Andover: 'Community-Led Process' Planned For Youth Services

ANDOVER, MA — Andover is planning a "community-led process" for rebuilding Andover Youth Services after the firing of the longtime director and the subsequent resignations of the full-time staff, the town said Friday.

The town also denied rumors of a toxic work environment related to the basis of the group's resignations and asked for public input.

The division's four full-time staff members submitted letters of resignation Friday effective Sept. 2, several months after former Director Bill Fahey was fired.

Following the resignations, dozens of residents gathered to greet the Youth Services staff returning late Friday from a trip.

Fahey was fired in May following an investigation by an attorney hired by the town over allegations of inappropriate conduct. The investigator Regina Ryan did not consider all allegations against Fahey substantiated, but found there was sufficient cause for the town to take action, according to the redacted report the town released in July.

Fahey and critics of the town say Town Manager Andrew Flanagan has been targeting Fahey for years and fired him in an attempt to gain control of the Youth Services division. Fahey has sued Flanagan and the town, alleging defamation and wrongful termination.

Gabe Levine, a co-chair of the Independent Andover Youth Strategic Council, said Friday that the staff resigned due to the "toxic work environment fueled by Town Manager Andrew Flanagan."

"Flanagan has used his position of power and influence to bully town employees, residents, and the youth of Andover," Levine wrote in a Facebook post.

Levine's group was formed following the June town meeting to support Andover Youth Services, he said.

In its statement, the town moved to rebut Levine.

"No member of the staff or anyone else has suggested to any Town official that AYS has been a 'toxic' or 'hostile' workplace – until this week," the statement reads. "Instead, these allegations were first made after the Select Board stated during its meeting on Monday evening, August 16th that it supports an independent investigation into these employees’ receipt of apparently unlawful payments from the Andover Youth Foundation and other potentially serious violations of the public’s trust."

On Aug. 10, the Eagle-Tribune reported that the town had referred documents related to the Andover Youth Foundation to an unnamed agency for an investigation.

The statement also addresses the appointment of an interim director and Town Manager Andrew Flanagan's involvement.

"It simply would not have been appropriate to appoint a member of the existing staff," while there is "an investigation underway to look into potential violations of law and improprieties by current AYS staff," the town said.

The town manager is expected to make a recommendation to the Select Board for an interim replacement in Oct., a town official said at a recent Select Board meeting.

Community Services Director Jess Lambert has been overseeing the division since Fahey was put on leave in Feb. Flanagan's only interaction with the staff was offering support to Assistant Director Glenn Wilson, the town said.

"Within the next week, the Town will be announcing a community-led process that will help shape the next steps for Andover Youth Services," the town said. "If you are interested in participating in this process, please email NextStepsForAYS@andoverma.us with an expression of your interest and your contact information."

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.