Town of Ipswich Shares Public Health Measures for Upcoming Town Meeting

IPSWICH — Town Manager Tony Marino and Director of Public Health Colleen Fermon announce that several measures will be implemented at the upcoming Town Meeting to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

The Town of Ipswich has not identified a new case of COVID-19 in the community since June 3. There have been a total of 71 cases of COVID-19 in Ipswich since March.

WHEN:

Saturday, June 27 at 9 a.m.

WHERE:

Fields and parking lot behind Ipswich Middle/High School at 134 High St.

WHAT:

The Town of Ipswich will implement several public health measures at the Annual Town Meeting in an effort to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 to all voters, town employees and volunteers attending the event.

Anyone who feels ill, is experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19 including cough, fever or shortness of breath, and/or has been exposed to someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 should not attend town meeting in person.

“Town Meeting is a critical moment each year when our community decides how funding will be allocated; this year, given the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re only considering warrant articles that are related to the budget,” Town Manager Marino said. “I’d like to thank everyone who has worked with us to plan this event and hold a meeting with responsible precautions in place amid COVID-19. I’d also like to thank our residents for their continued cooperation, patience and close adherence to public health guidance throughout this situation from local and state public health officials.”

At the meeting, tent seating will be available outdoors with chairs safely distanced at six feet apart. All who attend are also required to wear a mask, exempting children under age five and those with certain medical conditions. Masks will be available for those who do not bring their own. Residents will also be able to remain in their motor vehicles in the parking lot and tune in to radio station 87.9 to hear the meeting and vote electronically. Electronic voting will be available for all who attend and participate from the parking lot or under the tent.

Runners will be available with mics, which will be disinfected between uses, to allow residents to participate and debate.

To view the Town Meeting warrant, click here; to view the proposed operating budget for the fiscal 2021 (FY21) year, click here; and to view an informational video about both town meeting safety measures and warrant articles featuring Moderator Tom Murphy, click here.

Articles on the warrant feature topics residents will vote on including the municipal budget, school budgets, annual capital plan, water main replacement and wastewater infrastructure repair/replacement.