Frequently Asked Questions

You can search for permit records by property address via the Andover Town Website. Visit andoverma.gov and click on the “Permits and Licenses” button on the center of the page. Next, click on the “Search” tab found on the top right-hand corner.  In the “Locations” search box, search for the address.   Once you select the desired address, you can view all associated permits. Open permits are listed as “active” and closed permits are listed as “complete”. Click on the record number for further details. 

There are several inspections that take place during the life of a permit. In order for a permit to be closed out administratively, the project would need to “pass” the final inspection.  If there is a permit showing as active/open, it is likely that a final inspection was never performed. It is the duty of the original licensed contractor/permit holder to call the Building Division to request the inspection.

• Building Permits:  A permit cannot be closed out until a final inspection takes place.  However, we cannot inspect under EXPIRED permits. Building permits that have inactivity and/or don't have the required final inspection become invalid/expired after 180 days.  780 CMR § 105.5 states in part, “Every permit shall become invalid…if the work authorized on the site by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days after the time the work is commenced.” 
• Plumbing, Gas & Electrical Permits:  Unlike building permits, plumbing, gas, and electrical permits never expire. However, in order to be closed out, a final inspection would need to take place.  The work to be inspected must be accessible to the inspector. If you cannot get in touch with the original licensed contractor/permit holder but you are insistent on closing out a permit, you would need to hire a new contractor, apply for a new permit, and undergo a final inspection. Please note that under the new permit, the work to be inspected would need to be compliant with current code.

If you have proof that a final inspection was done, please provide our department with the necessary documentation. You would need to provide the original permit card showing the required signatures. 

Building Permits:                                          Electrical Permits:                                 Plumbing Permits:

Chris Clemente                                               Paul Kennedy                                          Mike Magliaro

978-623-8621                                                 978-623-8622                                          978-623-8623

chris.clemente@andoverma.us                  paul.kennedy@andoverma.us              michael.magliaro@andoverma.us

Building Permits:            

Eric Tetreault 

978-623-8624

eric.tetreault@andoverma.us

A plot plan is a plan of the survey done of the property which shows the location of the principal structure(s) and accessory structures. The survey is prepared by a state licensed land surveyor. You can request a copy of a plot plan through the Building Division. In some cases, but not all, we may have one on file. If our office does not have one on file, your next step would be to request one through the Registry of Deeds.

The Essex North Registry of Deeds is located at:

Northern Essex Registry of Deeds
1 Union St. Suite #402
Lawrence, MA 01840

Main Line: (978) 557-1900

Generally, minimum setbacks and other dimensional restrictions can be found in Appendix A, Table 2, Section 4.1.2 (Table of Dimensional Requirements) of the Zoning By-Law (see chart below). Setbacks are not quoted over the telephone because each lot/project is unique. Please bring a plot plan into the office, where we’ll be happy to answer your questions.

In response to multiple inquiries requesting determination of the maximum occupant load the following is the Town of Andover’s policy in accordance with the Massachusetts State Building Code 780 CMR and the Massachusetts Fire Prevention Code 527 CMR.

1.  Consult the number of “Maximum Occupants” listed on your Certificate of Inspection which is required to be posted in a “conspicuous place in close proximity to the main entrance.”
2. If your Certificate of Inspection is not current, complete a new “Certificate of Inspection Application” which may be found at www.andoverma.gov under the Building Divisions, Fees, Forms and Checklists.
3. If you do not have a Certificate of Inspection and are one of the listed occupancies for which such is required per 780 CMR, Table 110 (copy below), you will need to complete the “Certificate of Inspection Application” found at www.andoverma.gov under the Building Divisions Fees, Forms and Checklists section, AND submit a current “Occupant Load Count and Egress Analysis” prepared and stamped by a Massachusetts Registered Architect for review by this office prior to an inspection taking place. Once an inspection has occurred this office will issue a current Certificate of Inspection for the occupant to post on the premises.

RAILING, STEPS, AND LANDING REQUIREMENTS FOR 1 & 2 FAMILY DWELLINGS AND COMMERCIAL PER 780 CMR 9^TH EDITION.

780 CMR R 312 - Guardrails 

Guardrails are required for anything over 30 inches high. 

Guardrails need to be at least 36 inches high 

Spacing between balusters - Cannot allow an object 4 inches or more in diameter to pass through. (780 CMR R 312.1.3) 

Handrail Grip Size - Cross section with outside diameter of at least 1 1/4 inches and not more than 2 inches. (780 CMR R 311.7.8.3) 

STAIRWAYS/STEPS FOR 1 & 2 FAMILY DWELLING

Stairways shall not be less than 36 inches in clear width. (780 CMR R 311.7.1) 

780 CMR R 311.7.5.1 & R 311.7.5.2: 

Maximum riser height shall be 8 1/4 inches. 

Minimum tread depth shall be 9 inches 

780 CMR R 311.3: 

Landings - Interior Landing – 36 inches x 36 inches 

Exterior Landings – 36 inches wide by 42 inches deep 

The floor area or landing shall not be more than 1 1/2 inches lower than the top of the threshold on the interior side nor more than 8 1/4 inches lower than the threshold on the exterior side. 

STAIRS FOR OTHER THAN 1 & 2 FAMILY DWELLINGS IN A THREE OR MORE DWELLING UNIT AND COMMERCIAL STAIRS (EXCLUDING FIRE ESCAPES) 

Maximum riser height shall be 7 inches – Minimum 4 inches 

Minimum Tread depth shall be 11 inches 

STAIRS: See 780 CMR 1011

GUARDRAILS: See 780 CMR 1015

HANDRAILS: See 780 CMR 1014

A building permit is required for sheds exceeding 200 square feet.  The shed must be at least 5 feet from the side and rear property line. If your property contains wetlands, please check with the Conservation Department regarding the placement of the shed. 

If the fence is over seven feet in height, a building permit is required. There is no requirement regarding which way the fence faces. The State Building Code, 780 CMR regulates the height of the fence. Fence can be installed close to the property line, as long as no part of it extends over a neighbor’s property.

