Andover Town Manager Proposes 5% Water Rake Increase

ANDOVER, MA — Andover Town Manager Andrew Flanagan is proposing a 5 percent water rate increase for the next fiscal year. Selectmen will vote on the proposed rates, which will amount to $18 more per year for the average customer, next week.The rate increase will allow Andover to take advantage of a zero-interest loan program to replace 11.9 miles of cast iron pipes that were affected by the Sept. 13 gas explosions.

In addition to the 5% increase for fiscal years 2020-2022, Flanagan is proposing a 3.5% increase for fiscal years 2023-2028. The increases would help cut a 30-year water main replacement program that is in its third year to 15 years. "This is an aggressive plan and it's going to result in a lot of construction across town," Flanagan said when he presented his proposal to selectmen earlier this month.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).