ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Committee for a New Andover Charter has received a ruling from the Secretary of
State’s Office preventing the use of 3,451 certified signatures of Andover voters seeking to
establish an Andover Charter Commission. After the certification process, this total fell
short of the required fifteen percent (4,052) of Andover’s total number of registered voters.
But instead of allowing us to gather and certify the additional 601 signatures,
the state would require us to begin the collection process again from the
start. We are exploring our options for how best to proceed. In the interim, we have written to the Andover Town Manager and Select Board and issued a press release about this situation. See COMMUNICATIONS
Anyone interested in joining the effort to reform Andover’s town government should
contact the Committee at: info@newandovercharter.org.

ANDOVER DESERVES AN EFFICIENT, EFFECTIVE
AND REPRESENTATIVE TOWN GOVERNMENT

Is Andover’s town meeting working for you? Are you able to keep up with all the budget, zoning and other issues facing the town? Are you able to spend multiple weekday evenings each year, for three or four hours each night, at town meetings? If your answer to any of these questions is no, you are not alone.

It is time to seriously consider a change to Andover’s form of government.

Signing a petition to form a charter commission is the first step in providing Andover residents with the opportunity to consider a more democratic town structure that better serves all of us.

SIGN THE PETITION

Why Change Our Form of Government?

While Open Town Meeting served Andover well for many years, with Andover’s growth from a small farming community to a Town of over 36,000 people, Town Meeting has become inefficient (e.g., frequent, lengthy and costly meetings), ineffective (e.g., not suited for thoughtful deliberation on complex issues) and unrepresentative (e.g., poorly attended and not reflective of our large and diverse town). The first night of the 2025 Annual Town Meeting was attended by fewer than 2% of registered voters. By the end of the second night, fewer than 1% of registered voters were in attendance.

Q & A - Part 1

What is the Process for Changing Our Form of Government?

Andover’s form of government can be changed by Andover’s voters creating a Charter Commission and then approving the Commission’s recommendations to frame a new Town charter. To put the question of creating a Charter Commission on the ballot, approximately 4,000 registered voters must sign our petition.

Q & A - Part 2

What are the Alternatives to Our Form of Government?

In addition to Open Town Meeting, the other alternatives allowed under State law are: Representative Town Meeting; Council/Manager; and Council/Mayor. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and it will be the job of the Charter Commission to recommend for voter approval which best serves the needs of Andover’s residents.

Q & A - Part 3

How can I Get Involved?

First, please sign the petition – see link above.
Second, please consider taking a petition form and gathering the signatures of your friends, family and neighbors in Andover.
Third, please consider donating to offset the costs of this effort

Q & A - Part 4
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