Town Seal Community Forum

Town Seal Review Committee to Host Community Forum on Tuesday, May 23

The Town Seal Review Committee will host a community forum on Tuesday, May 23 at 7:00 PM at Memorial Hall Library. The event is intended to provide an opportunity for members of the community to provide input to the Committee as it moves forward with the process of developing an alternative town seal.

In October 2022, following extensive public engagement, the Committee voted to develop an alternative town seal design that will be submitted to the community for consideration. The decision to retain the current seal or adopt the alternative design will ultimately be voted on at a future Town Meeting.

The forum will include a presentation on the history of Andover’s town seal, the announcement of results from a community survey conducted in April seeking input on what should be featured in the alternative seal, and a presentation on the design process by consultants from Communications, Ink – a design firm recently selected by the Committee to develop the alternative seal design.

EMS Bike Team
Andover Fire Rescue Launches EMS Bike Team to Improve Emergency Response Times During Community Events

Andover Fire Rescue has announced the launch of a new EMS Bike Team. The program will deploy EMS personnel on bikes at large-scale community events such as Andover Days and the Feaster 5K. The use of bikes is expected to improve emergency response times in high density settings where navigating by ambulance may be challenging.

Fourteen members of the Department recently completed an intensive training course to prepare for providing emergency services by bike. The Bike Team will see its first action during Andover's Memorial Day Festivities.

Costs of the program were offset by contributions from the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation, and the Merrimack Valley Striders.

Old Town Hall Adaptive Reuse Survey

Town Seeks Community Input on Potential Future Uses of

Old Town Hall

Old Town Hall is a remarkable community asset situated at the focal point of Andover's vibrant and active downtown. The building has played a defining role in Andover's history since it was built in 1858, hosting Town Meeting, political and social gatherings, and lectures from visiting dignitaries. 

Activating Old Town Hall and maximizing its potential has been a longstanding priority of the Town. The 2016 Imagine Andover Report highlighted the potential for improvements to the building to serve as a catalyst for drawing more visitors to Downtown Andover.  

The Town of Andover is initiating a community conversation on how to best transform the Old Town Hall to provide the greatest benefits to the community. In April, residents and business owners were invited to a community workshop to tour the historic building and discuss ideas for its transformation.

Now, the Town is inviting members of the community to share their input on potential uses of Old Town Hall by completing a brief online survey, linked below. This survey is the first step in re-imagining Old Town Hall. Stay tuned for more opportunities to get involved in this community-driven process. 

Annual Town Report

2022 Annual Town Report Available Online

From breaking ground on the West Elementary/Shawsheen Preschool project to advancing initiatives around diversity, equity, and inclusion, 2022 was a year of significant progress for the Town of Andover. Take a look back at key highlights from last year by reading the 2022 Annual Town Report. 

The Annual Town Report includes an overview of the achievements of each Town department during 2022, financial activity during the previous fiscal year, and the minutes from the 2022 Annual Town Meeting. The document was published in April, and can be viewed in its entirety at the link below.

Wi-Fi In The Park

Town Completes Participatory Capital Budgeting Project to Provide Wi-Fi in The Park 

Spring weather has arrived in New England, and parks across Andover are bustling with activity. Now, residents have an opportunity to stay connected while enjoying the outdoors thanks to a recently completed project funded through the Town's first Participatory Capital Budget.

In April, the Town of Andover's Information Technology and Facilities Departments completed the installation of technology to establish Wi-Fi access in The Park, located at the corner of Chestnut Street and Bartlet Street. Residents may now connect to Wi-Fi throughout most parts of The Park by selecting the "AndoverNET-Guest" network on their mobile device. 

The Town of Andover launched the Participatory Capital Budgeting program in 2021, creating an opportunity for residents to play a part in deciding how capital improvement funds should be spent. Ten projects were funded in the first year of the program, ranging from a traffic calming project on Elm Street to improved landscaping in public areas throughout town. The majority of projects selected for the program's first round have been completed. 

The proposal to create public Wi-Fi in The Park was submitted by Karen Van Welden Herman.

Free Paddling Event on the Shawsheen River, Saturday May 13

Have you always wanted to try paddling on the Shawsheen River, one of Andover’s great recreational treasures?  No canoe, no kayak; no paddling experience; no problem! The Andover Recreation Department has partnered with Andover Trails to provide boats and some training to get you and your family safely on the water.  Hourly guided tours will be available, as well as canoes and kayaks for those that have enough experience to paddle themselves. We will help get you in and out of the boats and on the water.

The Shawsheen River is a flat water paddling paradise.  At this time of year, the water level is perfect for paddling canoes, and kayaks. You can expect up close viewing of families of geese and other water fowl, great blue heron, and often dozens of turtles. This is a perfect event for families. 

Sign-up in advance at the link below or arrive and paddles, life jackets and boats will be available for free on a first-come first-serve basis. Come to Shawsheen Pines, across from Pfizer located off of Lowell Junction Road and starting at 10:00AM. Boats will be available until 1:00PM for trips of up to one hour. 

Gail Ralston Receives Virginia Cole Community Service Award During Town Meeting

Gail Ralston was honored as the as the recipient of the 2023 Virginia Cole Community Service Award during the second night of Annual Town Meeting. Gail's service to Andover spans more than three decades, and includes time as a member of the Select Board, the Andover Center for History and Culture's Board of Directors, the Town Governance Study Committee, the Spring Grove Cemetery Trustees, and the Rotary Club. A talented researcher and writer, Gail has worked tirelessly to ensure that important stories from Andover's past live on through her contributions to the "Andover Stories" column in the Andover Townsman. Through her volunteer service and commitment to preserving Andover's history, Gail has made an indelible impact on the community. 

The Virginia Cole Community Service Award has been presented at Town Meeting each year since 2001, and honors an Andover resident who has made outstanding, long-term contributions to the Town of Andover in an elected, appointed, or volunteer capacity. Nominations for the award are solicited from the community each spring, and reviewed by a panel comprised of the Town Moderator, Select Board Chair, and School Committee Chair. Gail Ralston was selected unanimously by the review committee this year. 

Last month, the Andover High School Building Committee unanimously voted to recommend “Campus 2 with New Auditorium” as the preferred building option to proceed into Schematic Design. The design was selected based on its cost effectiveness, limited impact to students, and shorter construction timeline relative to other options.

The School Building Committee and project team encourages residents to learn more about the project and continue to provide input. Here are a few ways that you can get involved:

• Visit the Andover High School Building Project Facebook page to learn more and be notified of upcoming events.
• Visit the project website and subscribe to the mailing list for project information and to receive email notifications.
• Email the SBC and project team with any questions or comments.
• Watch past meetings of the School Building Committee.

Andover Fire Rescue has welcomed two firefighters who recently graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Career Recruit Program. Firefighter/EMT’s Andrew Silvestro and Connor Cameron graduated from the academy’s 50-day Career Recruit Program Class #310 on Friday, April 28.

The 50-day MFA program prepares firefighters for basic firefighting, including search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation, fire attack and life safety lessons, as well as non-fire responses and hazardous material response. Silvestro and Cameron were among 20 graduates in Class #310, representing Andover and 10 other departments.

Town of Andover Job Board

The Town of Andover is currently seeking qualified individuals to fill various positions within our organization. Learn more about exciting opportunities to join our team and grow your career at the links below, and apply online today. 

Behavioral Health Clinician - Police Department

Maintenance Mechanic - HVAC & Mechanical - Facilities

Second Shift Custodian - Facilities