ANDOVER — Determining how the town communicates with residents, implements the high school improvement project and monitors the development of 11 Lewis St. are some of the strategic goals the Select Board and town manager are developing to guide municipal actions over the next year.
The Select Board held a workshop with Town Manager Andrew Flanagan to review conceptual strategic goals and objectives for fiscal year 2026 at its meeting Monday. The board did not take a final vote on the goals as Chair Alex Vispoli said he wanted to wait until all members were present. Member Laura Gregory was absent from Monday’s meeting.
Flanagan incorporated suggestions from the board to develop the strategic goals and objectives for fiscal year 2026.
The strategic goals and objectives are intended to reflect community priorities and give a framework for the town’s administration and departments to be able to contribute effectively to outcomes.
Flanagan said he tried to consolidate the feedback into a handful of bigger goals which include the areas of administration and finance, communications and engagement, capital improvements and Select Board priorities.
This includes an administration and finance goal to update the Long-Range Financial Plan in a collaborative process with the Select Board, Finance Committee and School Committee. A series of workshops would be conducted between the three boards and committees to eventually present an updated plan.
The Andover High School improvement project and Shawsheen School long-term planning fall under capital improvement goals, as does prioritizing infrastructure projects, including water main replacement and sidewalk improvements.
For the high school project, the town looks to continue to provide design options and other relevant financial information to the School Committee in a process already underway as the next decisions are in the committee’s hands.
The town looks to assess the short-term use, and long-range goals, for the Shawsheen School. Flanagan said this could be a one-year or multi-year undertaking, but something that needs to be addressed over the next year.
Another goal is to complete the Facility Master Plan Study of all town and school buildings. Flanagan said he recently interviewed two firms to complete the work.
Other priorities include evolving municipal communications through expanded video media and reviewing emergency communications protocols.
Other communications goals would have residents identify preferred communications methods in a survey and provide new residents with a welcome packet.
Flanagan said an issue that continues to arise is challenges residents encounter with the search function on the town’s website.
The Select Board priorities to be considered also include monitoring the sale and development of 11 Lewis St. and any coordination with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
It may also review and monitor a state bill that may impact local decisions related to preparing for any type of climate-related events and funding for emergency preparedness.
Other priorities to be decided involve a “scorecard” to review businesses in town and new ones that pop up, as well as planning events for the 250th anniversary of American Independence.
The Select Board will review the goals Aug. 11.