By Mr. Tarr and Ms. Kassner of Hamilton, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 3147) of Bruce E. Tarr and Kristin E. Kassner (by vote of the town) for legislation to amend the town charter of Ipswich. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]
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Date
Branch
Action
7/22/2026
Joint
7/22/2026 JointHearing rescheduled to 07/22/2026 from 10:00 AM-10:25 AM in A-1 — Hearing updated to New End Time
7/22/2026
Joint
7/22/2026 JointHearing rescheduled to 07/22/2026 from 10:00 AM-10:25 PM in A-1 — Hearing updated to New End Time
7/10/2026
Joint
7/10/2026 JointHearing scheduled for 07/22/2026 from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM in A-1
7/1/2026
House
7/1/2026 HouseHouse concurred
6/29/2026
Senate
6/29/2026 SenateReferred to the committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
SECTION 3 of the charter of the town of Ipswich, which is on file in the office of the archivist of the commonwealth, as provided in section 12 of chapter 43B of the General Laws, is hereby amended by striking out the section in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following: -The select board shall appoint and may remove election, officers, registrars of voters (except the Town Clerk), Trust Fund Commissioners, Town Accountant, Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Town Manager. The treasurer and Collector shall be appointed by the select board as provided in chapter two hundred and fifty‑one of the acts of nineteen hundred and sixty‑three, which was accepted by the town of Ipswich in March nineteen hundred and sixty‑four and which shall not be affected by this act in any way. The Town Accountant and the Treasurer and Collector shall, in their performance of their duties, be subject to the general supervision and direction of the Town Manager.
▸SECTION 2
SECTION 5 of the charter of the town of Ipswich, is hereby amended by striking out the section in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following:-In addition to the select board, the registered voters of the Town shall elect a moderator, a constable, an electric light commission of five members, a school committee of seven members and a housing authority of five members, each to be elected in accordance with the practices in effect for the election of such officials prior to the acceptance of this act. Any of said officials holding office at the time of the acceptance of this act shall serve out the official's elected term.
▸SECTION 3
SECTION 20 of the charter of the town of Ipswich, is hereby amended by striking out the section in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following: In addition to the above mentioned boards, committees or officers, Town Manager may establish and appoint the members of such advisory boards or committees as the town manager deems necessary. Such boards or committees may include, but need not be restricted to, a water‑sewer advisory board, mosquito control committee, traffic safety committee, building code committee, public safety advisory committee, and personnel advisory board.
▸SECTION 4
SECTION 22 of the charter of the town of Ipswich, is hereby amended by striking out the section in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following: - The Electric Light Department in existence at the time of acceptance of this act shall continue in force and effect. Said department shall be under the direct supervision of an officer to be known as the Electric Light Manager, who shall be appointed by and responsible to the Electric Light Commissioners.
Select Board shall continue to act as Electric Light Commissioners, with the advice of the Electric Subcommittee, until the November 2026 state election when five commissioners will be elected to terms as specified in MGL Chapter 164, Section 55.
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SECTION 1. SECTION 3 of the charter of the town of Ipswich, which is on file in the office of the archivist of the commonwealth, as provided in section 12 of chapter 43B of the General Laws, is hereby amended by striking out the section in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following: -The select board shall appoint and may remove election, officers, registrars of voters (except the Town Clerk), Trust Fund Commissioners, Town Accountant, Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Town Manager. The treasurer and Collector shall be appointed by the select board as provided in chapter two hundred and fifty‑one of the acts of nineteen hundred and sixty‑three, which was accepted by the town of Ipswich in March nineteen hundred and sixty‑four and which shall not be affected by this act in any way. The Town Accountant and the Treasurer and Collector shall, in their performance of their duties, be subject to the general supervision and direction of the Town Manager.
SECTION 2. SECTION 5 of the charter of the town of Ipswich, is hereby amended by striking out the section in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following:-In addition to the select board, the registered voters of the Town shall elect a moderator, a constable, an electric light commission of five members, a school committee of seven members and a housing authority of five members, each to be elected in accordance with the practices in effect for the election of such officials prior to the acceptance of this act. Any of said officials holding office at the time of the acceptance of this act shall serve out the official's elected term.
SECTION 3. SECTION 20 of the charter of the town of Ipswich, is hereby amended by striking out the section in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following: In addition to the above mentioned boards, committees or officers, Town Manager may establish and appoint the members of such advisory boards or committees as the town manager deems necessary. Such boards or committees may include, but need not be restricted to, a water‑sewer advisory board, mosquito control committee, traffic safety committee, building code committee, public safety advisory committee, and personnel advisory board.
SECTION 4. SECTION 22 of the charter of the town of Ipswich, is hereby amended by striking out the section in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following: - The Electric Light Department in existence at the time of acceptance of this act shall continue in force and effect. Said department shall be under the direct supervision of an officer to be known as the Electric Light Manager, who shall be appointed by and responsible to the Electric Light Commissioners.
Select Board shall continue to act as Electric Light Commissioners, with the advice of the Electric Subcommittee, until the November 2026 state election when five commissioners will be elected to terms as specified in MGL Chapter 164, Section 55.