Select Board Clerk Voices Support For Town Manager

Town Manager Cohen has a proven history of not bargaining in good faith by circumventing collective bargaining process…The bargaining table is a place that has to be built on mutual trust and respect. And currently, we do not feel there is trust if Mr. Cohen is part of the town’s bargaining process.

Chairman Alex Vispoli made a “clarifying statement” at the start of Monday’s Andover Select Board meeting, saying a statement he made at the board’s last meeting in support of Town Manager Andrew Flanagan were his own thoughts and not the sentiment of the entire board.

At the Sept. 12 meeting, Vispoli (center in photo) misspoke and said his statement on Flanagan’s involvement in a Chelmsford labor dispute was from the entire board.

After Vispoli’s clarification Monday, Clerk Annie Gilbert (left) became the second select board member to publicly voice support for Flanagan. “I appreciate your clarification, but I did want to add, just speaking for myself, that I completely agreed and am behind the statement you made at that meeting,” Gilbert said to Vispoli.

Also on Andover News: Andover Town Manager’s Actions In Labor Dispute Will Cost Chelmsford $420,000+

Select board member Melissa Danisch (right) did not comment after Vispoli and Gilbert’s remarks. Christian Huntress did not attend Monday’s meeting and Vice Chair Laura Gregory arrived after the matter was discussed. Vispoli’s statement from the Sept. 12 meeting follows:

“The Andover Select Board is aware of the recent decision issued by the Massachusetts Department of [Labor Relations] related to a dispute between the Chelmsford Superior Officers Association and the town of Chelmsford. The board has been aware of this matter for approximately three and a half years.

“The decision is reflective of a labor dispute in the town of Chelmsford, not in the town of Andover. Andover Town Manager Andrew Flanagan served in a volunteer capacity as a management representative for Chelmsford joint labor relations management committee and served in a capacity consistent with established practices. This matter has received attention because of a dispute between the town of Chelmsford and the Chelmsford Superior Officers Association and because of the events at the 2019 Chelmsford special town meeting.

“The DLR decision does not find the town of Andover or its town manager was at fault for any wrongdoing. The matter was filed against the town of Chelmsford and the decision was based on action against Chelmsford town officials. To reiterate, the Andover town manager was not found to have broken any law or rules of the joint labor management committee. Thank you.”