The Town of Ayer received a huge treat from the Healey-Driscoll Administration. Through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts\u2019 FY26 Community One Stop Grant, Ayer\u2019s Fitchburg Road Sewer Main Extension project received $500,000. This investment will allow the town to bring its existing sewer main further down Fitchburg Road, opening up not only future economic development opportunities but brand-new affordable housing options for Ayer via one particular project: Ayer Commons.<\/p>\n
Massachusetts-based nonprofit and community development corporation Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH) owns a parcel of land along Fitchburg Road planned to be developed under the direction of MA Chapter 40B into 106 affordable housing units bearing the name Ayer Commons. Previously, NOAH\u2019s site had no access to town wastewater service. As a result, NOAH would have been required to install an expensive onsite wastewater treatment system, which ultimately could have impacted the success and outcomes of the project.<\/p>\n
\u201cAyer Commons will serve as a model of Passive House Design principles and traditional neighborhood design while being multi-modal transit-oriented,\u201d shared NOAH Executive Director Phil Giffee. \u201cThrough the housing we build, NOAH increases access to affordable housing, creates social and economic opportunities, and empowers residents to be leaders of change. This could not be truer for Ayer.\u201d<\/p>\n
For major employers like Catania Oils, brand new affordable housing options in Ayer may greatly impact the quality of life for their employees and stability of business operations.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur hourly employees, particularly those working in manufacturing and in the warehouse, are essential to our operations,\u201d Catania President Joseph Basile said. \u201cThey face unique challenges, including the physical demands of their roles and the need for affordable housing close to their workplace. These factors underscore the urgent need for affordable housing options in Ayer to support our workforce and ensure the sustainability of our business.\u201d<\/p>\n
A fourth-generation family-run business, Catania Oils employees close to 300 people with many travelling significant distances to come to work each day \u2013 for some this commute is over an hour each way.<\/p>\n
\u201cAyer is proud to be a community that many people can call home,\u201d Town Manager Robert Pontbriand said. \u201cWe consider ourselves a leader in creating and developing opportunities to increase affordable housing options so that our community remains accessible to all. We applaud the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for making this investment, and are encouraged by the public-public partnerships involved in this project to make it a success.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Healey-Driscoll Administration\u2019s funding for the Fitchburg Road Utility Project compliments another major investment made by the Commonwealth this year to preserve over 100 existing affordable homes in Ayer at Devenscrest Village; 34 units will be at 60% AMI (area median income) and the remaining 79 units will be at 80% AMI. Along with the over $10 million in funding invested by the state towards Devenscrest, the Town of Ayer\u2019s Affordable Housing Trust contributed $170,000 while the Ayer Voters approved committing $400,000 from the Community Preservation Fund at the 2025 Fall Town Meeting.<\/p>\n