Select Board Approves $5 Million Federal Energy Loan
The Ipswich Select Board unanimously approved a $5 million USDA federal loan to fund residential energy improvements through the Electric Light Department's ReInvest Ipswich program.
Select Board (Formerly Board of Selectmen) · Meeting of August 17, 2026
IPSWICH — The Ipswich Select Board unanimously approved a $5 million USDA federal loan to fund residential energy improvements through the Electric Light Department's ReInvest Ipswich program. The Rural Energy Savings Program loan carries zero-percent interest over 20 years and is available to homeowners and renters for energy-efficiency and electrification improvements. ELD Manager Dylan Lewellyn said the Department plans to hire a full-time Community Liaison and could seek additional future funding.
In separate action, the Board voted 4-1 to approve Special Project 2026A, authorizing purchase of up to one megawatt of power, with Board member Linda D. Alexson opposing due to concerns about turbine blade incidents near Cape Cod. The Board also unanimously approved entertainment licenses for the Gather on the Green festival and reappointed Peter Soffron to the Shellfish Advisory Committee.
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Source: the Select Board (Formerly Board of Selectmen) meeting of August 17, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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