Ipswich, MA

Conservation Commission

The Ipswich Conservation Commission will hold a remote-only meeting to review ongoing environmental permits, enforcement cases, and new applications including a resubmitted dam removal project, test pits, invasive plant spraying, and deck replacements. Items are continued from the July 22 session or newly listed, with no citizen queries or new business scheduled.

• 65 and 44 South Main Street: Ipswich Mills Dam Removal Ecological Restoration Project resubmission (continued)
• 214 High Street: Small Project Permit for test pits (continued)
• 47 Jeffreys Neck Rd: Request for Determination of Applicability for invasive plant spraying (continued)
• 219 County Road: Request for Determination of Applicability for herbicide application (new)
• 103 Linebrook Rd: Two enforcement orders for cutting and paving (continued)

Board of Health

The Ipswich Board of Health will convene to review septic system variances and operation and maintenance contract violations for five local properties. The meeting will also receive a public health report including updates on overdose awareness and odor complaints.

• 53 Skytop Road LLC – 53 Skytop Road – Septic System Design Variances
• Gale Eight LLC – 8 Bowdoin Road – Septic System Design Variances
• Priscilla A. Herrington – 2 Howard Street – Septic System Design Variance
• Bette Bailey and Joan Duda – 19 Dartmouth Road – Tight Tank Design Variance
• Ipswich Dairy Condo Association – 6 Old Essex Road – Operation and Maintenance Contract Violation

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee will hold a public hearing on the warrant for the September 8, 2026 Special Town Meeting, then assign articles and finalize a charter recommendation. The meeting also includes citizen queries and approval of prior meeting notes.

• Special Town Meeting Warrant Hearing for September 8, 2026
• Article assignments for the Special Town Meeting
• Charter Recommendation Review and Finalization

Waste Reduction Advisory Committee

Board of Assessors

The Ipswich Board of Assessors is convening to approve prior meeting minutes, discuss and sign property commitments, and conduct general valuation discussions. The board may also enter into Executive Session to discuss abatements and exemptions. The agenda is primarily procedural, with no major decisions or discussions anticipated.

• Approve prior meeting minutes
• Sign motor vehicle, boat, real estate or personal property commitments

School Committee

The School Committee will hold a reorganization vote to select a Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. Members will receive presentations from the MASC on roles and goal setting. The body will also discuss the superintendent search and budget items, including the use of unexpended Feoffee funds.

• Vote on Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary
• Discussion and potential vote on Unexpended Feoffee Funds usage
• Discussion and potential vote on Final Feoffee Allocation Disbursement
• Discussion on Superintendent Search
• Budget discussion regarding Override Calculator, Feoffee Policy, and Split Configuration

Planning Board

The Ipswich Planning Board will hold a site walk at 35 Turnpike Rd to inspect a property associated with Micro Mech. This is a procedural meeting with no formal decisions or votes scheduled.

Feoffees of the Grammar School in the Town of Ipswich Trust

The Feoffees of the Grammar School in the Town of Ipswich Trust will meet to review the Treasurer's report and discuss distributions. The agenda also includes a presentation by Aureus.

• Aureus Presentation
• Treasurer’s Report
• Distribution discussion

Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School

The Whittier Tech Regional Agreement Amendment Committee (RAAC) will review a working draft of the Regional Agreement and a transmittal memo. The committee is scheduled to vote on proposed capital cost allocation methods and whether to refer the RAAC report to the School Committee.

• Vote on proposed capital cost allocation methods
• Vote to refer RAAC report and draft Regional Agreement to School Committee
• Discussion of school enrollment capacity, design, and policy considerations
• Presentation of updated working draft Regional Agreement
• Presentation of draft RAAC transmittal memo to School Committee

Select Board (Formerly Board of Selectmen)

The Select Board will vote on authorizing the Town Manager to sign contracts for water pollution abatement or drinking water projects, and also vote on issuing notes for borrowing. Other items include appointing election workers and setting early voting hours for the state primary.

• Vote to authorize the Town Manager to sign project documents/contracts for water pollution abatement or drinking water projects
• Vote to approve the sale, issuance and details of notes dated on or about August 7, 2026
• Appointment of election workers for the state primary
• Sign warrant for state primary election and vote on in-person early voting hours

Ipswich Housing Partnership

The Ipswich Housing Partnership and Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board will hold a joint meeting to adopt minutes, receive a coordinator update, and discuss the process for updating the 2026-2031 Housing Production Plan, including forming a steering committee and defining its mission. They will also review the status of various housing projects and initiatives.

