Resident Grant Flags Pattern of Town Project Overruns

Finance Committee · Meeting of August 19, 2026

Andover resident flagged 48% and 68% cost overruns on two town capital projects. Kathleen Grant told the Finance Committee the Haggetts Pond Rail Trail and Merrimack River Access project exceeded budget by those margins, partly from unbudgeted tree removal and sidewalk work, and urged a 50 percent contingency standard going forward, saying current tracking "makes our votes kind of at town meeting not look good." Town Manager Andrew Flanagan separately briefed the committee on the Select Board's FY27 goals, including a $485 million baseline cost estimate for a possible new Andover High School and a November 1, 2026, financing report due to the School Committee. The committee welcomed new member Sue Hunter, reassigned department liaison roles, and voted 8-0 to approve its July 8 minutes as amended by Andrew McBrien.

The next Finance Committee action comes September 14 at a joint meeting with the Select Board on long-range financial policy.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,199 words

Source: the Finance Committee meeting of August 19, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.