Select Board Reappoints Incumbent Members to Zoning Board of Appeals, Votes to Establish a Central Street Historic District Study Committee, Reviews Status of Strategic Goals and Objectives for 2023-2024

ANDOVER, MA – The Andover Select Board met on Monday, June 17 at the Andover Public School Administrative Offices. During the meeting, the Board received a report from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) subcommittee, which interviewed in recent weeks ten applicants for three positions on the Board. The Board endorsed the recommendation of the Subcommittee to reappoint the three incumbent members of the ZBA whose terms were set to expire.

The Select Board also considered and voted to support the creation of a Central Street Historic District Study Committee, a proposal that came at the request of several residents and that has already been endorsed by the Ballardvale Historic District Committee.

Initiating the process of establishing new goals for the coming fiscal year, the Select Board received a report from Town Manager Andrew Flanagan on the status of Town Manager and Select Board Strategic Goals and Objectives for 2023-2024. Flanagan reported notable progress in the areas administration and finance; citizen response management and engagement; capital improvements; economic development and housing; active transportation; river and open space access; energy and sustainability; and diversity equity and inclusion. The Select Board is expected to discuss priorities for 2024-2025 during its next meeting, and vote to formally adopt an updated set of strategic goals and objectives on August 6. 

Zoning Board of Appeals Appointments
The Select Board voted to appoint three members to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), including two full members and one associate member. The ZBA is one of the few Town boards or committees with a membership appointed by the Select Board. The ZBA is responsible for issuing special permits, granting variances, and hearing appeals of decisions issued by the Inspector of Buildings. The Select Board appointed Melissa Danisch and Ellen Townson to a Subcommittee charged with reviewing and interviewing applicants to serve on the ZBA. Ultimately, the Subcommittee recommended reappointing the three incumbent members whose terms were set to expire: Kathy Faulk, Elizabeth Oltman, and Michael Novaria (Associate Member). The full Select Board voted to approve this recommendation. The reappointed members will continue serving through June of 2027. 

Central Street Historic District Study Committee
Karen Herman of the Preservation Commission and John O’Hara made a presentation to the Select Board regarding the creation of a Central Street Historic District Study Committee. The Committee would be charged with studying the benefits, parameters, and feasibility of establishing a new historic district to protect the historic integrity of Central Street and, potentially, surrounding areas. Andover already has another historic district, the Ballardvale Historic District. The creation of such a district was previously examined in Andover in 1977. 

The Select Board voted in favor of creating the Central Street Historic District Study Committee. The Committee will have 3-7 members, to be appointed by the Select Board. Community members interested in serving on the Committee may apply online by completing a talent bank form at andoverma.gov/volunteer. Following appointment of the Study Committee, which is expected to take place this summer, the panel will gather information, solicit public input and neighborhood feedback, and ultimately submit a report detailing its recommendation to Town Meeting.

Town Manager and Select Board Strategic Goals and Objectives
Town Manager Andrew Flanagan presented an update on the status of the Select Board and Town Manager strategic goals and objectives for 2023 -2024. This set of 35 priorities was developed during a workshop held last year at the beginning of the fiscal year and establishes objectives in the areas of administration and finance; citizen response management and engagement; capital improvements; economic development and housing; active transportation; river and open space access; energy and sustainability; and diversity equity and inclusion.

According to Flanagan’s presentation, significant achievements during the past fiscal year included completing the investigation of water service lines in accordance with the Town’s voluntary consent order with DEP, selecting a new Town Counsel and Fire Chief, completing phase 1 of the Town Offices renovation project, advancing the Ledge Road Landfill capping project, developing a Complete Streets Prioritization Plan, and launching Andover’s municipal aggregation program – Andover Community Power. 

The full presentation, which indicates the status of each goal, can be viewed online.

Review of the status of goals for 2023-2024 marked the first step in establishing new goals for the coming fiscal year. The Select Board is expected to review and discuss proposed goals for 2024-2025 during its next meeting on July 22, and to formally adopt an updated set of goals on August 6. 

Other Notes

• The Select Board approved operating budget transfers for FY2024 under M.G.L. Chapter 44 Section 33B. $200,000 was transferred from Community Services to General Government to offset costs associated with several Special Town Meetings that occurred during the fiscal year and for costs related to the Town’s transition to in-house legal counsel. $280,000 was transferred to Public Safety from Community Services, the Library, and Technical Schools to offset overtime costs incurred due to injuries among Police Department personnel.
• The Select Board voted to increase expenditure limits for several revolving funds. Most notably, the expenditure limit for the Recreation Revolving Fund was increased from $1,000,000 to $1,750,000, as authorized during Annual Town Meeting. This increased limit was necessary due to the continued success of the Recreation Department’s Kid Care program. 
• The Select Board voted to approve a five-year renewal of the Town’s license agreement with Verizon. Under the terms of this agreement, 5 percent of gross revenue is provided to the Town, which is used to support AndoverTV. Verizon has also agreed to add a fourth, high definition public access channel, and to contribute over $71,000 to support enhancements to public access broadcasting in Andover. 
• The Board deferred acting on a utility application by National Grid to install underground facilities on Webster Street, North Street, River Road, and Old River Road. The utility company is seeking to expand power delivery capacity at 3000 Minuteman Road to support anticipated development at the site, as well as other anticipated growth in the River Road Corridor. The Board will revisit this application during its July 22 meeting, during which they will have an opportunity to review the impact of the project. 
• The Select Board approved two changes to traffic rules and regulations, including making the intersection of Walnut Avenue and Carmel Road an all-way stop, and limiting parking in the 9 spaces at the Indian Ridge Playground on Cuba Street to four hours.
• The Select Board approved the appointment of Josephy Connolly as Director of Recreation. Connolly previously worked for the Town of Andover as Director of Community Services from 2016 to 2019. He brings a total of more than 30 years of municipal experience to the position, and is widely viewed as a leader in the realm of municipal recreation. 

The full meeting can be viewed online through AndoverTV. The Board is scheduled to meet next on July 22, 2024.