The Planning Board consists of five regular and one associate member, all of whom are appointed by the Town Manager for five year terms. The current Board members are: Timothy Purinton, Co-Chair, James Manzi, Co-Chair, Robert L. Weatherall,  Cathy Chadwick and Brian Hone. Suzanne Benfield is the associate member. The Planning Board meets every three weeks on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. in Town Hall.  The meeting schedule is posted on the Town calendar.

The Ipswich Planning Board is authorized under the Massachusetts General Laws to regulate the laying out and construction of ways in subdivisions and to insure the safety, convenience and welfare of the present and future residents of Ipswich. The Board is also authorized by the Ipswich Protective Zoning Bylaw to approve site plan review applications for all non-residential development and to grant special permits for various residential and non-residential uses.

Application forms for special permits, site plan review, subdivisions (both preliminary and definitive), adequacy of access, and “approval not required” are available on the website link referencing Files & Forms for Download and from the Department of Planning & Development.