The State of Massachusetts requires a Massachusetts Licensed Plumber or Gas Fitter to apply for permits and to perform plumbing and gas fitting work.

It is required that a Massachusetts Licensed Electrician applies for electrical permits and performs all the work. Permits are required for all wiring jobs, whether big or small. 

The Town of Andover has several districts with different set back requirements. In addition the Zoning By-Law has special requirements concerning recreational structures in section 4.2.4. You will need a plot plan and speak with a Building Inspector to determine what the setback requirements are. The Inspectors are available Monday through Friday from 7 to 8 a.m. You need to check with the Conservation Division regarding wetland setbacks and with the Health Division regarding sanitary code requirements. A self-closing and self-latching fence is required for a pool as soon as the pool can hold water.          By-Laws

The following is for guidance only. No document could cover all possible scenarios or situations. Please consult with the Building Division should you have additional questions regarding pool barriers after reviewing this document. A BUILDING PERMIT IS REQUIRED FOR ANY POOL, JACUZZI, STRUCTURE THAT HOLDS 24" OR MORE OF WATER.

The barrier provisions contained within Section 305 of the 2015 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code apply to indoor and outdoor swimming pools and hot tubs with water depths greater than 24”. This includes “portable”, "temporary" and “inflatable” swimming pools. Required pool barriers or fences must be at least 48” high and constructed to prevent climbing by children. Access gates must be self-closing and self-latching, swinging away from the pool with hardware arranged so that the gate cannot be opened from the side opposite the pool.

For above ground pools, the wall of the pool may serve as the barrier, provided it meets the 48 inch height requirement and access to the pool is via a “closable, lockable ladder” A removable ladder is NOT acceptable unless it is closable and lockable. 

In addition to outside walls or fences as barriers any doors or windows from the dwelling (where the walls of the dwelling are used as a portion of the pool enclosure) with direct access to the pool area must be equipped with alarms that are listed and labeled as a water hazard entrance alarm in accordance with UL 2017. The alarm must be audible in all portions of the home and activated when the door is opened. 

The Conservation Department is subject to the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law (M.G.L. c30A, sec.18-25). If members of the Conservation Commission respond to a communication outside of a public hearing, it could be a violation of the Open Meeting Law. All communications will be responded to appropriately in due course.

The Conservation Commission meets the first and third Tuesdays of every month with a filing deadline of 2 weeks prior to the regularly scheduled meeting.   See the Conservation Commission page for the updated meeting dates and filing deadlines.  If you have any questions, please contact our office at (978)623-8630 or Conservation@andoverma.gov

Conservation Meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of every month. The meetings currently being held virtually via Webex with the Agenda posted prior to the meeting.  If any member of the public or abutter to a project wishes to participate in the virtual meetings, please email Conservation Staff at Conservation@andoverma.gov and include your name, the project address and your email address.  The recordings of the Conservation meetings are made available on the Town of Andover website after the meeting.

Andover Conservation Division in the Town Offices has paper copies of various DEP application forms. Our most common applications, such as Applications for Determinations of Applicability, Notice of Intent, Certificate of Compliance and Satisfactory Completion of Work Certificates can also be found on our webpage. 

 The Town uses the State DEP Forms. At the time you file, you should submit 9 copies of the application form including the “plan”, together with the appropriate legal ad fee made payable to the Town of Andover and payment of the By-Law fee, if applicable, all as stated on the Instruction Sheets.  If you are unsure which application to file for your project, please contact the Conservation Department.

Many, but not all, may be viewed and downloaded from the DEP’s Publications Page linked below. They also may be purchased from the Massachusetts State Bookstore, with branches at the State House in Boston (617-727-2834) and State House West in Springfield (413-784-1376). The Andover Local Wetlands Protection By-Law Regulations can be viewed online in the Town’s “Code of By-Laws,” Article XIV Wetlands Protection By-Law. The Conservation Division also has copies available.

State law prohibits disposal of “sharps” (lancets, needles, etc. used to puncture the skin) in household trash. The Town has drop-off kiosks at the Robb Center (the Senior Center) and the Public Safety Building. All sharps must be in an FDA approved red sharps container, no more than 3 quarts, before being placed into the kiosk.

For more information, view our Sharps Disposal Flyer.

Most household batteries are alkaline and can be put into the trash, but some require special handling as follows:

- Button Cell Batteries - Hearing aids, watches, etc. can be deposited in specially marked containers at Town Offices, the Municipal Services Facility at 5 Campanelli Drive, and other areas of town.

- Rechargeable Batteries -Small standard size lithium & rechargeable batteries (standard sizes) can be dropped off at the Health Division Office or at the Municipal Services Facility at 5 Campanelli Drive. 

- Car Batteries - These dry cell batteries are not accepted by the Town; they can be dropped off at any local car repair establishment.

Anything containing mercury (thermostats, thermometers, mercury switches) can be delivered to the Health Division Office or at the Municipal Services Facility at 5 Campanelli Drive. Fluorescent light bulbs are not accepted. The Health Division has digital thermometers to exchange for mercury ones.

Copies of the application, plans, and supporting materials are on file at the Planning Division office located on the first floor of the Town Offices. You are welcome to review this information and may pay for copies of any information you would like to keep. This information will also be available for review on the Planning Division website at https://andoverma.gov/1130/Projects-Under-Review. The Planning Division's normal office hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

The Planning Board regularly meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. The notice you received in the mail tells you when and where the public hearing is scheduled. It is also published in the legal notice section of the Andover Townsman. At the first hearing, the applicant will present plans and explain the proposal to the Planning Board. The Board will ask questions, generally where clarification is needed. There will be an opportunity for those in the audience to ask questions or offer opinions. Comments may also be submitted in writing to the Planning Board prior to the hearing. Any correspondence should be emailed to planning@andoverma.gov or mailed to the attention of the Planning Board at the Town Offices. Since the Board often hears several projects in an evening, hearings last a specified period of time. At the end of this time, the hearing may be either closed or continued to a future meeting. Occasionally, for simple projects, hearings can be completed in one night and are closed; meaning that no further testimony is taken. More often, hearings will be continued with direction given by the Board to the applicant on revisions to the plans or information that is needed. Continued hearings may be several weeks or months in the future depending on how long it takes the applicant to gather the required information and the Board's workload. Occasionally the hearing process is delayed due to weather, the absence of a Board member or at the applicant's request. To verify that a hearing is being held on a scheduled date, you can check the Town website at https://andoverma.gov/ or call the Planning Division on the day of the hearing at 978-623-8650.

