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UPDATE #14 (7 p.m.) Andover Provides Update on Gas Emergency

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018

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

Town of Andover Provides Update on Gas Emergency

ANDOVER — Town Manager Andrew P. Flanagan, Police Chief Patrick Keefe, Fire Chief Michael B. Mansfield, and Andover’s town government department heads seek to continuously update residents on the status of restoration efforts in the aftermath of the Merrimack Valley gas emergency.

Showers for Residents

The Town of Andover has placed shower trailers at Pomps Pond (147 Abbot St.) equipped with hot water. A total of 25 showers will be available for residents who have been without hot water for a full week.

The showers will be open from noon to 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and will continue as needed. Residents need to bring their own shower supplies including towels. There will be a limited number of showers designated for family use.

There is also an accessible shower for those with mobility impairments located at the Andover Senior Center (30 Whittier Court). Those are available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to noon for as long as they are needed. Anyone who needs accessible shower must call the Senior Center at 978-623-8620 for an appointment time.

Medical Reserve Corps volunteers will be assisting in staffing the trailers.

Business Information

More than 100 Andover businesses, including 67 food service establishments, are in the affected zone and are losing money each day that they do not have gas service.

“Restaurants can’t cook without gas, and they can’t wash dishes without hot water, and we will not forget our business community. They are the lifeblood of our town,” Town Manager Flangan said. “Our entire downtown is in the affected zone, and we must do what we can for business owners and workers. We are actively working and advocating for our business community to help them recover lost revenue.”

The Andover Economic Development Council is actively working with the business community to guide owners through this situation.

By the end of the week, the town expects to announce a plan and programs aimed at helping businesses repair damage, restore operations, and flourish.

Claims Center Update

Yesterday, Columbia Gas has opened a claims center at the Old Town Hall, 20 Main St.  A total of 300 residents initiated the claims process yesterday and hundreds more are expected today. The Andover claims center is open noon to 8 p.m. through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Claims can also be initiated by phone at 800-590-5571.

Fire Rescue Update

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors 

Chief Mansfield urges residents to replace the batteries in their smoke/carbon monoxide detectors. A limited quantity of 9-volt batteries are available to residents in need. Call 978-475-1281 for more information.

Heating Safety

With gas service not expected to be restored to the affected zone for several weeks, Chief Mansfield is strongly urging residents to follow these fire safety guidelines:

  • Ensure there are working smoke/CO detectors in every level and outside bedrooms
  • Test smoke/CO detectors monthly
  • Chimneys should be professionally cleaned annually
  • Wood and pellet stoves may only be installed with a permit
  • Keep debris, clothing, and anything else that can burn at lest three feet away from wood and pellet stoves or space heaters
  • Dispose of ashes in a metal container with a lid and store the container away from the house/garage/porch/deck.
  • Do not use a space heater as your primary heat source
  • Plug space heaters directly into walls or only use heavy-duty or appliance-grade extension cords
  • Never leave space heaters unattended — do not run them while you are not home
  • Portable kerosene heaters are illegal in Massachusetts for home use

Emergency Operations Center

The Andover Emergency Operations Center (EOC) continues to operate, and has operated continuously since 5 p.m. Thursday. Located at the Andover Public Safety complex, the EOC is made up of department heads and inter-agency liaisons from Andover Police, Fire Rescue, Town Manager’s Office, Public Works, Schools, Health Division, Facilities, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and Columbia Gas.

Unaffected Area Updates

NiSource Inc., the parent company of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, has notified the Towns of Andover that it has restored natural gas service most of the customers in the unaffected area of town, who turned off their service on Thursday as this emergency was unfolding.

However, the town has not received updated numbers since 10 a.m. yesterday.  At the last update, out of the 3,021 customers in the unaffected area, 2,493 had been turned back on. A total of 168 homes were inaccessible/residents not home, and there are still 360 homes on Columbia’s list that teams are still working to re-connect.

Customers are reminded to call Columbia at 866-388-3239 if they are in the unaffected area and still have not had gas service restored.

