ANDOVER - Here's a statistic many people may not quickly associate with this Essex County community: Roughly one-third of its area is open space.
Town administrator Reginald S. Stapczynski says type of green space ranges from the Harold Parker State Forest to athletic fields used by town and school teams.
"It's a family-oriented town," said Stapczynski. "We value education and open space. And, we have a vibrant downtown. It's an attractive community."
The town's history includes hosting the first gunpowder mill in the United States during the Revolutionary War and as home, for a time, to Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin".
Woolen mills once fueled the economy, but this wealthy town is now part of the high-tech belt ringing Boston and boasts numerous high-tech companies within its borders.
Home to the prestigious private school, Phillips Academy, residents are ferociously proud of their high-performing public school system, which consumes 49 percent of town taxes.
Stapczynski said municipal finances are strained and could prompt the town to request a budget override in the upcoming fiscal year. Andover has already upgraded its public safety center, and is considering upgrading or replacing one of its elementary schools in coming years, he said.
Settled by Europeans in 1636, the town was incorporated in 1646.
On a recent week, Realtor.com listed 100 single-family homes, ranging from $229,900 for a three-bed, one-bath, 864-square-foot home to $3 million for a four-bed, 4.5-bath, 5,360-square-foot home. Median price of a single-family home through November was $539,978, according to Warren Group, which publishes real estate information.
JOHN R. ELLEMENT
