Over this summer I will be doing some major redesign and upgrades to this site. This includes making this site easier to use and more relevant to our community instead of just during town meetings or elections. Being a member of our North Andover community is a year round activity... not just a few times a year.

The focus/purpose for this site is for information sharing and communication. But I'd like to know what features would be useful to you.

Please join in with your ideas.   If you do not feel like registering on the site you may send them to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .   

What do you think this web site could do to help share information with the community?  What features do you think would be useful that would encourage you to visit and participate?

1) Community calendar (registered users may submit their own events)
2) Forums/commenting system
3) Hosted blogs by community leaders/members
4) Video replays/summaries of key town meetings (Board of Selectmen, School Committee, etc)
5) Classified advertising
6) 'Community' site (like a local version of Facebook)
7) Share photographs
8) Directories of businesses and local points of interest... community reviews
9) Flash games with community contests and prizes
10) Areas focusing on seniors and youth announcements/events
11) Others...

CLICK HERE to participate in the discussion.

In this portion of the cable video of the November 20th School Committee meeting, Committee Member and Union Employee Contract Negotiating Team member Chris Nobile gives a clear explanation of the negotiated one-year teachers' contract and summarizes the budget impact.

The North Andover legislative delegation is inviting all North Andover citizens to join them for Public Forum on Tuesday April 15th at the North Andover Middle School.

"Our legislative delegation works together to provide North Andover with a strong and unified voice on Beacon Hill." said State Representative David Torrisi. "This is an opportunity for the residents of North Andover to hear about what’s happening at the state level."

Along with Representative Torrisi, Senator Steven Baddour, Senator Bruce Tarr, and Representative Barbara L’Italien will be on hand on to provide residents and town board members with an update on the state budget process and outlook for the upcoming fiscal year. Residents will also be invited to ask their legislators questions about any issues that are being discussed in town, or at the state level.

"As a delegation, we are all very proud and happy to serve the people of North Andover.  We know that by working together, we can accomplish a lot for the Town," said Senator Baddour.  "I welcome opportunities to update community members about what's new on Beacon Hill and to discuss the issues that are on the forefront of their minds."

"It’s important for residents to be informed about the work we do." added Representative L’Italien "We are proud to serve the residents of North Andover, and will continue to work hard to deliver results to the community."

The forum will be held in the Blaisdell Room at the North Andover Middle School from 6:30-8:30 pm. If you have any questions, please contact Representative Torrisi’s office at (617) 722-2014.

Click here to see formal announcement . 

It is with great pleasure that we announce Sandy Gleed as the 2008 Pristash Award winner.   The Pristash Award established in 2006 to honor David and Leanna Pristash is voted on by all the parent / teacher organizations in town.  The recipient is selected based on their selfless dedication to our public schools.  Last year's recipents were Lianne Patenaude and Paddy Duncan.  The award will be presented to Sandy on Thursday,  April 10th  2008 at the Top of The Scales from 6 - 9pm.  Tickets are $35 per person and are on sale (3/4) at B-Sporty on Chickering Road (across from Hafners).   For futher information or to place an Ad in our Best Wishes Book please contact Margaret Shaheen at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or at 978-686-6562.  All proceeds to fund the Pristash Scholarship at the High School.

In January 2008, the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) produced an informational video/television program that presents the compelling case for a comprehensive state tax revenue-sharing policy. The program features interviews with key local leaders as well as leading economists, all of whom recognize the fiscal crisis facing cities and towns, and the critical importance of local fiscal health to the sustainability of the state’s economy and quality of life.

The MMA is providing this program as a valuable resource tool for local use in educating the public and community leaders on the need for revenue sharing.

This video is very interesting and a lot of the issues discussed really hit home for North Andover.

Click here to view the video.

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Sandy Gleed
81 Prescott Street, North Andover, MA  01845
www.northandover.org 
978-688-5026

Corporate Matching Donation Secured to Fund State-Wide Grassroots Coalition

November 28, 2007 - North Andover United and the local non-profit citizen group, "ABC" – A Better Community of North Andover, have merged to form a new non-profit corporation: North Andover United, Inc. 

Sandy Gleed, Chair of North Andover United, Inc. will lead the organization and officers and Board members will join forces under the NAU name.

"I am confident that our financial, marketing, business, website and volunteer skills will combine exceedingly well to support our commitment to advocate for accuracy and accountability in municipal government," said Gleed about the merger.

NAU is not content with sitting back and enjoying its June override election success or the kudos it has received for organizing the recent State of the Town of North Andover Government Forum.  NAU now plans to launch its state-wide citizen coalition, armed with accurate facts and figures, to focus Massachusetts legislative attention on critical issues such as increasing funding for special education. 

Reaching out to all 351 Massachusetts communities requires funding.  A corporate donor has pledged to match, dollar for dollar, the first $5,000 that NAU can raise from now until the close of December.  NAU supporters are asked to send donations to:  North Andover United, Inc., 81 Prescott Street, North Andover, MA  01845.

North Andover United, Inc. has pledged to work on finding solutions to the difficult underlying structural problems shared by municipalities across the state.  North Andover citizens are encouraged to join NAU and to register at www.northandover.org to receive  email updates, the "In Case You Missed It..." newsletter, and to track NAU’s progress.