The Planning Board is subject to the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law (M.G.L. c. 30A, §§ 18-25). If members of the Planning Board respond to a communication outside of the public hearing, it could be a violation of the Open Meeting Law. All communications will be discussed and responded to during the public hearings.

Zoning Verification letters are ONLY issued for a business that is physically based in Andover (either in the business owner's home or a non-residential location in Andover). The zoning verification application is filed prior to applying for a Business Certificate (d/b/a or Doing Business As)  from the Town Clerk's Office.

APPLY ONLINE FOR A ZONING VERIFICATION HERE: ZONING VERIFICATION APPLICATION

Zoning Verifications are NOT used to verify the zoning district for any property in town, nor as a means to determine if there are any zoning code violations, site plans, zoning decisions, etc.

In order to obtain copies of public records, please use the procedure to submit public records requests listed separately in FAQs.

It takes approximately a minimum of 3 months from the time the application is filed with the Zoning Board to the end of the statutory appeal period (see explanation in General Filing Requirements of when the appeal period starts). MGL Chapter 40A allows the ZBA 100 days from the date of filing a petition for a variance and 90 days from the close of the public hearing for a special permit to file a written decision with the Town Clerk.

The allowed uses for all zoning districts are found in Appendix A, Table 1, Section 3.1.3 (Table of Use Regulations). Generally, any use not specifically listed in the Table of Use Regulations is not an allowed use and would require a petition for a variance from the Zoning Board.

The Zoning Board is subject to the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law (M.G.L. c. 30A, §§ 18-25). Responses from Zoning Board Members are strictly limited to during a public hearing. If members of the Zoning Board respond to a communication outside of the public hearing, it could be a violation of the Open Meeting Law. All communications will be discussed and responded to during the public hearings. If your inquiry is more general in nature and not specifically related to a current application on a ZBA agenda, the Zoning Administrative Secretary can assist you in obtaining the answers that you seek.

The Zoning Bylaw and zoning map on the town website are the official and most recent map and bylaw.

The Zoning Bylaw is found here: https://ecode360.com/15582155

The Zoning Map is found here: https://andoverma.gov/709/Property-Lookup-Tools

Permits from 1996-present in our online permitting system are found here: https://andoverma.viewpointcloud.com/search

IF there are any code violations on a property, the address will be flagged in the system.

View archived permits prior to 1996 at http://andoverma.gov/726/Permit-Archive-Index-1958-1995. 

Zoning Board decisions are recorded at the Northern Essex Registry of Deeds.

To submit a Public Record / Freedom of Information Act Request, please either use the 'Public Record Request' form in our Resources section, or submit your request to zoning@andoverma.us. Please include the record number (i.e. decision number), your name and contact information (telephone number &/or email address).

Open air burning season is from January 15th through April 30th annually. You must purchase a burning permit to be able to burn and you must adhere to several restrictions. A burning permit costs $25.00 and can be obtained online through the Town Website or by visiting the Fire Prevention Office located at 36 Bartlett Street between the hours of 8:00 am – 3:00 pm daily.

All problems with fire hydrants can be reported by contacting the Andover Water Department at 978-623-8700 during normal business hours. If it is an emergency during nights and weekends call the Public Safety Center 978-623-3700 and speak to dispatch.

You may request a car fire or fire report by contacting the Fire Prevention Office at 978-623-8660. To request an ambulance report please call the administration office at the Central Fire Station at 978-623-3700.

Yes, you may call Andover Fire Rescue at 978-623-3700 to schedule.

Yes, Andover Fire Rescue does inspect child car safety seats. You can schedule an inspection by calling 978-623-3701.

Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to perform Community Service at the fire station. There are certain restrictions and all requests are handled on a case-by-case basis. You can obtain further information by contacting the Fire Chief's office at 978-623-3700.

To receive CodeRED, you must register your home, cellular phone or business phone number in the CodeRED database.

CodeRED Registration Page

Individuals interested in registering will be required to add a telephone number into the CodeRED database. Information also required will be first and last name, physical street address (no P.O. boxes), city, state and Zip Code. An alternate phone number such as a cellular phone can also be entered and both the primary and alternate line will be contacted in the event of an emergency. The system works with cellular phones but requires a street address in the Town of Andover.

For those who are hearing impaired, the sign up form offers a TDD only option for tone delivery of emergency messages. Messages delivered to phone numbers marked TDD will only be delivered in a TDD/TTY format.

Residents without internet access may come in and fill out a CodeRED registration form.

CodeRED Registration Page

Individuals that prefer not to receive any CodeRED messages can be added to a "Do Not Call List." To remove your name and contact information from the system, please contact the Records Department at 978-623-3520.

Residents can also request to stop receiving notification by completing CodeRed's Opt-Out form. 

The Board of Assessors is responsible for hearing all initial property appeals. If you feel your home is a) over assessed or; b) disproportionately or unfairly assessed compared to other similar property assessments or; c) taxed incorrectly as a commercial rather than residential property or residential rather than commercial property, you must file an appeal with the Board of Assessors on an approved form. Appeals may be filed with the Board of Assessors after the third quarter tax bill is issued. The third quarter bill is typically issued the last week of December. All appeals must be received by the Assessors on or before the first business day in February. The Assessors will reply to your appeal within three months after the date you filed the appeal.

By law, we are required to keep the Record Owner as of January 1^st on the top line of the billing for the entirety of the following Fiscal Year. When the new Fiscal Year starts on July 1^st of the next calendar year, the old owner’s name will drop off and the current owner’s name will move up to the top line of the billing.