• Overview and schedule for updating the 2026-2031 Ipswich Housing Production Plan
• Formation of a Housing Production Plan Steering Committee
• Discussion of the committee's purpose and mission statement
• Open discussion on status of various housing projects, programs, and initiatives

Open Space Committee

The Open Space Committee will meet in person to discuss several land conservation and stewardship items. Key topics include the acquisition and conservation restriction for 3 Candlewood Road, a public hearing for 55 Waldingfield, and updates on various stewardship projects.

• 3 Candlewood Road greenbelt acquisition and conservation restriction, with a Special Town Meeting scheduled for October 20, 2026
• 55 Waldingfield Planning Board public hearing on August 13, 2026
• Rosewood conservation restriction finalized
• Stewardship projects: Turner Hill signage, Strawberry Hill signage and causeway improvements, Peatfield Landing dock challenges, invasive plant management at Strawberry Hill and Nichols Field
• New trail connection at Jewett Hill/300 High Street property swap

Affordable Housing Trust Fund

The Ipswich Housing Partnership and Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board will hold a joint meeting to discuss the 2026-2031 Housing Production Plan update process, including forming a steering committee and drafting a purpose/mission statement. They will also receive a program coordinator update and discuss ongoing projects and initiatives. The meeting includes adopting prior minutes and public comment.

• Overview and schedule of the 2026-2031 Ipswich Housing Production Plan update
• Formation of a Housing Production Plan Steering Committee
• Discussion of purpose/mission statement for the plan
• Ipswich Housing Program Coordinator update
• Open discussion on status of various AHT/IHP projects, programs, and initiatives

Planning Board

The July 23, 2026 Planning Board meeting was canceled because not enough members were present. All scheduled public hearings were opened and immediately continued to August 13, 2026. No decisions or discussions took place.

• Continued public hearing for 214 High Street multi-family dwelling special permit continued to August 13
• New public hearings on zoning bylaw amendments (definitions, HB district, ADU sections) opened and continued to August 13
• Continued public hearing for indoor riding arena at 267 Topsfield Road
• New public hearing for Micro-Mech, Inc. site plan review at 35 Turnpike Road
• Director's update on Housing Production Plan, Downtown 3A/MBTA District, and state zoning bill noted but not discussed

Conservation Commission

The Ipswich Conservation Commission will meet remotely to discuss several matters, including a new ecological restoration notice of intent for the Ipswich Mills Dam Removal project, new notices of intent for construction projects, and ongoing enforcement actions. The agenda also includes requests for determination of applicability, stormwater management permits, and certificates of compliance.

• 65 and 44 South Main Street: Town of Ipswich ecological restoration NOI for Ipswich Mills Dam Removal project
• 1-5 Rosewood Drive: Conservation restriction approval for town project
• 31 Jeffreys Neck Rd: NOI for plunge pool and patio
• 47 Jeffreys Neck Rd: RDA for spraying invasive plants in cultural grasslands
• Enforcement matters at 58 Mitchell Rd, 36 Mitchell Road, and 103 Linebrook Rd

Shade Tree and Town Beautification Committee

The committee will discuss a tree donation from Corliss and its planting location, and consider how to improve the donation process. An update on the Cool Corridor Grant will be provided by Rick Clark. Other items include approval of prior minutes, street tree inventory, and a possible meeting schedule change for August.

• Tree donation from Corliss and planting location discussion
• Update on Cool Corridor Grant (Rick Clark)
• Islands discussion (Ann Wright)
• Street Tree Inventory update
• Possible skip of August meeting

Public Safety Facility Committee

The Public Safety Building Committee will discuss strategies to gain public support for the proposed new public safety building ahead of a Special Town Meeting on September 8, 2026, and a ballot vote on September 22, 2026. The meeting also includes time for citizen queries and approval of minutes.

• Discussion of strategies for public support for the proposed new public safety building
• Special Town Meeting scheduled for September 8, 2026
• Ballot vote scheduled for September 22, 2026

Climate Resiliency Committee

The Climate Resiliency Committee will hear a manager update and review a draft of Ipswich's climate history documentation, then discuss next steps for scheduling a meeting with the Town Manager. The agenda includes citizen queries and approval of prior minutes.

