https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefsThe daily local brief for Ipswich, MA.en-ushttps://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-10-09https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-10-09Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000The Planning Board will hold a continued public hearing at 7:25 p.m. Thursday, October 15, in Room A at Town Hall, 25 Green St., on an application from GCTH Ipswich LLC to modify an existing special permit and site plan. The proposal would restore the historic Hill Garage at 251 Topsfield Road as rental housing supporting the golf course and wedding operation, and would add a garage. Two other hearings on that night's agenda, for 214 High Street and the new pump stations, have been continued to November 5 at the applicants' request.https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-10-08https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-10-08Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Kyndal Ray Edwards walked through Ipswich on October 7, day 1,002 of his cross-country trek, pushing a stroller bearing a 'YOU MATTER' sign. His walk raises awareness and funds for addiction recovery and mental health through the nonprofit Never Alone Recovery.https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-10-07https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-10-07Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000The Select Board discussed, but did not vote on, accepting a $389,879 SAFER grant that would help fund two additional firefighters for three years. The board has scheduled a decision for October 19, ahead of FEMA's October 22 deadline.https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-10-06https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-10-06Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Dan Kelly, the Republican candidate for the 2nd Essex District seat, said Monday he filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance against Democratic state Rep. Kristin Kassner. The complaint accuses Kassner of campaign finance violations tied to developer donations.https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-10-05https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-10-05Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000The Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, Ipswich Local News and Hamilton Wenham News host a free candidate forum for the Second Essex District state representative seat tonight from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at True North Ale Company. Incumbent Democrat Kristin Kassner and Republican Daniel Kelly will answer questions on a wide range of topics ahead of the Nov. 3 election. The public may submit questions through an online form, and ICAM will record the event.https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-10-04https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-10-04Sun, 04 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000The second annual Devil's Footprint Folklore Event runs today, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., on Meeting House Green at First Church in Ipswich, UCC. The day includes live music, food, local folklore, a George Whitefield reenactment sermon, children's activities and Devil's Footprint puppet shows. Admission is free, with an optional donation and a free RSVP requested to help organizers plan, and the event goes on rain or shine, with music and puppets moving inside to Fellowship Hall if the weather turns.https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-10-03https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-10-03Sat, 03 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000The School Committee declined to act on Special Town Meeting Article 9 until it is settled who controls the Town Hall fields. Part of the $22.2 million FEMA-funded wastewater pump station would be built on those fields. The committee may revisit the issue at its October 15 meeting.https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-10-02https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-10-02Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000State agricultural officials issued an alert October 1 asking North Shore residents to watch for the invasive spotted lanternfly after a confirmed detection in neighboring Topsfield. The alert comes during the insect's peak egg-laying season.https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-10-01https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-10-01Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000The Select Board, sitting as Water Commissioners, voted 4–1 on Sept. 28 to set the residential winter water rate at $11.69 per 100 cubic feet, down from $29.91. The new rate takes effect Oct. 1 and runs through April 30, 2027.https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-09-30https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-09-30Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000Ipswich Public Schools opens bids at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday for an owner's project manager to oversee the design, construction, addition to and/or renovation of Paul F. Doyon Memorial Elementary School on Linebrook Road. The request for services went out Aug. 12, and a pre-bid conference was held at the school on Sept. 4. Thomas Markham, the district's director of finance and operations, is the contact for the solicitation.https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-09-29https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-09-29Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000Leon Purington, who drove an Ipswich school bus for generations, died Sept. 21 at age 100. He was also the longtime general manager of Price's Car Dealership.https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-09-28https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-09-28Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000Ipswich Electric Light Department is partnering with New York-based Voltpost, MMWEC, Belmont Light and Hull Municipal Light Plant to retrofit existing utility poles into curbside electric vehicle charging stations. The initiative received $311,236 through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center's InnovateMass Gridtech Spotlight program, funding that will allow Voltpost to install its first pole charging stations in Massachusetts. MMWEC reported the partnership in the Summer 2026 issue of its Joint Action Newsletter.https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-09-27https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-09-27Sun, 27 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000The Select Board, also sitting as Water Commissioners, meets Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m. in Meeting Room A at Town Hall, 25 Green Street, with the session televised by ICAM. A public hearing on amending shellfish rules for commercial permit daily limits is set for 7:20 p.m., followed at 7:30 p.m. by the second of two water rate hearings. The agenda also includes the Town Wharf sea wall, an initial discussion of outdoor dining policy and a public safety facility discussion.https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-09-26https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-09-26Sat, 26 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000The National Weather Service's High Wind Warning for eastern Essex County remains in effect until 8 a.m. Sunday, with northeast winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts up to 60 mph. Forecasters say the winds will blow down trees and power lines, power outages are expected, and travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. A Coastal Flood Warning for shoreline flooding runs through 8 p.m. Sunday, and residents are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around.https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-09-25https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-09-25Fri, 25 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000With a coastal nor'easter forecast for the weekend, Russell Orchards crews are stripping 30% more apples from the trees most vulnerable to damaging winds across the 120-acre, 18,000-tree property just blocks from the ocean. The family-owned farm has also ramped up cider, hard cider and wine production to preserve more of its crop, and some cider normally sold fresh this weekend can be frozen for later use. "This is prime apple picking time," co-owner Miranda Russell said, noting the orchard draws upwards of 10,000 visitors on a busy fall weekend.https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-09-24https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-09-24Thu, 24 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000Ipswich voters narrowly approved $9.8 million in borrowing for a proposed public safety facility at Pineswamp and Linebrook roads, 952-945, in the September 22 special election. The project still cannot move forward, because the funding request fell short of the two-thirds majority required at the September 8 Special Town Meeting.https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-09-23https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-09-23Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000Ipswich Police began urging residents Monday to consider pulling their boats from the water ahead of a nor'easter forecast to reach the area this weekend, and repeated the advice Tuesday. Boaters who leave vessels in should add extra lines and make sure batteries are charged. The National Weather Service in Boston says the system is likely to bring strong winds, rough seas, rain and the potential for erosion and coastal flooding, with water levels running higher because the storm coincides with a full moon; its exact strength and track remain uncertain.https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-09-22https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-09-22Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000The Town of Ipswich says it has been made aware of a fraudulent scheme sending fake application fee requests by email and invoice to planning applicants. Officials stress those messages are not from the town, and that all application fees are handled in person at Town Hall. Residents are advised not to pay any such invoices or reply to the emails, and to contact the Planning Department directly.https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-09-21https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-09-21Mon, 21 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000The Town Clerk's Office closes to the public at noon Monday, Sept. 21, to prepare for Tuesday's Special Town Election. It reopens Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 8 a.m. Residents needing vital records, licenses or other clerk services should plan for the shortened Monday hours; marriage intentions are handled by appointment only.https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-09-20https://nanopress.net/ipswich-ma/briefs/2026-09-20Sun, 20 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000The Ipswich Museum launched a $1 million capital campaign on Sept. 19 to renovate its historic Carriage Barn. Plans call for converting the building into a Modern Arts and Education Center with classroom, arts-program and gathering space.