Select Board Receives Overview of Long Range Financial Plan, Begins Process of Setting Strategic Goals and Discusses Major infrastructure Projects

ANDOVER, MA - The Andover Select Board met on Monday, July 14, 2025, in the Select Board Room at Town Offices. The meeting saw the Board discuss several long-term planning initiatives, including a review of the Town’s Long Range Financial Plan, an initial step in a multi-phase process to review and update the document to ensure that it continues to provide the foundation for long-term fiscal stability. The Board also began its annual strategic goal-setting process, reviewing progress towards completion of goals from last year, as well as an initial set of priorities for the year ahead. The Board also received updates on key public infrastructure projects and public safety initiatives, including a presentation from the Andover Police Department on e-bike safety and enforcement.

At the start of the meeting, two members of the Andover Police Department were officially sworn into their new roles following recent promotions. Jeffrey Arleque took the oath as Lieutenant, and Kevin Aufiero was sworn in as Sergeant.

Review of Long Range Financial Plan 
Town Manager Andrew Flanagan presented the Select Board with an overview of Andover’s Long Range Financial Plan (LRFP), marking the first step in a multi-phased review process that will also include engagement with the Finance Committee and School Committee. Originally introduced in 2016, the LRFP serves as the foundation for the Town’s financial planning activities. It is a dynamic, public-facing document designed to identify potential budget challenges, evaluate strategies for maintaining long-term budget balance, and align the Town’s financial policies with the goals of the Select Board and other governing bodies.

During the July 14 workshop, Flanagan walked the Board through the structure and purpose of the plan, explaining that it does not prioritize specific capital projects or evaluate the tax impact of individual policy choices. Instead, it models the broader fiscal implications of budgetary decisions and assumptions over a multi-year horizon. Components of the plan include projections for revenue sources such as property taxes, state aid, local receipts, and free cash, as well as expenditures related to debt service, capital investments, health insurance, pension obligations, and the operating budgets of the Town and School Department.

The discussion focused on how the Town has used the plan over the past decade to achieve key priorities outlined in 2016. These included presenting consensus budgets to Town Meeting, funding major capital projects like the Robb Center and Ballardvale Fire Station within the levy, managing unfunded liabilities through the implementation of the OPEB reform plan and Pension Obligation Bond, and maintaining services while managing personnel cost growth. Flanagan emphasized that the plan has also helped project future deficits and allowed the Town to implement strategies to close them without impacting services.

As part of the review, Flanagan introduced the concept of the “bridge,” a strategy to connect current planning with two major financial milestones in 2032 and 2040. These years mark the projected payoff of the Town’s pension liability and the full amortization of the Pension Obligation Bond, respectively, which could free up significant resources in the general fund. The Select Board’s initial discussion on these topics will be followed by joint workshops with the Finance Committee and School Committee in the coming months, culminating in a refreshed plan later this fall that aims to ensure long-term financial sustainability and operational predictability.

Annual Strategic Goals-Setting Process
The Select Board began its annual process of developing strategic goals and objectives for the fiscal year, which runs from July 1 through June 30. This process provides a roadmap for the Town Manager and the Board to focus efforts on key policy areas, advance major initiatives, and measure progress throughout the year. As part of the process, Town Manager Andrew Flanagan presented a review of last year’s goals and introduced proposed objectives for fiscal year 2026.

Flanagan reported that the Town achieved 92% overall progress toward completion of its FY2025 strategic goals. Of the 21 goals adopted last year, 81% were fully completed and 19% are currently in progress or nearing completion. Completed goals include facilitating the Town’s transition to automated trash and recycling collection, developing a plan for the reuse of the Shawsheen School, advancing the AHS improvement project, creating a dashboard to publicize information about Town projects, and completing the Merrimack River Access Road. 

Flanagan also highlighted several major milestones and achievements that were not formally adopted as strategic goals and objectives for the past year. This list includes the creation of the Central Street Historic District, the development and approval of a water rate and water infrastructure improvement plan for FY2026-FY2030, facilitating the acquisition of 0 Essex Street to enable roadway improvements, and finalizing the Town’s ARPA spending plan, among other achievement. 

Looking ahead, Flanagan proposed a new set of goals for FY2026, organized into six focus areas: Administration & Finance, Resident Response Management & Engagement, Capital Improvements, Economic Development & Housing, River & Open Space Access, and Energy & Sustainability. Notable goals include completing the process to update the Long Range Financial Plan, hiring of a new Director of Sustainability, creating a new resident welcome packet, completing an updated Town Facility Master Plan, and advancing the Essex Street Corridor improvement project. 