Affected Area Updates

There are 1,831 gas customers in the affected area.

The town has been informed that the affected area includes gas customers NORTH of RT. 28 at Salem St. (Toward Lawrence and the Merrimack River.)

The unaffected area includes those SOUTH of Rt. 28 at Salem Street and those WEST of Beacon Street at Reservation Road (Toward Tewksbury).

As soon as the Town has a specific list or map, it will be released to the public.

In the affected zone, all gas customers may have sustained damage to their service lines, furnaces, water heaters, and/or gas appliances. NiSource has also committed to either replacing all damaged infrastructure and appliances or fully reimbursing residents who choose to and have the means to pay for repairs or replacement costs out of pocket.

If a resident cannot afford repair or replacement costs, NiSource will arrange for this work to be done for free. If a resident is able to and chooses to arrange for repairs or replacements on their own, NiSource will reimburse all costs.

Residents who incur out-of-pocket expenses will be required to save their receipts and provide proof of damage such as photos or police/fire incident reports.

The Town of Andover is not charging residents or business owners any permit fees for the contracted work or repairs that need to be performed as a result of the gas emergency. An office trailer, generously donated by Suffolk Construction Company, is located behind the Old Town Hall (20 Main St.) for contractors to pull permits at no charge. The trailer is staffed by state inspectors. At the town’s request, NiSource is allowing residents to have any licensed contractor pull repair work permits to begin repair work. Residents do not have to use a specific vendor recommended by NiSource.

The trailer will be in place for as long as it is needed. This will allow contractors for residents in the affected area to quickly get started on vital repairs inside their homes. Please note that only contractors may pull permits for this work. Residents should not come to the trailer to obtain a permit.

Disaster Relief

Town Manager Flangan has been working directly with Mayor Dan Rivera, North Andover Town Manager Andrew Maylor, and Governor Charlie Baker to establish a single disaster relief fund that will provide assistance to individuals and businesses impacted by this incident. Details will be released as soon as they are available.

Free Meals and Food for Residents

The Andover Community Services Department is offering free continental breakfast and a hot lunch for all residents every day through Friday, September 21. Residents are asked to call and register at 978-623-8320.

Meals will be served from 8-9 a.m and from noon to 12:30 p.m.

For those in need, the food pantry will also be open during normal hours on Thursday, September 20 from 4-5 p.m. at the Senior Center.

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PHOTOS — UPDATE #13 (4 p.m.) Andover Provides Update on Gas Emergency

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018

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

Town of Andover Provides Update on Gas Emergency

Claims Center Open in Town Until 8 p.m. Today, Will Re-Open Wednesday-Saturday

ANDOVER — Town Manager Andrew P. Flanagan, Police Chief Patrick Keefe, Fire Chief Michael B. Mansfield, and Andover’s town government department heads seek to continuously update residents on the status of restoration efforts in the aftermath of the Merrimack Valley gas emergency.

Columbia Gas has opened a claims center at the Old Town Hall, 20 Main St. It will remain open until 8 p.m. It will also be open from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Saturday. Claims can also be initiated by phone at 800-590-5571.

As of 2 p.m., 60 Andover residents had gone through the claims center.

Fire Rescue Update

Chief Mansfield reports that the total number of fires in Andover due to the gas emergency has risen. Andover Fire Rescue now reports that there were 45 structure fires in Andover on Thursday as a result of the Merrimack Valley gas emergency.

The number rose today because some home and business owners who had evacuated returned later to find that fires, mostly contained in around gas furnaces or other appliances in basement utility spaces, had burned themselves out.

“The fact that these fires, at least nine of them, burned in the utility spaces and did not extend to the rest of the houses is a testament to keeping basements clean and clear of any storage or debris from around your furnace,” Chief Mansfield said.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors 

With power outages affecting a number of locations, and with the clocks set to change in a little under a month and a half, Chief Mansfield urges residents to replace the batteries in their smoke/carbon monoxide detectors. A limited quantity of 9-volt batteries are available to residents in need. Call 978-475-1281 for more information.

