Click here to take the survey.
The Town of Andover established a Town Seal Review Committee in 2021. The Committee’s charge was to review the current town seal and solicit public input to assist with developing recommendations that may result in modifications to the Town Seal. The Committee conducted research on seals of other Massachusetts cities and towns, received a presentation from Ryan Wheeler, Director of the Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology at Phillips Academy, an expert in the field of the Indigenous People of Andover, and hosted a community forum with Paul and Denise Pouliot, head speakers of the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook Abenaki People. When considering potential changes to the Town Seal, Paul and Denise Pouliot noted that the Pennacook Abenaki People felt most connected to natural settings.
In February 2022 the Town Seal Review Committee launched a survey to gather information from the public on the familiarity and knowledge of the seal and its history. The survey also sought opinions on if the current seal should be modified based on that history, and preferences for the subject of a modified seal. On October 13, 2022 the Town Seal Review Committee unanimously voted to move forward with the next phase of their charge and engage the public in proceeding with design options for an alternative town seal for the community’s consideration. A public feedback form on what should be depicted on an alternative seal was made available on the Committee’s webpage and the Committee moved forward with engaging a design firm, Communications, Ink.
Based on information gathered from the Committee’s public forum, survey, feedback form and emails received from the community, the Committee has narrowed down the alternative design to three concepts: an iconic building, a natural subject, or text only (similar to the 1855 original seal). The Committee is now specifically seeking input from the public on these three concepts for an alternative Town Seal. Any changes to the town seal would be voted on at Annual Town Meeting in 2024.
In addition to completing the survey, members of the community can share their input with the Town Seal Review Committee by e-mailing townseal@andoverma.us.
Survey responses must be recorded by Friday, April 28.
Click here to take the survey.