Select Board Discusses Opportunities for Residents to Serve on Boards, Commissions, and Committees, Continues Review of Select Board Policy Guidelines

ANDOVER, MA – The Andover Select Board met on Monday, May 12 in the Select Board Meeting Room at Town Offices. The meeting was the Board’s first since Annual Town Meeting, and since the Board’s reorganization through which Alex Vispoli was selected to serve as Chair. During the meeting, the Board received an update on current opportunities for residents to serve on boards, commissions, and committees, discussed the process of appointing members to the Zoning Board of Appeals, and continued the process of reviewing and adopting changes to the Select Board Policy Guidelines. 

Boards, Committees, and Commissions
Deputy Town Manager and Town Clerk Austin Simko provided the Select Board with a presentation highlighting opportunities for residents to serve on the Town’s boards, committees, and commissions. The presentation came ahead of a typically active period in the annual appointment cycle, as many members’ terms expire at the end of June.  

Simko reviewed the breadth of volunteer bodies that serve the Town, including both regulatory and advisory groups such as the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, Council on Aging, Finance Committee, and the Cultural Council. He emphasized the critical role that these entities play in Town governance.

The presentation also highlighted several committees currently in need of new members, including the Andover Green Advisory Board, Audit Committee, Ballardvale Historic District Commission, and the Central Street Historic District Commission, Permanent Town Building Advisory Committee, and the Route 133 Corridor Enhancements Working Group.

Residents can apply to serve on a board, commission, or committee by completing a “talent bank” form online. In cases when a vacancy is not available on a board, committee, or commission that aligns with an applicant’s interests, their application is kept on file and may be considered in the future when a new opening emerges. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis year-round. 

Zoning Board of Appeals Appointment
The Select Board discussed the process for appointment of members to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), one of the 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 terms of three current members of the ZBA are will expire on July 1, 2025. 

The Board voted to appoint Melissa Danisch and Kevin Coffey to a subcommittee that will be charged with reviewing applications, interviewing candidates, and making recommendations on appointments to the full Select Board.

Residents interested in serving on the ZBA can apply by completing a talent bank form online at: andoverma.gov/volunteer.

Select Board Policy Review
The Select Board continued its ongoing process of reviewing and updating its Policy Guidelines. Town Counsel Doug Heim has been charged with leading this process at the Board’s request. The effort is aimed at producing a more accessible and thoughtfully organized document. On Monday, the Board voted to adopt a revised policy chapter titled “Officers, Employees & Appointments.” The new chapter replaces several sections of the Board’s legacy “Policy Guidelines” and consolidates key information into a more concise, streamlined format.

Heim introduced the updated chapter, which draws from several existing policy sections, including those covering Board organization, Board employees, and the process for filling vacancies. The new language affords the Board greater flexibility in appointing interim members when a seat becomes vacant—even within 100 days of an election—and clarifies the process for electing officers should a vacancy leave a leadership role unfilled.

Other notable changes include renaming the Board’s “Secretary” position to “Clerk,” providing guidance for chairing remote and hybrid meetings, and recognizing the evolving role of the Recording Secretary in the context of live-broadcasted meetings. The policy also reorganizes content relating to Board-appointed staff, including clearer distinctions between employees directly appointed by the Board and those subject to Board approval of the Town Manager’s appointments.

The revised chapter eliminates embedded job descriptions and lengthy statutory excerpts in favor of referencing the Town Charter, Bylaws, and the Human Resources Department for such information. It also introduces new appointment criteria for the Zoning Board of Appeals, adding experience in construction and public health as desirable qualifications.

In conjunction with adopting the new policy, the Board voted to formally retire Section I of its previous Policy Guidelines, including outdated or redundant content such as the former vision and mission statements, internal operations policies, and hearing procedures. Policies related to utility hearings and street acceptances will remain in effect and be reviewed separately at a later date.

The adoption of Chapter 4 marks the completion of the first four chapters of the Board’s reorganized Policy Manual, following prior approvals of chapters related to governance, board member conduct, and meeting procedures. The effort to update the full manual is expected to continue in the coming months.

Other Actions 

• A new feature was introduced to Select Board meetings at the request of Chair Alex Vispoli through which various Town departments will be invited to present on their functions, goals, and priorities. During the May 12 meeting, Dr. Brittney Lavoie, Chief People Officer, delivered an overview of the Office of People and Human Resources, highlighting the department’s core functions, current initiatives, and goals for workforce development and employee wellness. Key priorities include modernizing hiring and benefits systems, and supporting collective bargaining efforts.
• During the Town Manager Report, Andrew Flanagan provided a brief recap of the 2025 Annual Town Meeting and commended  Town staff, poll workers, and appointed and elected officials who, in many cases, worked for months leading up to the meeting to ensure that Town Meeting ran smoothly. He noted several significant measures passed by Town Meeting, including the FY 2026 budget, new regulations on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), the acquisition of 0 Essex Street, and the creation of the Central Street Historic District. 

 The full meeting can be viewed online through AndoverTV. The next meeting of the Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, May 27.