What's one way to mix the hilariously fun with the slightly disgusting? Cow Pie Bingo. People have been asking where they can find Cow Pie Bingo for the Sheep Shearing Festival, and we have the answer to that. But first, let's address what Cow Pie Bingo actually is. In Cow Pie Bingo, like a football pool, you may purchase a square (or more). In this case, each square is $10 and there are 625 squares available. On a field at the Sheep Shearing Festival on Sunday, May 19, there will be the squares drawn out on the ground. Then, at 1 p.m., a well-fed cow will be set loose on the field. The cow …

You may may have noticed helicopters flying low in the area this week. And several people have been asking what's that's all about. Don't worry, it's not a manhunt or a prep for martial law. It's just National Grid inspecting its transmission lines. The company's maintenance division started its first visual inspection program by air for New England on Monday, utilizing blue and yellow Bell Jet-Ranger helicopters from JBI Helicopters out of New Hampshire. "In addition to damaged lines, towers or trees, the flights are conducted to identify signs of waste disposal or unauthorized construction …

The final set of campaign finance documents have been released for the North Andover 2013 local election. The only competitive race was for the School Committee seat. And residents have been asking who funded the candidates in that race. One theory seems to be that because discussion of the race took a partisan tone -- conservatives vocally supporting Mezzina and liberals and local education establishment rallying behind Warren -- then that would show in rapid fundraising from political wings in the lead-up to the election. Well, that doesn't seem to be the case. At least not as much as …

Several residents emailed Patch asking about a dark situation at Woodridge Homes. It seems for much of the day Sunday, the power was off in about half of that 230-apartment complex. Power was restored after several hours, but many residents were left frustrated. Property manager Tracy Watson said the problem was bad underground wiring. The problem has reportedly been fixed. You Ask … Patch Answers is an occasional column for locals looking for solutions to community problems, issues and those "only in North Andover" situations that you want solved. From the serious (How will cuts to …

One reader asked, "when does open burning end?" The answer is actually soon. Open burning, regulated by the state, runs from Jan. 15 to May 1. But "open burning" doesn't mean a free-for-all. You still need a permit, which you can get from the Fire Department. The permit is free, but the fire chief has the right to deny permits based on weather or environmental conditions. The town encourages residents to use their online permit system and activate permits daily. There are rules and regulations regarding size of burn pile and materials that can be burned, so make sure you learn them before you…

North Andover was spared this week weather-wise. But we have seen a lot of snow this winter, and a lot of people are wondering just how much the town has spent on snow removal. The answer, according to Division of Public Works Director Bruce Thibodeau, is close to a whopping $1.4 million. That is almost twice as much as the town's $750,000 snow removal budget. That blizzard in February used up half the budget, and the rest of it was gone by mid-February. The difference will have to be made up from another funding source to be determined by the town manager and town accountants. "I have a …

This week's snowstorm has caused people to slow down and pay more attention while driving around town. And people have also noticed something differenton Waverly Road. So this week's "You Ask... Patch Answers" addresses the question: when did Waverly and Middlesex become a four-way stop? The answer is: Very recently. That intersection has been the talk of the town for years. People driving down Waverly Road would have to stop there, but those driving on Middlesex wouldn't, and it would often lead to frustration and safety concerns. At their recent meeting, the Board of Selectmen voted to …

St. Patrick's Day is this weekend, and for many people that means one particular meal: corned beef and cabbage. So for this week's "You Ask... Patch Answers," some readers want to know where to get that beloved Irish dish in North Andover. Don't have time (or desire) to cook? Butcher Boy has a special on corned beef and cabbage meals to go, from this Thursday through Monday. For $10.99, you get corned beef, cabbage, carrots, turnip and potatoes. For six or more orders, call ahead. Butcher Boy also has grey corned beef for $5.99/lb. and corned ribs for $4.99/lb. Stop & Shop is running a …

Several readers have asked why the winter parking ban is still in effect and when it will be lifted. So that seemed like a great way to revive "You Ask... Patch Answers." According to the town website, the winter parking ban is extended indefinitely. This is actually not that weird. Winter parking used to be in effect from Dec. 1 through March 31. But last year, the Board of Selectmen voted to change it so that it ended Feb. 28. This winter has seen more snow than last year -- a snowstorm just about every weekend, and another predicted for tonight -- and it seems to have gotten a late start. …

One reader -- after hearing uproar on talk radio about some schools not celebrating Flag Day -- wanted to know if North Andover schools celebrated it. The answer is yes, according to Superintendent Chris Hottel. The following is an email sent to school administration from Early Childhood Director Marylou Connors the day before Flag Day, and Hottel said it is an example of the kinds of events the district has on that holiday.Hello All - I just wanted to invite you or at least tell you about a flag day ceremony we are having tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. We have invited the husband of one of our …

