Ipswich, MA

Select Board (Formerly Board of Selectmen)

Shellfish Subcommittee to the Select Board

The Shellfish Advisory Board to the Select Board is meeting to discuss and vote on a recommendation regarding commercial shellfish permits. The main item is whether to extend a temporary 300-pound harvest limit and whether to set a permanent commercial harvest limit. The board will also review other provisions of Section 3 Commercial Permits and receive updates on Middle Ground and the Ipswich River.

• Vote on recommendation to extend temporary 300-lb harvest limit
• Discussion of permanent commercial harvest limit
• Review of Section 3 Commercial Permits
• Update on Middle Ground and Ipswich River
• Approval of July 7, 2026 minutes

Public Safety Facility Committee

School Policy Subcommittee

School Budget Subcommittee

Conservation Commission

Cape Ann Transit Authority

School Operations Subcommittee

The Ipswich School Committee Operations Subcommittee will hold a procedural meeting on September 3, 2026. The agenda consists entirely of standard administrative items, including approving previous minutes and discussing subcommittee goals. No specific policy decisions, contracts, or public hearings are listed.

• Approval of last meeting minutes
• Discussion of subcommittee goals
• Scheduling of the next meeting

Planning Board

The Ipswich Planning Board will hold public hearings on three continued special permit applications and a new request for pump stations. The board will also vote on five proposed amendments to the Protective Zoning Bylaw, including definitions for lot area, structures, and mixed residential uses, as well as changes to Accessory Dwelling Unit regulations. These votes occur ahead of a Special Town Meeting scheduled for October 20, 2026.

• Continued hearing for 214 High Street: Raze single-family dwelling to build multi-family dwelling in Highway Business district
• Continued hearing for 251 Topsfield Road: Renovate 'Hill Garage' for rental housing and build new garage in Rural Residential A district
• Continued hearing for 55 Waldingfield Road: Change use from office to inn and hotel in Rural Residential A district
• New hearing for Town of Ipswich: Construct primary pump station at 25 Green Street and secondary station at 65 East Street
• Vote on five zoning bylaw amendments: Lot Area, Structure, Residential Mixed Use, Highway Business dimensions, and ADU regulations

Architectural Preservation District Commission

School Building Committee

School Communication Subcommittee

The Ipswich School Committee Communications Subcommittee will hold a remote meeting on September 11, 2026. The agenda consists entirely of procedural items, including approving previous minutes and discussing subcommittee goals. No specific policy decisions, contracts, or ordinances are listed for this session.

• Discussion of subcommittee goals and community engagement strategies
• Preparation of the upcoming agenda calendar
• Preparation of the newsletter

Strategic Planning Committee

The Ipswich School Committee, Select Board, and Finance Committee meet jointly to discuss school and town financial matters. They will hear updates on the Whittier School Committee, the Feoffees investment account, and the audit report, and will review the FY2027 calendar and FY2028 budget expectations. The meeting also covers two upcoming special town meetings in September and October 2026.

• Feoffees Account update on investment strategy, performance, and expected future distributions
• Audit report review
• Fiscal Year 2027 calendar review
• Fiscal Year 2028 budget expectations and process
• Special Town Meetings scheduled for September 8, 2026 and October 20, 2026

Shade Tree and Town Beautification Committee

The Shade Tree and Beautification Committee is meeting to discuss tree planting and beautification projects. Key topics include finalizing the Cool Corridor grant tree locations and species, exploring a second grant, coordinating donated tree planting with the DPW, and renewing the Tree City designation. The committee will also discuss a street tree inventory and a planting proposal for the MS/HS campus.

• Final location and species list for Cool Corridor grant
• Discussion of applying for another Cool Corridor grant
• Corliss Donated Trees coordination with DPW
• Renewal process for Tree City designation
• Street Tree Inventory discussion

Select Board (Formerly Board of Selectmen)

The Ipswich Select Board holds a tri-board meeting with the School Committee and Finance Committee to discuss fiscal matters. Items include an update on the Whittier School Committee representative, the Feoffees account investment strategy and performance, the annual audit report, and the Fiscal Year 2027 calendar. The board will also review Fiscal Year 2028 budget expectations and process, and prepare for two special town meetings in September and October 2026.

