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Ipswich officials seek to remove town‑manager residency rule to widen candidate pool
Summary
The Ipswich Select Board and state legislators asked the committee to advance a charter amendment (H.4243) removing a requirement that a town manager reside in Ipswich upon beginning a second term; town meeting earlier approved the change by 506–135.
Municipal officials from Ipswich asked the Joint Committee to advance a home rule petition, H.4243, that would remove the town charter’s requirement that a town manager become an Ipswich resident when appointed to a second term. Charles Serpitsky, speaking for the Ipswich Select Board, said the change would increase the candidate pool for a currently vacant permanent town‑manager position and that a residency requirement could force candidates to uproot families and children. He said the Select Board unanimously supports the amendment and that Ipswich Town Meeting approved the change by a vote of 506 in favor and 135 opposed. Serpitsky added that most Massachusetts towns do not impose residency requirements for town managers. Senator Joan Lovely, representing sponsors, and Representative Kasner thanked the traveling delegation for appearing; the committee did not take a formal vote on the home‑rule petition at the hearing.
