Sign-up period ends on January 31
The Solarize Challenge put forth by Vital Communities, a Vermont-based non-profit, was a demanding one. The challenge is to double the amount of residential solar-electric (photovoltaic) production capacity in the towns of Andover, New London, and Wilmot by the end of January 2015. As the Beacon went to press on January 26, the figures – […]
We're ready for the next storm
Only one contested position
The filing period for the March 10 elections ended at 5 PM on Friday, January 30. Candidates on the ballots will be: Board of Selectmen (one position): Leonard Caron, James Delaney Budget Committee (two positions): Wood Sutton, Bob Ward Library Trustee (two positions): Caroline Ratzki, Alexis Southworth School Board (one position, three years): Michelle Dudek School […]
Tax bill for $200,000 property could drop $92
The proposed 2015 budgets for Andover schools, town government, and fire departments total $6,652,036, down over $60,000 (or 0.9%) from the 2014 total. These budgets will result in lower tax bills this year. The State Educational Grant is increased, which will reduce the School District tax burden. Assuming no changes in other offsetting revenues (including […]
Selectmen provide some background
The Board of Selectmen is working on the warrant articles for Town Meeting on Tuesday, March 10. Several of the warrant articles being considered are of a “housekeeping” nature, in that they are simply trying to keep up with the way we do business in Andover. Here, in question-and-answer format, is some background on a […]
Town Meeting Day is coming up on Tuesday, March 10, and with it comes your chance to elect Town and School District officers. If you’re not registered to vote, it’s quick and easy. If you’ll be out of town or homebound on voting day, casting an absentee vote is also easy. There’s no excuse not […]
Join Us for Conversation About Community Vision
You are invited to join an interesting assortment of like-minded Andover neighbors for a potluck lunch and discussion on Saturday, January 10, at the Highland Lake Grange Hall, in East Andover, from noon to 2:30 PM Through our interactions, we know that each of you has a passion and/or a talent for community building, local […]
Canvassing up, but total down 18%
We’re wrapping up the Beacon’s 2014 fundraising year, and I wish the news were better… First, the good news. This fall, a dozen volunteer canvassers reached out to 158 Beacon readers who hadn’t donated yet in 2014. Of those readers canvassed, 68 stepped up and made their donation for the year (up 26% from last […]
Saturday, December 6, and Sunday, December 7
Solarize Kearsarge: A project to double the amount of residential and small-business solar in the towns of Andover, New London and Wilmot by the end of January 2015 Upcoming Events in Wilmot & Andover Solar Open Houses in Wilmot — Saturday, December 6, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Home of Jim Sims and Caroline Fairless, […]
Re-val shifts tax burden among individual properties
The amount to be raised by taxes for Andover for 2014 is $5,200,882. This is an increase over last year of $95,052 (or 1.9%). The tax bill for a property assessed at $200,000 will increase by about about $75 over last year. A revaluation of Andover was completed this year, which resulted in a decrease […]