Your fire department is working to finish a large project and we need your support. Several years ago a selectmen’s study committee concluded that combining the two fire departments would be the best option for the town of Andover. Operating as separate departments was costly, inefficient and to a degree less safe for the firefighters. The firemen took on this challenge and combined the two departments a few years ago. In that time operations, training and planning came under one department. We are the Andover Fire Department now and it is working very well.

One of the benefits of combining is that we discovered that we had too many fire trucks. Over time we have retired three trucks. Other costly and older pieces of equipment have also been removed from service. New equipment purchases have been made that benefit the entire town not just one precinct. We are very pleased with the purchase of twenty three air packs totaling $160,000. at no expense to the Andover tax payer.

We operate from two stations and will continue to do so. However, the people who operate from those stations are better equipped and trained because we all work together as a team.

We are now at the final stage of the combination process. We need to combine the tax precincts. Currently we operate our accounting as two separate departments. This process creates uncertainty as to who should pay each expense. Two separate budgets must show the expenses as each precinct makes purchases. This is very difficult and considering the amount of time we spend trying to keep all things equal to assure a balanced audit, a silly process moving forward.

The next and last step is to combine the two tax precincts into one. This will require a two thirds vote of the East Andover Precinct voters present at the Annual Precinct Meeting. The same vote will take place at the Andover Precinct Meeting one day later. The Warrant will request dissolving the East Andover precinct and tax boundary and combining the precinct assets with Andover. With an affirmative vote from both precincts, the Andover selectmen will redraw the Andover Fire Department to include the entire town. This vote will have tax implications for voters on the each side. A property assessed for $200,000 in East Andover will pay $74.00 under the current tax structure and $108. under the combined plan. A property assessed for $200,000 in Andover will pay $136. under the current tax structure and $108. under the combined plan. By combining our operations we have already more than offset any real rise in taxes and through planning, efficiencies, and grant awards and we will continue to do so.

The selectmen will hold a public hearing at the Andover Town office, lower level, on Wednesday February 15 at 7 PM. The Fire Commissioners and Fire Chief will present our plan and be available to answer questions.

Are we asking a lot? Yes we are. Weare asking you to help us finish what we have started. We, your team, have worked very hard to build a better fire department. By every measure we have been very successful but we need to complete the project and are asking for your support to get it done. The East Andover Precinct will meet on March 21 at 7 PM at the East Station. The Andover Precinct will meet on March 22, at 7 PM at the Main Street Station.