coolidge Road and Summit Avenue. The town engineer and police department, after surveying the site, supported the Select Board’s decision to install standard stop signs.

The board also addressed the town’s water supply and conservation efforts, voting to implement outdoor water use restrictions effective May 1st. These restrictions include limiting watering times and instituting mandatory odd-even outside water use to ensure the sustainability of the water supply. Additionally, the town’s compliance with the EPA’s new National Drinking Water Standard for P was reaffirmed, with the current treatment meeting the necessary requirements.

The Select Board further discussed a substantial grant awarded to the Recruitment and Retention of on-call fire department members. The grant, totaling $107,800, was presented as a solution to increase wages and bolster recruitment efforts to address the decline in available on-call firefighters. Another grant application was optimistically deliberated, which could potentially bring in an additional $20,000 to $25,000 to further support the department. In a related update, a grant award of $115,740 from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts was announced for the purchase of a second ventilator for the ambulance service.

In preparation for the upcoming town meeting, the town manager underscored the completion of legal reviews and confirmation of numbers for town meeting articles. A digital budget book was highlighted, and a $130,000 grant for the clear well project at Grove Pond was acknowledged. The use of a consent agenda for standard annual business articles was introduced to streamline the meeting process. Lastly, the status of the Town opera fund was discussed, with a remaining balance of $66,500 earmarked for outstanding projects until its expiration on December 31, 2024.