The Select Board offered feedback on other potential goals during the meeting, and will submit additional priorities to the Town Manager before its next meeting. The Select Board is expected to review and consider approving an updated set of goals that reflects that input and feedback on Monday, July 28. 

E-Bike Safety and Enforcement Initiatives
Glen Ota of the Andover Police Department provided the Select Board with an update on the growing use of electric bicycles (e-bikes) in Andover and the department’s efforts to promote safety and enforce local regulations. Ota noted that e-bike use has increased significantly in town, particularly among youth and young adults. While e-bikes offer an environmentally friendly and efficient transportation option, he emphasized the importance of responsible operation to ensure the safety of both riders and pedestrians.

The presentation included an overview of the three classes of e-bikes recognized under federal guidelines. Most common models in Andover fall into Class 1 or Class 2, which are both capped at a top assisted speed of 20 miles per hour. Ota stressed that many young riders may be unfamiliar with traffic laws, making parental involvement and education especially important. Key local safety rules include the requirement for helmets for all riders under the age of 16, a prohibition on riding on sidewalks in certain areas such as downtown, single-file travel when being overtaken by vehicles, and proper use of lights after dark.

In response to an increase in complaints related to unsafe e-bike use, such as riding on sidewalks, traveling in groups across full roadways, and operating without helmets, the department has implemented a series of enforcement measures. These include recording violations in a police database, notifying parents of underage riders, and impounding e-bikes for repeat offenses. Second violations may result in a 15-day impound period and a $125 towing fee.

To support ongoing education, the department will host an e-bike safety training session on July 24 at 6:00 PM at the Andover Police Station. The training is open to the public and is intended to reinforce safe riding practices and educate residents about applicable laws and regulations.

Public Works Update on Major Infrastructure Projects
At the request of the Select Board, Director of Public Works Carlos Jaquez provided an update on major ongoing and anticipated Public Works throughout the community that may impact residents. Jaquez highlighted several active water main replacement projects, including ongoing work on Lowell Street, in the Lovejoy Road and Argilla Road area, and on Lupine Road. Construction on these projects occurs Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Additional water main work is taking place on Binney Street in coordination with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s bridge replacement project on Route 495 over Route 28. Water main replacement on Lowell Street between Route 28 and Lincoln Street is expected to begin later this year and continue into 2026.

Jaquez also reported that sewer lining projects are underway in various parts of Town this summer, although these are not expected to significantly affect residents. Several road paving projects have already been completed this season, with additional paving on Phillips Street and Abbot Street expected to begin later in July.

Sidewalk replacement projects are also in progress, including reconstruction efforts along Phillips Street, Burnham Street, and Lowell Street near Haggetts Pond Road. These efforts are part of the Town’s broader commitment to improving pedestrian infrastructure and accessibility.

In addition to Town-led projects, the Department of Public Works is providing oversight on large-scale utility work. This includes a National Grid project to expand electrical capacity at 3000 Minuteman Road and Eversource gas line work in the Ballardvale neighborhood. DPW is also monitoring upcoming MassDOT projects, including the Tewksbury Street Bridge replacement and the planned replacement of the I-93 bridge over the Merrimack River.

Other Actions 

• As part of its ongoing review and update of the Select Board Policy Guidelines, the Board considered a revised section outlining the Board’s role and responsibilities related to Town Meeting. Town Counsel Doug Heim, who is leading the policy review process, presented the updated language for Chapter 5, which clarifies the Board’s procedures for reviewing warrant articles, coordinating with Town staff and petitioners, and preparing for Town Meeting presentations. The Board engaged in an in-depth conversation regarding a provision outlining expectations for petitioners of private warrant articles to appear at Select Board meetings prior to Town Meeting. Following discussion, the Board approved the revised section with minor adjustments.
• Chief Innovation Officer Ryan Knowles provided the Select Board with an update on the work of the Town’s Innovation and Technology Department. His presentation highlighted the department’s broad support for all municipal and school operations, which is powered by a 25-mile municipal fiber network connecting 26 buildings, over 800 Wi-Fi access points, and two fully equipped data centers. Knowles also shared key figures on cybersecurity, application support, and helpdesk response, noting the department’s role in managing over 10,000 devices and blocking more than 200,000 digital threats each month.

 The Board is scheduled to meet next on Monday, July 28. The full meeting can be viewed online through AndoverTV.