The latest news from Andover Town Offices and around the community.
Town of Andover Newsletter
March 14, 2023 | No. 004

Topping Off Ceremony

Major Milestone Celebrated in Construction of West Elementary and Shawsheen Preschool Building Project

On Friday, March 10, a major milestone in the construction of the new West Elementary School and Shawsheen Preschool was celebrated as the final beam was raised to form the facility's structure. The beam was signed by members of the construction team, Town and Andover Public School officials, West Elementary School students, and members of the Andover community before being hoisted into place at the conclusion of the Topping Off Ceremony.

 

The project represents a $168 million investment, including $38.4 million in funding from the MSBA. When complete, the facility will house West Elementary School and Shawsheen Preschool under one roof across 191,000 square feet of state-of-the-art learning space. Construction on the project began in June 2022, and is anticipated to last approximately two years.

Select Board Brief

Select Board, Recommends Approval of FY 2024 Budget Proposal, Reviews Plan For Implementation of Town Governance Study Committee Communications Priorities

The Andover Select Board met on Monday, March 13 in the Robb Senior Center’s Lifelong Learning Room. The meeting’s agenda covered a wide range of topics including the implementation of communications initiatives recommended by the Town Governance Study Committee, the appointment of a member to the Board of Registrars of Voters, and the acceptance of grants of easements necessary in the Ledge Road Landfill closure project.  

 

The meeting saw the continuation of the Select Board’s review of warrant articles ahead of the 2023 Annual Town Meeting. The Board considered nine articles and voted to recommend approval of Fiscal Year 2024 budget recommendation and capital improvement program.

Saturday Budget Workshop

Select Board, Finance Committee, School Committee Review FY2024 Budget Proposal

The Select Board and Finance Committee convened on Saturday, March 4 for their annual budget workshop to review the $234.75 million budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2024. A Tri-Board meeting was gaveled in to review the proposed $98.7 million budget for Andover Public Schools.

 

The day-long session included an overview of FY 2024 budget goals, tax implications, and significant changes proposed in the recommendation. Town department heads were on hand to present their proposed funding levels for the upcoming fiscal year and to provide an update on progress towards their respective goals and objectives over the past year.

 

During the meeting, Town Manager Andrew Flanagan offered a detailed overview of the public safety staffing plan included in the budget. The plan recommends the addition of nine positions in the Fire Rescue Department, and three positions in the Police Department, all to be offset by ambulance billing fees, downtown parking revenue, and reduced overtime budgets in both departments. Representing a major step in achieving a priority established in the Select Board’s strategic goals for 2022-2023, the plan seeks to align staffing levels with increased demands on public safety departments that have emerged over recent decades driven by population growth, increased call volumes, and new commercial development.

DEI 101
Town Introduces Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training For Employees

In early March, the Town of Andover launched a series of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) trainings for employees. Titled “DEI 101,” this introductory training was designed to support Town personnel in building the skills necessary to effectively participate in and implement a long-term initiative to improve the racial climate and culture in the community. The two-hour sessions were led by Jenny Jun-lei Kravitz of Equity and Inclusion Specialists, LLC (EIS), and included discussions around de-escalation, culturally appropriate customer engagement, examining implicit bias and strategies for creating a workplace culture of belonging.

 

The initiation of organization-wide trainings marks an important step in the Town’s holistic strategy to foster greater inclusivity in Andover and in the implementation of the Town’s 2021 Diversity Audit, which underscored the importance of establishing DEI training opportunities for employees in its recommendations.

At-Home Antigen Rapid Tests

COVID-19 Test Kits Available to Andover Residents

The Town of Andover has received an additional supply of iHealth Labs at-home rapid antigen test kits from the Commonwealth, and will be distributing them to residents free of charge while supplies last. Test kits can be picked up at Andover Town Offices, the Robb Center, and Memorial Hall Library during regular business hours. The kits, which contain a set of two rapid tests, have an extended expiration date of November 2023.

 

Transmission of COVID-19 in Andover and around the region currently remains low according to the state’s COVID-19 data dashboard. Despite limited transmission, at-home test kits are a valuable tool in combatting the spread of COVID-19, offering a quick, convenient testing solution to individuals who are experiencing symptoms of the virus or who have come in close contact with someone who has tested positive. 

2023 Town Election
Annual Town Election Approaching on Tuesday, March 28

Andover's Annual Town Election is two weeks away, and several important deadlines are quickly approaching:

 

Saturday, March 18 – Deadline to register to vote in the Annual Town Election

Tuesday, March 21 – 5:00 PM – Deadline to submit a vote by mail application

Tuesday, March 28 – Annual Town Election, polls open from 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Tuesday, March 28 8:00 PM – Deadline to return completed mail-in ballot


A specimen ballot for the Town Election is now available online. Whether you plan to vote by mail or in person, make sure you have all of the information you need to cast your vote on or before Tuesday, March 28.

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

Town’s FY2022 Budget Receives Honor

The Town of Andover has been awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its Fiscal Year 2023 budget document. Presented by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), the award represents the highest form of recognition in government budgeting.

 

To earn this distinction, the Town of Andover was required to meet nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity's budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device.

Virginia Cole Award

Town Accepting Nominations For Annual Community Service Award

The Virginia Cole Community Service Award is presented annually to a resident who has made outstanding, long-term contributions to the Town of Andover in an elected, appointed or volunteer role. Nominations for the 2023 Virginia Cole Award will be accepted through Friday, March 31, and can be submitted online.

 

Nominations will be reviewed by the Town Moderator, Chair of the Select Board, and Chair of the School Committee. The winner of the Virginia Cole Award will be announced at the Annual Town Meeting on May 1, 2023.

Community Survey

Andover High School Building Committee Seeking Input on Potential Building Project

Your input is requested. The Andover High School Building Committee has created a survey to generate feedback to inform decisions and priorities for a potential building project. The Committee strives to understand what is important to the community and ensure that these values are reflected in the design. The survey closes on Wednesday, March 15.

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