Heating Safety

With gas service not expected to be restored to the affected zone for several weeks, Chief Mansfield is strongly urging residents to follow these fire safety guidelines:

  • Ensure there are working smoke/CO detectors in every level and outside bedrooms
  • Test smoke/CO detectors monthly
  • Chimneys should be professionally cleaned annually
  • Wood and pellet stoves can only be installed with a permit
  • Keep debris, clothing, and anything else that can burn at lest three feet away from wood and pellet stoves
  • Dispose of all stove and fireplace ashes in a metal container with a lid and store the container away from the house/garage/porch/deck.
  • Do not use a space heater as your primary heat source
  • Keep space heaters clear from any debris, clothing, etc., — at least three feet of clearance
  • Plug space heaters directly into walls or only use heavy-duty or appliance-grade extension cords
  • Never leave space heaters unattended — do not run them while you are not home
  • Portable kerosene heaters are illegal in Massachusetts for home use

There were 129 space heater fires in Massachusetts from 2007-2016.

Emergency Operations Center

The Andover Emergency Operations Center (EOC) continues to operate, and has operated continuously since 5 p.m. Thursday. Located at the Andover Public Safety complex, the EOC is made up of department heads and inter-agency liaisons from Andover Police, Fire Rescue, Town Manager’s Office, Public Works, Schools, Health Division, Facilities, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and Columbia Gas.

Unaffected Area Updates

NiSource Inc., the parent company of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, has notified the Towns of Andover that it has restored natural gas service most of the customers in the unaffected area of town, who turned off their service on Thursday as this emergency was unfolding. Out of the 3,021 customers in this area, 2,493 were turned back on as of 10 a.m. Tuesday. A total of 168 homes were inaccessible/residents not home, and there are still 360 homes on Columbia’s list that teams are still working to re-connect.

Customers are reminded to call Columbia at 866-388-3239 if they are in the unaffected area and still have not had gas service restored.

A total of 207 gas crews are working in Andover at this time to complete the restoration process for gas customers in the unaffected areas. Those numbers are as of 10 a.m., and the Town of Andover has requested an updated figure.

Affected Area Updates

In the affected regions, all gas customers may have sustained damage to their service lines, furnaces, water heaters, and/or gas appliances. NiSource has also committed to either replacing all damaged infrastructure and appliances or fully reimbursing residents who choose to and have the means to pay for repairs or replacement costs out of pocket.

If a resident cannot afford repair or replacement costs, NiSource will arrange for this work to be done for free. If a resident is able to and chooses to arrange for repairs or replacements on their own, NiSource will reimburse all costs.

Residents who incur out-of-pocket expenses will be required to save their receipts and provide proof of damage such as photos or police/fire incident reports.

The Town of Andover is not charging residents or business owners any permit fees for the contracted work or repairs that need to be performed as a result of the gas emergency. An office trailer, generously donated by Suffolk Construction Company, is located behind the Old Town Hall (20 Main St.) for contractors to pull permits at no charge. The trailer is staffed by state inspectors. At the town’s request, NiSource is allowing residents to have any licensed contractor pull repair work permits to begin repair work. Residents do not have to use a specific vendor recommended by NiSource.

The trailer will be in place for as long as it is needed. This will allow contractors for residents in the affected area to quickly get started on vital repairs inside their homes. Please note that only contractors may pull permits for this work. Residents should not come to the trailer to obtain a permit.

Disaster Relief

Town Manager Flangan has been working directly with Mayor Dan Rivera, North Andover Town Manager Andrew Maylor, and Governor Charlie Baker to establish a single disaster relief fund that will provide assistance to individuals and businesses impacted by this incident. Details will be released as soon as they are available.

Free Meals and Food for Residents

The Andover Community Services Department is offering free continental breakfast and a hot lunch for all residents every day through Friday, September 21. Residents are asked to call and register at 978-623-8320.

Meals will be served from 8-9 a.m and from noon to 12:30 p.m.

