Focus shifts to job in Kenya, accelerated school schedule
It is time I announce my resignation from my position as Selectwoman. Last summer I was offered a job in Kenya to teach 30+ students in reforestation and water conservation this June and July. I have decided to accept their offer and will most likely stay on with the organization after that. I love Andover […]
Retiring from Board of Selectmen after three years
After serving as part of the team of Selectpersons for the past three years, I want to thank those I served with and worked with. When I entered office, I was not prepared for the scope of work or the knowledge-base that the job of Selectperson requires. My singular goal while running for office was […]
House cuts must pass many hurdles
Elections have consequences. We saw that in the last few weeks, when Republicans finally found their voice and set about to dismantle what our bipartisan legislature had worked hard to achieve over the past two years. The Finance Committee voted to cut $68 million from the Department of Transportation (DOT), mostly in personnel cuts which […]
Precedent is to let Town Meeting decide
Dear Members of the Board of Selectmen and Members of the Budget Committee and Town Administrator, Thank you for serving Andover with your best efforts and your desire to do what is best for the community. It is sometimes a thankless job, and I am grateful that you have stepped up to the task. In […]
I would like to thank Andover voters for your support in our recent Town elections. I would like to thank those of you who voted for me and also those of you who voted for Mr. Caron. By your support, for either me or Lenny, it shows that democracy is alive and kicking in Andover. Again, […]
To Stephen Barton, Jake Johnson, and Carter Atwood, Thank you for a very quick response to my call for help last month at my house on Cilleyville Road. Your actions helped avert what could have been a major plumbing disaster. My gratitude goes out to the Fire Department members for doing exactly the right things, especially […]
Keen sense of ownership and commitment
Town Administrator Marj Roy and I met in late August to design a strategic plan to improve the process of developing the school and municipal budgets. Our approach focused on devising a meaningful exchange of information among all parties involved (Board of Selectmen, department heads, Town Administrator, School Board, Budget Committee, and the public) and developing […]
Doing their best at a very tough job
What a winter it has been! As I look out the window of my warm and cozy house, I can see the plow trucks going by. Some are driven by people who work to keep our town roads and parking lots safe, and some are driven by people who work to keep driveways and private […]
Legislature hard at work, despite snow cancellations
The House has settled after the dramatic upheaval of a few weeks ago when Shawn Jasper became Speaker instead of Bill O’Brien. While there are still some lingering bad feelings among the two Republican factions, committee chairs and vice chairs appointed by Speaker Jasper have been busy scheduling hearings, and a sense of normality seems […]
We would like to thank the Andover Fire Department for assistance on the night of January 31. Responding quickly to our needs were Peter Smith, Jacob Johnson, Chief Rene Lefebvre, Ben Seaver, and Scott Davis. Most sincerely, Ed and Doreen Barkowski