Select Board Approves Five-Year Solid Waste and Recycling Contract, Accepts Capital Improvement Program Recommendation for FY2026-FY2030, and Discusses Update to ARPA Plan

ANDOVER, MA – The Andover Select Board met on Monday, December 16 in the Select Board Conference Room at Town Offices. The Board authorized Town Manager Andrew Flanagan to enter into a five-year contract with Republic Services for solid waste and recycling collection and disposal services. This decision followed extensive research and negotiations, with Flanagan highlighting the benefits of maintaining the current hauler to ensure a smooth transition to automated collection and stabilize costs through FY2029.

Additionally, the Board reviewed and accepted the Town Manager’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for FY2026-FY2030, which outlines significant investments in infrastructure, water and sewer improvements, and other key areas. The Board also received an update on the Town’s use of ARPA funds, with Flanagan recommending that the remaining balance of funds be used to offset the cost of purchasing trash and recycling carts, supporting the transition to automated collection.

Solid Waste & Recycling Contract
The Select Board considered a request from Town Manager Andrew Flanagan to authorize the Town to enter into a five year contract for solid waste and recycling collection and disposal services.

At the Board’s November 25 meeting, Town Manager Andrew Flanagan provided a detailed overview of The Town’s efforts to seek a new solid waste contract. Flanagan described two procurement options available to the Town: a competitive bidding process, which could offer better pricing but might disrupt services during a transition; and negotiating directly with the current hauler, Republic Services, which could secure favorable pricing and maintain service continuity. He highlighted Andover’s unique circumstances, including higher trash production per household relative to comparable communities, extensive yard waste collection, and free bulky item collections, all of which impact pricing. Flanagan also noted the likely shift to automated collection. 

On Monday, Flanagan returned to the Board with a recommendation to enter into a five-year contract with Republic Services for FY2025 through FY2029. This recommendation followed extensive research and market analysis by the Town and intensive negotiations with Republic to secure favorable pricing.

Flanagan emphasized several advantages of maintaining Republic Services as the Town’s hauler. The transition to automated pickup, which will be implemented town-wide, is expected to be less disruptive if the Town continues with its current hauler. Changing haulers during this transition could lead to logistical challenges, as new drivers would need to learn routes and new equipment would need to be integrated. Additionally, the proposed agreement with Republic Services would stabilize costs through FY2029, with a structured annual increase that avoids the sharp cost hikes seen in other communities. This stability is crucial given Andover’s unique waste management needs and higher trash production rates. Furthermore, entering into a longer-term agreement would protect the Town from market fluctuations and set a solid foundation for future contracts, especially as the Town gains experience with automated collection. 

The Select Board voted to authorize the Town Manager to enter into the five-year contract. 

The Town’s transition to automated collection is anticipated to be a significant undertaking. The system will require all customers to use standardized “toters” or carts. A 64-gallon trash toter, and a 96-gallon recycling toter, will be provided to all residents. According to Flanagan, residents will have the ability to acquire additional toters as desired. A public education effort regarding the implementation of automated collection will begin in the coming months. 

FY2026-FY2030 Capital Improvement Program
The Select Board reviewed and considered the acceptance of the Town Manager’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for FY2026-FY2030. The proposal was previously reviewed during the Board’s November 18 meeting and during a Tri-Board Meeting with the Finance Committee and School Committee held on December 2.  

The CIP provides a comprehensive framework for capital investments in Town projects and equipment over the next five years.

The total recommended CIP for FY2026 is $23,539,722, with funding sourced from General Fund Revenue ($2,503,528), General Fund Borrowing ($4,830,000), Free Cash ($3,865,000), Special Dedicated Funds ($2,041,194), and Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds ($10,300,000). This comprehensive plan includes significant investments in the areas of infrastructure improvements, water and sewer improvements, active transporation, recreation facilities, river and open space access, and conservation priorities.

The full plan can be viewed online at: andoverma.gov/FY2026CIP.

During Monday’s discussion of the CIP, Flanagan also provided an overview of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue’s sample policy for capital planning, which reflects best practices recommended by the Department. As detailed by Flanagan, Andover’s capital planning strategy and the priorities funded through the CIP are closely aligned with best practices recommended by DOR.

Following this discussion, the Board voted to accept the recommended CIP for FY2026-FY2030. The CIP will ultimately be considered by Town Meeting in the form of a series of articles corresponding to each funding source. The Board will review each of these funding articles in the course of its annual article review process which takes place in the lead up to Town Meeting. 

APRA Plan Update
Town Manager Andrew Flanagan provided the Select Board with an update on the Town’s use of funds provided through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), including plans to repurpose the limited remaining funds available. 

The Town of Andover’s initial ARPA allocation was $10,867,057. An initial plan for the allocation of these funds was approved by the Select Board in early 2022. The Select Board approved a revised plan in July 2023.

To date, the Town has spent or obligated 98 percent of its ARPA allocation. Federal guidelines require that funds be obligated by December 31, 2024, and spent by December 31, 2026. A balance of $217,287.52 remains available from several funding categories. Flanagan recommended that these funds be repurposed to offset the cost of purchasing trash and recycling carts necessary in connection with the future transition to automated trash pick-up. This allocation would cover approximately 65% of the Town’s first payment for the carts. This recommendation would create a townwide benefit.

Other Actions 

• The Board voted to accept a donation of $25,000 from the Rare Road Foundation, a local organization dedicated to improving the lives of children with rare genetic conditions. This donation will be used to purchase equipment at Ballardvale Parks. The equipment will be a component of anticipated accessibility improvements to the playground enabled by a $199,435 grant awarded to the Town by the Massachusetts Office of Disability.
• During his Town Manager Report, Andrew Flanagan announced that TBA Architects has been selected as the designer of the Andover High School interim project. The firm has extensive experience working on similar projects throughout the region. The goals, scope, and priorities of the interim project will be discussed during a joint meeting of the Permanent Town Building Advisory Committee and the Andover School Committee on Wednesday, December 18.
• Flanagan noted that construction is underway on the new Ballardvale parking lot, located next to the Ballardvale Fire Station.  The lot will have two accessible spots, and one electric vehicle charging station, along with about 10 other available spaces.
• Deputy Town Manager Mike Lindstrom announced that work on the Merrimack River access road, which will provide recreational and public safety access to the Merrimack River, is nearing completion. The access road is located off of River Road near Greater Lawrence Technical School.
• The Select Board approved an updated section of the Board’s “Policy Guidelines” prepared by Town Counsel Doug Heim. The section, which has been reviewed by the Board on several prior occasions, is based on the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association/Massachusetts Municipal Association (MIIA/MMA) Model Code of Conduct, which sets standards for the behavior of Board members and individuals appearing before the Board. The Board is in the midst of a comprehensive review of these guidelines aimed at producing a more accessible and thoughtfully organized document.

The Board is scheduled to meet next on Monday, January 6. The full meeting can be viewed online through AndoverTV.