Therefore, a property owner who purchased a property on January 2, 2023 has to wait much longer for the ownership records to roll over compared to an owner who purchased their property on December 1 ^st,  2023.  For both transactions, the file rolls over on July 1^st, 2024. In the interim, new owner names will be reflected as a “Care Of or C/O” on the tax bill.

“The Town of Andover’s “SCRPT” program provides seniors the opportunity to share their skills in service to the community and receive a tax abatement on their property taxes. This program is available to Andover residents who meet the following requirements: 

• Age 60+
• Applicants must be the assessed owner of the property on which the tax is abated. The property must be primary residence of the applicant.
• No income guidelines for first qualified owner. Second qualifying owner may earn exemption if they meet the need requirements.
• Current town/school employees are not eligible. This includes full time, part time, contract, substitute employees and/or those appointed to a board by the Town Manager.

Service Placements:

• Applicants must commit to designated hours of service within the specified time frame.
• Placements are coordinated by the SCRPT Program Coordinator. Placements are determined by matching applicant’s skills, interests and availability with job requests submitted.
• Once enrolled, program participants will track and submit hours worked to the SCRPT Program Coordinator.
• All time sheets must be signed by a town employee supervising the “SCRPT” worker, time sheets must be submitted on a regular basis to ensure accurate tracking. 

For more information or to enroll, contact the SCRPT Program Coordinator at the Center at 978-623-8320.”

Information is available in our monthly newsletter available online and hard copy at the Robb Center. We invite folks to sign up for our weekly email blasts. Links to the newsletter and email list are available at the website. The monthly TV show, "There’s Something About Andover," lists special events for the month. It can be seen on Cable Channel 8, Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7 p.m., and Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 9 a.m.

Lunch is available at the Robb Center, Monday through Friday, except for holidays. Anyone age 60+ and their spouse can participate by signing up at least 24 hours in advance. There is a suggested donation of $3 for a meal. Meals on Wheels are delivered to those individuals who are eligible and unable to access the nutrition program at the Robb Center. The Outreach Coordinator will schedule a visit to determine eligibility for the home delivered meals program.

We have many volunteer opportunities including Friendly Visitors, Medical Transportation drivers, Intergenerational activities and assistance with a variety of programs and classes at the center, including computers, Senior Connections and in the kitchen.

“SCRPT,” the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-off Program, provides eligible seniors the opportunity to participate in community service and receive an abatement on their real estate taxes.

Check out our interactive parking map

If you have an emergency, please dial 911.

Otherwise, please call 978-623-3500 and press the prompt to speak with Dispatch

The Director of Municipal Services or the designated representative shall commence snow and ice maintenance procedures based on each individual storm’s characteristics which may include but are not limited to; weather forecast, air and road temperature and expected accumulation. In the implementation of snow and ice removal and de-icing/abrasive placement on the Town’s secondary road system under these procedures, the Director of Municipal Services or the designated representative shall select the actual sequence of roads and the type of service required as provided for in this section. The Director of Municipal Services or their delegated representative shall also determine when drifting, wind velocity, and additional snow or snowstorm require that the snow and ice removal equipment be removed from the secondary roadways for reasons of hazardous visibility, a lack of progress in said snow and ice removal, or that additional clearance of the main arterials and primary roadway system be accomplished prior to the clearance of the secondary roadway system. More detailed information may be found within the Snow & Ice Maintenance Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

These trucks are driving to or from their routes. Please see our Winter Tips & FAQ for more information.

Snowplow drivers do not intentionally fill driveways. When plowing a road, they aim to add the excess snow to existing snowbanks, however, gaps such as an open driveway, will inevitably be filled with new snow during this process. Waiting to shovel until the end of the snowstorm will help minimize the need for repeated shoveling. We have a suggestion for shoveling to help minimize this challenge. 

Visit our Winter Tips & FAQ Brochure for more information. 

The tenant, occupant, or owner of any building in the downtown district is responsible for clearing the sidewalks in front of their property by 10 a.m. on any day except Sundays and holidays following a snowstorm. Please visit the Snow and Ice Maintenance SOP for further information.

Yes. Between storms, you may bring a bucket or pail to the Municipal Services Facility at 5 Campanelli Drive and fill it at no cost. Please do not attempt to come during a snowstorm as it is too dangerous for residents to fill anything while the heavy equipment is in operation.

5 Campanelli Dr Andover, MA 01810

Visit our Winter Tips & FAQ Brochure for more information. 

To make a tax-deductible donation, send check payable to:

Andover Dollars for Scholars

Post Office Box 5052

Andover, MA 01810

For more information, contact Marybeth Sullivan at mbsullivan@comcast.net. or visit the Donation Website

In conjunction with Massachusetts General Law, The Town of Andover regularly advertises available solicitations in a local newspaper (Andover Townsman), the Goods & Services Bulletin (http://www.sec.state.ma.us/sprpublicforms/search.aspx) and the Central Register (http://www.sec.state.ma.us/sprpublicforms/search.aspx). Also, electronic versions of all IFB’s and RFP’s are available to be viewed and downloaded on the Central Purchasing Office webpage located on the Town of Andover website, www.andoverma.gov.  In addition, you can also sign up to receive automatic email notification for when an IFB/RFP becomes available by registering with the Department’s e-mail subscriber list at the following link: http://andoverma.gov/bids.

All documents are available for free download at www.andoverma.gov/bids.

Vendor lists may be obtained by emailing your request to the Purchasing Agent at theresa.peznola@andoverma.us

If you have suffered damage to your vehicle as the result of striking a pothole, please email as much information as possible to Theresa.peznola@andoverma.us. Please include , date, time, location of pothole, any photos of the pothole and damage, and invoices for repairs. Please note, potholes are a naturally occurring condition on our roadways. The mere existence of a pothole does not create liability for the Town. In order for the Town to be held liable for damages, the claimant must prove that the Town had “reasonable notice” of the existence of the pothole and failed to repair it. M.G.L Chapter 84 § 15. 

