June 12 Select Board Brief
Select Board Signs Land Disposition Agreement for Old Town Yard Site, Approves Recommended Building Option for Andover High School Project, and Reviews Status of Strategic Goals and Objectives

The Andover Select Board met on Monday, June 12 in the School Committee Conference Room at the Andover Public Schools Administrative Offices. Formalizing a milestone in the long-anticipated development of the Old Town Yard site, the Board voted unanimously to sign a land disposition agreement with Minco Development Corporation for 11 Lewis Street. The Board also voted 3-2 to accept the building option for the Andover High School project recommended by the School Building Committee, while acknowledging that significant work remains in assessing the financial impact of the proposed project.

Town Manager Andrew Flanagan provided an update on the Town’s progress in implementing strategic goals set by the Select Board at the beginning of the current fiscal year both to assess recent progress and to develop new goals for the year ahead. Other actions included the Board’s review of an initiative petition for construction of an affordable home on Mary Lou Lane, the approval of end-of-year transfers, and the appointment of members to the newly-established MBTA Communities Working Group.

Elm Square Safety Form

Residents Share Input on Safety Improvements to Elm Square Intersection During Safety Forum

Immediately following the tragic accident that occurred at Elm Square on May 9, the Town of Andover accelerated the timeline of a planned traffic study of the intersection, a comprehensive process that will assess the intersection’s current conditions and produce recommendations aimed at making it safer for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.

Town officials have emphasized that the study and its recommendations will be guided by input from the community and have committed to providing multiple opportunities for residents to participate in the process. The first of three public forums planned on the topic of safety in Elm Square was held on Thursday, June 8. An estimated 200 residents turned out to WWI Memorial Auditorium at Doherty Middle School for the initial meeting, with dozens sharing specific safety concerns about the area and suggestions for improvements.

While the forum marked the beginning of the community conversation around multi-modal safety in Elm Square, an all-hands-on-deck effort has been underway with participation from Town departments, state authorities, and regional partners in the weeks since the tragic accident. The Town hired TEC, Inc., a Lawrence-based civil engineering firm specializing in traffic and pedestrian safety, to lead the study. Within days of the May 9 fatality, TEC began collecting data and information relative to movement through the intersection – a critical step in study process.

MBTA Communities Working Group

Working Group Appointed to Help Guide Town's Review of MBTA Communities Zoning Requirements

The Town of Andover has appointed thirteen residents to serve on a newly-established MBTA Communities Working Group. The panel will be responsible for helping to guide the Town’s process of assessing the requirements of the state’s MBTA Communities zoning law and developing potential strategies for its implementation in Andover.

Members of the Working Group will support the Town’s ongoing public outreach around the zoning requirements and analyze feedback from the community in identifying ways to achieve compliance with state regulations.

Town Joins with Community Organizations to host 

Juneteenth Celebration

Juneteenth marks a significant milestone in our nation's history, commemorating the emancipation of the last enslaved individuals in the United States. The holiday is an annual reminder of the nation's unfinished march towards equality and justice for all.

On Monday, June 19, the Town of Andover and the DEI Commission were pleased to join Andover Baptist Church, the Andover Interfaith Community, MVBBV, and other community partners in hosting a powerful and uplifting Juneteenth celebration at the Cormier Youth Center. The event included musical performances, guest speakers, food trucks, vendor tables, trivia and games, and more.

Fourth of July Festivities Planned for Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4

The Town of Andover will host an exciting slate of events in celebration of Independence Day on Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4. The festivities will begin with Andover's Annual Fireworks Show on Monday night, and will continue the next morning with a pancake breakfast, spirit parade, and celebration in The Park. Mark your calendar, and make a plan to join us for an unforgettable Fourth of July!

Monday, July 3
Annual Fourth of July Fireworks Show
9:20 PM 
Andover High School, 80 Shawsheen Road

Tuesday, July 4
Pancake Breakfast
8:30 - 10:30 AM
Robb Center, 30 Whittier Court

Fourth of July Spirit Parade
10:30 - 11:00 AM
Beginning in front of Town Offices, 36 Bartlet Street

Celebration in The Park
11:00 AM
Gazebo in The Park at the corner of Chestnut & Bartlet Streets

Community Invited to Share Ideas for Improving Safety of Streets During Complete Streets Public Meeting

The Town of Andover will host the first Complete Streets public meeting on Thursday, June 29 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Cormier Youth Center, located at 40 Whittier Court. The event will provide an opportunity for members of the community to share their experiences and ideas for making roadways across Andover safer and more accessible for all users.

A Complete Street is one that provides safe and accessible options for all travel modes - walking, biking, transit and vehicles – for people of all ages and abilities. Last year, the Town of Andover adopted a Complete Streets Policy, which establishes the Town's commitment to prioritizing inclusivity and creating accommodations for all users in future roadway projects. Now, the Town is initiating the process of developing a Complete Streets Prioritization Plan, which will lay out a targeted strategy to improve safety, mobility, and accessibility, and will produce a list of anticipated transportation projects throughout Andover. Participation from the community is critical in the development of a comprehensive Prioritization Plan.

Virtual participation is available for those who are unable to attend the event in person. Visit the link below to access the Zoom link.

Apply to Participate in the Fall 2023 Session of the Andover Leadership Academy

The Andover Leadership Academy is an eleven-session program designed to enhance citizen understanding of municipal operations and for municipal leaders and townspeople to learn from one another through conversation. 

Through the Academy, participants get to know municipal staff and fellow students and gain an appreciation for the parameters, unique requirements and wide range of services offered in Andover. Sessions are facilitated by senior municipal staff and their teams and include presentations about: police and fire services, government finance, libraries, planning and regulatory services, town history, community services and much, much more.

The next session of the Academy will run twice weekly during weekdays, 2:00-4:30 PM from October 2^nd through November 8^th, 2023. All who live and or work in Andover are encouraged to apply. Click the link below to submit an application online.

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. 

Chief Assessor - Assessor's Department

Town Counsel - Town Manager's Office

Maintenance Mechanic - HVAC & Mechanical - Facilities