Sustainability Shines at Town Meeting

Hands were raised, residents stood up to be counted as support was shown for a more sustainable community across multiple articles at the second night of town meeting at the Collins Center on Tuesday May 2.

Active Transportation Plan Funded

Article 27, to fund a transportation plan to making walking and biking in Andover safer passed by a nearly unanimous vote.

Andover Votes Yes for Sustainability

Next Kate Margolese presented Article 28, stating “Your yes vote will tell our town leaders that sustainability should be a priority, your yes vote will align Andover with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts goals, and your yes vote will help create a more sustainable and forward-looking community .”

AHS Senior, Sadie Rooney, shared her statement of support in the opening remarks emphasizing the importance of responding to climate change for a sustainable future.

One individual spoke in opposition stating that carbon dioxide is not harmful as plants love it and rely upon it. No one else wanted to speak against the article.

Lori Weeden, Associate Chair of the Environmental Earth and Science Department at UMass Lowell, responded to the inaccurate claims saying “it’s the very least we can do.”

Joel Blumstein and Weeden both emphasized that this is critical for future generations and urged everyone to vote yes on this resolution.

With many individuals lining up to speak in favor of the resolution at the pro mics, moderator Shelia Doherty called the vote and the vote passed overwhelmingly.

Rooftop Solar at Bancroft and the new West Elementary Approved

Articles 30 to 33 all also passed overwhelmingly allowing the town to enter into PPAs for the new West Elementary/Shawsheen school and for Bancroft school. Sustainability Director Joyce Losick-Yang presented the article saying that there would be savings of over $1.2 million to taxpayers without any upfront costs and the life of school roofs would be extended because of the shading provided by the solar panels. The Bancroft solar installation would offset about half of the school’s electricity while the West El/Shawsheen installation would offset about a quarter of the electricity needed at the all-electric new school.

Positive Atmosphere

Throughout the meeting there was a positive vibe including a statement of the value of community from Michael Silverman. He is the son of Jerry Silverman, namesake for the fireworks display. He referred to himself as a “real environmental guy” and shared that his father saw July 4th as all about community including the Horribles parade, the pancake breakfast and the fireworks. “Let’s work together” and perhaps a light display or other more environmentally friendly display could be found for the independence day celebration.