North Andover Selectmen Create Diversity And inclusion Commission

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — The North Andover selectmen voted Monday to create an advisory town Commission for Inclusion, Equity and Diversity.

"The Town of North Andover is creating this Commission in direct response to the senseless
murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis," the new commission's preamble reads.

The commission is tasked with providing advice and recommendations to the Board of Selectmen and the town manager "to help the town in creating and maintaining a cohesive community that respects all individuals by encouraging cooperation, tolerance and respect among and by all persons who come in contact with the Town of North Andover."

That includes both education and engagement and the use of financial resources to address inequality.

The new commission will include the following members, all serving two-year terms:

• Town Human Resources Director
• Member on Commission on Ability Assistance
• Member of the Youth and Recreation Council
• Executive Director of Youth and Human Services
• Detective Lt. Criminal Investigations Division
• Member of the School Administration
• One member of the North Andover Race Amity Committee
• One member of Merrimack Valley Black and Brown Voices
• Two clergy members
• Deputy Town Manager
• Community Support Coordinator
• Member of the Building a Respectful Community Committee
• Two residents, one who has English as their second language
• Council on Aging Member
• Minority Business Owner

The selectmen made a few changes, such as staggering initial terms, but otherwise the full language is available here.

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