Andover Town Meeting Approves $223 Million Budget

ANDOVER, MA — Andover town meeting approved a $223,821,556 budget for fiscal year 2024, according to a statement from the town.

The approved budget will increase staffing levels in the fire rescue department and police department. The move is in light of increased demands on public safety resources due to population growth and expanded commercial activity.

Positions added in the fire rescue department will add a training lieutenant, put a third ambulance in service 50% of the time, and provide an additional firefighter on the ladder truck during every shift, according to the statement.

The police department will add two patrol officers to fully staff the traffic unit and add one officer to the drug enforcement unit. The costs of these new positions will be offset through increased ambulance billing fees, downtown parking revenue, and reduced overtime costs in both departments, according to the statement.

Town meeting was held Monday and Tuesday nights, with 454 registered voters on hand at the Collins Center for the Performing Arts for the first night and 299 checked in for night two.

The full budget can be viewed here.