North Andover Coronavirus: Town Meeting Delay, Grant Programs

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — The North Andover Board of Selectmen voted Monday night to move the annual town meeting to June. Town officials also announced grant programs the town will be launching in coming days, for small businesses and renters.

The town meeting, initially scheduled for May 19, will instead begin June 16. Logistics of the meeting will be determined at a future date, based on the status of the coronavirus outbreak.

Town Manager Melissa Murphy-Rodrigues announced a small business grant program. Up to $3,000 will be available to small businesses, based on mortgage or rent payments. The money will come out of Columbia Gas Settlement funds.

The Board also approved a $100,000 allocation from the Affordable Housing Trust for rental assistance. The money will be available to households at or below the area median income. Households will receive up to $1,000 per month for up to three months, with the money covering the difference between their monthly rent and 30 percent of their gross monthly income.

Applicants will have to pay at least 50 percent of their rent. The Greater Lawrence Community Action Council will administer the program.

More information on both programs will be available in coming days, officials said.

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Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chirs.huffaker@patch.com.