Any resident that is registered to vote in the Town of Andover may attend and vote at Town Meeting. The deadline to register to vote in Town Meeting is 10 days prior to the start of Town Meeting.

Individuals who are not registered to vote may attend Town Meeting, but are not eligible to vote and will be asked to sit in a designated section. 

A voter may be recognized by standing and saying, "Mister/Madam Moderator." Before making any remarks the speaker must give his or her name and address.

In certain cases, particularly when many Town Meeting voters are seeking to be recognized to speak on an article, they may form lines at "Pro" and "Con" microphones. This measure is used at the discretion of the moderator. 

Amendments must be presented to the Moderator in writing (three copies). After discussion on the amendment the Moderator calls for a vote on the amendment only. If passed the original motion as amended is voted upon. Amendments to amendments are usually ruled out of order. Motions or amendments which differ materially from that printed in the Warrant must be given to the voters in writing at the time of consideration, or shown on a screen readable by all voters. Motions to table are used rarely. 
Types of Motions: 
•Budget questions - Questions on the budget are encouraged. A voter may address the Moderator on any line item in the finance committee report. Amendments can be offered and will be voted on individually. 
•Declaring the Vote - The Moderator may decide the sense of the meeting by a voice vote. If in doubt, or, if the decision is questioned, a standing vote may be called for. Depending on the subject matter, a motion may only require a simple majority to pass, or it may require a 2/3 or even greater vote to pass. 
•Privileged Motions - A speaker may be interrupted only for a point of order, a question of the legality of a motion, or a question to clarify information. 
•Reconsideration - Reconsideration is rarely used and only to correct an oversight or an illegality 
•Visual Displays - Voters who wish to show slides or present other visual material should make arrangements before the meeting. Contact the Town Clerk's Office for additional information. •Adjourn / Dissolve - A meeting may adjourn to a later time and a different place, but when a meeting is dissolved it is finished. A meeting may not be dissolved until every article in the Warrant has been acted upon.
•Pro/Con Microphones - The Moderator will sometimes call for the use of Pro/Con Microphones to help organize the debate on controversial articles. 
•Time Limits - A motion could be made at the opening of Town Meeting to limit the time for presentations to five (5) minutes and speakers to the article three (3) minutes (or any combination thereof). A motion for time limits is usually made to cover the entire duration of the meeting. It is generally a good idea to use this as a guide for any presentations to Town Meeting members.

The Warrant is the agenda used for Town Meeting. It is comprised of a series of articles set at the discretion of the Select Board (in the case of Town-sponsored articles) or by citizen petition. The full Warrant will be posted on the Town's website in advance of Town Meeting at: andoverma.gov/townmeeting

Residents are required to check-in at a table corresponding with their voting precinct in order to vote at Town Meeting. Residents are advised to arrive early to accommodate the check-in process, and to be aware of their precinct number before arriving to avoid delays. Precinct information can be verified online at: andoverma.gov/precincts

At check-in, voters will be given a sticker indicating that they are a verified Town Meeting. This sticker must be visible through the duration of Town Meeting to ensure that your vote is counted.

There are a few neighborhoods in Town where houses are serviced by a different water main generating from a different distribution zone. This is typically where the two border one another.  A plan that shows the DMA's is available on the Town's website.

The Town will convert all town-owned streetlights to LEDs which includes 1,800 streetlights and some park and parking lot lights that aren’t already LEDs.

The proposed project will result in a 50-80% reduction in energy usage from the current technology and significant utility and maintenance savings annually. Between the purchase of our lights and the retrofit to LED, the Town stands to save roughly $100,000 per year in maintenance and energy use. LED lights are more expensive, but can last 20 years, so the investment will be paid back by these savings and reduced maintenance costs in under 5 years

In addition to the extended lifecycle and lower replacement costs, LEDs result in reduced light pollution at night and improved and more uniform light quality. Because they use less energy, LEDs also help to reduce carbon emissions.  LEDs also make colors look brighter and more “true” to natural color. Due to the improved color rendition things appear brighter and sharper under LEDs which is why police and other safety personnel prefer LEDs.

It is a Light Emitting Diode. Diodes are semiconductors that, in this case, convert electricity into light. A main factor that makes LED lights energy efficient is the small amount of heat that they emit compared to an incandescent bulb that release 90% of their energy in heat. For more information about LED lights visit the Department of Energy’s web page.

Approximately 60% of our streetlights are currently High Pressure Sodium (HPS), 30% Mercury Vapor (MV), and 10% Incandescent Cobra Head fixtures.

Color temperature of lighting is measured in Kelvin (K) units. When LED streetlights first came out most applications used 5,000 Kelvin, very cool or white. These were very harsh and almost bluish. Applications then moved to using 4,000K which is called “moonlight.” Several credible sources have issued opinions about the detrimental effects of 4,000K lighting, regarding its negative affect on human sleep patterns, nocturnal animal behavior, and light pollution. The Town has chosen 3,000 kelvin LED lights due to its softened yet effective color.

No, the new lights will reduce unwanted spill light into homes and properties as most of the light is directed downward to the street and sidewalk.  However, if a homeowner reports that there is too much light coming into their home from the new LEDs, the Town can install a houseshield on the streetlight to control unwanted light.

National Grid owns the street lights in areas, such as North Main Street, where electricity is fed underground. There are a few privately owned street lights that the Town also doesn’t own and therefore cannot convert.

Yes. The Town has already converted all the antique post top lighting on Main St., in the Shawsheen Village, and by the Town Offices.

A system of street classification (arterial, connector, and residential) was developed to determine appropriate light levels for each street. The criteria are in accordance with guidelines used by the Federal Highway Administration, MassDOT, and the Illuminating Engineering Society. However, as the scope of this project does not include moving light poles, the Town was limited to using existing pole locations throughout the Town.

Yes but dimming controls are not included in the project. The current cost of wireless controls added 30-40% to the overall project cost.  In addition, the National Grid streetlight tariff does not yet reflect savings from dimming so the Town wouldn’t save additional money on utility bills from dimming. However the Town is adding components to each fixture that will make the streetlights dimming control-ready so we can take advantage of the technology when the prices come down and the utility savings are guaranteed to show up on our electric bills.

