The new playground at Peroni Park, which opened on August 3rd, was a major focus. The event was attended by approximately 100 people, including numerous children who participated in activities such as hand-printing boards for a nature play area. Several prominent figures, including the town manager, a state senator, a representative, and the former Parks director, spoke about the playground’s construction and funding. The planning and execution of the event were praised, especially given the initial concerns about potential rain, which ultimately did not materialize.

Another noteworthy item was the recognition from the Ayer Shirley Regional School District. A bronze plaque was installed at the field, acknowledging the Ayer Community Preservation Committee as part of the Legacy Circle for its funding contributions. This acknowledgment was highlighted as a significant recognition of the committee’s efforts in supporting the community.

In the realm of ongoing projects, the board discussed the status of grant agreements, which are currently under legal review. Delays have been noted due to the town hall’s busy schedule, particularly with matters related to the Nooba Valley Medical Center. One focus was on the agreement related to 71 Sandy Pond Road, where $350,000 of CPA funds had been allocated. The board considered forming a working group to oversee public input sessions for the property’s development, a proposal that received positive feedback.

The meeting also addressed the need to update and expand the success stories on the committee’s website. Nine new projects were identified for addition, including the 12 Newton Street Habitat for Humanity initiative, Ayer Community Garden project, and the open space and recreation five-year plan. Members were encouraged to volunteer for updating project descriptions, with one member humorously muted while expressing her willingness to take on multiple assignments.

The topic of accessibility to oral histories was discussed, with suggestions to turn these histories into YouTube videos for broader public access. Trevor from APAC might assist in creating links for this purpose. One member expressed gratitude for Maggie’s contributions, stating, “Maggie has been a blessing; we need more Maggies.”

Housing matters were another key area of discussion. One member reported no updates due to a lack of quorum in June, followed by a vacation. The status of properties on Gren Harvard Road and Fitchburg Road was unclear, with members debating whether the plans for Stratton Hill had been finalized. Jess provided an update on conservation efforts, noting a slowdown in applications during the summer months compared to previous pandemic years. Heather was working with volunteers to update trail markings at Pine Meadow, and a meeting was scheduled to review Baseline data for the Shaker Mill Pond subdivision.

Regarding the Housing Authority, discussions were held about managing properties at Devon’s Crest. Despite Ken Martin meeting with residents, the authority had no current financial capacity to manage these properties. The authority is expected to have a meeting later in the month to discuss further.

A 40B affordable housing development by Noah faced a setback, as a funding request from the UMass state government was denied. The group is awaiting feedback to reapply for the grant, delaying the start of construction until the following year. Ongoing communications about potential affordable housing development and efforts to integrate open space and affordable housing within zoning bylaws were also discussed. Members explored ways to simplify the process for developers to include affordable units in new constructions, with ideas such as ensuring aesthetic consistency between affordable and market-rate units and discussing financial contributions to the affordable housing trust.