Selectmen OK Stevens Street expansion                            4/8/00
   As a developer plans an apartment and medlcal offices complex for the Stevens Street area, selectmen are recommendmg that Town Meeting accept a land gift from that developer that will allow Andover to expand Stevens Street.
   But both selectmen and developer Northpoint  Realty's  lawyer,  Bob Lavoie, say the gift will not be conditional on what happens with the Powder Mill Square project.
   The Powder Mill Square complex is planned in the flood plain near the corner of North Main and Stevens streets.
    Before selectmen voted 4-0 to support Article 62, Chairman John Hess made a point to ask fellow board members if their approval would be seen as approval of the Powder Mill Square complex,
"That's not my intention," said Larry Larsen.
   Mary French and Lori Becker echoed the sentiment, with Hess adding, "In other words, we could use a wider street there no matter what."
   "This land donation will be made regardless of approvals," said Lavoie, following the vote. "I view it as a subdivision. The town bodies — planning, public works — see a problem that could stand correcting."
   Lavoie says the expansion will allow for a dedicated left-hand turn lane into the Andover Post Office, for people heading along Stevens Street toward Shawsheen Road from North Main Street.
—Neil Fater Andover Townsmen  3/23/00