Select Board Welcomes New Members Kevin Coffey and Ellen Townson, Receives Update on Andover Community Power Program, Appoints Member to the Board of Registrars  

ANDOVER, MA – The Andover Select Board met on Monday, April 8 at the Andover Public School Administrative Offices. The meeting marked the first time that the Board has convened with new members Kevin Coffey and Ellen Townson, who were elected in the March 26 Annual Town Election. The Board received an update on the rollout of Andover Community Power, the Town’s new voluntary energy aggregation program that will launch in June, appointed Molly Bicking to the Board of Registrars of Voters, and approved two utility applications.

Andover Community Power 
Deputy Town Manager Mike Lindstrom provided an update on Andover Community Power (ACP), the Town’s new electricity supply program set to launch in June. ACP is a municipal aggregation program that will enable the Town to procure electrical supply in bulk at a competitive rate. National Grid will continue to deliver the electricity, repair power outages, and maintain the electricity grid. Customers who participate in ACP will continue to receive one bill from National Grid for the electricity they use. 

Andover’s Municipal Aggregation Plan was submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) in 2021. In January 2024, the Town received notice of DPU’s final approval of the plan, allowing the Town to begin the process of rolling out ACP and going out to bid for aggregated electrical supply. 

Andover Community Power will offer three new electricity supply options to all Andover residents and businesses. The Town’s primary offering, Andover Standard, will cost less than the current National Grid Residential Basic Service rate while also providing an additional 15% renewable energy. Andover residents and businesses may also choose from two other options: Andover Ultimate, which adds voluntary renewable energy (MA Class I RECs) to total 100%, and Andover Basic, which just meets the State minimum standards for renewable energy.

Andover Community Power will also provide participants long-term price stability, with prices fixed for 42 months, until December 2027.

Customers currently using National Grid Basic Service will be automatically enrolled for Andover Standard as of their June meter reading, unless they opt-out of the program, or opt for a different ACP offering. The deadline to “opt-out” or “opt-up” is May 13, 2024. Customers currently using a third-party electricity provider or a different tier of National Grid service may voluntarily enroll in ACP. The process to enroll, change your service option, or opt-out can be completed online through the Andover Community Power website, or by calling (978) 216-2739.

Postcards and notification letters have been sent out to all customers who are eligible for automatic enrollment in Andover Standard. 

The Town of Andover has hosted a series of public meetings to provide residents with an opportunity to learn more about ACP and service options. Two additional meetings will be held in the coming days: 

• Friday, April 12, 2024, at 12 PM: Virtual Meeting 
• Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 6 PM: Memorial Hall Library

Board of Registrars Appointment
The Select Board voted to appoint Andover resident Molly Bicking to the Board of Registrars. Bicking will replace long-time member Robert Williard, whose term recently expired.

The Board of Registrars is responsible for assisting the Town Clerk’s Office in promoting and maintaining voter registration and facilitating elections. The Board is comprised of three appointed members and the Town Clerk who serves as an ex officio member. State Law prohibits the Board from having more than two members with the same part affiliation. As there are currently two Republicans serving on the Board, the new appointee was required to be a registered Democrat. The Andover Democratic Town Committee was entitled to submit up to three nominees, and opted to nominate Molly Bicking.

Bicking has a long record of community involvement and participation in Andover’s electoral process. She has served as a poll worker for 22 years, including as a precinct warden. Her appointment was unanimously approved by the Select Board. 

Other Notes

• The Select Board issued a proclamation, declaring April 9 through April 30, 2024 to be Motorcycle Safety Awareness Period in the Town of Andover, and encouraging motorists to be alert to motorcyclists on roadways.
• Town Manager Andrew Flanagan provided an update on local revenue collections for the current fiscal year in light of shortfalls at the state level. Flanagan noted that property tax collections and local receipts have hit anticipated benchmarks through the first three quarters of FY2024, and that the Healey Administration has signaled that it does not intend to make mid-year reductions to local aid. Accordingly, Andover’s revenue collections remain in a strong position.
• The Board voted to approve a utility application from Eversource Gas for the installation of a gas telemeter cabinet at 106 Gould Road, which will enable the remote monitoring of pressure in the gas system as part of DPU safety assessment. Another application, from National Grid, for the construction of an underground electric conduit across Fraser Drive to provide power to a newly constructed residence was also approved.  

The Board is scheduled to meet next on Monday, April 22. The full meeting can be viewed online through AndoverTV.