SENATE DOCKET, NO. 4020        FILED ON: 6/24/2026

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3147

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Bruce E. Tarr and Kristin E. Kassner

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
 Court assembled:

 The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to amend the town charter of Ipswich.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 4020        FILED ON: 6/24/2026

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3147

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act to amend the town charter of Ipswich.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

 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.