Andover Townsman, Andover, MA

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October 2, 2008

Town Talk: Short items from the week

AHS scores on MCAS

Parents received MCAS scores this past weekend and Andover High School has performed well, as usual.

The state's Department of Education's Web site reported that 67 percent of Andover High's class of 2010 scored in the advanced category on the math test, down from 72 last year, but still among the better schools in the state.

Ninety percent of 10th-graders were rated as either proficient or advanced in math.

On the English language arts test, 38 percent were considered advanced, with 91 percent considered either advanced or proficient.

The Townsman will have more on the MCAS results next week.

Taylor Cove forum to be hosted by developer

Todd Wacome, principle of Taylor Cove Development, an affordable housing project planned for the Ballardvale section of Andover, has invited neighbors and town residents to an informal meeting. Wacome is hosting the forum tonight, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. at the Old Town Hall, 20 Main St.

Through his lawyer Donald Borenstein, Wacome sent an invitation letter to 40 neighbors, and posted a notice at Town Offices.

"Anyone interested in the proposal is welcome to attend and participate," read the letter. "If you are unable to attend, you are also welcome to mail or e-mail your questions, comments, criticism or support to my attention."

Taylor Cove Development has applied to build 32 three-bedroom townhouses on 12 acres at 86 River St., in the southern section of Andover. Eight condos would be affordable housing units, making the project a CH. 40B development that can more easily skirt certain local zoning bylaws.

Residents who live in the area list a bevy of concerns: overcrowding at local schools, increased traffic, the destruction of woods. Of Taylor Cove's 12 acres, 1.14 acres are wetlands and the area is close to the Shawsheen River.

— Bethany Bray

He said, state said

A photograph of the "entering Andover" sign is posted on the First Call Mortgage company's Web site, www.ftmc.net, along with a mission statement that lists customer service, quality and professionalism as core values. There is also this statement: "We have worked hard to make First Call a model of business ethics and personal integrity."

First Call was given a cease and desist order last week by the state Division of Banks, for false and misleading practices. (See story, Page 1.)

— Bethany Bray

Watch for walkers

On Wednesday, Oct. 8, commuters will spot an unusual sight in Andover nowadays — students and parents walking to school en masse,

Several schools will joing 32 communities in Massachusetts and millions worldwide in celebrating International Walk to School Day.

Motorists should take extra caution and beware of walkers headed to Bancroft (Bancroft Road), Sanborn (Lovejoy Road) and West (Beacon Street) elementary schools, and Shawsheen Primary School (Magnolia Avenue). The walkers should all be inside by the time school begins at 8:45 a.m.

Youngsters in Andover have participated in walk-to-school events for several years, as a social activity and a way to save on gas and pollution. Several schools also collect money or donations for charities each time they walk. This fall, West has partnered with the Beverly School of Kenya, a nonprofit school for underprivileged children in Africa.

— Bethany Bray

Walk a different walk

High Plain Elementary will also be walking, raising money for Help for Abused Women and Children and the Holy Family Cancer Center. However, its day won't be a walk-to-school day at all.

Due to the limited number of sidewalks in the High Plain area, students will be walking indoors, said Principal Brenda O'Brien. During lunch hour, they'll do laps around the perimeter of the school campus.

— Bethany Bray

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Town Talk: Short items from the week
by Anonymous , , Thu Oct 02, 2008, 05:00 AM EDT
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