Select Board Votes Unanimously to Reappoint Andrew Flanagan as Town Manager

ANDOVER, MA – The Andover Select Board met on Wednesday, October 23 in the Select Board Conference Room at the Town Offices. During the meeting, the Select Board voted to reappoint Town Manager Andrew Flanagan to a five year term, completing a process that the Board has cited as being among their most important responsibilities. Prior to the vote, members of the Board made statements expressing their confidence in the continued leadership of Flanagan.

The Select Board began the process of considering Flanagan’s reappointment on September 16, setting a framework in which residents and members of the community could provide input on the performance of the Town Manager. The community was invited to share input in-person during meetings of the Select Board on September 23, September 30, and October 23, or in writing via e-mail. Submissions received via e-mail were reviewed by the Select Board during an executive session held at the beginning of Wednesday’s meeting. According to members of the Board, after they reconvened in open session, a high volume of e-mails were received through this process and a majority of emails reflected a positive impression of Flanagan’s service as Town Manager. 

In addition to public input gathered through this month-long process, the Board’s decision on Wednesday was informed by the members’ own experience and observations of Flanagan’s leadership of the Town during their respective times on the Select Board.

Andover’s Town charter requires that the Town Manager be appointed to a term of five years. Flanagan has served as Andover’s Town Manager since 2015. He was reappointed by the Select Board to his second five-year term on January 13, 2020. The Select Board completed an annual review of Flanagan during its July 22, 2024 meeting, in which he earned high marks across eight categories of evaluation.

Prior to voting on a motion to move forward on reappointment and enter into negotiations for a new contract with Flanagan, each member of the Board made statements describing their intention to support the Town Manager’s reappointment. 

Consistent themes noted by members of the Board included Flanagan’s ability to cultivate professionalism throughout the organization, his ability to recruit and develop a talented leadership team, and his creativity and innovation in addressing challenges confronted by the Town.

Select Board Member Kevin Coffey referred to Flanagan as “bright and creative and hardworking,” and noted that he has been effective in responding to disasters and in financial management. Coffey emphasized, however, that there are areas in which improvements are needed, particularly in the realm of communications.

Alex Vispoli, the only current member of the Board who served at the time that Flanagan was selected as Town Manager, listed a series of major accomplishments during Flanagan’s latest term. Vispoli specifically mentioned the adoption of the pension obligation bond plan, the acceleration of water main replacements across town, the capping of the Ledge Road Landfill, the disposition of the Old Town Yard, the acquisition of the Chandler Road Recreation Area, and increased investment in public safety, among other accomplishments.

Vispoli also noted Flanagan’s success in building a talented team. “What Andrew’s been able to accomplish is increase the professionalism of the Town of Andover,” Vispoli said. “Andrew has earned my respect and my confidence in his integrity to lead the Town for another five year term.” 

Melissa Danisch highlighted the leadership that Flanagan has demonstrated during particularly challenging circumstances, including the COVID-19 crisis and the Merrimack Valley Gas Disaster, and commended Flanagan for his success in achieving consistent financial stability – a factor that she noted has made Andover a model for municipalities around Massachusetts. 

“Since adopting the Town Manager form of government more than 65 years ago, Andover’s Select Boards has set high expectations for its Town Managers,” Danisch said. “Andrew and his team have risen to these expectations.” 

Ellen Townson highlighted the fact that Flanagan has earned a strong reputation among municipal leaders across Massachusetts, describing how, in classes that are offered by the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA), best practices for municipal governments are nearly always already used in Andover. 

Select Board Chair Laura Gregory offered the final remarks prior to the Board’s vote, noting Flanagan’s success in achieving many longstanding community priorities, including many that predated his time as Town Manager. Specific examples referenced by Gregory included the construction of a new DPW facility, improvements to the Robb Center, and advancing sustainability priorities such as the implementation of Andover Community Power. Gregory also praised Flanagan’s skill as a negotiator, a trait that she said has repeatedly benefited the Board and the Town.

Following these statements, the Board voted unanimously to approve a motion affirming their intention to seek Flanagan’s reappointment, to enter negotiations for a new contract, and to appoint a two-member subcommittee of Alex Vispoli and Laura Gregory to lead the negotiation process. The Board is scheduled to begin negotiations next week.

Flanagan addressed the Board after the vote, expressing gratitude for members’ continued confidence in his leadership. In his remarks, Flanagan emphasized the contributions of his leadership team. “You don’t need to look too far to see that this team is dedicated, committed, smart, talented, they love working here, and they go beyond the call of duty 365 days a year,” he said.

Flanagan also expressed his commitment to fostering a culture of creativity and innovation within the organization, and to using the lessons of his past nine years as Town Manager and the information gathered through the current reappointment process to chart a course for the next five years. 

Town Manager Report
At the beginning of the meeting, Town Manager Flanagan delivered a Town Manager report, providing an update on several notable topics, including the following:

• The Planning Division will host a public information session on Wednesday, November 20 at 6:30 PM at Memorial Hall Library regarding planned improvements to the Essex Street Corridor, funded through a $3.3 million MassWorks grant.
• Sixteen new benches have been installed in The Park, replacing old wooden benches that were in disrepair. Several of these benches have companion spots for wheelchair users, consistent with the organization’s goal to improve accessibility. New solar lighting has been installed in the WWI Memorial Playstead along the pedestrian walkway from the Robb Center parking lot to Chestnut Court.
• The 2024 paving season concluded last week with the paving of part of Greenwood Road and Hacienda Way.
• Halloween Trick-or-Treating hours will be held in Andover of October 31 from 5-7 PM.

 Other Notable Actions 

 
The full meeting can be viewed online through AndoverTV. The next regular meeting of the Select Board is scheduled for November 4, 2024.