2011: The Year in Local Politics

As 2011 draws to a close, we look back at headlines of the political nature of the past year.

1. Election 2011: This year was an interesting one in the world of local politics. Selectmen Rick Nardella and Tracy Watson were up for reelection, and former Selectman Don Stewart was running for one of those seats. The campaign was heated at some points, and on election day Stewart pulled off a stunning upset,

2. Lanen Resigns: This year also saw another selectmen leave the Board, although by his own choice. to focus on his goal of being promoted within the Police Department. His seat was not filled, because selectmen decided a special election so close to the next regular election would be too costly and chaotic.

3. New Town Manager: In June, to take a city manager job in Portland, Maine. So selectmen had another search on their hands. Interim Town Manager Jim Purcell filled in while the Search Committee narrowed the field of more than 60 applicants down to a few finalists. And in the end, to be the new permanent town manager.

4. GOP Excitement: Last year, Jim Lyons won an upset victory against Barbara L'Italien, and in January he was He's been in office for a year now and still seems to be quite popular among North Andover residents. Also this year, former State Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei announced he would run for Congress and try to unseat Congressman John Tierney.

5. Meals Tax: The idea to add a Local Option Meals Tax in North Andover was bound to be contraversial. But it became twice as controversial when it found its way onto two Town Meeting warrants. In June, by just a handful of votes. Then a few months later, a Special Town Meeting was called to vote on school construction projects, and the meals tax proposal was put on the warrant again. This time, The added tax will take effect in January.

6. Roofing Drama: Recently, School Committee Chair Chair Chris Allen came under a lot of criticism for her and her husband's the former wrestling coach charged him with possession of child pornography, to fix their roof. After Selectmen Tracy Watson and Rosemary Smedile publicly expressed disapproval of that hiring, even implying that Watson may have tipped off the media about it (which Watson then adamently denied).

7. A Legend Retires: At Town Meeting in June, Town Moderator Charlie Salisbury announced that he after serving in that role for more than 20 years.