Andover Townsman, Andover, MA--News

SALUTE TO SENIORS: Class of 2008

Tue, 13 May 2008 22:07:00 EDT

Complete coverage of the class of 2008. The section includes class photos, multimedia, highlights, messages, a list of graduates and more. Check back for more stories as the seniors attend their proms and graduate.

You've been flocked: Flamingo fundraiser lands

Thu, 08 May 2008 13:34:00 EDT

Watch out! A flock of pink, spindly-legged flamingoes may be headed to your lawn.
West Middle School parents have introduced a flock of 144 of the plastic lawn ornaments to raise money for the school. Local residents can make a donation to have the birds "migrate" to a lawn of a friend or neighbor in town. When the surprised residents wake up to find they've been "flocked," and a group of about a dozen plastic pink flamingoes now reside on their front lawn, they'll be asked to make a donation to have the birds removed. Or they can pay to send them to roost on another lawn in town.

State: Tougher fines have teens driving more safely

Thu, 08 May 2008 13:30:00 EDT

Teens seem to be driving more safely since the state increased fines and penalties for its youngest drivers, according to the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Teen drivers are getting caught a third less often taking risks behind the wheel, a trend the Registry believes is due to the state's beefed up junior operator law.

Clown Town approaches (May 16 & 17): Whether rain or snow or heat, clowns deliver carnival

Thu, 08 May 2008 13:24:00 EDT

Four years ago this weekend, the Merrimack River overflowed its banks and Andover suffered its worst flooding in years.
To add insult to property damage, Clown Town, arguably the most popular event in town, was questionable.

Officials say message sent on town perk: Stop buying back unused sick time

Thu, 08 May 2008 13:15:00 EDT

Town Meeting voters nearly opposed a six-figure appropriation meant to pay retiring town employees for their unused sick time next year.
The annual appropriation, often approved without discussion in previous years, was instead met on May 1 with spirited debate from some residents who hoped to send town officials a message that such employee benefits are unacceptable.

TOWN MEETING VOTED, WHAT'S NEXT?: When landfill capped, town wants fields on Blanchard Street

Thu, 08 May 2008 13:04:00 EDT

Voters approved spending $7.4 million to recap the former town landfill at Ledge Road, part of which is now home to Deyermond Field, the town's Little League complex.
Residents can expect to vote on a plan at Town Meeting next year to build new playing fields off Blanchard Street, where the town purchased a 13-acre farm in May 2007 and plans to move the fields when the landfill is recapped.

TOWN MEETING: Proposal to replace Bancroft School could come next year

Thu, 08 May 2008 13:01:00 EDT

Town Meeting's recent approval of $300,000 to study structural deficiencies at Bancroft Elementary School could lead to a new school building proposal as soon as next year, according to the town Plant & Facilities director.

TOWN MEETING: Votes affect look of downtown

Thu, 08 May 2008 12:58:00 EDT

Banner days coming for downtown
Amazed that many residents simply don't know about many town events, such as Andover Days, a committee researched the issue and found that banners displayed in the downtown work well.

Quick trigger to vote surprises some: Anti-blight law fails again

Thu, 08 May 2008 12:58:00 EDT

Kirkland Drive resident Alfred Sotera stood first in line to speak in favor of an anti-blight bylaw proposal. No one at Town Meeting ever got to hear from him — or from any other person in line at the "pro" microphone.

TOWN MEETING in review: More coverage from the two nights

Thu, 08 May 2008 12:56:00 EDT

Leash law change clears way for dog park
While creating a public dog park in west Andover has only been talked about, residents' decision to alter the town leash law allows Andover to create one.

2008 Town Meeting Results: Listing of votes

Thu, 08 May 2008 12:53:00 EDT

This year's Town Meeting is history.
Having motored through 35 articles on April 30, the majority of which were approved with little debate, Town Meeting's second night, held May 1, unfolded with lengthy discussions.

Waste not, want not: Andover parts with household items at Zero Waste Day

Thu, 08 May 2008 12:30:00 EDT

Despite gray skies and cool, rainy weather, Andover residents turned out in droves on Saturday, May 3, to donate used clothes, appliances, toys and other household items at the Zero Waste Day collection, organized by the Andover Recycling Committee.

BUDGET ISSUES: Salaries, benefits - the budget behemoths: Slowed growth pushing costs out of reach

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 06:20:00 EDT

From gasoline, to groceries, to annual property tax hikes ,the cost of running a household is on the rise.
While some residents have had enough — witness the defeat of the 1 percent Community Preservation Act surcharge at the Andover ballot box — others seem resigned to the increases.

A teacher's pay: An example of the raises for one teacher

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:45:00 EDT

The average teacher in Andover has worked for nine years and has a master's degree. Here is the salary history for an actual Andover teacher who matched that profile at the beginning of this school year, as provided by the school department. The teacher was hired to begin the 1998-99 school year and will have 10 years of service at the end of this year. The teacher went from having a master's degree to earning a master's+30 designation in fiscal year '05, which means the teacher earned 30 credits to advance their degree.

