Yes on Article 22
At the New Ipswich Town Warrant deliberative session the final article (#22) caused a passionate discussion over the town’s determining where its citizens donate money. This is a fair point if the choice is not predicated on an organization providing services to townspeople. However, New Ipswich residents do receive assistance from various area service organizations.
These providers often send letters of solicitation with statistics of local towns’ usage. Historically, New Ipswich has approved donations to multiple organizations via a warrant article. This was discontinued two years ago. Article 22 seeks to reinstate the expenditure.
The 12 organizations listed have received donations in the past and they were researched by the petitioner to be sure their goals are not political or controversial.
Individually, we may not be aware of our neighbors’ needs, but these charitable organizations are, and they are trying to do something about it. It behooves us to be as generous as we are able given that our town does not provide a wide range of social services. In the future, the specific organizations and the donation amount might be debated (at a designated Select Board meeting?)
Please consider voting “Yes” on Article 22.