Andover Elder Services also has fresh food and vegetables available free for anyone in need who comes to the Senior Center at 30 Whittier Court. Food will be given out from noon-3 p.m.

For those in need, the food pantry will also be open during normal hours on Thursday, September 20 from 4-5 p.m. at the Senior Center.

UPDATE #12 (12:30 p.m.) Andover Provides Update on Town Services and Departments

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018

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

Town of Andover Provides Update on Gas Emergency

Claims Center Opening in Town Today at 1 p.m.

ANDOVER — Town Manager Andrew P. Flanagan, Police Chief Patrick Keefe, Fire Chief Michael B. Mansfield, and Andover’s town government department heads seek to continuously update residents on the status of restoration efforts in the aftermath of the Merrimack Valley gas emergency.

After a meeting between Andover officials, including Town Manager Flanagan and Deputy Town Manager Michael Lindstrom, Columbia Gas has agreed to opened a claims center at the Old Town Hall, 20 Main St. The claims center is slated to open TODAY by 1 p.m. and will be staffed with multiple claims representatives. The claims center will be open until 8 p.m today and will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Claims can also be initiated by phone at 800-590-5571.

NiSource Inc., the parent company of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, has notified the Towns of Andover that it has restored natural gas service most of the customers in the unaffected area of town, who turned off their service on Thursday as this emergency was unfolding. Out of the 3,021 customers in this area, 2,493 were turned back on as of 10 a.m. Tuesday. A total of 168 homes were inaccessible/residents not home, and there are still 360 homes on Columbia’s list that teams are still working to re-connect.

Customers are reminded to call Columbia at 866-388-3239 if they are in the unaffected area and still have not had gas service restored.

A total of 207 gas crews are working in Andover at this time to complete the restoration progress for gas customers in the unaffected areas.

In the affected regions, all gas customers may have sustained damage to their service lines, furnaces, water heaters, and/or gas appliances. NiSource has also committed to either replacing all damaged infrastructure and appliances or fully reimbursing residents who choose to and have the means to pay for repairs or replacement costs out of pocket.

If a resident cannot afford repair or replacement costs, NiSource will arrange for this work to be done for free. If a resident is able to and chooses to arrange for repairs or replacements on their own, NiSource will reimburse all costs.

Residents who incur out-of-pocket expenses will be required to save their receipts and provide proof of damage such as photos or police/fire incident reports.

The Town of Andover is not charging residents or business owners any permit fees for the contracted work or repairs that need to be performed as a result of the gas emergency. An office trailer, generously donated by Suffolk Construction Company, is located behind the Old Town Hall (20 Main St.) for contractors to pull permits at no charge. The trailer is staffed by state inspectors. At the town’s request, NiSource is allowing residents to have any licensed contractor pull repair work permits to begin repair work. Residents do not have to use a specific vendor recommended by NiSource.

The trailer will be in place for as long as it is needed. This will allow contractors for residents in the affected area to quickly get started on vital repairs inside their homes. Please note that only contractors may pull permits for this work. Residents should not come to the trailer to obtain a permit.

Disaster Relief

Town Manager Flangan has been working directly with Mayor Dan Rivera, North Andover Town Manager Andrew Maylor, and Governor Charlie Baker to establish a single disaster relief fund that will provide assistance to individuals and businesses impacted by this incident. Details will be released as soon as they are available.

Free Meals and Food for Residents

The Andover Community Services Department is offering free continental breakfast and a hot lunch for all residents every day through Friday, September 21. Residents are asked to call and register at 978-623-8320.

Meals will be served from 8-9 a.m and from noon to 12:30 p.m.

Andover Elder Services also has fresh food and vegetables available free for anyone in need who comes to the Senior Center at 30 Whittier Court. Food will be given out from noon-3 p.m.

For those in need, the food pantry will also be open during normal hours on Thursday, September 20 from 4-5 p.m. at the Senior Center.

