Select Board Forms Subcommittee to Appoint Members of the Central Street Historic District Study Committee, Receives Presentation on Town Governance, and Discusses Financial Control Measures

ANDOVER, MA – The Andover Select Board met on Wednesday, July 17 in the Select Board Meeting Room at Town Offices. The meeting marked the first time that the Select Board has met in the newly renovated meeting room. The space was significantly expanded as part of a comprehensive renovation of the third floor of Town Offices that aimed to enhance the accessibility of the floor, facilitate greater public participation in meetings, and implement fire code and other safety improvements.

During the meeting, the Select Board voted to appoint three of its members to a subcommittee formed to interview applicants for the newly created Central Street Historic District Study Committee. The Board also received a presentation by Town Counsel Doug Heim detailing Andover’s governing structure, and discussed finance controls related to expenditures not included in the Capital Improvement Plan. 

Historic District Study Committee 
The Select Board voted to appoint members to a subcommittee to interview applicants for the Central Street Historic District Study Committee. The Select Board previously voted on June 17 in favor in creating the Committee. The Committee is 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. Between three and seven members will be appointed to the Study Committee, per State law.

The Board voted to appoint Alex Vispoli, Melissa Danisch, and Kevin Coffey to serve on the subcommittee. Candidates who have applied will be interviewed in the coming weeks. The Select Board’s subcommittee will present its recommendations on appointments to the full Select Board on August 6.

Town Governance Overview
Town Counsel Doug Heim presented an overview of Andover’s governing structures. The presentation was made at the request of Select Board Chair Laura Gregory to address questions within the community about the relative powers and authority of the Select Board, Town Manager, and Town Meeting, and to place Andover’s existing structure in the context of the various models of governance available in Massachusetts.

Andover has an Open Town Meeting form of government, where all registered voters are eligible to participate in and vote at Town Meeting, which represents the Town’s legislature. The Town’s executive authority is held by the five-member Select Board, which appoints a Town Manager who serves as the chief executive officer of the community and oversees day-to-day operations of the organization. 

Alternative models to Andover’s form of government include Representative Town Meeting, under which a limited number of voters are elected, typically by district, to serve as voting representatives at Town Meeting; Town Council/Town Manager, where a Council has legislative authority and appoints a Town Manager; and Mayor/Council, where voters elect a Mayor and Council, and the Council has legislative authority.  

Andover’s current form of governance was adopted in 1956, when the Town’s Charter was approved by the State Legislature. Based on the recommendations of a 1955 Town Governance Study Committee, the Charter retained Andover’s longstanding Open Town Meeting form of governance but added a “Strong Manager.” Under the Charter, executive authority is diffused among four entities: the Select Board, the Town Manager, the School Committee, and the School Superintendent. 

Heim’s presentation also included a detailed breakdown of the roles and responsibilities of the Select Board and the Town Manager. 

The full presentation can be viewed online.

Financial Controls
At the request of the Select Board, Town Manager Andrew Flanagan made provided information regarding financial controls associated with the expenditure of funds not included in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Specially, Flanagan addressed questions related to a tabled proposal to purchase a fish tank to install in the Human Resources Department at Town Offices as an employee wellness initiative.

The fish tank proposal emerged from an informal working group focused on recruitment and retention initiatives. Several options were considered as starting points for enhanced employee wellness, including a comfort dog, wellness days, and shortened work weeks. The fish tank concept was selected due to it relative cost effectiveness, and based on data and studies on the positive value of fish tanks on workplace environments. 

The tank and related equipment was purchased in February of this year using purchasing cards that were issued in accordance with Town policies and in compliance with State procurement laws. The Town consulted its external financial auditors, who confirmed the appropriateness of the purchasing methods used to buy the equipment. 

According to Flanagan, he decided to put the project on hold in April, months before the issue gained public attention. All equipment has since been returned, and the tank itself was never actually shipped to the Town.

“From a leadership perspective, I rely heavily on creativity to develop innovative solutions to our challenges. I also feel responsible for effective fiscal stewardship and assume responsibility for all activities undertaken by the Town,” said Flanagan “Most importantly, I think I have a responsibility to my team to show the benefits of thinking outside the box, exploring new ideas, and taking chances when it comes to making us a stronger organization.”

Flanagan expressed his continued commitment to implementing innovative employee wellness initiatives, and stated that he intends to create a formal employee wellness committee comprised of members of the Andover Independent Employees Association (AIEA), the Town’s largest employee union. 

 Other Notes

• The Select Board approved the issuance of two one-day alcoholic beverage licenses for Oak and Iron Brewing Co. to operate beer gardens during Andover Recreation’s “Concerts In The Park” series on July 31 and August 21. 
• Town Manager Andrew Flanagan provided an update on an ongoing rodent issue on North Main Street. The issue was determined not to be related to construction activity. The Health Division issued a notice to residents in the area, directing them to check for food sources, water sources, and evidence of harborage. Removal of one of these factors typically mitigates rodent issues based on past experience. 
• Flanagan announced that the Town of Andover has received notice that it has been awarded a grant through the Staton Foundation to make improvements to the Andover Dog Park located on High Plain Road. The Town intends to hold a public meeting in August regarding potential enhancements to the site. 
• Flanagan announced that the IT Department has received a Municipal Cyber Security Grant of $92,000 through the State’s Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. The funds are intended to enhance cybersecurity initiatives and reduce cyber risk.

 The full meeting can be viewed online through AndoverTV.