Five Things You Missed at the Selectmen's Meeting

Didn't make it to the Board of Selectmen meeting last night, and didn't catch it on No problem. Here's a run-down, five highlights.

1. Woods Chips and Compost

It turns out the town has more wood chips and compost material than it needs;

DPW Director Bruce Thibodeau requested, and the selectmen approved, that the town sell its surplus wood chips and compost material.

There are 20,000 cubic yards of wood chips and 10,000 cubic yards of compost.

The last time the town sold excess wood chips, it sold 12,000 cubic yards and made about $1,500.

2. Warrant Delayed

Selectmen decided to hold off on addressing the articles for Town Meeting until May 21. This will give the selectmen more time to review the articles on the Warrant before deciding whether to recommend favorable action or not.

Town Meeting is scheduled for June 12.

3. A 'Thank You'

Selectmen presented Dick Vaillancourt with a certificate of appreciation for the more than seven years he served on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Vaillancourt thanked the board for the acknowldgement and said he hopes residents will step in and volunteer on the many boards that currently have openings.

Vaillancourt won his seat on the Board of Selectmen in March, raking in the most votes of any candidate in that race.

4. Festival Prep

The 40th Annual Sheep Shearing Festival will be held on Sunday, May 20. Selectmen have approved the festival as well as street closings for that day.

Parts of Massachusetts Avenue and Academy Road (the parts near the Town Common) will be closed to traffic that day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Also, part of the parking on Osgood Street along the Common will be handicapped parking only.

5. Monument Relocation

The monument to deceased police officers at the old police station will soon be at the new

The monument was placed at the former police station on Main Street 35 years ago by the North Andover Police Association and is engraved with the names of of members of the department who have passed away. Selectmen approved the request to move the monument to the new Police Headquarters on Osgood Street.