Public Safety snubbed at Town Meeting but passes at election.

At the May 12, 2026 Ipswich Town Meeting, by an 8 vote margin, voters failed to secure a 2/3 majority to approve funding for construction of a new Public Safety building. For 73 years, the town has tried to replace the Central St. Fire Department, constructed in 1907 for horse-drawn fire trucks.

Town Meeting’s failure to approve the article left the ballot question on the May 19 election without legal effect, because under Massachusetts Law, a debt exclusion is required to pass two thresholds: a two-thirds majority at Town Meeting, which authorizes a ballot question at Town election which passes by a simple majority.

Ipswich Public Safety Building — The new Ipswich Public Safety building would be at the intersection of Linebrook and Pineswamp Roads.

The 59.9% majority in favor a week after Town Meeting at the May 19 town election (910 Yes votes, 608 No votes) sent a strong message to the Select Board. In an article in the Local News, Select Board Chair Charles Surpitski said it is his understanding that if there is an “affirming vote of support” on Tuesday May 19, the board could consider calling a Special Town Meeting.

The Ipswich Central Street Fire Department in 1930

The Selectmen of the town of Ipswich submitted a plan at the 1953 annual Town Meeting to extend the Central Street fire station, with offices for police, parking for cruisers and ambulances, and a courtroom for the Clerk of Courts. The estimated cost of $77,000 was rejected by the voters.

15 Elm Street Ipswich MA — The Police Department operates out of a 1920s building on Elm Street that was used as the Water and Electric Department office from 1937-77. In 1977, the Town Meeting allocated $95,000 to convert it to a police station.

At Tuesday night’s town meeting, several opponents of the new public safety building made the incredulous argument that now is not the time, because a new elementary school should be constructed first.

The former Manning High School is on the left in this 1907 photo of the Ipswich Central Street Fire Department. The town has constructed three new High Schools since this photo was taken.

The Winthrop School on Central Street was constructed in the 1950s, replacing this previous building with the same name.

1920s photo of girls at the former Manning School. The earlier Winthrop School is in the background.

1894: the Year that Ipswich Burned

1 thought on “Public Safety snubbed at Town Meeting but passes at election.”

Peter Flato May 13, 20269:20 pm Reply

The town of Ipswich is still in the 1700s. The schools are functioning and a lot more up to date and current compared to the police and fire departments facilities. Keep kicking the can down the road and complaining about the cost and the design and location… Costs will only go up. Ipswich is turning into a third world town compared to our neighboring towns.