Select Board Reviews Automated Collection Program, Approves Acquisition of New Parcel for Conservation Use, and Sets Schedule for Annual Goal-Setting Process

ANDOVER, MA - The Andover Select Board met on Thursday, June 26 at the Ballardvale Fire Station, in a departure from its usual location in the Select Board Conference Room at Town Offices. Chair Alex Vispoli explained that this meeting marked the first in a series he plans to hold at various locations across Andover to give residents in different neighborhoods greater opportunity to attend meetings and engage with the Board. 

Among the notable actions taken, the Board approved changes to the automated trash and recycling collection program, including enhanced options for additional trash disposal capacity, in anticipation of the program formally taking effect on July 1.  

This was the final meeting of the fiscal year, and as such, the Board took up a number of matters tied to the close of Fiscal Year 2025, including the approval of end-of-year budget transfers and the launch of its annual goal-setting process. The Board also reviewed the schedule for a comprehensive update to the Town’s Long Range Financial Plan, which will be led by Town Manager Andrew Flanagan and will involve participation from the Finance Committee and School Committee. 

Automated Trash and Recycling Collection Update 
Town Manager Andrew Flanagan and Director of Public Works Carlos Jaquez provided an update on the automated trash and recycling collection program, which goes into effect on July 1, 2025. Flanagan began the presentation by providing an overview of the cart distribution process, which was completed ahead of schedule. Distribution took place over nine days, from June 9th through June 18th. A total of 19,912 carts were distributed to eligible households during this period.  

Flanagan noted that the most common concern that Town staff has heard from the community throughout the rollout of the program has been the need for additional trash capacity, beyond the two 65-gallon trash carts currently allowed under the program. As of Thursday night, the Department of Public Works (DPW) had received 733 requests for additional carts, including several for two or three additional carts.  

To address these concerns, Flanagan and Jaquez presented a proposed adjustment to the existing program that would allow residents to purchase a third 65-gallon trash cart for a one-time cost of $75. As an additional step, DPW will begin distributing additional recycling carts that have been requested in mid-July, rather than after September 1st as initially proposed, to offset the demand for additional trash carts. 

Flanagan also suggested the creation of an overflow bag program, through which residents could obtain official pre-paid bags with the Town Seal on them for use in situations where their household trash exceeds the volume of their standard trash cart. This program would be managed administratively by Town staff.  

During the Select Board’s discussion of this proposal, members emphasized that measures to allow additional trash disposal capacity should be paired with educational resources to residents in order to reduce waste and encourage increased recycling.  

The Board voted to allow the Town to offer a third trash-cart to residents for a one-time cost of $75, and to proceed with an overflow bag program. Additional carts can be purchased online at andoverma.gov/workrequest. Details about the overflow bag program will be available in the coming weeks. 

Acquisition of 92 Tewksbury Street 
The Select Board voted to authorize the acquisition of a 3.5-acre parcel located at 92 Tewksbury Street for conservation purposes at a purchase price of $400,000. The property, which includes frontage on the Shawsheen River, will be placed under the care and custody of the Conservation Commission. Its location and natural features make it particularly valuable for environmental preservation and habitat protection. 

Deputy Town Manager Mike Lindstrom presented the proposal and noted that because the property lies adjacent to two existing conservation areas, Serios Grove Reservation and Pole Hill Reservation, the acquisition creates a continuous corridor of protected land. According to Lindstrom, the forested portion of the property was described as “pristine” by Conservation Land Manager Mike Murray, further underscoring its ecological value. 

The proposal to acquire the parcel was thoroughly reviewed and recommended by the Open Space Task Force. The Task Force considered five criteria in its evaluation: contiguity with other open space, ecological integrity, recreational and cultural value, climate resiliency, and public benefit. The Open Space Task Force is charged with advising the Town on the acquisition and improvement of parcels that enhance Andover’s open space inventory and network. The findings informed the recommendation to pursue the acquisition. 

