NORTH ANDOVER — While residents near unanimously approved the town’s $137 million general fund budget the community turned down a proposed $18 million recreation complex.
The complex received 563 votes in favor with 508 opposed, the vote needed a majority to pass.
Those speaking against the project voiced opposition to the cost of the project and the inclusion of turf fields
Town meeting was held on Tuesday night at the North Andover High School. Voters had to wait for around 40 minutes in the middle of the meeting due to a technical issue.
The budget represented a 5% increase from last year, according to Town Manager Melissa Rodrigues.
Rodrigues added that the town has seen higher than average new growth over the last few years and that trend has continued this year.
Officials said the budget was not substantially different than past years. The budget includes one new position: a DPW tree climber.
Acting school Superintendent Pamela Lathrop said the school budget is increasing by 5.5% to $63 million. The budget maintains class sizes.
The town passed $11 million in capital improvement projects including IT upgrades, playground updates and the replacement of a ladder truck.
The recreational complex would include a one-mile walking trail, an exercise course, two half-court basketball courts, and two multipurpose courts for street hockey, tennis and pickle-ball. The complex would have been built alongside Chickering Road between the North Andover Middle School and Early Child Center.
The project had been supported by town officials and many local athletics leaders.
Despite the $18 million total price tag some of the funding had already been approved, however construction costs had increased significantly since the funds had been allocated
Article 20 would have appropriated $3.8 million toward the project, while article 10 would have used more funds through the Community Preservation Committee. The rest of the funding had been approved in 2018.
Some residents thought the project went too far and took issue with the use of artificial turf. There was also concern about how the project was being funded through the Community Preservation Sct.
“I really care about the kids,” said Keith Connors, who had concerns about the the possibility of negative impacts on students health. “I am hoping you will come back with a better project.”
Residents were also worried about the cost of the project, which had increased since it was first proposed.
Rodrigues added there would be cost to redesign the project.
The project would not have resulted in a bump to tax rates.
The town’s MBTA zoning housing district, which could allow for the easier construction of multifamily housing had not been voted on by press time.