Conservation Commission Continues $50,000 Bond Substitution Request, Seeks Contract Details

NORTH ANDOVER -- July 8, 2026, North Andover Conservation Commission tables contractor's bid to replace $50,000 cash bond with surety on a town road project. The commission voted unanimously to continue a request from the contractor on the Route 125 and Osgood Street and Great Pond Road intersection reconstruction, which is already secured by a $1.6 million performance bond and an $829,000 payment bond, both surety instruments. A 37-year commission veteran moved to deny the substitution outright, citing a prior case in which a contractor abandoned a town project mid-construction, leaving no cash to fund remediation and forcing a town meeting appropriation. "Money equals compliance," he told the board. "If I have your money, you will comply." Members Matt and David called for the underlying contract documents before voting, arguing the commission lacked enough information to evaluate how surety bond funds could be accessed in a default. Separately, the commission unanimously approved small project permits at 326 Campbell Road and 125 Blue Ridge Road, issued a Negative 3 determination for an addition at 63 Sutton Place, and continued a contested in-ground pool application at 885 Forest Street to July 22 pending a site visit to a potential vernal pool area.