We agree to purchase the electricity produced at a solar field in Palmer, Massachusetts, at a cost of 10.25 cents per kilowatt hour.  We pay the solar producer each month for the electricity that was produced and sent to National Grid.  National Grid allocates credits to our accounts as we specify, at the General Service (G1) rate.  If the current G1 rate is 17 cents per kilowatt hour, then we essentially paid 10.25 cents and were credited 17 cents.  The difference between the two is our savings.

I have estimated the savings, working with the solar operator at roughly $400K in year one.

The 7 Departments who will benefit from the solar credits are: Schools, Police, Library, Youth Services, DPW, Water, Fire, and Plant & Facilities.

Yes.  Andover receives its electrical supply power from the WCMA and the NEMA zones.  See map. The 15 million kilowatt hours used by municipal government in Andover is roughly split 50-50 between the two.  WCMA is Western/Central Massachusetts Load Zone and NEMA is Northeast Massachusetts and Boston Load Zone.

Solar credits can only be applied to accounts within the same load zone.  Since the solar field is located in Palmer, Massachusetts, which is in the WCMA Load Zone, those credits can only apply to our WCMA accounts.

Yes.  Non-building accounts that will also receive credits are Town Street Lights and the Fish Brook Pumping Station.

The 12 WCMA Zone buildings are: Andover High School, High Plain/Wood Hill, Doherty Middle, West Elementary, West Middle, Shawsheen Elementary, Public Safety Center, Memorial Hall Library, Cormier Youth Center, West Andover Fire Station, Red Spring Road Shop, and the Town House.

Yes - The assignment of credits was distributed proportionately to the electric bill with a goal of allocating about 85% of the kilowatt usage by account.  There are some exceptions, for instance, we know that street lights will now be LED, but we will have more lights on.  That had to be calculated a little differently.  

We had plenty of credits to go around and it was more of a task to spread them out, without over-allocating, than it was to include all.  There was an effort to hit as many departments as possible.  (The solar developer has increased the amount of credits available twice, but we have limited ourselves to 6.2million kwh because we could simply have too many if we allowed more.)  We can adjust the distribution of the credits every 6 months if we wish.

You don’t have to travel to The Center just to register for an event.  You can register at your convenience (ex:  sitting at home in your PJs in the middle of the night).  

Staff will help you set up an account.  Once your account is set up, you may call or come in to The Center and staff will be happy to register you for programs.

If a class is full there will be a red “Full” button showing on My Active Center.  Please call The Center to be put on a wait list.

Most questions can be answered by reading Andover’s Annual Water Quality Report. The report is issued in the spring of each year and presents data for the previous calendar year to comply with both US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP) reporting requirements. 

The Town of Andover’s drinking water, which has a total hardness of 40 mg/L as CaCO3, is considered “soft water” according to the ranges set by the USEPA. There is no US EPA drinking water standard for hardness, only set ranges to define the degree of hardness.

By definition, hardness is the total concentration of calcium and magnesium ions in the water. Hard water is not considered a contaminant, but it does retard the cleaning action of soap and can form a scale on cooking utensils, hot water pipes, and heaters. Soft water may have corrosive tendencies; however, the pH of Andover’s drinking water is adjusted before leaving the water treatment plant making it non-corrosive and non-scale forming.

Andover’s drinking water source includes Haggetts Pond and the surrounding 1442 acres of watershed area. The pond is supplemented with additional waters from Fish Brook and the Merrimack River.

The Town of Andover operates a municipal drinking water treatment facility. For more information on the treatment process, please view the virtual tour of the plant. 

Discolored water can often occur during prolonged periods of high temperatures and demands on the water distribution system. Similar to when hydrants are flushed, the water velocity – or the speed at which water moves through the system – increases during high demand. During typical demand, sediments that are naturally part of the water settle. But when water demand is high, the settling does not occur, and this results in discoloration that some residents may be experiencing. When the demand slows down, the sediment settles and only reappears when demand increases. The discoloration is an aesthetic issue, and there are no health risks associated with discolored water.

Andover conducts a comprehensive flushing program to reduce minerals and deposits in the pipes and improve the quality of the water. This practice not only extends the life of our water mains, but also improves water quality. When flushing is being performed, there may be temporary discoloration in the immediate neighborhoods where flushing is taking place.

What to do if you experience discolored water:

•    Run cold water to help flush the system; running an outside spigot, basement sink, or bathtub can help clear the water lines surrounding your home 

•    Determine if the discoloration is isolated to cold or hot water 

•    Take note of the time and date that the discoloration was noticed 

•    If you have experienced discoloration while washing clothing, the Water Department supplies a product that will help remove any discoloration. This product can be picked up at 5 Campanelli Drive from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday – Friday. 

•    If discoloration is still evident, call the Water Division’s Discolored Water line at (978) 623-8707 or send an email to MSDiscoloredWater@andoverma.us. Include your name, address, and the day and time the discolored water occurred in your message.

Information on Discolored Water (PDF)

The laboratory is limited in the parameters that can be tested for town residents. We are not able to provide testing to solve an internal plumbing issue, or to determine what type of filter you should purchase if your plumber has recommended one. Testing cannot be done for well water or businesses, regardless of location. 

Should you have specific water quality concerns and you are an Andover Municipal Water Customer, please contact the Chemist via email at dpw-treatment@andoverma.gov and leave your name, address, phone number, and your questions.

After the laboratory chemist has spoken with you, if testing is warranted, arrangements will be made for you to pick up sample collection bottles and sampling instructions.   

Samples must be returned to the laboratory for analysis, within 24 hours of sample collection, along with a completed Chain of Custody. We will only accept samples that have been collected in the sample bottles supplied by our lab.

Tests are done as a courtesy and at no charge to residents, and analysis is performed using in-house instrumentation. We are not certified for the majority of analyses. Water quality parameters we can test for in our lab include: pH, turbidity, chlorine residual, and fluoride. 