• Feoffees Account update on investment strategy, performance, and expected future distributions
• Audit Report review
• Fiscal Year 2027 Calendar Review
• Fiscal Year 2028 Budget Expectations/Process
• Special Town Meetings on September 8, 2026 and October 20, 2026

Finance Committee

The Ipswich Select Board, School Committee, and Finance Committee meet jointly to review the Feoffees account investment strategy and performance, the annual audit report, and the FY2027 calendar. They will also discuss FY2028 budget expectations and process, and prepare for the September 8 and October 20, 2026 Special Town Meetings.

• Feoffees Account update on investment strategy, performance, and expected future distributions
• Audit Report review
• Fiscal Year 2027 Calendar Review
• Fiscal Year 2028 Budget Expectations and Process
• September 8 and October 20, 2026 Special Town Meetings

Select Board (Formerly Board of Selectmen)

The Ipswich Select Board holds a tri-board meeting with the School Committee and Finance Committee to discuss financial and administrative matters. Items include a Whittier School representative update, Feoffees account investment performance, the audit report, and fiscal year calendars and budget expectations. The board also reviews upcoming Special Town Meetings scheduled for September 8 and October 20, 2026.

• Feoffees account update on investment strategy, performance, and expected future distributions
• Audit report presentation
• Fiscal Year 2027 calendar review
• Fiscal Year 2028 budget expectations and process
• Special Town Meetings on September 8 and October 20, 2026

School Communication Subcommittee

The Ipswich School Committee Communications Subcommittee is meeting to organize itself, including appointing a chair and secretary, and to discuss its goals and policy review process. The agenda is largely procedural with no specific policy items or votes listed. The meeting is scheduled for August 26, 2026, at Town Hall.

• Appointment of Chair and Secretary
• Discussion of subcommittee goals
• Discussion of policy review process
• Scheduling of next meeting

School Committee

The Ipswich School Committee is holding a tri-board meeting with the Select Board and Finance Committee. They will discuss the Whittier School representative update, the Feoffees account, the audit report, and the FY2027 calendar. The committee will also review FY2028 budget expectations and the upcoming special town meetings.

• Feoffees Account Update: investment strategy, performance, expected future distributions
• Audit Report
• Fiscal Year 2027 Calendar Review
• Fiscal Year 2028 Budget Expectations/Process
• September 8 and October 20, 2026 Special Town Meetings

Ipswich Housing Authority

The Ipswich Housing Authority Board of Commissioners is holding a special meeting to interview two candidates for the Executive Director position and then deliberate and appoint a new director. The meeting is scheduled for August 25, 2026, at 5:30 pm at One Agawam Village.

• Interview of Kevin Johnson for Executive Director (5:30-6:00 pm)
• Interview of Douglas Batchelder for Executive Director (6:00-6:30 pm)
• Deliberation and appointment of Executive Director

Board of Assessors

The Board of Assessors is holding a regular meeting to approve prior minutes, sign property and motor vehicle commitments, and discuss general valuation. They will also enter executive session to consider abatements and exemptions. The agenda is largely procedural with no major policy decisions listed.

• Approval of prior meeting minutes
• Signing of motor vehicle, boat, real estate, and personal property commitments
• General valuation discussions
• Executive session on abatements and statutory exemptions (MGL c.30A §21(a)(7), MGL c.59 §60)

Select Board (Formerly Board of Selectmen)

The Ipswich Select Board, meeting as Water Commissioners and as Select Board, will hold the first of two public hearings on water rates, discuss dismantling the windmill, and consider accepting a new state law allowing certain license holders to upgrade to full liquor licenses. The board will also review appointments, a beach use request, and updates on road and sidewalk projects.

