100 Years Ago Dec. 27, 1912
The opening of the new house in Abbott Village in connection with the Smith & Dove Mills marks an important addition to the Andover institutions devoted to the comforts and services of the working people of Andover. Known as the “Hillside” and located in close proximity to the Smith & Dove Mills, the house and its accommodations are devoted primarily to the employees of the Smith & Dove Mfg. Co., but arrangements have been made to care for others. At present only women and children are to be admitted as roomers, but meals will be furnished to both men and women. The rates will be $1.50 per week for one in a family and $1.00 for each additional.
The Ladies Benevolent Society will have a sewing meeting with afternoon tea on Thursday afternoon at the Free Church.
Arthur Holt and family of South Lawrence spent Christmas with Mr. and Mrs. John V. Holt.
Miss Gertrude Randall is spending the week at her home on Elm Street.
75 Years Ago Dec. 24, 1937
The proposal of Fred E. Cheever for an amendment to the zoning bylaw to reduce the size of building lots from 10,000 square feet minimum to 8,500 will probably go before the Town Meeting, since the board of appeals showed no inclination to make an exception in this case.
Christmas music will fill the air tonight when the Andover Male Choir will inaugurate outdoor carol-singing, the first of what will probably be an annual feature.
Judging by the throng of Shawsheen boys and girls in attendance at the Christmas party given Wednesday afternoon by F.M. and T.W. Andres of the Andover Shawsheen Realty Company in the administration building it looked as though all invitations sent out have been accepted. For the third consecutive year, Shawsheen children have thoroughly enjoyed themselves in the spacious quarters of the beautiful building, looking with expectation at the gifts under the gaily decorated Christmas tree. There were many different types of gifts, including paint, paper and dolls, laundry, croquet, loom, pen and nail sets, and wagons, autos, airplanes, tractors, dishes, books, musical instruments and jewelry boxes.
50 Years Ago Dec. 27, 1962
Town Manager Thomas E. Duff came within an inch of making all his predictions for 1962 come true. In reviewing the year, it’s interesting to note that the town manager listed six major projects for the year just ending: industrial development, urban renewal, Rogers Brook reconstruction, refuse and garbage disposal, expansion of recreation areas, planning for public building and construction.
Conflict of interest—a subject that has plagued many town boards already—came home to School Committee members last week. Town Counsel Fredric S. O’Brien reviewed the law once again and pointed out various situations in which members might find themselves in difficulties.
The 48-hour week—long a major goal of local firefighters—is the subject of a vigorous campaign this year.
Merchants will be told tonight whether they can afford to be for urban renewal. A full-fledged meeting has been called for 7:15 at the library, to go over all of the financial aspects of the vast undertaking.
25 Years Ago Dec. 23, 1987
From the start, the School Committee has sunk its teeth into the problem of handling overcrowded conditions in the Andover school system, now and in the future, and tried to worry the issue down to its essentials. What has parents worried is the suddenness which they say school officials sprang a plan to relieve rising student-teacher ratios and shrinking classroom facilities by rearranging the school system.
State Sen. Patricia McGovern, in conjunction with the Executive Office of Communities and Development, announces a $673,727 grant to Andover to repair and update housing authority property.
The town clerk’s office has mailed out the 1988 census forms and an early reply will be appreciated by the department in view of the busy election year coming up.