There is a minimum two-week turn-around time from the time samples are delivered to the laboratory and a report is issued. 

Residents that are known to have a partial or full lead water service line may request analysis for lead and copper in their water. Testing for these analytes requires specific sampling containers and instructions. It may take up to four weeks for sample results to be reported to you.

There are many laboratories in the region that may be able to provide you with water quality testing resources. We advise that you use a MADEP certified laboratory that will accept residential samples. Please view our document, Certified Laboratories for Homeowner Testing for a list of certified laboratories.

Yes, $1.00 per bill. Please pay duplicate bill fee(s) with a separate check.

Unfortunately, post-dated checks are not accepted in the office.

The Fiscal Year runs from July 1st to June 30^th.

Tax bills are issued four times a year. The quarterly tax payments are due on the following dates: 

August 1st; November 1st; February 1st; May 1st.

To avoid interest, payment must be received in the Collector’s office by the due date. 

To obtain information in regards to taxes or bills paid in a calendar year, please fill out this form ( Link to PDF for Request for Tax Information ) and return to the Treasurer’s Office or email to treasurer@andoverma.us .

Payments can be made at Town Hall during normal business hours, 8:30am – 4:30pm Monday – Friday. Payments may also be dropped into the after hours box located in front of the Town Hall entrance on Bartlet St. Payments dropped in the box after business hours will be applied on the next business day.  Checks should be made payable to the Town of Andover.

You may also mail payments to:

Town Hall
Collector’s Office
36 Bartlet St.
Andover, MA 01810

Please note postmarks are not accepted as paid dates, so be sure you leave enough time for delivery if paying by mail

Payments can also be made online at:
https://andoverma.gov/223/Collector-Treasurer

Credit balances on Real Estate/Personal Property accounts will be issued at the end of the fiscal year.  Refunds will be issued to whomever is responsible for the payment that created the credit. 

Motor Vehicle Excise Tax refunds will be processed when there is a credit on the account.

You may obtain a Municipal Lien Certificate by completing a request for Municipal Lien form and mailing it to:

Office of the Tax Collector
Town of Andover
36 Bartlet St
Andover, MA 01810

You may download and print the form from this Web site /DocumentCenter/View/5334/MLC_RequestForm. (in Adobe .pdf Format)

You will need to supply the Property Address and name of the Current Owner.  A self-addressed, stamped envelope should be included with the request, if you wish the Municipal Lien Certificate to be mailed to you. 

You may also pay online here https://unipaygold.unibank.com/transactioninfo.aspx .

The cost for a Municipal Lien Certificate is $50.00 for residential properties and $100.00 for commercial. Acceptable forms of payment are: attorney's check; certified or registered check; personal check; and cash (if paid in person).

Regarding full road resurfacing, please check with the Department of Public Works - Engineering Division to see if the road in question is on the list for upcoming paving projects. This list takes some time, and all roads to be paved in a season may not be confirmed until close to paving season, which generally starts in/around April. 

Why Residents Should Email Engineering: Resident requests for paving are retained and are part of the overall equation when Public Works is evaluating what streets to repave in a season. If you would like to request road repaving, the easiest thing to do is send an email to dpw-engineering@andoverma.us so the Town Engineer can document it. 

About the Pavement Management Program - Each year a team from Public Works sits down to discuss the pavement program to strategize and plan for the next several years.  There are several factors that contribute to the decision to pave a roadway and as noted, resident submitted requests and observations are one of those factors. One of the most influential tools we use is our Pavement Management Program which helps to prioritize based on condition and potential to spend most efficiently.  We also attempt to target a variety of areas throughout Town so that as many people as possible benefit from newly paved roadways.  Another factor is giving consideration to any upcoming construction work, as we would obviously not want to pave a roadway only to have it excavated. Roads with planned work (public or private jobs) do not get paved until after all work has been completed, then there is a 5-year moratorium on street openings except in emergency cases. As we build out our pavement program, we try to maximize the dollars that are available to the Town based on all these factors. We have found that it is helpful to share an overview of how the process works to provide an understanding that there is a systematic approach and residents’ concerns are certainly part of that process.

The Andover Police Department intends to engage in extensive public outreach to make sure that drivers are aware of the reduced speed limit prior to issuing tickets and strictly enforcing the measure. The public education process is expected to last through the spring of 2023, with enforcement beginning in the summer.

Officers may pull over motorists exceeding the 25 MPH speed limit in certain cases, but will issue informational materials about the new townwide policy during the initial phases of implementation. The Andover Police Department will have directed patrols in certain areas that are identified to experience a high volume of motorists exceeding the new speed limit or traveling at excessive speeds.  

At the 2022 Annual Town Meeting, voters opted-in to Chapter 90, Section 17C of Massachusetts General Laws, allowing the Select Board to implement a 25 MPH speed limit. The Select Board voted to implement the reduced speed limit in late 2022. The adjusted speed limit is intended to make Andover streets safer for drivers and pedestrians, and to reduce the risk of serious injury in the event of a motor vehicle accident.  

Certain roads with existing speed regulations are not subject to the reduced speed limit, even if they are in a thickly settled or business district. At the time of the implementation of a town wide 25 MPH speed limit in Andover, 34 roadways were subject to a special speed regulation. 

In August, the Andover Select Board voted to rescind special speed regulations on 16 roadways, which will lower their speed limits to 25 MPH, consistent with the town wide speed restriction. A multi-step approval process must be completed in order for the special speed regulations to be formally rescinded and for the reduced speed limit to be enforced on the identified roadways. Throughout the last several months, MassDOT has reviewed the rescission of special speed regulations for each street individually, rather than considering all 16 requests simultaneously. As a result, the status of the speed regulation rescission process varies by street.

When the approval process is complete, speed limits will continue to exceed 25 miles per hour on just 12 streets where it was determined that special speed regulations should not be rescinded given their functional class and vehicle volume:

Bypass Road (Route 125), 
Chandler Road, 
Dascomb Road, 
Harold Parker, 
Haverhill Street, 
Jenkins Road, 
Lovejoy Road, 
Lowell Street, 
North Main Street (principal arterial), 
North Street, 
River Road, and
South Main Street.

