ICAM Recording | View the Meeting Materials Packet
Citizen Queries
Patricia Valcor of Northridge Road urged the board to make Water Street one-way, running from the wharf toward Green Street, once the current water project is finished, citing heavy pedestrian use and close calls with school buses and parked cars. She offered to serve on a committee if one is formed.
Announcements – Donation Acceptance, Step Forward
The board voted to accept this month's $25 donation from Step Forward, a group that rents a Town Hall room without being required to pay. The vote also accepts similar future donations, so the board no longer needs to vote on them each month, as Town Manager Brendan Sweeney recommended.
Announcements – Ipswich Illumination Update
Kerry Bates, Director of Recreation and Culture, outlined the two-weekend festival: October 9–11 on Meetinghouse Green, October 16–17 on the Riverwalk, and closing ceremonies October 18 at Pavilion Beach. She noted street closures and parking restrictions on the first weekend, especially Saturday, October 10, and directed residents to search "Ipswich Illumination 2026" (historicipswich.net) for schedules and weather updates.
Mae Borgman, Student Representative Request for Appointment to the Shade Tree and Beautification Committee
The board appointed Mae Borgman, an Ipswich High School junior, as the committee's first student representative. The appointment is a one-year, non-voting term ending June 30, 2027, and the board waived its usual two-meeting attendance requirement.
SAFER Grant Update
This was discussion only, and the board will decide on October 19 whether to accept a $389,879 FEMA grant before FEMA's October 22 deadline. The grant would fund two additional firefighters for three years, paying 75% of costs in years 1–2 and 35% in year 3, with the town paying the full cost from year 4. Fire Chief Paul Parisi said the hires would bring staffing to five firefighters per shift (minimum four) to meet OSHA and NFPA safety standards, at an estimated town cost of about $10,000 in FY27, $44,000 in FY28, $63,000 in FY29 and $91,000 in FY30. Michael Dougherty cautioned that FY28 will be financially challenging, and Charlie Surpitski noted the grant does not cover gear, which costs over $4,000 per set.
PUBLIC HEARING: New Electric Rate Hearing relative to ReInvest, Inclusive Utility Investment Program (1 of 2)
The board opened the hearing, delayed it until after other business, then closed it with no vote; a second hearing is set for October 19. Electric Light Manager Dylan Llewellyn explained that the rate lets customers finance energy efficiency and electrification upgrades interest-free, repaid through a fixed monthly charge over up to 10 years. The program is designed so total bills do not rise above prior levels, is backed by a $5 million USDA loan, and is targeted to launch January 1. Charlie Surpitski confirmed the charge transfers to the next customer if a property changes hands, and Linda Alexson and Michael Dougherty asked that remaining balances appear on monthly bills, which current billing cannot do, though Dylan Llewellyn agreed to look into it.
New Common Victualler License Application, from Marady Thaep and Pisey Cheng for Heart and Soul Café
The board unanimously approved the license for the café's new owners. In response to Linda Alexson, the owners confirmed that nothing about the operation will change, including the outdoor setup.
Update from Government Study Committee
The committee has not met since its last town meeting report because it lacks a fifth member: the moderator's appointment, previously held by chair Jim Engels, who can no longer serve. The board previewed two new assignments: studying town meeting timing, including Saturdays and Linda Alexson's proposal to remove the bylaw requiring annual town meeting on the second Tuesday in May, and updating the committee handbook with a chair's guide. Carolyn Britt questioned the vague summary attached to the May citizens' petition, and Brendan Sweeney read the actual motion, which directs the committee to examine alternatives to the current select board form of government.
Discuss Free Cash Policy
This was discussion only, and the board will revisit the 2013 policy on October 19 with finance staff. Members agreed the policy's $100,000 minimum balance is outdated, and Brendan Sweeney suggested replacing it with a percentage of the prior year's general fund (perhaps 2–3%). He noted that certified free cash is about $2.6 million, while capital requests are expected to far exceed that. Sarah Player asked for a historical look at free cash use and mid-year shortfalls and wants the policy considered alongside capital planning.
Consent Agenda
The board unanimously approved all seven one-day licenses.
Key Decisions
- Step Forward donation: Passed by voice vote with no opposition recorded. The board accepted the $25 monthly donation and authorized acceptance of similar future donations without further votes.
- Mae Borgman appointment: Passed by voice vote with no opposition recorded. She will serve as the non-voting student representative on the Shade Tree and Beautification Committee for one year, ending June 30, 2027, with the two-meeting requirement waived.
- Heart and Soul Café common victualler license (0 Central Street): Passed unanimously, 4–0.
- Consent agenda: Passed unanimously, 4–0. The board approved six one-day wine and malt liquor licenses and one one-day all-alcohol license for events October 7–17.
- ReInvest electric rate hearing: The first of two hearings was opened and closed with no vote on the rate. It continues October 19 at 7:00 PM.
- SAFER grant ($389,879): No vote was taken. A decision is scheduled for October 19, ahead of FEMA's October 22 acceptance deadline.
Action Items
- Send a memo with detailed SAFER cost figures by fiscal year, clarification on FEMA salary limits, and peer-community staffing comparisons — Paul Parisi — before October 19
- Decide whether to accept the SAFER grant — Select Board — October 19 (FEMA deadline October 22)
- Pursue state funding for firefighter gear through the state legislative delegation — Michael Dougherty — [none stated]
- Explore showing remaining ReInvest balances on monthly electric bills — Dylan Llewellyn — [none stated]
- Work with the moderator to fill the fifth Government Study Committee seat — Michael Dougherty and Brendan Sweeney — [none stated]
- Send the Article 17 town meeting motion to the Government Study Committee — Brendan Sweeney — [none stated]
- Send a memo outlining the board's two study requests (town meeting timing and committee handbook) — Michael Dougherty — [none stated]
- Prepare free cash minimum-balance options (1%, 3%, 5% scenarios plus a staff recommendation) — Brendan Sweeney with Terry — October 19
Related Upcoming Meetings
- Monday, October 19: The Select Board will hold the second ReInvest rate hearing at 7:00 PM. It will also review FY27 first-quarter finances, take a first look at the FY28 budget, discuss the free cash policy and decide on the SAFER grant.
- Tuesday, October 20, 7:00 PM: Special Town Meeting in the Ipswich High School/Middle School lower gym. Residents are encouraged to arrive early to register.
- Tuesday, October 13: Joint meeting of the Select Board and the Electric Light subcommittee. Sarah Player will be absent.
