Laura Bates Announces Reelection Bid For North Andover Select Board

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — Laura Bates has announced she is running for reelection to the North Andover Select Board.

Bates, a project engineer and mother of two middle school/elementary-age children, was first elected in 2020.

After the expiration of Bates' three-year term, two Select Board seats will be on the ballot in the March 28 election. The other seat is vacant after Chris Nobile resigned from the board in August.

In a release announcing her candidacy, Bates highlighted some of her accomplishments and identified some agenda items for a second term.

"Three years ago, amidst the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I began serving our community as a member of the Select Board," Bates said. "I believe more strongly than ever that we are better as 'One Community.'"

Bates continued: "We have accomplished a lot together. I have been in the trenches with many people who share differing opinions, but who successfully come together to do what is best for North Andover. That is the job."

Bates, who previously served as the chair of the Select Board, identified the development of the Facilities Master Plan II as one of the highlights of her time in office.

The plan includes upgrades to multiple elementary schools (Atkinson, Kittredge and Franklin), Andover Middle School, Fire Station # 2, the Youth Center and Anne Bradstreet Early Childhood Center (ABECC).

The Master Plan's final report was issued and updated last spring and has been accepted into the Massachusetts School Building Authority Program. Projects are scheduled to begin this year.

"(It is) the most consequential and comprehensive plan to address future community needs that are sustainable for tax taxpayers and meets some of the very dire needs of our schools, fire station, and the youth center," Bates said.

Bates said that she and the Select Board also have worked to bring improvements to the Stevens Estate.

Plus, with the support of residents at a Town Meeting, the board helped North Andover purchase the property at 400 Great Pond Road, which will further protect the town's watershed and drinking water, according to Bates.

"We are fortunate to have our own plentiful source for clean drinking water and it is imperative that we continue to keep its preservation a priority for the residents of our One Community," Bates said.

Bates also said the board has prioritized strong leadership with the appointment of Fire Chief John Weir and successfully negotiating contracts with Police Chief Charles Gray and Town Manager Melissa Rodrigues.

As for the challenges that the board faces going forward, Bates said the continued revitalization of downtown is critical.

Additionally, Bates said there remains work to be done in rebuilding infrastructure after the 2018 Columbia Gas explosions.

Bates also said the rising cost of utilities, especially electrical rates, is an ongoing challenge that she remains committed to addressing.

"I continue to fight for our community, whether it is by negotiating better rates through the community aggregate power program or by offering payment relief for our most vulnerable residents with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act," Bates said. "Taking care of our neighbors is what makes our One Community special, it is what makes us North Andover."