The Andover Citizens Academy is a free, 11-week program designed to provide residents with a deeper understanding of the City's government and operations. Participants will meet with department heads and City Officials to learn about City services, policies, and the challenges of local government. The program aims to foster informed and engaged citizens who are interested in future leadership roles in the community.

Program Dates: February 26 - May 12, 2026 (no session March 19 for spring break)

Thursdays, 6 - 9 p.m. – Meeting Locations Vary

APPLY TODAY!

Program Outline

Week 1 – Feb 26, 2026: City Hall Administration

• What we cover: Structure and roles of the City Administrator, Mayor, and City Council; how policy is set and implemented; overview of the Citizens Academy objectives and expectations.
• Meeting location: Council Chambers, 1609 E. Central

Week 2 – Mar 5, 2026: Finance Department

• What we cover: How the City budget is built and managed; mill levy and property tax impacts; budget engagement opportunities; overview of economic development finance tools including TIF districts; briefing on “Family Future Forward” and related funding considerations.
• Meeting location: Council Chambers, 1609 E. Central

Week 3 – Mar 12, 2026: Community Development I (Planning, Zoning, SPRC, Comprehensive Plan)

• What we cover: How the comprehensive plan guides growth; zoning and subdivision processes; Site Plan Review Committee roles; Planning Commission functions; what the City can/cannot control in private development.
• Meeting location: Council Chambers, 1609 E. Central

Week 4 - Mar 26, 2026: Community Development II (Economic Development, Incentives, Building & Code Enforcement)

• What we cover: Economic development strategies and incentive tools; balancing growth with fiscal sustainability; building permitting (residential/commercial), inspections, and construction standards; code enforcement process from complaint to compliance.
• Meeting location: Council Chambers, 1609 E. Central

Week 5 – Apr 2, 2026: Police Department, 911, Municipal Court/Judge

• What we cover: Community policing model; School Resource Officer program; crime trends and data; ride-along process; learn how the Andover 911 Communications Center receives emergency calls, prioritized, and dispatched how the 911/dispatch integrates with Andover Police Department and Fire Rescue response; overview of Municipal Court operations and types of branches in court system.
• Meeting location: Andover Police Department Training Room, 909 N. Andover Rd.

Week 6 – Apr 9, 2026: Fire Department

• What we cover: Discover the diverse responsibilities of the Andover Fire Department beyond fighting fires. This session will provide an overview of emergency medical services, training protocols, fire prevention strategies, community risk reduction and prevention, and a fire station tour and apparatus demo.
• Meeting location: Fire Station 2 Community Room, 650 S. Andover Rd.

Week 7 – Apr 16, 2026: Public Works & Utilities – Asset Management and GIS

• What we cover: How the City inventories and maintains critical assets (streets, sidewalks, signals/signs, water/wastewater/stormwater infrastructure, facilities, parks assets); levels of service; condition assessment and risk; lifecycle planning and prioritization for maintenance and capital projects.  There will be a live demonstration of our GIS web maps; how service requests and work orders are mapped and tracked; and how we use data to inform CIP scheduling and emergency response.
• Meeting location, the Lodge, 1527 E. Central Ave

Week 8 – Apr 23, 2026: Public Works – Streets

• What we cover: Street maintenance program (pavement ratings, crack sealing, patching, overlays, snow/ice operations); traffic control/signage; right-of-way permitting; coordination with utilities and contractors; seasonal work planning.
• Tour: The Public Works Yard, where equipment is stored and maintained (participants will drive their own vehicles for the tour).
• Meeting location, the Lodge, 1527 E. Central Ave

Week 9 – Apr 30, 2026: Parks, Recreation & Public Lands

• What we cover: Learn about the planning and management of Andover's beautiful parks, trails, and recreational facilities. The session will cover how the City develops and maintains these spaces to enhance the community's quality of life.  This session will include a tour of the new Lodge in Central Park that is available for your next special occasion!
• Tour: The Lodge, Central Park, and 13^th Street Sports Park (participants will drive their own vehicles for the tour)
• Meeting location, the Lodge, 1527 E. Central Ave

Week 10 – May 7, 2026: Public Works – Wastewater

• What we cover: This course will highlight the operations of the Wastewater Treatment Plant.  This session will include a guided tour of the City's Wastewater Treatment Plant and City yard providing for a behind-the-scenes look at critical City operations.
• Tour: Wastewater Treatment Plant. Note: closed-toe shoes required; PPE provided on-site.
• Meeting location, the Lodge, 1527 E. Central Ave

Week 11 – May 12, 2026: Graduation & Meet the Mayor and City Council Members (This is a Tuesday)

• Reception for participants and families prior to a City Council meeting; presentation of commemorative City Street signs by the Mayor; there will be public recognition during the presentation segment of the City Council meeting on May 12th.
• Meeting location: Council Chambers, 1609 E. Central

APPLY TODAY!