Six other roadways are subject to special speed regulations that sets their speed limit at 25 MPH or lower.

Because the reduced speed limit is a townwide measure, the Town is placing new signage at the Town's borders and other strategic locations. These signs clearly indicate that speed limit applies townwide. The Town will not be installing signs on every street where the reduced speed limit applies. 

MGL Chapter 90, Section one defines thickly settled or business district as: "the territory contiguous to any way which is built up with structures devoted to business, or the territory contiguous to any way where the dwelling houses are situated at such distances as will average less than two hundred feet between them for a distance of a quarter of a mile or over."

Please call us at 978-623-8262. You can also fill the rental form (found below) and email it to (Email) to request your date. 

The staff will work with you to make sure all your needs are meet. They will keep in contact through email and phone calls.

Based on the timing of your event there may be other events on the same day.

No, all food must be supplied by a licensed caterer or restaurant.  You may contact cdphealth@andoverma.us for a list of preapproved catering vendors. 

Alcoholic beverages may be consumed and/or served at the Old Town Hall only if the alcohol is served by a person employed by a caterer or bar service that has been trained to serve and has presented evidence of liquor liability insurance. If alcohol will be sold at the event, the person or group must apply for a one‐day liquor license  from the Board of Selectmen through the Town Clerk’s Office (978-623-8230). Only non‐profit groups are  eligible for an all‐alcoholic license.  Other groups or individuals are eligible only for a beer and  wine license. If an open bar is planned, the one‐day liquor license is not required.

No, alcohol must be purchased through an alcohol wholesaler or distributor only.  When a caterer is involved in serving the alcohol, the person having the event must purchase the liquor and not the caterer.  See preferred vendor list. 

Yes. It is laptop compatible. We also offer a wireless microphone and podium.

Yes. We have 2 Bose speakers available for hook up.

Yes, Parking is available along Main St. and in the parking lot behind the town house. Depending on the time of day, you may have to pay hourly at a Parking Kiosk.  The parking rate is $1.00 per hour.   

Anyone who needs emergency services can do so by dialing 911. 911 does provide a flagging for specific information for a particular address (on a ventilator, for example). This information can be flagged on a specific phone number by contacting the 911 operator in the city or town in which the person lives and give this information to the dispatcher supervisor and they, in turn, provide 911 with the information that is then flagged for that phone number. This information will appear on the screen of the 911 operator when a call is received from that address. The Dispatcher Supervisor for the Andover Public Safety Center can be reached by dialing 978-475-0411 at the beginning of the recorded message, dial 1052. You can also register for the state program, the website address: Disability Indicator Program Description

Janet Nicosia Phone:  (978) -623-8712

E-mail: jnicosia@andoverma.gov

Resource materials are now available on the Internet and in the Town and School libraries. Links to available materials are on this website or can be searched using anyone of the search engines (like Google, Yahoo, or MSN). If you have specific requirements that can not be located call the Andover Commission on Disability chairperson for more information. In keeping with our mission to create an awareness of all disabilities, the Andover Commission on Disability was pleased to be able to provide the funding of books dealing with the subject of disabilities to the Memorial Hall Library and all of Andover’s public schools.

• Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
• Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
• Massachusetts Commission on Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
• Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Commission
• Massachusetts Office on Disabilities
• Governor’s Commission on Intellectual Disability
• Department of Mental Health
• Mental Health Legal Advisory Committee
• Head Injury

• Comcast channel 22 / Verizon channel 45
• Andover Townsman
• Eagle-Tribune
• Patch
• Bartlet Street Dispatch

The Bartlet Street Dispatch is the Town of Andover’s official newsletter. Being a subscriber of the Dispatch is one of the best ways to stay informed about what’s happening at Andover Town Offices and around the community, from Town Meeting to major infrastructure projects. Subscribers will receive approximately two e-mails per month.

Signing-up is easy. Simply fill out the form at the link, and you’ll have the next Dispatch delivered to your inbox. Check out past editions at the links below for a look at the kind of information you will receive.

• Andover Insider: Town Hall Text Line Andover Insider

• Experience: many years of being disabled and/or working with a disability.
• Market: Increasing by Aging, Injuries, Family, Friends, Acceptance.
• Network: Work in industry, support services.
• Information: Access to resources – literature etc…

• Assistive listening. Launched at Town Meeting 5/17/22 uses your smartphone

   Now the technology is available in the Town’s Conference Rooms

• Make Shawsheen River more accessible to people with disabilities:
  • Develop an ADA canoe/kayak boat launch site
  • Collaborate in developing the Shawsheen River Master Plan for people with disabilities
  • ADA additions to master Kiosk signage template for all Conservation Land
• Accessible Andover segments topics recorded on Andover Cable Access TV
  • The Andover Commission on Disability
  • Assistive listening
  • FREEMASONS’ Hospital Equipment Loan Program (H.E.L.P.)
  • Memorial Hall Library
• Assisted with the new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan for the schools
• Reviewed all schools including the new school and Safety Center for ADA conformance
• Reviewed, prioritized, and advocated for curb cuts and sidewalks for wheelchair access
• Planned for Americans with Disabilities (ADA) training for town employees
• Increased collaboration and liaison with the Robb (Senior) Center
• Built a collaboration with the Massachusetts Office on Disability and increasing our capacity for individual advocacy
• ADA Monitoring of the Main Street Project
• ADA Monitoring of the Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Authority (MVRTA)
• Sponsored disabled artists at the Andover Artists’ Guild Art Show
• Initially funded and introduced Project Lifesaver, Lock Box, Kids on the Block, MVRTA Extended Hours, and Senior Center Gardens into Andover

• Senior Citizens – Mobility Devices: Scooters, Walkers, Canes
• New parents – Carriages
• Children – Low phones, Water Fountains
• Delivery Personnel – Vendors, Movers
• People with Temporary Physical Disabilities.