Citizens Survey Results - 2004
Andover is a great and safe place to live and raise children
In January the Board of Selectmen commissioned the National Research Center, Inc. of Boulder, Colorado to conduct the National Citizen Survey (NCS) here in Andover. The NCS is a standardized, professionally administered, local public opinion survey process that has been developed and tested by a panel of experts to be broadly applicable to any city or town. It has been conducted by more than 300 communities across the country, and has won a number of awards for excellence. Only three other communities in Massachusetts have conducted the NCS to date – Boston, Worcester, and Brookline. The cost for the NCS process was $7,500.
The survey was mailed to a random sampling of 1,200 Andover households in March using the U.S. Postal Service’s residential address listing. Completed surveys were returned by 646 residents, representing a 56% response rate (typical response rates for citizen surveys usually range from 25% to 40%). The results of the survey represent a statistically valid sampling of the opinions of the overall Andover community at-large. The survey’s margin of error is +/- 5%, which means there is a 95% level of confidence that the results would be similar if every residence in Andover responded to the survey.
“The NCS is one of the most accurate and economical ways to reckon the state of local public opinion” said Town Manager, Reginald S. “Buzz” Stapczynski. “These surveys are especially effective in giving voice to the great silent majority out there in the community” said Stapczynski.
Andover received very high ratings in the various quality of life and safety questions – e.g., as a place to live; as place to raise children; sense of community; safety from crime; safety in neighborhood and parks. Ratings for police, fire/EMS, library, and school services were also way above average. Property values, public schools, geographic location, and small town atmosphere were the reasons most often cited as prime influences on people’s decisions to move to and/or remain in Andover. Protecting the safety of persons and property; maintaining the high quality of education for all; and maintaining town infrastructure, were rated respectively as the three most important values of the Town of Andover.
The survey also identified a number of areas that need improvement. Access to affordable housing; street and sidewalk repair; as a place to retire; amount of public parking; services to low income people; and bus/transit services, were the lowest rated items.
The Board of Selectmen, Town Manager, and department heads will be meeting to discuss the results of the survey over the coming months. “This will definitely help us in defining Town priorities and setting performance goals for the coming fiscal year and beyond ” said Selectmen Chairman, Brian P. Major. “This type of scientific public opinion data is extremely valuable to the Board” said Major. The citizen survey will also be utilized by other Town boards and committees, such as the Vision21 Committee, which plans to use the results to assist in developing a long-term vision for Andover.