The Health Department/Board of Health at this time, is providing current MDPH and CDC measles information on how to protect you and your loved ones. The Health Department strongly recommends measles vaccination along with other preventative measures listed below. The Health Department will be reaching out to our local schools, day cares, child care, churches and other affiliated local organizations in working with and sharing this information. 

Measles is a very highly contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus found in the nose and throat of an infected child or adult. When someone with measles coughs, sneezes or talks, infectious droplets spray into the air, where other people can breathe them in. The infectious droplets can hang in the air for about an hour. The infectious droplets may also land on a surface, where they can live and spread for several hours. You can get the measles virus by putting your fingers in your mouth or nose or rubbing your eyes after touching the infected surface. 

Measles is highly contagious from about four days before to four days after the rash appears. About 90% of people who haven't had measles or been vaccinated against measles will become infected when exposed to someone with the measles virus. 

FACTS 

• Measles is the most contagious respiratory virus world wide 

• 10.3 million reported cases world wide 

• Measles was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000 (UK and other countries have not, thus travel contributes to bringing measles to the U.S.) 

• About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the U.S. who get measles are hospitalized. 

• Nearly 1 in 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.

VACCINATION DATA 

• After one dose of vaccine- 93% protected  

• After 2 doses of vaccine- 97% protected 

CURRENT OUTBREAKS IN THE US 

• 30 States currently affected. (Closest to MA is NY, RI and VT) 

• 935 total current cases, 121 have been hospitalized and 3 fatalities. 

• 96% of the 935 are either not vaccinated or their vaccination status is unknown ➢ 2% of the 935 have received 1 dose and 2% have received both doses 

WHAT IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OUTBREAKS? 

• Vaccination rates among kindergarteners is now below the 95% coverage target—much lower in some communities—and is decreasing. 

• Global measles activity is increasing, meaning more chances of an unvaccinated person infected with measles abroad returning to the United States.

• There is an increase in exemptions (medical and religious) to forgo vaccines. 

HOW CAN FAMILIES PROTECT THEMSELVES? 

• Talk to your physician about getting vaccinated.

• If you are planning any International Travel, it is HIGHLY advisable to get vaccinated at least 2 weeks prior to leaving.

• Call your physician immediately for any new rashes, fevers, odd white spots inside the mouth. 

Annual Town Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 6:30 pm, at North Andover High School.

FAQ about the North Andover Budget and Budget Process

Message from the Town Moderator
2025 Finance Committee Report
2025 Town Meeting Warrant
Town Meeting Preview – On the Warrant
https://northandoverma.gov/734/Town-Meeting

Remote Questions

· You must be a current registered voter in North Andover.
· Only a question may be submitted. Comments, amendments or motions are not allowed.
· You must submit a verifiable phone number where your identity and question may be confirmed.
· This form is only for people who will not be attending Town Meeting. If you are at Town Meeting, you will be required to ask the question in person.
· Questions may be edited for clarity

Submit Remote Questions Here.

Straw Poll

Child Care During Town Meeting

*ICYMI – Articles of the Day 

As we ready for Town Meeting on May 13, 2025, the Town will be presenting information every day on different warrant articles.

Article 21: Transfer to Capital Stabilization 

The Town is requesting to transfer $50,000 into the Town’s Capital Stabilization Account.  The Capital Stabilization account is the town’s savings account to purchase capital items.  The purpose of this stabilization fund is to accumulate money in order to purchase larger capital items without relying on debt.  To appropriate from the Town’s Stabilization account requires a majority vote of Town Meeting.

Accessory Dwelling Unit Frequently Asked Questions:  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YnDVRmJIB1NAXsrZ3bDwnwqwqTkhtVAq/view?usp=sharing

Article 22: Amend Zoning Bylaw, Article 8 Supplementary Regulations and Ch. 195 Attachment 2, Table 1 – Summary of Use Regulations
This amendment adds to Article 8 Supplementary Regulations a new Part 14 Accessory Dwelling Units.  The article will bring the Town into compliance with MGL Ch. 40A Section 3 and would allow for construction of accessory dwelling units on the same lot as principal dwelling units in single-family residential zoning districts.  The article also proposes to amend Table 1 – Summary of Use Regulations to allow for accessory dwelling units in certain zoning districts.

