The Town of Andover wishes you a happy holiday season. As the year draws to a close, we are grateful to the countless members of the community who contributed to the strength, vitality, and success of the Town of Andover in 2023. Our residents are truly what makes Andover a remarkable community. We hope that your holiday season is merry, fun, and bright!

December 11 Select Board Brief

Select Board Reviews Articles Approved at Special Town Meeting and Accepts Capital Improvement Plan for FY2025-2029

The Andover Select Board held its final meeting of the calendar year on Monday, December 11 in the School Committee Conference Room at the Andover Public Schools Administrative Offices. The meeting included discussion of the two items approved during the Special Town Meeting held on November 20: Article 1, which relates to the authorization of a ballot question pertaining to Andover’s open Town Meeting form of government, and Article 7B, which appropriates funds for the design of an “interim” renovation project to Andover High School.

The Board also received an update on the Town’s long-term borrowing for authorized projects, voting to approve the issuance of general obligation bonds that will enable the borrowing of $55 million. Considering the proposal in a second reading, the Board also voted to accept the Town Manager’s recommended Capital Improvement Program, which outlines capital investments in projects, programs, and equipment totaling $18,104,126 in FY2025.

The Town of Andover was recently notified that the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has granted preliminary approval of the Town’s Municipal Aggregation Plan, pending a compliance filing. This long-anticipated development marks a significant step forward in the process to establish the Andover Community Power (ACP) program. The Town’s plan was submitted to DPU in July 2021.

Municipal aggregations are electricity supply programs offered by cities and towns to provide residents and businesses vetted alternatives to utilities’ basic electricity supply products and other third-party electricity suppliers.

ACP is a voluntary program that will bring more local renewable energy to Andover while also offering stable, competitive pricing (recognizing that savings cannot be guaranteed). Once Andover’s compliance filing document is submitted to the satisfaction of DPU’s requirements, the Town of Andover will begin its public procurement process to select and sign a contract with an electricity supplier for ACP.

During this process, details for the program will be finalized, including the amount of local renewable energy included in and the price for the Andover Standard product as well as the other optional electricity products to be offered. Residents and businesses can track the official program status online at the link below.

Serving on a Town board, committee, commission, or task force is a rewarding way to get involved in the community and to provide input on policies that will shape Andover’s future. The Town of Andover has more than 30 boards and committees that perform critical decision making and advisory functions. The membership of these boards and committees is comprised of more than 200 dedicated volunteers.

Given the diversity of policy areas and subject matters handled by Town boards and commissions, there are opportunities for all Town residents to get involved, regardless of your specific expertise or interests. There is no requirement for previous involvement in Town government to be considered for appointment. All residents with an interest in serving the community are encouraged to apply.

Applications to serve on any appointed board or committee are accepted on a rolling basis and can be submitted any time by completing an Andover Talent Bank Form online.

Learn more about available opportunities and access the Talent Bank Form at the link below.

On Wednesday, December 13, the MBTA Communities Working Group and Planning Division staff hosted a MBTA Communities Conversation, the latest in an extensive series of public engagement opportunities regarding the state MBTA Communities Zoning law and its implementation in Andover.

During the conversation, members of the Working Group outlined their recommendation to disperse the location of Andover’s compliant multi-family housing zone across three locations: Downtown, Ballardvale, and the River Road Corridor.

Under the MBTA Communities zoning law, municipalities served by the commuter rail must create a zoning district where multi-family housing is permitted as of right. The district must allow a minimum gross density of 15 units per acre and must cover at least 50 acres. The district must have a minimum zoning capacity of 15% of the community’s current housing stock, which in Andover results in a minimum capacity of 2,031.

Guidelines for the implementation of the law released by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities allow for the district to be divided among several sites, as is being proposed in Andover, and for a portion of the district to be located outside of the immediate vicinity of a transit station. The Downtown and Ballardvale portions of the district are both proposed to be located within half a mile of Andover’s commuter rail stations, while the River Road portion is further away from either transit station, but in close proximity to many large employers.

The MBTA Communities Working Group is continuing to refine certain characteristics of its proposed zoning districts, including the density that will be permitted within each location. The final zoning recommendations will ultimately be reflected in a zoning bylaw article to be considered by Town Meeting.

A full recording of the December 13 Community Conversation can be viewed at the link below.

As we enter 2024, make sure to mark your calendar with key dates in the Town of Andover.

The Town Election will be held on Tuesday, March 26, and the Annual Town Meeting will begin on Monday, April 29. Several important deadlines precede each date. View the calendar at the link below for more details. 

The cold weather does not mean that you have to stop exploring Andover's incredible natural environment! Andover Conservation hosts year-round guided walks through some of Andover's most remarkable trails and open spaces on Wednesday mornings at 9:45 AM.

The first hike of 2024 will take place on January 3, and will explore Den Rock. Register online and check out the complete schedule of other upcoming hikes at the link below.