• Climate Manager R. Mitchell provides updates
• Review of Ipswich climate history draft documentation
• Scheduling next steps for Town Manager meeting

Board of Assessors

This meeting of the Board of Assessors has been cancelled. No business will be conducted.

Board of Assessors

The Ipswich Board of Assessors will meet to approve prior minutes, sign tax commitments, and discuss general valuation. An executive session is planned to deliberate on real and personal property, motor vehicle, and boat abatements, as well as statutory exemptions.

• Approval of prior meeting minutes
• Signing of motor vehicle, boat, real estate, or personal property commitments and monthly totals
• General valuation discussions
• Executive session to discuss and act on abatements and exemptions under MGL c.59 S60 and Ch. 59 S5

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Ipswich Zoning Board of Appeals will hold public hearings on two property-owner requests to convert a deck into living space and add a small pantry that would slightly exceed setback and lot-coverage limits. The board will also approve the minutes from its June 18 meeting.

• 4 River Court: special permit/variance to convert 384 sq. ft. deck into living space in Intown Residential (IR) zone
• 30 Plover Hill Road: special permit/variance to build 48 sq. ft. pantry addition, reduce rear setback from 25 ft to 19 ft, and raise lot coverage from 21% to 21.4% in Rural Residential B (RRB) zone

Cemetery & Parks Commission

The Ipswich Cemetery & Parks Commission is meeting on July 16, 2026. The agenda contains only standard procedural items: citizen queries, approval of minutes, old business, new business, and setting the next meeting date. No specific decisions or discussions are listed.

• No specific items of business are listed on the agenda.

Water Subcommittee

The Water & Wastewater Subcommittee will discuss a seasonal rate factor, a residential winter water rate adjustment, and rate adjustment considerations during drought. They will also receive updates on the Town Wharf Sewer Pump Station relocation and the Drinking Water Treatment Plant projects.

• Seasonal Rate Factor Discussion
• Residential Seasonal (Winter) Water Rate Adjustment
• Rate Adjustment Considerations During Drought
• Town Wharf Sewer Pump Station Relocation Project Update
• Drinking Water Treatment Plant Project Update

Waste Water Subcommittee

The Ipswich Water & Wastewater Subcommittee will discuss a seasonal rate factor for residential winter water rates and rate adjustment considerations during drought. They will also receive updates on the Town Wharf Sewer Pump Station relocation and the Drinking Water Treatment Plant project.

• Seasonal Rate Factor Discussion
• Residential Seasonal (Winter) Water Rate Adjustment
• Rate Adjustment Considerations During Drought
• Town Wharf Sewer Pump Station Relocation Project Update
• Drinking Water Treatment Plant Project Update

School Budget Subcommittee

The Ipswich School Budget Subcommittee will hear reports on closing out FY2026 and opening FY2027, including an updated budget book. Members will discuss the school bus contract to be awarded July 31, including vendor proposals and the cost impact of an electric bus option. The committee will also receive updates on school building projects and administrative stipends.

• School bus contract award set for July 31, 2026; discussion of vendor proposals and electric bus option costs
• FY2026 closeout report and FY2027 budget book update
• Internal audit of all FY26 salary accounts
• Formal summer procurements: transportation, school building OPM, boilers, athletic fieldhouse
• School Building Committee update: OPM procurement and revised project timeline

Ipswich Housing Authority

The Ipswich Housing Authority Board of Commissioners will meet to approve bills, review financial statements, and act on a change order and payment requisition for the Locksets Project #144102. The board will also consider a Memorandum of Agreement with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

• Locksets Project #144102 change order and payment requisition
• Memorandum of Agreement with International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
• Executive Director job description review
• June 2026 financial statements and maintenance report

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is meeting to handle routine administrative business, including approving a new member handbook and the chair handbook, assigning committee roles for 2027, and reviewing prior meeting notes. No major financial decisions or public hearings are on the agenda.

• Approval of new FinCom Member Handbook
• Approval of FinCom Chair Handbook
• 2027 Chair & Committee Assignments
• Subcommittee updates
• Review and approval of June 9, 2026 meeting notes

Historical Commission

The Ipswich Historical Commission will discuss updates on the Preservation Deed Committee project, the Ipswich Mill Strike, the budget, upcoming events, the Mary Conley Award, and the Turner Hill historic garage. They will also hear a report on a conversation with the Open Space Program Manager and review the June 8th meeting minutes.

