Select Board Approves Five-Year Water Rate Plan, Takes Confirmatory Actions for Old Town Yard, and Makes Appointments to Zoning Board of Appeals

ANDOVER, MA - The Andover Select Board met on Thursday, June 5 in the Select Board Conference Room at Town Offices. During the meeting, the Board approved a multi-year water rate plan to support expanded capital improvements, approved confirmatory takings related to the Old Town Yard redevelopment, and made appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Other items included the issuance of bond anticipation notes for major capital projects and the presentation of official citations recognizing Juneteenth and longtime community and advocate Justin Coppola.

Select Board Approves Water Rate Plan for FY2026-FY2030
The Select Board considered a proposed water rate plan and water main replacement program for FY2026 through FY2030 presented by Town Manager Andrew Flanagan and Director of Public Works Carlos Jaquez in a second reading. The plan was first introduced at the Board’s May 27 meeting and is intended to support critical long-term investments in the Town’s water infrastructure while maintaining stable, competitive rates for residents.

The plan includes a series of annual rate increases to fund the acceleration of the Town’s water main replacement program—from two miles to four miles per year—as well as continued capital improvements to the Water Treatment Plant and support for operational needs. The proposal prioritizes the replacement of 10.5 miles of aging, break-prone mains over the next five years, and calls for an annual capital investment of $12 million, resulting in a projected annual debt service increase of approximately $750,000. By FY2030, the average residential water bill in Andover is projected to be $1,068, below the projected average of $1,100 in comparable communities.

The plan allocates roughly 10 to 11 percent of the total increase toward capital expenses and debt service, with the majority of the new revenues specifically tied to the accelerated main replacement program. It also includes funding to address labor market challenges by supporting recruitment and retention of specialized personnel at the Water Treatment Plant.

Following discussion of the proposal, the Select Board voted to approve the proposed water rate plan.

Old Town Yard Takings
The Select Board voted to approve two confirmatory actions related to the disposition of the Old Town Yard property pursuant to the Land Disposition Agreement (LDA) between the Town and Minco Development Corp.

Specifically, the Board approved and signed two Orders of Taking: one to acquire title in fee simple absolute to four parcels of land off Lewis Street and Buxton Court, and another to acquire an easement within Lewis Street and Buxton Court. According to Deputy Town Manager and Town Clerk Austin Simko, these steps are intended to ensure that the Town’s property interests reflect the updated 2023 layout of the site, rather than the original 1901 layout, which is no longer consistent with the as-built layout in use.

Both actions were authorized by voters at the 2024 Annual Town Meeting under Article 30, which provided the Select Board with the authority to discontinue portions of Lewis Street and Buxton Court as public ways, clarify property boundaries, and acquire necessary ownership and easement interests to support the redevelopment of the Old Town Yard site.

Minco Development was selected to redevelop the Old Town Yard site, a roughly three-acre site which previously housed one of Andover’s Municipal Services Facility, following a community RFP process. The Select Board approved an LDA with Minco in June of 2023. Minco’s development at the site will include 163 residential units, community amenities, and retail space. 
 
Zoning Board of Appeals Appointment
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 directly 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 Kevin Coffey to a Subcommittee charged with reviewing and interviewing applicants to serve on the ZBA. The Subcommittee recommended the reappointment of Lisa Rechisky, the appointment of Associate Member David Guerette as a full member, and the appointment of Matthew Nigrelli as an Associate Member. The Board voted to approve the recommendations of the Subcommittee.

During discussion of the appointments, the Select Board thanked and acknowledged the service of Carol McDonough, a longtime member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, whose term expires at the end of June. 

Other Actions 

• The Select Board voted to approve the issuance of a general obligation bond anticipation notes (BAN) for borrowing totaling $11,485,000. The majority of this borrowing will support the West Elementary/Shawsheen Preschool project, with the remainder funding the Shawsheen River Interceptor Rehabilitation project. 
• At the beginning of the meeting, the Select Board issued two citations: one recognizing June 19^th as Juneteenth in the Town of Andover, and a second recognizing Justin Coppola for his twenty-five years of service on the Commission of Disability and his outstanding advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities. 

 The Board is scheduled to meet next on Thursday, June 26. The full meeting can be viewed online through AndoverTV.