By John Wilson & Janet Tice Split in two by the railroad tracks, the downtown Shirley “village” area faces many challenges. And things got even more challenging in 2021 when the state passed the “MBTA Communities Act” that required Shirley (and all communities with commuter rail) to allow multi-family housing “by right” within a half-mile of the train station. At Special Town Meeting in November 2024, Shirley complied with the act by voting to create a new “multifamily housing overlay district” in Shirley village. As a reward for compliance, the town became eligible for generous planning grants to help it prepare for the expected population growth in the area. The first of these opportunities came to fruition last fall when Shirley was awarded $306K from the Community Catalyst Fund (CCF). The intent of the grant is to identify roadway improvements needed to ensure safety for vehicles and pedestrians in the village area. Since the MBTA communities vision emphasizes “walkability,” with residents able to safely access the commuter rail station without a car, the focus will be on pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. That means ADA-compliant safe passage for school children, rail users, and others navigating their way along heavily-travelled commuter routes, through busy intersections, and across the railroad tracks. Winning the grant was exciting – but it was only the first step in a lengthy process. The next step was to create a steering committee under Town Administrator Bryan Sawyer’s leadership which helped to craft the “Request for Proposal” and chose engineering consulting firm Howard Stein Hudson as the winning bidder. In addition to the TA, the committee consists of Town Planner Mark Archambault, DPW Director David Schwartz, and two members of the Transportation Action Committee. Beginning with the project kick-off meeting on April 9, the committee will provide the consultants from Howard Stein Hudson with direction and Shirley-centric input throughout the project. The project timeline extends from the April kick-off until July 2027, with the data collection phase to be completed by mid-summer. There will be ample opportunity for community input throughout the early stages of the project, with two “pop-up” outreach sessions planned for May and June and follow-up public meetings in July and October. The conceptual design phase runs from June through January 2027 and will identify specific safety improvement projects for future implementation. In consultation with the steering committee, one of these projects (or possibly two, depending on complexity) will be chosen for further development to the “preliminary design” stage, with an expected completion date of July 2027. There will be many opportunities to share your ideas and concerns about traffic, trains, and the challenges faced by vulnerable road users in Shirley village. Watch this space and the Shirley website for information about pop-up meetings, public forums, and questionnaires. Your input is valuable and will help shape Shirley’s future – so be sure to participate!   John Wilson is a recent transplant to Shirley, having lived here 2.5 years. He likes life near Mulpus Brook, and the rural character of the town. He is a member of the Transportation Action Committee.

By Katie Aponte Our town’s youth soccer program is thriving like never before, with enrollment numbers steadily climbing across all age groups. Since Fall 2022, overall participation has grown by more than 50%, reflecting the community’s passion for youth sports and the dedication of our volunteer coaches and organizers. The boys’ program has seen particularly strong growth, with enrollment increasing from 96 players in 2022 to 146 in 2025—a 52% rise. The largest jump is in the Grades 3–4 division, which grew by 87%, adding 32 new players. Middle school boys also showed solid increases, with the Grades 7–8 group growing by 50%. The girls’ program is also expanding steadily, with a 25% increase in enrollment from 69 players in 2022 to 92 in 2025. The Grades 5–6 girls division led this growth, increasing by 43%. While the youngest girls’ division peaked in 2023 and slightly declined, it remains strong, and the middle school group shows some variability but continues to engage players. This exciting expansion brings new opportunities and challenges, including the need for more coaches, additional field space, and thoughtful scheduling to ensure every child has a chance to play and grow. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, fun, and supportive environment where all players can develop their skills, build friendships, and enjoy the beautiful game. Our soccer program’s remarkable growth brings exciting opportunities and new challenges, including the need for more coaches and additional field space. We are committed to fostering a fun, inclusive environment where every child can play, develop their skills, and build lasting friendships. To keep our soccer program thriving as a vibrant cornerstone of youth sports in our town, we invite families and community members to join us—whether as coaches, volunteers, or supporters. If you’d like to help sustain this positive momentum, please contact recreation@shirley-ma.gov.

By Sherry Anders Shirley is a special place – we hear owls calling from our back yards, drive by herons fishing in streams on our way through town, and find traffic jams more often caused by wild turkeys crossing the road than by rush hour commuters. At any given moment, we are within minutes of several hiking trailheads and canoe launches. The thirteen miles that comprise our eastern border are formed entirely by the Nashua and Squannacook Rivers, which have earned prestigious federal designation as Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers. The water in our homes comes from aquifers protected by the natural green infrastructure of our forests and floodplains. We have a town community garden, drive-by farm stands, and neighbors who offer us fresh eggs. We have a lot to be grateful for, and as the natural world faces rising challenges from extreme weather events, regional development pressures, and pollution, there is still much we can do here in our little corner to contribute to the health of our town and our planet. This year’s Earth Day Theme is “Our Power, Our Planet.” So much begins right here at home. This Earth Day, take time to reflect on what matters to you and how we can shape our future through collective action. Here are 10 ways you can make a difference: Volunteer: Local groups and organizations welcome volunteers to help plant pollinator gardens, clear trails, monitor water quality, pull water chestnuts on the river, and stuff envelopes. Contact: Shirley Greenway Committee, Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA), North County Land Trust (NCLT), and People of Ayer Concerned About the Environment (PACE) to find out more. Broaden your scope by signing up for “Nature Groupie” to receive a list of regional opportunities. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Focus on repairing items, buying secondhand, and reducing single-use plastics to minimize landfill waste. Sustainable Transport: Walk, bike, carpool, or use public transportation to reduce emissions. Eat Locally and Sustainably: Support local farmers to reduce transportation emissions and reduce consumption of meat and dairy. Composting: Start a compost pile to reduce food waste sent to landfills. Energy Efficiency: Switch to LED lighting, use energy-efficient appliances, and consider renewable energy sources for your home. Water Conservation: Install low-flow showerheads and toilets, and fix leaks. Plant Natives and Reduce Pesticides: Plant natives to support local pollinators and other wildlife that depend on native plants for survival. Reduce or eliminate pesticides that seep into our waterways and harm the beneficial insects that pollinate our food and drive the food web. Advocate Locally: Attend town meetings, join local environmental boards, and encourage local government to invest in green infrastructure. “Lights Out”: Switch to motion sensors, timers, and dimmers for outdoor lights, shield outdoor lights to direct light downward, and use warm-colored LED bulbs (3000K or lower) to reduce the harmful impacts of light pollution on migratory birds, natural ecosystems, and human health.