Thursday, November 16, 2000 Older Editions

Voters: Yes for youth center; Special Town Meeting approval overwhelming

By Rebecca Piro

When it came time to vote for the youth center proposal Tuesday night at Special Town Meeting, Youth Services Director Bill Fahey saw hundreds of people get to their feet in a solid wave of support.

"When I turned around and saw more than 93 percent of the people standing up for it, it was great," said Fahey, who saw a 1995 youth-center effort fail by just 63 votes. This time there was no such trouble.

Bill Fahey, youth services director, and Selectmen Chairman Brian Major, wearing a "got youth center?" shirt, celebrate Tuesday's youth-center victory after Special Town Meeting. Photo by Tim Jean

As supporters clapped and hollered, residents overwhelmingly passed Article 11 by a vote of 841 to 70. The youth center was by far the most discussed issue on the floor of the Collins Center.

Article 11 grants selectmen permission to enter into an agreement and lease with a private entity, namely the Andover Youth Foundation, which proposes to build a center on town land with private funds. AYF has promised to raise $4 million to fund the project, construct the center behind West Andover Fire Station and finally return the land and the new facility to town ownership for operation and maintenance.

Article 10, which changes the use of the designated property from a dumping ground to general municipal purposes, was also passed by a wide margin.

Residents slogged through heavy rains and flooded parking lots to fill the Collins Center Tuesday night, cheered on by several youth holding signs to support Article 11, despite the inclement weather. A section of the Collins Center was filled with resident non-voters, mostly those too young to vote.

"My windshield wiper broke on the way over," laughed AYF member Peg Campbell. Yet it was that type of unwavering support that carried Article 11 to victory, she added. "It was so awesome that people came out in the worst weather in the world!"

Not everyone shared in Campbell's fevered excitement, however. Some Andover officials shared their misgivings with the audience before the vote.

Finance Committee Chairwoman Joanne Marden explained why FinCom members recommended disapproval of the article.

"We became more and more uncomfortable with the incomplete and inconsistent information available. We simply don't believe (the operating cost) is going to be $100,000 to $200,000," she said. "If there is a need for a Proposition 2 1/2 override, Town Meeting should know that now before it votes. (We would like) to withhold approval until the details are worked out."

Selectman Mary French maintained that the site for the center needs more time and more research.

"We are contemplating a major and mightily important project. If we need to take just a little more time to get it as right as possible, then we should take that time," she argued.

But the few who voiced opposition to the project - supported only by a handful of voters - did not dampen the youths' exhilaration following the victory.

"Finally!" exclaimed Adam Edelstein of Russett Lane, in the midst of hugs and high- fives from his peers. "It's going to happen. I went nuts. I was jumping off the walls!"

The momentum of the evening will carry the youth and the foundation to its $4 million goal without a doubt, added Patrick Sullivan of Deerberry Lane.

Selectmen Chairman Brian Major celebrated with the youth in the center's main foyer immediately after Special Town Meeting adjourned.

When asked about the vote, Major shrugged.

"It was OK," he said. Then he broke into laughter. "It was awesome! What a phenomenal feeling. You knew the vote was extremely solid."

After finalizing the RFP in January, the next step is to start raising the $4 million, Major added. Tom Jones, of Porter Road and a professional fundraiser, will spearhead that effort.

But AYF member Larry Larsen decided to get a headstart on the campaign Tuesday.

"I just want to say, on behalf of Andover youth, my deepest and most sincere thank you. And if any of you have $4 million you'd like to give..." He trailed off and smiled.