The Town of Andover is seeking volunteers to serve on Town boards and committees. Appointed members help provide policy direction for the Town on a variety of areas and subject matters. Andover has nearly 30 boards and committees that rely on the service of resident volunteers.
Many vacancies for boards and committees occur on June 30th of each year, but the Town is always looking for volunteers to submit their interests through Andover’s Talent Bank Form. The Talent Bank Form allows individuals to submit which boards and committees that they may be interested in serving. If there is not a vacancy, forms are kept on file for when a vacancy may occur. Upon completing a Talent Bank Form, submitters receive a notice from the Town Manager’s Office that includes information about the next steps and other ways to stay engaged with town government.
“Our Board and Committee volunteers are such an asset to town government,” said Chairwoman Laura Gregory of the Andover Select Board. “The perspectives that our volunteers offer is crucial to Andover’s town process and to preserve the connection between our residents and town government.”
“Serving on a Board or Committee is a great way to participate in the local government process,” said Town Manager Andrew P. Flanagan. “Leveraging the skills and talents of those in our community is a critical component to the government structure in Andover. The contributions of our appointed volunteers are essential to the success of our organization and ensure the quality of our work.”
The Talent Bank Form, found at www.andoverma.gov/volunteer outlines all of the Boards and Committees in town. It also allows users to provide their availability and background so that they can be matched with the right committee.
While applications are accepted throughout the year for all Boards and Committees, the following Boards and Committees currently have vacancies:
- Town Governance Study Committee – this is a new committee that will be charged with studying and proposing beneficial amendments to the town’s charter, bylaws, and governing practice as they relate to Andover’s form of government and governance. The committee is composed of seven residents, the Town Clerk and the Town Moderator.
- Commission on Disability – the Commission on Disability addresses Andover’s disability needs for the town, its residents, visitors, and families with disabilities. The Commission on Disability is currently expanding its membership and looking for four additional members.
- Economic Development Council – the purpose of the Economic Development Council is to develop and implement a proactive economic development strategy that addresses issues relating to economic development, business retention and job creation. The focus of the Council is to ensure that businesses thrive in Andover as well as attract businesses interested in locating here.
- Board of Health – the Board of Health is responsible for enforcing state health, sanitary, and environmental codes and is looking for one member, someone preferably with a background in environmental health or engineering. Additionally, the Board of Health is looking to appoint two volunteers to represent the Board of Health as representatives to Biosafety Committees at local life sciences institutions. Ideal candidates for this role will have a science background, preferably in biomedical engineering, microbiology, biology or life sciences.
- Permanent Town Building Advisory Committee – this group provides advisory support and makes recommendations to address the requirements and needs of all municipal buildings, including school buildings, in the Town of Andover.
- Council on Aging – the Council on Aging provides input and guidance to the town and the Elder Services Division which coordinates and carries out programs designed to meet the needs of the elderly, including Senior Center activities.
- Ballardvale Historic District Committee – the purpose of the Ballardvale Historic District Commission is to ensure that changes and additions within the Historic District are harmonious to the District and to prevent changes that might detract from the aesthetic and historic values of the District.
- Andover Housing Partnership Committee – the purpose of the Andover Housing Partnership Committee is to address wide ranging housing issues in Andover by recommending to Town Boards the steps needed to keep Andover affordable and accessible to our current and future generations.
- Elderly and Disabled Tax Fund Committee – this committee assists in the distribution of funds donated by taxpayers who elect to voluntarily donate to the Elderly and Disabled Tax Fund on their tax bills.
Contact Tonia Magras in the Town Manager’s Office by email tonia.magras@andoverma.us or by phone (978) 623-8210 if you have any questions.
Visit www.andoverma.gov/volunteer to access the Talent Bank Form.