• Preservation Deed Committee project updates from intern Sofia Caffo
• Seamus Kelley (Ipswich Museum Intern) – Ipswich Mill Strike
• Budget to be presented by the Treasurer
• Turner Hill – Historic Garage Updates
• Update on conversation with Open Space Program Manager (Asma Syed)

Electric Subcommittee

The Electric Light Subcommittee will discuss and vote on a draft IUI rate review recommendation and consider next steps for a USDA contract. Other items include a transition plan update, the 2025 DPU report, and a distributed energy resource policy concepts follow-up.

• Draft IUI Rate Review: Vote Subcommittee Recommendation
• Discuss USDA Contract Next Steps
• Commissioners Transition Plan Update
• 2025 Ipswich DPU Report
• Distributed Energy Resource Policy Concepts Follow Up

Select Board (Formerly Board of Selectmen)

The Select Board will meet as the Light Commissioners to vote on a draft IUI rate review recommendation and discuss next steps for a USDA contract. They will also receive a drought update, consider a sewer connection request for 31 Jeffreys Neck Road, and open the warrant for the October 20, 2026 Special Town Meeting.

• Drought update from V. Halmen
• Sewer extension request for 31 Jeffreys Neck Road
• Open warrant for October 20, 2026 Special Town Meeting
• Vote on draft IUI rate review recommendation
• Discuss USDA contract next steps for ReInvest Ipswich

Planning Board

The Ipswich Planning Board will hold two continued public hearings and two new public hearings, followed by a Director's Update on proposed zoning amendments for Fall Town Meeting and a vote to initiate the Housing Production Plan process. The continued hearings (for a multi-family dwelling at 214 High Street and an indoor riding arena at 267 Topsfield Road) have been postponed to July 23, 2026. The new hearings include a special permit and site plan review to convert the second floor of a nonconforming structure into an apartment at 196 High Street, and a Scenic Road approval for tree removal at 190 Argilla Road.

• Continued hearing: indoor riding arena at 267 Topsfield Road (RRA District) – postponed to July 23
• Continued hearing: raze single-family home and build multi-family dwelling at 214 High Street – postponed to July 23
• New hearing: special permit to convert 2nd floor into apartment at 196 High Street (HB District)
• New hearing: Scenic Road approval for tree removal at 190 Argilla Road
• Director's Update: proposed zoning bylaw amendments for Fall Town Meeting and vote to initiate Housing Production Plan

School Building Committee

The School Building Committee will discuss the Owner's Project Manager (OPM) Request for Services (RFS) and receive an update on the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) timeline. The committee will also vote on the minutes from the June 11, 2026 meeting.

• OPM RFS Discussion – M. Dougherty/ALL
• MSBA Timeline Update – T. Markham
• Vote – Meeting Minutes – 6/11/26 – M. Dougherty
• Citizens Queries – M. Dougherty

Select Board (Formerly Board of Selectmen)

The Select Board will hold a continued discussion on its strategic planning exercise. The agenda also includes time for citizen queries and announcements. No votes or public hearings are scheduled for this meeting.

• Continued discussion on Strategic Planning Exercise (7:10 PM)

Conservation Commission

The Ipswich Conservation Commission will meet remotely to continue several Notices of Intent (NOI) for projects including a house reconstruction and seawall repair at 31 Water Street, a new septic system at 15 Eagle Hill Road, and a raze/rebuild at 70 North Ridge Road. New enforcement matters include 124 North Ridge Road, while ongoing enforcement at 103 Linebrook Road (cutting and paving) and 324 Linebrook Road are continued. The meeting also includes small project permits, a stormwater management permit, and certificates of compliance.

• 31 Water St: NOI to reconstruct house and repair seawall (continued from 6-17-26)
• 15 Eagle Hill Rd: NOI for new septic system (continued from 6-17-26)
• 70 North Ridge Rd: NOI to raze and rebuild single-family dwelling (continued from 6-17-26)
• 124 North Ridge Rd: new enforcement matter
• 103 Linebrook Rd: enforcement for cutting and paving (continued from 6-17-26)