Thursday, April 20, 2000 Older Editions

Article 29: FinCom says no Buy land now, plan use later?

By Rebecca Lipchitz

Town Manager Buzz Stapczynski recommends that the town buy downtown land adjacent to the town yard, whether they use it to expand the yard or not.

Town Meeting approval of Article 29 would appropriate $1 million for the town to buy three small properties next to the town yard on Pearson Street behind the public safety center.

"They key here is that we have an opportunity to acquire land and these properties in a friendly manner," Stapczynski says.

The town is considering several options in expanding or moving the town yard, where Andover keeps its salt, sand and other road equipment, but Stapczynski recommends the town buy the properties now, when all three land owners have approached the town about selling.

The article would approve purchase of one parcel on Lewis Street and two parcels on Buxton Court.

Finance Committee recommends disapproval of the article, citing a high price for small parcels, and lack of a definitive plan for the town yard.