Ipswich Select Board Meeting

Special Recognition

The board read a proclamation honoring Trevor Meek, editor of the Ipswich Local News since 2025, for his local journalism as he returns to upstate New York. No vote; this was a ceremonial recognition.

Reappointment Request, Carolyn Britt, Government Study Committee

The board unanimously reappointed Carolyn Britt to a term ending June 30, 2029. Members noted a second applicant (Paul Callebaugh) was not present, and Britt cautioned that the committee's next charge is broadly worded and will require serious discussion to define its scope.

New Appointment Request, Daniel Ouellette, Zoning Board of Appeals, Associate

The board unanimously appointed Daniel Ouellette as an Associate member for a one-year term ending June 30, 2027. He had interviewed the prior week and was not required to attend the vote.

Request for Use of Pavilion Beach — Wildfire Sauna Company

The board unanimously approved the requested 2026 and 2027 dates for a mobile sauna and cold plunge operation in the Pavilion Beach parking lot. Members raised concerns about the beach becoming a de facto commercial zone and the lack of a formal process or fee policy for such requests, and asked that a policy be added as a future agenda item.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board Update

This was a discussion-only update covering a proposed downtown loop, High Street, Route 1A, and Jeffreys Neck Road, plus requests for an online survey tool and business snow-removal notices. The board voted to formally request MassDOT reinstall sidewalks on Route 1A (see Key Decisions); the main tension was constrained road width on Jeffreys Neck Road (limited to 24 feet due to the marsh), which pits pedestrian/cyclist safety against travel lanes.

Central Street Corridor Update

Discussion only; no vote taken. Rick Clark reviewed Alternative 1 (~$3.2–3.7M), Alternative 2 (~$6.5M), and Alternative 2A (South Main/Poplar intersection, ~$500K), and the board debated whether to break the canceled TIP project into smaller in-house pieces versus larger bonded work, with concern about funding availability and prolonged construction disruption.

Hammatt Street Parking Lot

Discussion only; no formal vote. The board directed staff to move forward using ~$100,000 of previously appropriated capital funds (about $25K for required soil sampling/permit and $50–60K to pave), yielding roughly 15–20 spaces; Carl Nylen objected to incremental fixes rather than solving the larger Hammatt lot problem.

General Road and Sidewalk Projects Update

Discussion only. Clark reported in-house work on Mineral Street, Edgelane, Lilyland Drive, Old Wright Road, and Topsail Road, and discussed Jeffreys Neck Road lane widths (10.5-foot lanes with 18-inch gutter shoulders), with the board favoring a possible speed-limit reduction given guardrails will trap pedestrians and cyclists.

PUBLIC HEARING: Water Rate Hearing (1 of 2)

The board opened and closed the first of two hearings; no vote on rates was taken (the second hearing is September 28). The proposal, recommended unanimously by subcommittee, lowers the seasonal rate factor from 1.5 to 1.3 (winter rate $11.69, projected summer rate $28), with Linda Alexson questioning the timing since this winter's rate will be higher than it would have been under 1.5.

Windmill Dismantling Discussion

Discussion only; no vote. Staff plan to bid removal of the defunct, town-owned wind turbine (Wind 2) with a conservative estimate of $250,000 funded roughly 70/30 (~$175K town capital stabilization, remainder electric light department), aiming for a refined bid before October town meeting; the key lesson cited was the failure to require a performance bond from the now-bankrupt developer.

Town Acceptance of M.G.L. c. 138, § 12D

Discussion only; this is a proposed October town meeting warrant article. The law would let the Select Board upgrade beer-and-wine licenses to all-alcohol on a case-by-case basis (reverting on sale); members asked for lists of license holders, information on fees/public-hearing options, and Chamber of Commerce input.

Partial and Complete Sidewalk and Street Blocking Review and Approvals

Discussion only; no vote. The board favored delegating these approvals to the town manager (with an appeal process and announcements at meetings), directing Brendan Sweeney to draft a policy; Charlie Surpitski asked that longer-term or full sidewalk closures still come to the board.

The board unanimously approved the consent agenda of one-day wine and malt liquor license applications. Taken out of order while awaiting slides.

Approval of Minutes — March 30, 2026

The board unanimously approved the March 30, 2026 minutes. Linda Alexson noted prior confusion over attendance corrections but said the minutes were ready.