• Public hearing on water rates (1 of 2)
• Discussion on windmill dismantling
• Discuss accepting M.G.L. c. 138, § 12D for liquor license upgrades
• Reappointment of Carolyn Britt to Government Study Committee; new appointment of Daniel Ouellette to Zoning Board of Appeals
• Request from Wildfire Sauna Company for Pavilion Beach use in 2026 and 2027

Affordable Housing Trust Fund

The Ipswich Housing Partnership and Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board will hold a joint meeting to adopt minutes, receive an update from the Housing Program Coordinator, and discuss the 2026-2031 Housing Production Plan process, including a directive from the Town Manager and a partnership with MAPC. They will also review the Inclusionary Housing payment-in-lieu schedule update and revision process, and have an open discussion on various projects and programs.

• Adopt minutes of July 27, 2026
• Update from Housing Program Coordinator
• 2026-2031 Housing Production Plan process update
• Inclusionary Housing payment-in-lieu schedule update
• Open discussion on AHT/IHP projects and programs

Ipswich Housing Partnership

The Ipswich Housing Partnership and Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board will meet jointly to adopt July minutes, hear an update from the Housing Program Coordinator, and discuss the 2026-2031 Housing Production Plan process, including a directive from the Town Manager and partnership with MAPC. They will also review the Inclusionary Housing payment-in-lieu schedule update and revision process, and discuss various housing projects and programs.

• Adopt meeting minutes of July 27, 2026
• Update from Ipswich Housing Program Coordinator
• Process update on 2026-2031 Housing Production Plan with MAPC
• Inclusionary Housing payment-in-lieu schedule update/revision
• Open discussion on AHT/IHP projects and programs

Town Clerk

The Town Clerk's office is meeting to conduct the advance processing of ballots for the state primary election, scheduled for each morning from August 24 to August 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM. This is an administrative procedure, not a policy discussion.

• State Primary Advance Processing, August 24-27, 2026, 10:00 AM daily

School Communication Subcommittee

The Ipswich School Committee Communications Subcommittee will hold a remote meeting on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 8:00 AM via Zoom. The agenda includes routine items such as call to order, citizens comments, discussing subcommittee goals, preparing a newsletter, discussing community engagement, scheduling the next meeting, new business, and adjournment. No specific votes, contracts, or dollar amounts are listed.

• Discuss subcommittee goals
• Prepare newsletter
• Discuss Community Engagement
• Schedule next meeting

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Ipswich Zoning Board of Appeals will hold continued and new public hearings on August 20, 2026. They will revisit a request to convert a nonconforming deck into living space at 4 River Court, and hear two related matters for 13 High Street: an appeal of a denied building permit and a request for a special permit/variance to build a 513 sq. ft. addition. The board will also approve minutes from the July 16 meeting.

• Continued hearing: 4 River Court — special permit/variance to convert 384 sq. ft. deck into living space (Map 42C Lot 007A, IR district)
• New hearing: 13 High Street — appeal of Building Inspector's denial of building permit (Map 31C Lot 088)
• New hearing: 13 High Street — special permit/variance for 513 sq. ft. single-story rear addition, 24' 6" along right-side property line
• Approval of minutes from 7.16.26 meeting

Conservation Commission

The Ipswich Conservation Commission will meet remotely to discuss and decide on various conservation-related permits, including new notices of intent, requests for determination of applicability, and certificates of compliance. The agenda also includes enforcement matters and continuations from previous meetings. The meeting is open to the public via Zoom or phone.

• New NOI: 21 Pineswamp Rd. - driveway restoration, paving, underground utilities
• New NOI: 19 Dartmouth Rd. - tight tank to replace septic system
• New NOI: 7 Middle Rd. - raze and rebuild cottage in same footprint
• RDA: 219 County Road - herbicide application (continued)
• Enforcement matters at 86, 80, 82, 84 Jeffreys Neck Rd., 13 & 11 Periwinkle, 124 North Ridge Rd., 375 Linebrook Rd.

