Andover’s annual budget season kicked off Nov. 18, when the select board got its first public look at Town Manager Andrew Flanagan’s proposed, $23.5 million capital improvement plan for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2025.
The budget is smaller than the Town’s operating budget, which covers regular operational expenses, including salaries. Town meeting reviews both budgets in April after thorough reviews by affected town boards and departments. The CIP, as it is known in local government jargon, covers improvements and maintenance to town and school properties and is culled from requests from Town of Andover department heads.
Among the recommendations in Flanagan’s recommended budget for FY26:
- $600,000 for additional Elm Square safety improvements.
- $900,000 for Town parks and playgrounds.
- $1.6 million for major Town projects, including partial replacement of Memorial Hall Library’s roof.
- $680,000 for major school projects, including design funds for a new playground at Sanborn Elementary School and a new playing surface at Andover High School’s Lovely Field.
- Improvements at Pomps Pond, including a new bath house and multipurpose room.
Key dates in CIP Process:
Nov. 15: Town Manager Andrew Flanagan delivers recommended CIP budget to select board.
Nov. 18: Select board public hearing on proposed budget.
Dec. 2: Select board, school committee and finance committee discuss proposed budget.
Dec. 16: Select board discusses and considers adopting CIP budget.
April 29: Final approval at Annual Town Meeting.
The CIP is up from the current fiscal year’s $18 million.
Funding for the budget includes $2.5 million from the general fund revenue, $3.9 from free cash, $4.8 million from non-exempt borrowing, $2 million from special dedicated funds, and $10.3 million from the Water & Sewer Enterprise Funds.
In addition to the requests for the next fiscal year, the capital improvement fund includes projections of future capital improvement needs through FY 2029.