Public hearing on warrant to expand Select Board to five members draws discussion of trade-offs

The New Ipswich Select Board opened a public hearing Tuesday on a petition warrant article that would expand the board from three to five members.

A staff summary compiled minutes and findings from other towns and outlined typical pros—greater quorum flexibility, reduced individual workload, and broader perspectives—and cons, including higher administrative costs, longer deliberations and potential for factionalism. Board members and one member of the public asked procedural and budgetary questions; the chair noted stipends cited in the discussion (approximately $1,600 for the chair, $1,400 for other members) and estimated the incremental cost if two additional members were approved.

Supporters at the hearing said a five-member board could distribute liaison duties and reduce the strain when members are absent. Opponents flagged the difficulty many small towns face recruiting qualified volunteers and the risk that appointed replacements could undercut the diversity argument.

Select board member Lou, who took part in drafting the petition, said he supported the change to spread workload and increase capacity. "I was for it from the very beginning and I still am," Lou said. Other members emphasized the change would go before voters and that the town’s legal counsel had reviewed the terse wording of the warrant article as adequate for ballot placement.

The select board closed the public comment portion with no board vote on the policy change; the question will proceed to the ballot for voter decision. Board members said they will verify relevant RSA requirements and confirm whether the article requires a simple majority or a different threshold before finalizing warrant language.