Andover

Andover Health Division Alerts Community after Mosquitoes Test Positive for EEE

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Town of Andover
Department of Public Health
Thomas Carbone, Director of Public Health
36 Bartlet St.
Andover, MA 01810

townsealandoverFor Immediate Release

Friday, Aug. 16, 2019

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Andover Health Division Alerts Community after Mosquitoes Test Positive for EEE

ANDOVER —  Director of Public Health Thomas Carbone, Police Chief and Emergency Management Director Patrick Keefe, Fire Chief Michael Mansfield and Town Manager Andrew Flanagan seek to provide residents with information and safety reminders after mosquitoes in Andover tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).

The Andover Health Division was notified Friday that two mosquito pools in the Abbot Street area tested positive for the EEE virus. The mosquitoes tested were trapped on Aug. 13 and were of a species that is known to bite humans.

As a result of these positive tests, the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District is deploying a supplemental mosquito trap to the area this weekend. Larvicide will also be deployed in the coming days.

The Andover Board of Health will meet Monday evening to discuss the positive test results. It is anticipated that adult mosquito spraying from truck based applicators will occur in a targeted area on Tuesday night or Wednesday if there is rain on Tuesday. A state entomologist will also attend the Board of Health meeting as a resource.

Residents can view the Town of Andover’s arbovirus response plan here.

As always, the Andover Health Division urges all residents to read and follow these important safety tips:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

  • Be aware of peak mosquito hours: The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellent.
  • Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites: Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks while outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
  • Apply insect repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied directly to your skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

  • Drain standing water: Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change water in birdbaths frequently.
  • Install or repair window and door screens: Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Information about EEE and reports of current and historical EEE virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website here.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the EEE virus is a rare cause of brain infections or encephalitis. Very few human cases are reported across the U.S. each year, but EEE can be fatal or leave victims with serious complications and neurological problems.

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Andover Police Arrest Two Following Car Break-Ins

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Andover Police Department
Chief Patrick Keefe
32 North Main St.
Andover, MA 01810

For Immediate Release

Monday, July 15, 2019

Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Andover Police Arrest Two Following Car Break-Ins

Officers Were Conducting Increased Patrols When the Arrests Occurred

ANDOVER — Chief Patrick Keefe reports that the Andover Police Department arrested two individuals this morning in connection with multiple motor vehicle break-ins overnight.

ANTHONY J. MATKIVICH, AGE 29, and NATASHA DIAZ, AGE 29, BOTH OF LAWRENCE were arrested and charged with two counts each of Breaking and Entering of a Motor Vehicle in the Nighttime with Intent to Commit a Felony.

At 1:38 a.m., an Andover Police officer en route to fulfill enhanced patrols in the Shawsheen Heights area was approached by a resident and made aware of two suspicious individuals in the neighborhood.

A short time later, the officer located MATKIVICH and DIAZ and initiated an on-scene investigation, through which he determined that three separate unlocked vehicles had been entered and rummaged through.

As a result of the investigation, MATKIVICH and DIAZ were arrested in connection with this morning’s break-ins, which remain under investigation.

Andover Police had recently increased patrols in the area following reports of 10 similar motor vehicle break-ins over the last week.

“I’d like to commend the resident who noticed these two individuals and reported them to an officer, as well as our patrol division for taking action to put a stop to these crimes,” Chief Keefe said. “I also want to remind residents of the importance of securing their vehicles and removing any valuables from inside when parking their cars and leaving them unattended.”

MATKIVICH and DIAZ were scheduled to be arraigned earlier today in Lawrence District Court.

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 Statement of Town Manager and Fire Chief on Andover Ladder Truck

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Town of Andover
Andrew Flanagan, Town Manager
36 Bartlet St.
Andover, MA 01810

For Immediate Release

Monday, July 15, 2019

Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

 Statement of Town Manager and Fire Chief on Andover Ladder Truck

ANDOVER — Town Manager Andrew Flanagan and Fire Chief Michael Mansfield wish to provide the following statement regarding Andover Fire Rescue’s new ladder truck:

“The Town of Andover’s new ladder truck was delivered on July 2 and within hours underwent a thorough inspection. Following that inspection, the town issued a letter of non-conformance to the truck’s manufacturer, Pierce Manufacturing, after it determined that the truck was not built to Andover Fire Rescue’s exact specifications.

Pierce has agreed to re-take possession of the vehicle and make the modifications necessary for it to conform with the town’s needs at no further cost to the town.

While the truck had been delivered, it’s critical to note that it was never put into active service. Andover Fire Rescue will continue to use its existing Ladder 1 until the new truck is returned to the town and members of the department are trained on its functions. There has been no interruption in service to the town as a result of the new truck’s non-conformance.

The town expects the new truck will enter service in early September.”

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Photos: Andover Fire Rescue Battles Structure Fire

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Andover Fire Rescue
Chief Michael B. Mansfield
32 North Main St.
Andover, MA 01810

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Andover Fire Rescue Battles Structure Fire

ANDOVER — Fire Chief Michael Mansfield reports that Andover Fire Rescue battled a large and aggressive structure fire overnight that destroyed a large single-family home.

Firefighters were called to the residence at 8 Bundrett Ave. at 10:30 p.m. Monday for a report of fire showing in the rear of the building. The first arriving firefighters reported heavy fire immediately upon arrival, and the decision was made to go into a defensive fire attack due to the shear volume of fire.

Two residents were home at the time, and both evacuated safely. One firefighter was injured during the incident and was transported to a local hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.

The 5,000-square-foot home was destroyed by the fire. Chief Mansfield estimates the damages at $2.7 million. 

Firefighters were still on scene pouring water on the fireground early Tuesday morning.

There is a significant amount of debris that must be removed to help investigators access the area. The origin and cause of the fire will be under investigation by Andover Fire Rescue and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

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