My name is James Delaney, Sr., and I have lived in Andover almost all of my life. I left for a while to join the United States Marine Corps and do my tour of duty. After nine years, I came home and started my family. All of my sons have been brought up in Andover, […]
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 […]
Are there alternatives to sharp increases in transportation costs?
The Andover School Board and the Budget Committee are recommending that Andover voters approve a warrant article to fund a transportation study. The transportation study originated due to concerns by the Budget Committee that current negotiations by the School Board with various bus vendors revealed disturbing trends, chief among them being: the consolidation of bus […]
Road and Bridges, Cable TV, and more
If there were any doubts about who runs our town, Town Meeting made it very clear that we all do. In 2014, the Board of Selectmen plans to build and strengthen appointed committees. The Board is currently organizing a new Andover Roads and Bridges Committee and is seeking volunteers. The Board is also seeking new […]
Input from Town Meeting prompts change
At a February meeting of the Board of Selectmen, the Board voted to change from an annual tax billing to a semi-annual tax billing. The Board heard from residents about real savings generated by going to a semi-annual tax billing and other advantages. We also heard from residents who prefer annual tax billing, as it […]
$1 million bond for roads and bridges fails
The 2014 Andover Town Meeting convened on March 11 in the AE/MS gym at 7 PM. Because Articles 1 through 5 were on the ballot during voting from 11 AM to 7 PM, the meeting started by addressing Article 6. Article 6: $1,000,000 bond for road and bridge work. A 2/3 vote by secret ballot […]
Interim actions in place to protect failing bridges
The Board of Selectmen, with the full support of both the Budget Committee and our past Road Agent, Jon Champagne, submitted to Town Meeting a request to borrow $1,000,000 to “catch up” deferred and delayed road and bridge projects. That request failed. Several new and different options and ideas about how to fund the deferred […]
Meeting approves facilities study
Before the meeting began, Andover School Board chair Don Gould recognized retiring Superintendent of Schools Mike Martin as a quiet problem solver and presented him with a golf club with the AE/MS eagle pointed on it. Article 1: To accept the reports printed in the School District report. With no discussion, the article passed unanimously. […]
Seeks help from all on facilities assessment
The Andover School District Meeting of 2014 witnessed changes, voter support, and challenges to make our Eagles fly ever higher. Incoming SAU 46 Superintendent, Mark MacLean, was introduced. Present and retiring Superintendent Dr. Mike Martin was recognized and presented a retirement gift of a golf club displaying the Andover Eagle emblem. Another one displaying the […]