Subscribe to Email Notifications
Ipswich Select Board

Ipswich Select Board Meeting - July 28, 2026

The Minute · 21 min read · July 28, 2026

Appointment of Election Officers

The board unanimously reappointed the town clerk's list of 38 election workers for the term running September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027. Member Sarah Player disclosed that her mother is on the list before voting, consistent with her practice in prior years.

Warrant and Early Voting Hours for September 1 State Primary

The board unanimously approved the warrant for the 2026 state primary and the in-person early voting hours, which begin Saturday, August 22 and run Monday, August 24 through August 28. The clerk noted the office closes one hour at each end of the day during that week to process ballots.

Bond Anticipation Note Authorization

The board unanimously approved issuing a $13,863,800 bond anticipation note to Jeffrey's LLC to finance the public safety building, Noresco project, school roofs, wastewater treatment plant upgrades, water/wastewater infrastructure, and well improvements. The treasurer explained this is a one-year note and that any borrowing for the full public safety building project, if approved in September, would be separate and occur in future issuances.

SRF Authority to File — Water Treatment Plant Replacement

The board unanimously approved the "authority to file" form authorizing the town manager to file applications and execute agreements for the state revolving fund loan funding the roughly $50 million drinking water treatment plant replacement. The re-vote was required because the prior authorization was signed under a former interim town manager.

Key Decisions

  • Election officer reappointments: Passed unanimously (3–0). Moved by Linda Alexson, seconded by Sarah Player. Term September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2026 [sic: through August 31, 2027]; 38 workers.
  • 2026 State Primary warrant and early voting hours: Passed unanimously. Moved by Sarah Player, seconded by Linda Alexson. Early voting August 22 and August 24–28.
  • Bond anticipation note: Passed unanimously. Moved by Michael Dougherty, seconded by Linda Alexson. $13,863,800 4% general obligation BAN to Jeffrey's LLC at 2.8% net interest cost, with a $165,949.69 premium; dated August 7, 2026, payable August 6, 2027. Town holds AAA/SP-1+ ratings.
  • SRF authority to file (water treatment plant): Passed unanimously. Moved by Sarah Player, seconded by Linda Alexson. Related to the ~$50 million SRF loan.

Action Items

  • Confirm specifics of the August 3 public safety building session (video vs. Q&A) with the two chiefs — Brendan Sweeney — tomorrow morning
  • Post details of the August 3 session to town website and social media, and notify local news — Brendan Sweeney — by end of day tomorrow
  • Finalize agendas for the upcoming August meetings and notify the board of subject matter — Brendan Sweeney and Michael Dougherty — tomorrow
  • Submit application for the Select Board–appointed Finance Committee seat (currently held by Bob Chambers) — Interested residents — before August 10 meeting
  • August 3, 2026, 6:30 PM (Meeting Room A): Narrated virtual tour / informational session on the proposed public safety building, hosted by the two chiefs.
  • August 7, 2026, 12:00 PM (Veterans Memorial Park, South Main St.): Purple Heart Day ceremony.
  • August 10, 2026: Regular Select Board meeting (includes Finance Committee appointment).
  • August 12, 2026, 7:00 PM (utilities): Water and Wastewater Subcommittee meeting.
  • August 13, 2026, 5:30 PM (Meeting Room A): School Building Committee.
  • August 17, 2026: Joint meeting with the ELD (3rd Monday).
  • August 24, 2026: Select Board meeting, including Ped/Cycle Subcommittee and road projects update from Rick.
  • August 31, 2026: Select Board meeting.
  • September 1, 2026: State primary.
  • September (date not stated): Special town meeting on the proposed public safety building.

Transcript

Sarah Player [4:24]
Carl's been known to promise to bring food. He'd been in charge of bringing food, and then we walk in and we're like, did you bring dinner?

Vicki Halmen [4:32]
No, was I?

Michael S. Dougherty [4:33]
We're like, it's gonna affect my vote next year for chairmanship. That's all I'm gonna say. All right, with it being 5 PM and a quorum of the select board present, present, I'd like to call to order the July 28th special select board meeting where we are taking care of some very important, uh, housekeeping items during our little break here. So just as a reminder to folks, our next regularly scheduled select board meeting, we will be doing a bunch of town business, is on Monday, August 10th, and then on Monday, August 17th, we will be having a joint meeting with our ELD, which is actually the 3rd Monday instead of the 2nd Monday. And then we'll be meeting again as a board on the 24th and the 31st. So there's gonna be warrant hearings, rate hearings, all sorts of hearings. It's gonna be a lot of fun stuff to do. But as always, we start each meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. So for all those able and willing, please join me for the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Are there any citizens' queries this evening? Seeing none, moving right along. We have 3 very important members of our announcements.

More from