Inside teachers' salaries: Cost of living adjustment just one of raises available

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 06:15:00 EDT

After 33 years teaching English at Andover High School, town resident Kathy Zalla said she knows how important it is for a public school system to employ quality educators.
Having interviewed prospective teachers during the hiring process, she also believes she knows how to do it.

Charts: Increases since FY2004 for salaries, health-care costs, number of workers

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 06:10:00 EDT

SALARIES
Category FY2004 FY2005 FY2006 FY2007 FY2008 (increase over five years percent increase since FY04)
town salaries $23,856,964 $23,454,874 $24,255,758 $25,309,234 $26,101,000 ($2,244,036 9.4 percent)

Honoring the open space overseers

Thu, 08 May 2008 05:30:00 EDT

The work of Andover people who take care of the town's open space will be highlighted at Memorial Hall Library next week.
"One of the great things about living in Andover is the town's commitment to enhancing its citizens' quality of life through the protection of open space," says Commissioner Gail Ralston, overseer coordinator for the Andover Conservation Commission.

Old Town Hall not for rent

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The town spends about $17,000 a year keeping the Old Town Hall on Main Street open, but even in the current fiscal climate residents at Town Meeting wanted to keep things just as they are.
Article 56 asked residents to lease the downtown building, also known as the Town House, to bring in cash to town coffers. Joe Piantedosi, who heads the Plant and Facilities Department, said about $150,000 could be raised each year if the historic building is rented.

Results in for 2008 Town Meeting

Thu, 01 May 2008 23:52:00 EDT

Anti-blight rules defeated amidst controversy

Thu, 01 May 2008 23:25:00 EDT

Town Meeting defeated an "anti-blight" bylaw proposal May 1, signalling the second year in a row Andover voters have refused to impose minimum maintenance standards on residential properties.
Though Article 41, known as the Residential Anti-Blight Bylaw, was defeated by a significant margin on the second night of Town Meeting, the vote did not come without controversy.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Budget, landfill cap approved at Town Meeting's first night

Thu, 01 May 2008 07:27:00 EDT

It took Andover officials months to cobble together a budget and residents just minutes to approve it.
Voters accepted a recommended $127,245,981 operating budget for next year during Town Meeting's first night, April 30, at the Richard J. Collins Field House at Andover High School. In all, Town Meeting blazed through 35 warrant articles its first night, most with no discussion.

WEB UPDATE: Town Meeting's first night tackles 35 articles

Thu, 01 May 2008 07:15:00 EDT

The following 35 articles were voted on during the first night of Town Meeting, April 30:
1 - Town election results - Approved
2 - Election not required by ballot - Approved
3 - Salaries of elected officials - Approved

Schools adapt to allergies in school: No more cupcakes; special tables

Thu, 01 May 2008 06:05:00 EDT

Rita Casper, director of nursing for Andover Public Schools, explained some of the measures and school policies put in place in recent years to deal with the increased number of severe allergy cases:
r Severe allergies are more common in elementary schools.

Cemetery not spot for new garage

Thu, 01 May 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Spring Grove Cemetery will not be the final home for the town's Parks & Grounds division.
Selectmen rejected a proposal by Plant & Facilities Director Joe Piantedosi on Monday to build an 1,800 square-foot garage and storage area within the cemetery at the intersection of Abbot Street and Spring Grove Road.

Downtown home may house youth services

Thu, 01 May 2008 06:00:00 EDT

A downtown duplex the town bought last year could become the headquarters of Andover Youth Services.
Town Manager Buzz Stapczynski and AYS Director Bill Fahey asked selectmen on Monday to move the department from Town Offices on Bartlet Street to 37-39 Pearson St., the street between Memorial Hall Library and the Butler Bank building. Selectmen want more details and input from neighbors before allowing the move.

New Main Street cafe has opened

Thu, 01 May 2008 05:49:00 EDT

The ability to have a prime location on North Main Street with an attached parking lot and a building with tenants made Sun Son's business decision easy: open a new all-day breakfast café in his hometown.

23 issues on tap for second night

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:02:00 EDT

Voters will decide the future of Old Town Hall and a proposed "anti-blight" bylaw at Town Meeting's second night on May 1 at 7 p.m. at the Andover High School field house on Shawsheen Road.
After taking up the first 35 warrant articles on April 30, residents are expected to consider the remaining 23 on May 1.

Should town buy more land?: Purchase could require special election

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:15:00 EDT

One is two acres on Fosters Pond, the other a hilltop property with a view of Boston.
Both are among the open spaces in Andover that the Conservation Commission would consider acquiring, says Conservation Director Bob Douglas — if Town Meeting authorizes the money.

Town Meeting votes could bring new way of life on Main Street

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:05:00 EDT

While the ongoing Main Street redesign project is expected to upgrade downtown Andover's appearance, several articles on the Town Meeting warrant this year aim to enhance how residents use the well-traveled area.

Town Meeting standoff avoided: Leaders reach terms on 2008-09 budget

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:05:00 EDT

Andover officials expected to finalize an agreement April 23 that would avoid an override proposal, teacher cuts and the elimination of high school athletics and instead offer a balanced, level-services budget to Town Meeting voters.