Climate Resiliency Committee

The Climate Resiliency Committee is meeting to discuss and conduct a preliminary review of a specialized stretch building code. They will also review updated Ipswich climate history documentation and finalize the agenda for the Town Manager meeting scheduled for September 15th.

• Discussion and preliminary review of Specialized Stretch Building Code
• Review updated Ipswich climate history draft documentation
• Review and finalize meeting agenda for September 15th Town Manager meeting
• Approve July minutes
• Citizens Queries

Town Clerk

The Town Clerk's office is meeting to conduct ballot testing for the September 1, 2026 State Primary Election. This is a procedural item to verify voting equipment accuracy before the election.

• Ballot testing for the September 1, 2026 State Primary Election

Electric Subcommittee

The Electric Light Subcommittee will vote on a USDA loan contract and closing documents, discuss a tariff reinvestment update, and vote on recommendations for Special Project 2026A, including an executive session on proprietary information. The agenda also includes appointments, entertainment licenses, and a preview of the October Town Meeting warrant.

• Vote on USDA Loan Contract & Closing Documents
• Vote on Subcommittee Recommendation for USDA ReInvest Tariff Discussion
• Vote on Special Project 2026A recommendations and commissioner approval
• New appointment requests: Daniel Ouellette (ZBA Associate), Mathias Vialva (Architectural Preservation District Commission)
• One-day wine and malt liquor licenses for First Church and True North Ale Company

Select Board (Formerly Board of Selectmen)

The Ipswich Select Board, meeting jointly as Electric Light Commissioners, will vote on a USDA loan contract and closing documents, and discuss a USDA update and ReInvest tariff with a subcommittee recommendation. They will also hold an executive session on trade secrets for Special Project 2026A and take votes on it. The agenda includes appointments, entertainment licenses, and a preview of the October special town meeting warrant.

• Vote on USDA loan contract and closing documents
• Joint meeting with Electric Light Department: USDA update and ReInvest tariff discussion, vote on subcommittee recommendation
• Executive session on trade secrets for Special Project 2026A, followed by votes on subcommittee recommendation and commissioner approval
• New appointments: Daniel Ouellette (ZBA Associate), Mathias Vialva (Architectural Preservation District Commission); reappointment: Peter Soffron (Shellfish Advisory Committee)
• Entertainment licenses: First Church (Sept 12-13), True North Ale Company (Aug 20); one-day wine/malt licenses and street blocking for Gather on the Green

School Operations Subcommittee

The Ipswich School Committee Operations Subcommittee is meeting on August 17, 2026, at 3:45 PM in the MS/HS Guidance Conference Room at 134 High Street. The agenda includes call to order, citizens comments, discussion of subcommittee goals, scheduling the next meeting, new business, and adjournment. This is a routine administrative meeting with no specific decisions or proposals listed.

• Citizens comments period
• Discussion of subcommittee goals
• Scheduling next meeting
• New business

School Committee

The Ipswich School Committee is meeting remotely via Zoom to review and vote on recommendations for articles to be placed on the September 8th Special Town Meeting, including selecting a speaker for all three articles. The agenda includes a call to order, citizen queries, and a presentation before the vote.

• Vote on recommendations for articles for September 8th Special Town Meeting
• Speaker selection for all three articles
• Remote meeting via Zoom with public access

Planning Board

The Ipswich Planning Board will hold several public hearings, including continued hearings on an indoor riding arena and a multi-family dwelling, and new hearings on proposed zoning bylaw amendments for Special Town Meeting. The board will also review site plans for an industrial expansion and modifications to existing permits for historic properties. The agenda includes a director's update on the Housing Production Plan.

