N. Andover – MA town of the month

The Town of North Andover is located in Essex County in the northeastern part of Massachusetts on the banks of the Merrimack River and approximately 24 miles from Boston.  North Andover is bordered by the towns of Andover, North Reading, Boxford, and Middleton and the cities of Methuen, Haverhill, and Lawrence – covering almost 27 square miles.

The Town of North Andover’s government is committed to providing innovative, responsive, and efficient government to all our citizens.  Our Town Charter, enacted in 1986, provides for an Open Town Meeting – Board of Selectmen – Town Manager form of government.  An elected five-member Board of Selectmen oversees the governance of the Town.  An appointed professional Town Manager supervises Town departments and divisions.  The public school system receives policy direction from a five-member elected School Committee and is administered by an appointed Superintendent.  North Andover’s legislative body, our Open Town Meeting, is a rich New England tradition.  This forum allows all registered voters the ability to bring forward and vote on all matters brought before it.  The facilitator of the meeting is the elected Town Moderator who conducts the meeting according to established rules and procedures.  The Moderator appoints a nine-member Finance Committee who advises Town Meeting on the matters brought before it.  Appointed boards and committees have specific responsibilities for administering state and local procedures.  

The Town of North Andover is home to almost 30,000 people.  The Town is proud to provide excellent full-time police and fire service.  Street maintenance, curbside solid waste and recycling services, hazardous waste and drop-off recycling, and snow removal are administered by our Department of Public Works.  The Stevens Memorial Library provides a full range of services to its patrons.  The Department of Youth Services operates recreational opportunities at Stevens Pond and extensive programs from our Youth Center located in the Old Center.  A vibrant Senior Center, located behind Town Hall on Main Street, provides services, programs, and assistance to over 6,000 seniors. Our Community Development Division oversees public health, natural resource protection, building services, zoning and planning issues, and business development.  Our award-winning Water Treatment Plant and operation provides residents and businesses with an outstanding product.  Our renovated Town Hall, located at 120 Main Street, houses our administrative offices.  The Town Manager, Selectmen’s Office, Town Accountant, Assessor’s Office, Tax Collector, Veterans’ Services, and Town Clerk’s Office are there to provide the efficient, professional service you need.  

North Andover takes great pride in providing excellent education for all our students.  All five elementary schools, our Middle School, North Andover High School, and the Greater Lawrence Technical School, reflect our rich tradition and accomplishments.  Community growth necessitated school building projects to meet its expanding needs.  These projects included the new Annie Sargent Elementary School, the new Thomson School, a complete renovation of our Middle School, and the new North Andover High School and stadium. The “North Andover High School Scarlet Knights” of today carry on a rich tradition of competition and sportsmanship through all its athletic endeavors.  The North Andover High School Marching Band, Chorus, Drama, Arts Programs, and other extra-curricular activities provide excellent learning opportunities and experiences.Merrimack College, a private college, opened in 1947 and now has over 2000 students.  Brooks School, opened in 1926 and located on the shores of Lake Cochichewick, is a co-educational boarding and day school with over 340 students.  North Andover offers opportunity for all ages to participate and volunteer.  Visit the links section of our website for a complete list of recreational groups, fraternal organizations, committees and boards, and what’s happening in Town.North Andover was selected by Money Magazine in 2003 as the “Fifth Best Community to live in on the East Coast”.

The Town of North Andover is committed to attracting new businesses – small and large.  The excellent geographic location, endless source of talented workers, citizens and volunteers dedicated to their community, and the natural beauty of our Town make it a great place to live and work.  Businesses that are interested in locating in North Andover are encouraged to contact the Community Development Division at 978-688-9533 or visit the award-winning website Merrimack Valley Means Business at merrimackvalleymeansbusiness.com.

The Town of North Andover is dedicated to serving residents and to creating a community in which residents may join together for the common good.  The Town’s purpose is to offer services and a government that provide for the general welfare, education, and public safety of its residents. ~The administration of the Town fosters this commitment to community by delivering municipal services in a professional, cost-effective manner through prompt, courteous, and equitable service and by insuring that the public’s business is conducted with the highest level of integrity.

The Town of North Andover looks forward to a rich and prosperous future in the spirit of our historic past.  Come visit and see that we are truly a “Town for All Seasons”.North Andover town website