Public Health Update

Director of Public Health Thomas Carbone and Assistant Director Joanne Belanger wish to acknowledge the work of Andover’s Greater River Valley Medical Reserve Corps, which is staffed 100 percent by volunteers including registered nurses, medical doctors, emergency medical technicians, behavioral health specialists, social workers and civilian non-medical volunteers.

Like all other agencies during this incident, the Greater River Valley Medical Reserve Corps also receive mutual aid. MRC agencies from Upper Merrimack Valley, Woburn, North Shore/Cape Ann, Topsfield Regional, Mystic Valley, Greater Fall River, and Greater New Bedford staffed the Andover Senior Center receiving center constantly during this emergency. Medical professionals and other volunteers worked 10 eight-hour shifts during the crisis.

“We are extremely grateful to everyone who volunteered their time and expertise to support the residents of our community in their time of need,” Director Carbone said.

Health Division staff are also working with affected restaurants to ensure they meet health and safety codes and are able to reopen. Mutual Aid resources from other communities are being used to assist in this workload.

Trash and Recycling Pickup

Director of Public Works Christopher Cronin: The Town of Andover is collecting trash and recycling on a holiday week schedule. Therefore, if your regular collection day is Friday, you will receive collection service on Monday. Monday service will be collected on Tuesday, Tuesday service will be collected on Wednesday, and so forth.

Republic Services understands that there will likely be increased rubbish volume this week, and all of that increased volume will be collected. Residents should make every reasonable effort to place trash bags in covered containers as always, in order to avoid litter. The town is coordinating with Republic Services to bring in additional resources if needed.

Residents with any questions are asked to refer to the Town of Andover website or call the Department of Public Works on Monday at 978-623-8700 and press 0 for the operator.

Updates will continue to be posted on the town’s official website at www.andoverma.gov and on the town’s Facebook and Twitter feeds.

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UPDATE #11 (12:30 p.m.) Andover Provides Update on Town Services and Departments

⋅ City/Town News, Fire News, Police News ⋅ , , , , , , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, Sept. 17, 2018

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

Town of Andover Provides Update on Gas Emergency

ANDOVER — Town Manager Andrew P. Flanagan, Police Chief Patrick Keefe, Fire Chief Michael B. Mansfield, and Andover’s town government department heads seek to update residents on the status of restoration efforts in the aftermath of the Merrimack Valley gas emergency.

NiSource Inc., the parent company of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, has notified the Towns of Andover and North Andover and the City of Lawrence that the company has 500 crews working to immediately restore natural gas service to those customers in the unaffected areas who turned off their service on Thursday as this emergency was unfolding.

“We have been informed by NiSource that these crews will work continuously until the work is done and all customers have service restored in the unaffected areas,” Chief Mansfield said. “We have been informed that this work is expected to be completed by midnight tonight.”

In the affected regions, all gas customers may have sustained damage to their service lines, furnaces, water heaters, and/or gas appliances.

NiSource has also committed to both replacing all damaged infrastructure and appliances and completely reimbursing residents who choose to and have the means to pay for repairs or replacement costs out of pocket. If a resident cannot afford repair or replacement costs, NiSource will arrange for this work to be done for free. If a resident is able to and chooses to arrange for repairs or replacements on their own, NiSource will reimburse all costs.

Residents who incur out-of-pocket expenses will be required to save their receipts and provide proof of damage such as photos or police/fire incident reports.

In a statement earlier today, NiSource announced that it is “developing a plan … to replace the entire affected 48-mile cast iron and bare steel pipeline system in the towns of Andover, Lawrence and North Andover with state-of-the-art plastic distribution mains and service lines, and modern safety features.”

The timeline for this work will not be measured in days but certainly in weeks and likely months. Therefore, after a meeting with municipal managers, emergency managers, and fire chiefs in the three affected communities, NiSource is currently working to provide temporary solutions for heat, hot water, and cooking gas for residents in the affected zones.

These solutions will not be electric space heaters or anything that presents a possible risk to public safety. More information is expected to be released shortly about these solutions.

