Select Board rejects working group on long-range capital planning.
Ipswich's Tri-Board rejects strategic planning working group, opts for separate lists. The Select Board, Finance Committee, and School Committee voted unanimously on January 7 to decline forming a collaborative Strategic Long-Range Working Group, instead directing each body to develop separate
Select Board (Formerly Board of Selectmen) · Meeting of January 7, 2026
Ipswich's Tri-Board rejects strategic planning working group, opts for separate lists. The Select Board, Finance Committee, and School Committee voted unanimously on January 7 to decline forming a collaborative Strategic Long-Range Working Group, instead directing each body to develop separate capital prioritization lists for future discussion. Interim Town Manager Thomas Younger and Finance Director Catherine Gabriel presented the FY27 budget overview, identifying a projected deficit requiring a multi-pronged revenue approach.
Gabriel will revise the budget based on updated new growth figures and Governor's House estimates. School Superintendent Dr. Blake reported on capital requests; Water/Wastewater Director Vicki Halmen provided updates on the Water Treatment Plant project, and Whittier Superintendent Maureen Lynch detailed three building options and a $2.5 million feasibility study for the Whittier School project, with the Regional Agreement Committee tasked to complete new regional agreement language within one year.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 384 words
Source: the Select Board (Formerly Board of Selectmen) meeting of January 7, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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