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Residents press council on municipal golf course management and recycling billing
Summary
Multiple residents urged the council to review the management contract for the Andover Municipal Golf Course and pressed staff about a mandatory recycling charge on utility bills; council directed residents to work with staff and noted the contract requires quarterly financial reporting.
During public forum, residents raised separate but civic‑relevant concerns about the municipal golf course and about utility billing for recycling.
Darren Spitzenberger and Renee Fraser spoke on behalf of neighbors and presented a petition asking the city to review the contract that places Oaks Golf LLC in charge of course operations. Speakers said greenskeeper 'John' has improved course conditions and claimed that management changes have repeatedly removed experienced staff; they asked the council to explain the hiring and firing authority under the contract. Council members and staff said the contract requires the management company to provide quarterly financial reports to the city and urged residents to follow up with staff via email or by contacting the city administrator and public works director.
Donnie Moore, a longtime property owner, said he has been charged a recycling fee monthly for 15 years despite not receiving curbside trash service at that address. Assistant City Administrator Joanne Graham noted that the council adopted an ordinance in 2010 establishing mandatory payment for recycling (described in the meeting as “mandatory pay, optional participate”) and said the charge remains in effect while the ordinance stands.
The council acknowledged the concerns, encouraged residents to provide specific documents and examples to staff for follow‑up, and said no bench action would be taken during the meeting but staff would return with clarification if needed.