“We are committed to ensuring that our residents and business owners are made whole again, but we are not going to do this in a manner that jeopardizes public safety,” Chief Mansfield said. “Our fire and building codes are still in effect, and they will be enforced.”

The Town of Andover is waiving permit fees for any contracted work or repairs that need to be performed as a result of the gas emergency. An office trailer, generously donated by Suffolk Construction Company, is located behind Old Town Hall (20 Main St.) for contractors to pull permits at no charge. The trailer is staffed by state inspectors. At the town’s request, NiSource is allowing residents to have any licensed contractor pull repair work permits. Residents do not have to use a specific vendor recommended by NiSource.

The trailer will be in place for as long as it is needed. This will allow contractors for residents in the affected area to quickly get started on vital repairs inside their homes. Please note that only contractors may pull permits for this work. Residents should not come to the trailer to obtain a permit.

Disaster Relief

Town Manager Flangan has been working directly with Mayor Dan Rivera, North Andover Town Manager Andrew Maylor, and Governor Charlie Baker to establish a single disaster relief fund that will provide assistance to individuals and businesses impacted by this incident. Details will be released as soon as they are available.

“The teamwork shown by all three communities, Governor Baker’s office, state and federal agencies, and cities and towns all over New England has been tremendous,” Town Manager Flanagan said. “We have received numerous inquiries from those seeking to help our residents and business community, and we are going to establish a single fund for all these donations, ensuring that they go where they are needed.”

Free Meals for Residents

The Andover Community Services Department is offering free continental breakfast and a hot lunch for all residents every day through Friday, September 21. Residents are asked to call and register at 978-623-8320.

Meals will be served from 8-9 a.m and from noon to 12:30 p.m.

For those in need, the food pantry will also be open during normal hours on Thursday, September 20 from 4-5 p.m. at the Senior Center, 30 Whittier Court.

Public Health Update

Director of Public Health Thomas Carbone and Assistant Director Joanne Belanger wish to acknowledge the work of Andover’s Greater River Valley Medical Reserve Corps, which is staffed 100 percent by volunteers including registered nurses, medical doctors, emergency medical technicians, behavioral health specialists, social workers and civilian non-medical volunteers.

Like all other agencies during this incident, the Greater River Valley Medical Reserve Corps also receive mutual aid. MRC agencies from Upper Merrimack Valley, Woburn, North Shore/Cape Ann, Topsfield Regional, Mystic Valley, Greater Fall River, and Greater New Bedford staffed the Andover Senior Center receiving center constantly during this emergency. Medical professionals and other volunteers worked 10 eight-hour shifts during the crisis.

“We are extremely grateful to everyone who volunteered their time and expertise to support the residents of our community in their time of need,” Director Carbone said.

Health Division staff are also working with affected restaurants to ensure they meet health and safety codes and are able to reopen. Mutual Aid resources from other communities are being used to assist in this workload.

Trash and Recycling Pickup

Director of Public Works Christopher Cronin: The Town of Andover is collecting trash and recycling on a holiday week schedule. Therefore, if your regular collection day is Friday, you will receive collection service on Monday. Monday service will be collected on Tuesday, Tuesday service will be collected on Wednesday, and so forth.

Republic Services understands that there will likely be increased rubbish volume this week, and all of that increased volume will be collected. Residents should make every reasonable effort to place trash bags in covered containers as always, in order to avoid litter. The town is coordinating with Republic Services to bring in additional resources if needed.

Residents with any questions are asked to refer to the Town of Andover website or call the Department of Public Works on Monday at 978-623-8700 and press 0 for the operator.

Loss and Damage Claims

Residents who were displaced by this weekend’s incident should make every effort to track the expenses they incurred — including documentation of damages, photographs, meals, hotel costs, spoiled food, lost wages or business income and other associated losses — in order to ease the process of seeking reimbursement from Columbia Gas.

The Town of Andover is in the process of opening an in-town claims center.

To initiate the claims process through Columbia Gas, please call 800-590-5571.

Updates will continue to be posted on the town’s official website at www.andoverma.gov and on the town’s Facebook and Twitter feeds.

 

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