Fred Stott Award: Honoring CHAPA's Municipal Engagement Initiative Team
This award has been given since 2009 in memory of Fred Stott, a member of the ACT board as clerk, cheerleader, friend and advocate.
“Over the years, he invited us to join our resources with our voices. Again and again, we did so, learning in the process to speak fully for our beliefs.”
Honoring the Legacy of Fred Stott
Since 2009, the Fred Stott Award has honored the memory of Fred Stott, a beloved member of the ACT board who was known for his unwavering support, friendship, and advocacy.
"Over the years, he invited us to join our resources with our voices. Again and again, we did so, learning in the process to speak fully for our beliefs," Sandy Stott said.
In this spirit, we celebrate the remarkable contributions of the Citizens’ Housing And Planning Association’s (CHAPA) Municipal Engagement Initiative team and its transformative impact on Andover’s affordable housing journey.
Empowering Collaboration through the Municipal Engagement Initiative
In 2022, Andover was selected by CHAPA for their prestigious Municipal Engagement Initiative (MEI) cohort. This state-wide initiative provides invaluable support and technical assistance to communities, helping them build coalitions for affordable housing. Under the guidance of three dynamic women—Whitney Demetrius, Lily Linke, and Dana LeWinter—Andover embarked on an educational and empowering journey that continues to shape our community.
Whitney, Lily, and Dana, along with additional support from Monica Keel and Sadé Ratliff, have united diverse groups, educated residents, and fostered a spirit of collaboration. Their dedication has not only helped us understand the critical importance of affordable housing but has also equipped us with the tools to create lasting change. Through their efforts, Andover successfully passed a vital zoning law, ensuring a brighter future for our community.
The Role of CHAPA’s Dedicated MEI Team
Whitney Demetrius, the director of fair housing and municipal engagement at CHAPA, helped bring together diverse groups and provide education and resources to build the coalition. Lily Linke, now the MBTA communities engagement manager, organized us as Andover residents to not only find our voice to advocate for affordable housing but to support the local housing efforts both public and private to improve housing development.
In 2023 as Lily transitioned to focus on the MBTA communities law, the CHAPA group added Monica Keel, municipal engagement program associate, to guide Andover from the initial steps of organization into sustained local advocacy that can permeate the entire community. Also joining the MEI group was Sadé Ratliff, municipal engagement program associate.
Andover Community Trust and all the other groups and individuals associated with the Andover Housing Coalition have had the true fortune to work with and get to know these women. We began with a shared belief that housing is at the center of the hub of work needed to create healthy, equitable, affordable, and vibrant communities. We have experienced the passion and dedication that these women bring to their work in our lives as Andover residents. When CHAPA says that “change happens when communities come together” we know that it is true. We understand that the benefits of providing ample affordable housing, and the consequences of not, permeate the whole community, not just individual outcomes.
Inspiring Change: The Impact of Strong Role Models
We are fortunate to have these strong role models to guide us in our goals to have an impact on the local level and to add to the waves of influence across the state.
Andover Community Trust welcomed the chance to work closely with CHAPA and also town staff to develop strategies and build increased support within Andover for housing that would be a benefit to all residents. We had no idea of the impact that these women would have on us. We know more today about organizing, speaking up, working together, and state housing needs.
Andover successfully passed the Multifamily Overlay District zoning by more than two-thirds of the vote at town meeting, a feat necessary to continue to receive state funding vital to the Town. We now have a new zoning law that when implemented has the potential to improve our housing supply for both older homeowners looking to downsize and younger home seekers.
Join us in celebrating these extraordinary women and their contributions to Andover’s housing advocacy as we honor them with the Fred Stott Award. Their passion and dedication serve as an inspiration to us all, reminding us that real change happens when communities come together.