Article 23: Amend Zoning Bylaw, Article 8 Supplementary Regulation Part 3 Site Plan Review, Subsections 195-8.17.1 – 195-8.17.8
This article proposes to add detached accessory dwelling units and accessory dwelling units proposed to be constructed on lots that contain two-family or multi-family dwelling to the Limited Site Plan Review bylaw (a/k/a Dover bylaw).

Article 24: Amend Zoning Bylaw – Article 4 Building and Uses Permitted and Article 2 Definitions.
This article proposes to sunset the Family Suite definition and permitted use on July 1, 2028.

Article 25: Amend North Andover Zoning Bylaw – Article 4, Part 6 Floodplain District 53
Congress created the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 in an attempt to offer flood disaster relief in the form of insurance.  This insurance would be available to residents of communities that voluntarily adopt and enforce floodplain management bylaws that meet at least minimum National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements.  North Andover participates in the NFIP and the proposed amendments are provided by FEMA to assure that municipal bylaws contain the necessary and proper language to maintain compliance with the NFIP program.

Article 26 Amend Zoning Bylaw – By amending Article 20 Historic Barn Overlay District
This article proposes changes to become compliant with MGL ch. 40A Section 9, which requires a special permit application to be filed with the Town Clerk (not the Planning Department) and that the Town Clerk certify the date and time of the filing of the application.  In addition, the article presents the district boundary map, which was inadvertently omitted from the article at the time of adoption in May 2024.

Article 14:  Transfer balance from Special Education Stabilization Fund to FY25 General Fund
This article would transfer the remainder of the Special Education Stabilization Fund to offset the FY25 North Andover Public School’s budgetary deficit.  There is approximately $63,000 in this account.   The Special Education Stabilization Fund has historically been used to offset unanticipated special education costs, but in recent years the Schools have more appropriately been using the Finance Committee reserve in order to avoid using one time revenues to offset recurring expenses. A majority vote is required to transfer funds from special purpose stabilization funds.  The Town has been planning to close the account as discussed in Article 15.

Article 15: Close Special Education Stabilization Fund
The Town originally opened the Special Education Stabilization Fund as an avenue to alleviate the burden of unexpected costs in Special Education. At the time, a Special Education Reserve Account was not allowable under the law, and the Town did not yet have a Finance Committee Reserve Account.  Using reserves rather than stabilization funds gives the School Department more flexibility and certainty in their budgeting.  The Select Board has already amended their Financial Policies to earmark $250,000 per year for Special Education deficits, which is more than is allowable annually from the Stabilization Account.

Article 26 Amend Zoning Bylaw – By amending Article 20 Historic Barn Overlay District

This article proposes changes to become compliant with MGL ch. 40A Section 9, which requires a special permit application to be filed with the Town Clerk (not the Planning Department) and that the Town Clerk certify the date and time of the filing of the application.  In addition, the article presents the district boundary map, which was inadvertently omitted from the article at the time of adoption in May 2024.

• FAQ about the North Andover Budget and Budget Process
• Town Meeting Preview – On the Warrant
• Message from the Town Moderator
• 2025 Finance Committee Report
• 2025 Town Meeting Warrant
• https://northandoverma.gov/734/Town-Meeting
• Remote Questions
• Straw Poll
• Child Care During Town Meeting

Warrant Article of the Day 

As we ready for Town Meeting on May 13, 2025, the Town will be presenting information every day on different warrant articles.

The full warrant can be found here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1apqsGCynKuAbeG_joJnlRc1VtGlb2mc9/view?usp=sharing