Why Laura?

Learn about Laura’s accomplishments to date as a member of the Andover Select Board, and how she is working to earn your vote for a third term.

Environmental Efforts

Laura was instrumental in hiring Andover’s first Sustainability Coordinator and taking steps towards carbon zero, a climate and sustainability action plan, and community choice electrical aggregation, as well as spearheading the creation of the Open Space Task Force.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Laura was instrumental in hiring Andover’s first DEI Director and creation of the DEI commission. Laura is a member of the DEI commission and works with the commission and the director to combat the realities of racism and intolerance in Andover by supporting programs, initiatives, education, outreach, policies, and institutional change which contribute to an inclusive Andover. She also drove efforts to change nomenclature from Board of Selectmen to Select Board.

“Old Town Yard”

Laura is the Select Board’s liaison to the negotiations of the terms of sale of the “Old Town Yard” to insure a good fit for Andover’s downtown and community, using her legal and negotiating skills to benefit the Town.

Pension Obligation Bonds

Fully funding our pension obligations as required by state law, having a fixed annual cost while preventing significant tax increases which would have reduced economic growth and also significantly diminished town services. This significant effort of analysis, communication, and community buy-in culminated in a successful vote of Town Meeting in June 2021.

Leadership

  • Brought civility back to the Board
  • Every year Laura has been on the Board consensus budgets have been presented to voters at Town Meeting, reflecting agreement between the Select Board and the School Committee each year
  • Numerous efforts to maintain and expand Andover’s business tax base to mitigate residential tax bills and maintain a vibrant community
  • Supported investments in critical facility projects including replacement of the Ballardvale Fire Station, renovation of the Senior Center, and the “New Town Yard” at Campanelli Drive
  • Negotiated 99 year agreement to sell water to North Reading, saving Andover residents by subsidizing water and infrastructure costs into the next century
  • Chaired the Select Board through the first six months of the pandemic
  • Navigated the Columbia Gas Crisis and its aftermath, including a $20.8 million settlement approved by voters at Town Meeting
  • Spearheaded the change from the name of the Board of Selectmen to the Andover Select Board to reflect the members of the Board and the entire Andover Community

Recreation

Laura has also supported efforts to expand recreation offerings in Andover including support for: purchase of the Park Property for future recreation; access to the Merrimack River for public safety and recreation, including funding from the state towards improvements on the Heffron Way; and creation of the Open Space Task Force.

I ask for your support and your vote to allow me another three years to represent the interests of Andover’s residents on the Select Board. The work to improve our community continues, and includes support of school building projects and plannings for long-term financial sustainability while maintaining the high level of service Andover residents expect from their town. Critical decisions will be made in the next three years to guide our town for decades to come, and I look forward to an opportunity to continue my leadership role.”

Laura Gregory, Candidate for Re-election