• ANR request by Maureen Horrigan to merge house lot with paper road at 114 Little Neck Road
• Continued hearing: Cedar Tree Realty site plan for indoor riding arena at 267 Topsfield Road
• Continued hearing: 214 High, LLC special permit to raze single-family home and build multi-family dwelling at 214 High Street (continued to Sept 3)
• New hearings on five proposed zoning bylaw amendments for Special Town Meeting (definitions, HB district, ADU sections)
• Micro-Mech, Inc. site plan for 1,241 SF and 2,304 SF buildings plus 115,100-gallon water tank at 35 Turnpike Road

School Building Committee

The Ipswich School Building Committee is meeting to review the final Request for Proposals (RFS) for an Owner's Project Manager (OPM), receive an update on the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) timeline, and discuss forming an OPM screening committee. The agenda also includes a facilities tour of Doyon and Winthrop schools and future agenda items. This is a working meeting with no votes scheduled.

• Review final OPM RFS
• MSBA timeline update
• OPM Screening Committee discussion
• Doyon/Winthrop facilities tour
• Citizens queries

Waste Water Subcommittee

The Ipswich Water & Wastewater Subcommittee will review the Water Treatment Plant project's debt schedule and cash flow, discuss a proposed Water & Wastewater article for the October Special Town Meeting, and hold a cybersecurity risk discussion. The meeting also includes citizen queries, approval of minutes, and department updates.

• Review of WTP Project Debt Schedule & Cash Flow
• Review of October STM Water & Wastewater Article
• Cybersecurity Risk Discussion
• Citizen Queries and Approval of Minutes

Water Subcommittee

The Ipswich Water & Wastewater Subcommittee is meeting to review the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) project debt schedule and cash flow, discuss a proposed water and wastewater article for the October Special Town Meeting, and talk about cybersecurity risks. The agenda also includes citizen queries, approval of minutes, and department updates. This is a working session with no final votes scheduled.

• Review of WTP Project Debt Schedule & Cash Flow
• Review of October STM Water & Wastewater Article
• Cybersecurity Risk Discussion
• Citizen Queries and Approval of Minutes

Waterways Advisory Committee

The Ipswich Waterways Advisory Committee is meeting to review and vote on minutes from the July 8 meeting, hear citizen queries, receive a Harbormaster report, and discuss the Peatfield Street Landing, docks, and forward planning. They will also get updates on the EOED Wharf Grant (Phase 2) and set the next meeting date.

• Review and vote on minutes from 7/8 meeting
• Harbormaster Report
• Review of Peatfield Street Landing, docks and forward planning
• Updates on EOED Wharf Grant (Phase 2)
• Set date and agenda for next meeting

Waste Reduction Advisory Committee

The Waste Reduction Advisory Committee will meet to approve July 2026 minutes, discuss the September 2026 electronics and Styrofoam recycling event at Ipswich High School, and review Ipswich Public Schools' 2026-2027 recycling and sustainability programs. Old and new business items will also be addressed.

• Approval of July 2026 committee meeting minutes
• Update on September 2026 Electronics and Styrofoam Recycling Event at IHS
• Review of Ipswich Public Schools 2026-2027 Recycling and Sustainability Programs

Ipswich Housing Authority

The Ipswich Housing Authority Board of Commissioners is meeting to handle routine business including bills, correspondence, and minutes, and to receive reports on the FY2026 Performance Management Review audit and maintenance. They will also discuss the ongoing search for an executive director and a Certificate of Deposit maturing on August 18, 2026.

• FY2026 Performance Management Review (PMR) Audit report
• Executive Director Search update
• Certificate of Deposit (CD) maturity on 8-18-2026
• July 2026 financial statements
• Executive Director vacation accrual

Finance Committee

The Ipswich Finance Committee is meeting to hold a public hearing on the warrant for the September 8, 2026 Special Town Meeting, and to assign articles for review. The committee will also review and finalize a charter recommendation and approve meeting notes from July 14. This is a working session with citizen queries limited to two minutes.

• Special Town Meeting Warrant Hearing for September 8, 2026
• Article assignments for the Special Town Meeting
• Charter Recommendation Review and Finalization
• Approval of July 14, 2026 meeting notes
• Town Manager Update by Brendan Sweeney