End of Year Transfers and Revolving Fund Limits
The Select Board approved a series of year-end budget transfers as part of the Town’s annual financial reconciliation process required under Massachusetts law. Under M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 33B, municipalities must address any projected departmental deficits by July 15. The Select Board and Finance Committee may authorize transfers between departmental budgets, with the exception of the School Department. 

To close out Fiscal Year 2025, the Board approved a total of $358,000 in transfers. These included $155,000 to the Public Safety Budget, $138,000 to the Solid Waste Budget, and $65,000 to the Debt Service Budget. To fund these increases, $118,000 was transferred out of the General Government Budget, $92,000 from the Technical School Budget, and $148,000 from the General Insurance Budget. 

The Board also voted to increase the expenditure limit for the Recreation Revolving Fund. While the 2025 Annual Town Meeting set the limit at $2.2 million, Massachusetts law allows the Select Board and Finance Committee to authorize a higher amount as needed. The increase supports expanded program offerings and reflects higher-than-anticipated participation in recreation programs administered by the Department of Community Services. 

Schedule for Strategic Goal Workshops, Town Manager Review, and Long Range Financial Plan Review 
The Select Board approved a proposed schedule for its annual strategic goal-setting process, which outlines key dates for reviewing and adopting goals and objectives for Fiscal Year 2026. This annual process provides a roadmap for the work of the Board and the Town Manager in the year ahead and coincides with the Board’s performance review of the Town Manager. Town Manager Andrew Flanagan presented the proposed schedule, which includes two goal-setting workshops on July 14 and July 28, followed by the Board’s submission and review of performance evaluation materials in early August. The Board is expected to formally adopt its FY2026 goals and the Town Manager’s FY2025 performance review at its August 11 meeting. 

In addition to the strategic planning process, Flanagan also introduced a separate but parallel initiative to review Andover’s Long Range Financial Plan. This review is intended to ensure that the plan continues to provide predictability and sustainability in the Town’s budgeting and operational planning. The process will involve engagement with the Select Board, Finance Committee, and School Committee, and will include a series of joint workshops beginning on July 14, with additional sessions scheduled for August 11 and September 22. A public forum is also planned for the week of September 15, followed by the release of the FY2027–2031 Capital Improvement Program in November and a Tri-Board review on December 3. 

While the Board approved the overall schedule, members emphasized the importance of reassessing the structure of the Long Range Financial Plan review process following the first round of workshops with the participating boards and committees. 

 Other Actions  

• The Select Board voted to accept a donation from the Sidney Mae Olson Foundation of $10,000 to study and design a youth mountain biking “pump track” at Rec Park in Andover. A pump track is a type of looped, off-road course designed for cyclists to ride using momentum and body movement. The donation was presented by Eric Olson and Mary Beth Ellis, who emphasized that the track will be geared to younger users, and will serve as a venue for children to learn how to ride bikes and become acquainted with bike handling skills. 
• At the beginning of the meeting, Select Board Member Melissa Danisch provided a detailed description of a large painting depicting Marquis de Lafayette’s 1825 visit to Andover. The work was painted by Andover artist William Abbott Cheever in 1956 and gifted to the Andover Center for History and Culture. It was given to the Town on permanent loan and hung in the Andover Select Board Room for many years. It was brought to the Ballardvale Fire Station for Thursday’s meeting in honor of a recent reenactment of Lafayette’s visit to Andover hosted by the Center for History and Culture on June 21. Danisch described the historical context for Lafayette’s visit, which came during an 11 month tour of the United States 
• Town Counsel Doug Heim introduced a revised two sections of the Select Board’s Policy Guidelines related to finance and investments, and water and sewer policies. Heim briefly described a series of proposed changes to these sections. The Board did not take actions on the proposals during Thursday’s meeting, and opted to revisit them during a future meeting.  

 The Board is scheduled to meet next on Monday, July 14. The full meeting can be viewed online through AndoverTV.