Town Talk: No holiday lights on Main Street? (and other items of interest)

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December 3, 2009

Black out on town's holiday lights?

Over 600 street lights in town have been shut off to save the town some money. Now the lights out approach may come to Main Street. As of Dec. 1, there were no sparkling white lights on any trees downtown as there have been in previous years during December.

Festive wreaths and red bows on downtown lamp posts seem to have replaced the white lights.

Town Manager Buzz Stapczynski wrote "am working on it" when the Townsman inquired by e-mail about whether there will be holiday lights this year.

Meanwhile, the leader of Andover's downtown business group said it is OK if there are no holiday lights. Merchants are just glad the Main Street reconstruction project is complete so there is no more disruption for shoppers.

"It looks pretty with the wreaths," said Betsy Powers, president of the Andover Business Center, which will host Holiday Happenings on Friday. "We're just glad the construction is over."

– Judy Wakefield

Drama on Dufton

A building inspector will be stopping by Dufton Road on Wednesday to check the property of a resident who neighbors say has not cleaned up railroad ties, junk cars, containers of chemicals and other blight on his yard. A lawsuit against Joseph Boyer of 2 Dufton Road has been filed by Andover's building inspector, and a first court date ordered the removal of four junk cars from the property.

Tom Urbelis, lawyer for the town, and a building inspector will stop by the property on Dec. 2 to see if the judge's orders have been met. Selectman Ted Teichert and his family live across the street from Boyer, at 5 Dufton.

— Bethany Bray

Great give-back

Last weekend's Andover High School 20th reunion for the Class of 1989 attracted some 200 guests and the reunion's theme of giving back was also popular. Class member and State Rep. Barry Finegold (D-Andover) said about $2,000 was donated with the money going to the Andover public schools.

"It was a great give-back and a great time," he said of the party.

— Judy Wakefield

Bagels for good

Bruegger's bakery cafe at 10 Main St. and the Andover State Police Barracks on Route 125 are serving as drop-off locations for Toys for Tots this holiday season. Every child who donates a new, unwrapped toy at Bruegger's before Dec. 15 will receive a free item from the Bruegger's kids menu. There are 275 locations around the U.S. collecting toys for the less fortunate.

Dailey nominated for Boston Music Award

Andover native and singer-songwriter Will Dailey and his band, The Rivals, have been nominated for several Boston Music Awards, including act of the year and album of the year for "Torrent." Dailey is also nominated for singer/songwriter of the year.

The Boston Music Awards were set to take place at the Liberty Hotel yesterday, Wednesday, Dec. 2, with live performances by many of the nominees.

Fans were able to cast votes for their favorite bands online at www.thebostonmusicawards.com until Nov. 30.