Five Things You Need to Know About Special Town Meeting

Head down to Andover High School and voice your opinion on a short list of issues during the Special Town Meeting Monday night.

The Andover Youth Center sits at the center of the meeting, with petitioners asking for a $2 million contribution from the taxpayers for the construction of a new facility, with the Andover Youth Center already contributing over $2 million. The town meeting body will also discuss items pertaining to ball field construction and construction of the Bancroft Elementary School.

1. What to do? Park in the large parking lot at the Andover High School for the Special Town meeting on Monday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. Then walk to the Collins Center entrance, located at the right end the high school. It's likely that the youth center discussion could start as late as 7:30 p.m., however.

2.Youth Center Vote:The Board of Selectmen have endorsed a warrant article (article 3) asking for the authority to spend in Andover. Andover Youth Services has been trying to build this 20,000 square foot building for years and has raised $2.2 million privately to put toward the project. Check out this feature about the effects on your taxes. They are also asking that 32,000 square foot property is transferred to the board of selectmen in conjunction with the youth center project. It will be voted as long as the Article 3 is approved.

3. Bancroft School Construction: The Town of Andover is asking that the selectmen obtain the authorization to accept slices of land by purchase or gift around the Bancroft School to allow for the construction of a new school. Petitioners will explain how this fit into the overall project at Town Meeting.

4. Athletic Fields: The town is asking that the selectmen receive the authority to enter into leases in regards to the construction of ball fields at the town-owned land on Blanchard Street. It will also give them the authority to accept gifts and grants in relation to the project.

5. Housekeeping: Special Town Meeting voters will also be discussing three smaller house-keeping items related to the stabilization fund, a supplemental budget and contributing to the town's long-term liability related to public employee benefits.