Serving on a Town board, committee, commission, or task force is a rewarding way to get involved in the community and to provide input on policies that will shape Andover’s future. The Town of Andover has more than 30 boards and committees that perform critical decision making and advisory functions. The membership of these boards and committees is comprised of more than 200 dedicated volunteers.
Given the diversity of policy areas and subject matters handled by Town boards and commissions, there are opportunities for all Town residents to get involved, regardless of your specific expertise or interests. There is no requirement for previous involvement in Town government to be considered for appointment. All residents with an interest in serving the community are encouraged to apply.
Serving on a board or commission requires a significant personal commitment. Members are generally expected to attend one or two meetings per month and are often required to spend time reviewing documents and materials at home to prepare for meetings. However, the reward for serving in this capacity is great. Board and committee members have the opportunity to meet and work alongside residents with similar interests, learn about the Town, and weigh in on important topics impacting the community.
How to Apply
Applications to serve on any appointed board or committee are accepted on a rolling basis and can be submitted any time by completing an Andover Talent Bank Form online.
Click here to complete an Andover Talent Bank Form.
When completing this form, please note that you can select multiple boards and committees that you may be interested in serving on. Please select all options that apply.
Current Vacancies
Several boards, commission and committees currently have vacant positions and are seeking applicants including the Andover Green Advisory Board, Audit Committee, Ballardvale Historic District Commission, Central Street Historic Commission, Permanent Town Building Advisory Committee, and the Route 133 Corridor Enhancements Working Group.
Appointed Boards
Click the links below to learn more about the various appointed boards and commission in Andover.
Audit Committee
Board of Assessors
Ballardvale Historic District Commission
Central Street Historic District Commission
Commission on Disability
Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Conservation Commission
Council on Aging
Cultural Council
Design Review Board
Economic Development Council
Elderly Tax Aid Committee
Finance Committee
Green Advisory Committee
Board of Health
Housing Partnership Committee
Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees
Investment Committee
Memorial Hall Library Trustees
Open Space Task Force
Patriotic Holiday Committee
Permanent Town Building Advisory Committee
Poet Laureat Committee
Planning Board
Preservation Commission
Retirement Board
Revenue and Expenditure Taks Force
Route 133 Corridor Public Enhancements Working Group
Scholarship Committee
Spring Grove Cemetery Trustees
Tree Committee
TRIAD Council
Towle Fund Trustees
Trustees of the Cornell Fund
Zoning Board of Appeals
Appointment Process
When a vacancy on a board or commission occurs, applications on file in the talent bank are reviewed. Applications from candidates who expressed an interest in serving on the board with a vacant position will be reviewed by the appointing authority. Candidates may be contacted to participate in an interview.
In most cases, the appointing authority is the Town Manager. The Town Manager typically invites qualified candidates for a position to interview at Town Offices. Appointments by the Town Manager must be approved by the Select Board. When a candidate is selected, they will typically be placed on the “consent agenda” at the next Select Board meeting.
Positions on the Retirement Board and Zoning Board of Appeals are made by the Select Board. Candidates for these positions may be asked to participate in an interview before the full Board during a public meeting.
Appointments to the Finance Committee are made by the Town Moderator, who follows a similar interview and appointment process as the Town Manager.
Once a member’s appointment is approved by the Select Board, they must be sworn-in at the Town Clerk’s Office before beginning their service.
The terms of appointed board and committee members typically expire on June 30. As such, most appointment activity takes place around this time. However, appointment may take place at any point in the year to fill vacancies created by the mid-term departure of a member, or to fill the membership of a newly-created committee.
If you are not chosen to fill a vacancy on a board or commission that you expressed an interest in serving on, your application will remain on file and you will be considered for future vacancies.
More Information
For a better understanding of the responsibilities and duties of board and committee members, you can review agendas and meetings of past meetings available on andoverma.gov. Recordings of recent meetings are also available to view online from AndoverTV. Board and committee meetings are all open to the public, so prospective applicants are welcome to attend meetings in-person.
If you have questions about serving on a board or commission, please call the Town Manager’s Office during regular business hours at 978-623-8210.
Elected Positions
Members of the Select Board, School Committee, Andover Housing Authority Board, and Trustees of Punchard Free School, and the Town Moderator are elected during the Annual Town Election held in March.. In order to appear on the ballot, candidates must submit nomination papers signed by the requisite number of registered voters in the Town of Andover to the Board of Registrars by 49 days before the Town Election.
Each year, a calendar containing important dates for candidates, including the deadline to submit nomination papers, is published by the Town Clerk’s Office and available online.
If you have questions related to running for elected office in Andover, please call the Town Clerk’s Office at 978-623-8230.
Visit the links below for more information about the elected positions in Andover.
Select Board
School Committee
Trustees of Punchard Free School
Andover Housing Authority Board
Town Moderator