Future Agenda Items

Discussion only. Items flagged for September include the trash grandfather list, outdoor dining policy, a beach commercial-use policy, and a review of town policies; strategic planning committee work is slated for September/early October.

Key Decisions

Carolyn Britt reappointed to Government Study Committee (term ending June 30, 2029) — passed unanimously; moved by Carl Nylen, seconded by Sarah Player.
Daniel Ouellette appointed as ZBA Associate (term ending June 30, 2027) — passed unanimously; moved by Linda Alexson, seconded by Sarah Player.
Wildfire Sauna Company use of Pavilion Beach, 2026 and 2027 dates — approved unanimously as presented; moved by Carl Nylen, seconded by Sarah Player.
Consent agenda (one-day wine/malt licenses for Sandpiper Bakery, True North Ale, and Ipswich Ale) — approved unanimously; moved by Linda Alexson, seconded by Carl Nylen.
March 30, 2026 minutes — approved unanimously; moved by Linda Alexson, seconded by Sarah Player.
Request MassDOT reinstall/build sidewalks on Route 1A (Argilla Road/Lakemans Lane to Hamilton town line) — passed unanimously; moved by Charles Surpitski, seconded by Linda Alexson (wording changed from "support" to "request").
Water rate hearing (1 of 2) — opened and closed by roll call (all yes); no rate vote taken. Proposal: lower seasonal rate factor from 1.5 to 1.3; winter rate $11.69, projected summer rate $28 (currently $29.91). Second hearing September 28, 2026.

Action Items

Draft letter requesting MassDOT reinstall Route 1A sidewalks, for approval at next meeting — Michael Dougherty / staff — next Select Board meeting (Aug 31)
Contact Alan Minoyan to determine date of MassDOT 1A walkthrough so Select Board can attend — Brendan Sweeney — —
Contact legislative delegation (Sen. Tarr, Rep. Kassner) about Route 1A sidewalks — Michael Dougherty — —
Create online survey/link on town website for Bike/Ped feedback — Brendan Sweeney — —
Send snow-removal notices to businesses in concern areas (e.g., near Winthrop School) — Brendan Sweeney / Rick Clark — before winter season
Coordinate Bike/Ped input into High Street project with Vicki Halmen and Rick Clark — Sarah Player — ongoing
Confirm whether Select Board can downgrade an upgraded liquor license — Brendan Sweeney — before warrant hearing
Provide lists of beer/wine and all-alcohol license holders and info on conversion fees/public hearing options in packet — Brendan Sweeney — Aug 31 warrant hearing
Draft policy delegating partial/complete street-blocking approvals to town manager (with appeal process and meeting announcements) — Brendan Sweeney — early September
Put wind turbine removal bid out to procurement — Rick Clark / Brendan Sweeney (with Rec) — bid in hand before October town meeting
Advance Hammatt Street lot paving (soil sampling/LUA permit ~$25K; paving ~$50–60K) using existing $100K capital appropriation — Rick Clark / Brendan Sweeney — ~1.5 months
Explore embedded crosswalk lights and converting downtown brick crosswalks to painted lines — Rick Clark — —

Tri-board meeting (School Committee, Select Board, Finance Committee) — Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 7:00 PM, Meeting Room A
Strategic Planning Committee — Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 5:30 PM
Second public forum on proposed ADU bylaw — Saturday, August 29, 2026 (stated as "this Saturday"), 10:00 AM, Meeting Room A
Public hearing on October special town meeting warrant — Monday, August 31, 2026 Select Board meeting
Special town meeting — Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 7:00 PM, middle/high school lower gym
Shellfish Advisory Board — Tuesday, September 1, 2026, 7:00 PM, Room C
Waste Reduction Advisory Committee — Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 7:00 PM
Electronics fundraiser and Styrofoam recycling — Saturday, September 19, 2026, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM, Ipswich High School
Special town election — Tuesday, September 22, 2026, YMCA
Water Rate Hearing (2 of 2) — Monday, September 28, 2026, 7:30 PM, Meeting Room A
Open Meeting Law training by town counsel — Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 6:30 PM, Room A
Shade Tree and Beautification Committee — Wednesday (date not fully stated), 7:30 PM, Room C
September 11th ceremony — Friday, September 11, 2026, 8:30 AM (festivities 8:45), firehouse
High Street landscaping meeting — Friday, ~9:30 AM (Brian Hone to be invited)
Special town meeting warrant items for windmill and § 12D — discussed further Aug 31 and at early September town meeting