Select Board sends housing, data center bylaws to Planning Board
Select Board · Meeting of September 15, 2026
Ayer Select Board advances housing and data center bylaws as Devens repair costs hit $44 million. The board voted unanimously to send a tiered affordable-housing amendment and a one-year data center moratorium to the Planning Board's September 22 hearing. MassDevelopment Vice President Michael Sweeney told the board that stabilizing the deteriorating Vicksburg Square barracks at Devens could cost $44 million, calling funding "the $44 million question." Town Planner Danny Ruiz defended the town's 10 percent inclusionary housing requirement after resident Pauline pushed for 25 percent, noting the prior 20 percent rule produced zero projects in eight years.
Deputy Chief Bigelow proposed banning cryptocurrency kiosks after residents lost an estimated $440,000 to scams, calling them "a magnet for fraud." The board also approved new Industrial Development Financing Authority loan policies raising its lending cap to $75,000, and appointed Debbie Rich and Jacob Salon to town committees.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,900 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of September 15, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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