At the 40th annual Sheep Shearing Festival on May 20 at the North Andover Common, there will be a game called Cow Pie Bingo. And a couple different readers have asked what exactly that is. Does it mean what we think it means? Yes, it does. In Cow Pie Bingo, like a football pool, you may purchase a square (or more). In this case, each square is $5 and there are 625 squares available. On a field at the Sheep Shearing Festival, there will be the squares drawn out on the ground. Then, at 1 p.m., a well-fed cow will be set loose on the field. The cow will "do his business" on the field, and if the…

One reader wants to know if the town has changed the hours of operation at Town Hall. The answer is yes. A few weeks ago, Town Manager Andrew Maylor proposed, and selectmen approved, new office hours for Town Hall, Community Development and the Division of Public Works, effective April 30. New Hours Monday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Building Inspector Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 to 10 a.m. and  1 to 2 p.m., or by appointment. Electrical, Plumbing, Gas Inspector Office Hours…

One very observant reader wants to know about a particular street sign in town. Park Street has a sign on it, next to Sal's Pizza, that says "State Highway Parking Prohibited." Park Street is not a state highway, which is why the sign is odd. But Division of Public Works Director Bruce Thibodeau set the record straight on this brain-teaser. "The Mass Department of Transportation has jurisdiction for short distances on some feeder roads into their highways," Thibodeau said. The Park Street State Highway sign is just feet away from Route 125. So that claears up that enigma. You Ask … Patch …

Dry weather has gripped the region in recent weeks, creating drought and hazardous conditions vulnerable to brush fires. A couple readers want to know what this means for burn permits. The Fire Department issues burn permits day-to-day, and open burning, regulated by the state, runs from Jan. 15 to May 1. The permit is free, but the fire chief has the right to deny permits based on weather or environmental conditions. Check with the Fire Department on the day you wish to burn. If dry weather continues as it has been, it is not likely burning will be allowed until conditions improve. The …

Every once in a while, you see a new construction site in town. Several readers have asked what's going on with the constructio on Turnpike Street across from where it intersects with Johnson Street toward Middleton. Elm Development Services is reportedly building a 125-unit senior housing community there. The building will sit on more than 33 acres of land near Boston Hill Farm. The 125 apartments are expected to include 68 independent living apartments, 42 assisted living apartments and 15 apartments for Alzheimer's patients. The types of apartments will be grouped together with separate …

Several readers have asked about a new sushi restaurant they'd heard was coming to town and when it would arrive. The answer -- it's here now. Thyme Japanese Cuisine opened recently in North Andover at the Eaglewood Shops at 97 Turnpike St. Selectmen welcomed the family-owned restaurant to town at the Board of Selectmen meeting Monday evening. Kathleen Kelly, Thyme's realtor who helped them set up shop in town, was there to accept the welcome and tell them all about the new restaurant. "What it is, it’s a little bit of boston in North Andover," she said. "It's casual and yet it's elegant." In…

There has been talk of having another Restaurant Week in town, and readers have asked if there is anything to this talk. It looks like there will indeed be another Restaurant Week next month. There have reportedly been preliminary meetings held, and the Economic Development Committee is working on setting something up. The North Andover Merchants Association will be meeting next week to come up with details, and word has it that organizers are looking at the week of March 27. The town held a Restaurant Week in October, and more than a dozen local establishments participated, offering dinner …

Several readers have emailed asking about the new street signs seen around town. They want to know why the signs are there and whether they were approved properly and paid for. The signs were approved by the Board of Selectmen in September 2010. Many of the town's street signs were old, weathered and difficult to read, so the town decied to put up new ones that were more visible -- white letters on back background. There was even a debate at the time as to whether Waverly Road should be spelled "Waverley" or "Waverly." After much discussion, "Waverly" won. The signs have already been paid for…

One reader wants to know why the North Andover High School gym floor is damaged and deemed unfit for student use. According to Superintendent Chris Hottel, someone accidentally hit a sprinkler head with a ball, causing water to spray down all over the floor. "While we responded immediately with our own custodians stopping the flow of water and then brought in a firm which is an expert on water damage, there is still some damage to the wooden floor," Hottel said. "We are in the process of removing all water, including water beneath the surface, which will then allow us to assess the overall …

One reader asks if it is safe to be ice skating on ponds and lakes. In a word -- no. The weather has varied this winter, with temperatures alternating between freezing, cool and warm. Even the smallest ponds are likely to have thin unstable ice on them. Pond and lake skating can be very dangerous, and North Andover Police are advising against it, especially this year. But if you want to ice skate, you can do it safely on Sundays at Brooks School. They have open skating Sunday afternoons. You Ask … Patch Answers is an occasional column for locals looking for solutions to community problems, …