North Andover Select Board Approves Tavern in the Square Liquor License, Three Business Licenses

NORTH ANDOVER — March 23, 2026 — North Andover Select Board approves liquor license for Tavern in the Square and hears school officials warn of a likely FY28 budget override. At the March 23 meeting, the board unanimously approved an on-premises all-alcohol license for Tavern Opco LLC DBA Tavern in the Square at 435 Andover Street, the former Bertucci's location, where the new operator is investing $5.8 million in renovations; attorney Tyler Hensler represented the applicant. Superintendent Pam Lathrop and Interim Finance Director Gail Dowd presented a $72.2 million FY27 school budget — a $3 million increase over FY26 — but disclosed the district plans to spend closer to $73.7 million by drawing $1.5 million from state circuit breaker special education reimbursement reserves, with School Committee Chair Joe Hicks stating the committee is formally "advocating that we encourage the town to go for an override next year for fiscal year 28." The board also approved Eversource's petition to replace gas mains on Route 114 side streets as part of a five-year MassDOT road reconstruction awarded to J.H. Lynch and Sons, adopted an updated sustainable purchasing policy needed to maintain eligibility for a state recycling grant worth up to $14,000 annually, and issued common victualer and entertainment licenses to the Kachikawick Lodge Masonic Hall and to Brando's Cutlets and Catering, which is opening a second location at 80 Chickering Road; the projected snow-removal deficit currently stands at $2,042,532.