#Kerry Mackin

[thelocalnewsma]

In a drought? Too bad. That's your problem

In a drought? Too bad. That's your problem #IpswichMA #NorthShoreMA #water

BOSTON — While Ipswich wants area towns to stop sucking the river dry, Manchester sees water restrictions as a heavy burden on its ability to raise income. Backed by the Massachusetts Water Works Association, among others, Manchester-by-the-Sea’s water director, Charles Dam, said water restrictions should be a local issue. He acknowledged that Manchester’s summer water use is high but resisted…

[thelocalnewsma]

Dogs to stay in house overnight

Dogs to stay in house overnight #IpswichMA #serviceDogs #charity #GreatDanes #dogs

Lack of human contact due to Covid and stress absorbed from the remaining worried humans were said to be contributing factors in barking outbursts at the Service Dog Project (SDP). Based on Boxford Road, the nonprofit was the subject of noise complaints from local residents that ultimately led to a hearing before the select board. The board voted 3-1 Monday to require the SDP to keep its dogs…

[thelocalnewsma]

Ipswich River named as one of 10 most threatened in America

Ipswich River named as one of 10 most threatened in America #IpswichMA #NorthShoreMA #HamiltonMA #TopsfieldMA #BeverlyMA @AmericanRivers

NORTH SHORE — The poor old Ipswich River has just earned a dubious distinction: It’s been named one of the 10 most endangered in America. That takes some doing in a country with more than 250,000 rivers. “Excessive water withdrawals are sucking the river dry, putting both the ecosystem and the region’s water security atrisk,” according to the nominating organization, American Rivers. It called…

[thelocalnewsma]

Citizen 0 for 5 with petitions, one described as "gotcha"

Citizen 0 for 5 with petitions, one described as "gotcha" #IpswichMA

IPSWICH — What’s not to like about the Bill of Rights? Nothing it seems. But being asked to reaffirm your support for it feels like a “gotcha,” said Selectperson Willy Whitmore. The reaffirmation proposal is one of five citizens petitions submitted by resident Ed Marsh for discussion at town meeting May 15. But, in its review Monday, the select board said town meeting should reject all five…

[thelocalnewsma]

Public-private proposal made to replace broken wind turbine

Public-private proposal made to replace broken wind turbine #IpswichMA

IPSWICH — A Rhode Island company has told the select board it can replace the broken wind turbine at the end of Town Farm Road. “Broken turbines are very obviously broken. It’s not something that looks good in town,” Hannah Morini said at Monday’s meeting. “But most importantly, they are safety hazards,” she added. Director of business development with Green Development LLC of Cranston, R.I.,…

[thelocalnewsma]

Water-rate raise set for review

Water-rate raise set for review #IpswichMA

IPSWICH — The select board has voted unanimously to revisit its decision to increase water rates by 13% and sewer rates by 10%. The vote was taken at Monday night’s meeting after the matter was raised during “old business” by chair Linda Alexson. “I’ve been really troubled and have serious concerns,” Alexson said of the board’s 3-2 vote to raise rates above what was requested by the water…

[thelocalnewsma]

Automatic lawn sprinkler ban suggested

Automatic lawn sprinkler ban suggested #Ipswich

IPSWICH — Should automatic lawn irrigation systems be banned in town? It was a question thrown out there Monday night by Selectperson Willy Whitmore. In a discussion about water rates at the board’s meeting, he suggested an article be brought to town meeting May 15 to ban automatic lawn sprinklers. “I really think this is something we should get to soon,” Whitmore said. While other board…

[thelocalnewsma]

Water forum to focus on Essex Road 40B

Water forum to focus on Essex Road 40B #IpswichMA

IPSWICH — A special forum called by the select board will concentrate on water issues related to the proposed Essex Road 40B. The forum will be held Monday, Jan. 11, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. over Zoom. The meeting was called against a backdrop of intensifying opposition to the proposal to build 191 apartments and townhouses around the Bruni Marketplace. Dubbed Essex Pastures, the plan is still…

[thelocalnewsma]

Time allotted for water discussion dries up

Time allotted for water discussion dries up #IpswichMA #environment #water

IPSWICH — After photos of dead fish had driven the point home and the public was ready to speak, discussion about the state of the Ipswich River — and water in general — had to be deferred to a special forum in a few weeks time. The select board’s last meeting before Christmas saw around 40 people sign on before Selectperson Kerry Mackin began her presentation on the state of the…

[thelocalnewsma]

Alexson to chair select board

Alexson to chair select board #IpswichMA

Thanks to a pandemic that infected millions and killed over 130,000 nationwide, Selectperson Willy Whitmore got to be chairman for a few months longer.

But his reign came to an end Monday night when the select board reorganized and voted in Linda Alexson as chairwoman for the coming year.

“Thank you for maybe the longest run of chairmanship that I know of,” quipped Selectperson Nishan…

[thelocalnewsma]

Water rates to increase July 1

Ipswich water rates to increase July 1 to full summer rates after a temporary respite in May and June #IpswichMA #water #drought

IPSWICH — After a temporary respite, the select board has voted 3-2 to increase water rates effective July 1.

Voting against were Nishan Mootafian and Linda Alexson. Voting for were Tammy Jones, Kerry Mackin and Willy Whitmore.

Summer rates were set to go into effect May 1, but the board voted to postpone the increase for two months due to economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

[thelocalnewsma]

No water waiver for developer; new residents caught in maelstrom

No water waiver for developer; new residents caught in maelstrom #IpswichMA

IPSWICH — The select board has voted unanimously not to grant Symes Associates a waiver from water restrictions on its Linebrook Road development, Sheppards Way.

The company sought the exemption because it is being fined daily for violating water restrictions brought in June 2.

Symes’ actions have been very unpopular around town with residents flooding the select board with complaints.

T…

[thelocalnewsma]

Anger at continued outdoor watering on Linebrook Road

Anger at continued outdoor watering on Linebrook Road #IpswichMA #water

IPSWICH — If last night’s water subcommittee meeting was anything to go by, developers on Linebrook Road will get nowhere asking for a water-ban exemption.

“It’s a pretty nice slap in the face,” said committee member Michael Dougherty of the company’s continued use during water restrictions.

Selectperson Linda Alexson, who is not a member of the water subcommittee, described Symes…

[thelocalnewsma]

Mandatory water restrictions announced

Mandatory water restrictions announced #IpswichMA

IPSWICH — After a winter with no snowpack and a sudden dry spell, it is now time to worry about water.

Town manager Tony Marino told the select board Monday that water levels were dropping.

He and Water and Wastewater Director Vicki Halmen then announced Tuesday mandatory water restrictions that ban a lot of outdoor uses (see below).

The restrictions are based on the town’s drought…

[thelocalnewsma]

Something stronger than new signs may be needed at Pavilion Beach

Something stronger than new signs may be needed at Pavilion Beach #IpswichMA #covid19 #openspace

IPSWICH — To prevent too many people getting together at one time, Pavilion Beach became “residents only” last week.

But there were still too many cars there at the weekend, town manager Tony Marino told the select board Monday.

He cautioned that the next step might be to close the parking lot but still let people walk or cycle there.

The concern about outdoors crowds comes as more…

[thelocalnewsma]

Call to postpone water rate increase and impose water restrictions

Call to postpone water rate increase and impose water restrictions #IpswichMA #covid19

IPSWICH — Just a few short weeks and one global pandemic after the select board voted to increase water rates, one member has asked for the decision to be revisited.

Citing the severe economic fallout likely as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, Selectperson Linda Alexson said the seasonal summer water rate increase planned for May 1 would “compound people’s financial hardship.”

“This is the…