Ipswich Select Board weighs timing for Public Safety Building funding vote

The Ipswich Select Board discussed options on June 8 for scheduling a vote on funding the proposed Public Safety Building, weighing a standalone Special Town Meeting on Sept. 8 with a Special Election on Sept. 22 against placing the funding question on the Nov. 3 general election ballot by including it at an Oct. 20 Special Town Meeting.

Chair Michael Dougherty reviewed staff analysis showing a September standalone schedule would require a Sept. 8 meeting and a Sept. 22 special election, while including the question on the November ballot would pair an Oct. 20 Special Town Meeting with the Nov. 3 statewide election. Town Manager Brendan Sweeney told the Board the Commonwealth permits a local ballot question on the Nov. 3 general election ballot but not during the September primary, a constraint that informs the scheduling options.

Resident Dan Trindade urged the Board to include the funding request in the fall Special Town Meeting and election to maximize voter participation and to avoid the appearance of favoring one side through a standalone special election. He also asked whether the project funding includes traffic improvements at the Pineswamp Road and Linebrook Road intersection.

Board members discussed trade-offs including cost, logistics, voter turnout and outreach. Vice Chair Carl Nylen said he favored waiting until the October Special Town Meeting and November election, citing lower cost and reduced confusion. Select Board member Sarah Player asked for additional information on the financial impact of delaying the vote from September to November before the Board makes a decision and suggested staff explore moving the October session to a Saturday to increase participation.

The Board did not take a final vote on scheduling at this meeting and agreed to return with the requested additional information to inform a future decision.