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Name: Salem General
Start: 2026-09-24
Location: Salem, MA

September 24, 2026 Final

Agenda PDF Official record ↗

Agenda — 33 items

In City Council September 24, 2026 ORDERED: The City Council hereby authorizes the Mayor to enter into a five-year contract with Via Transportation, Inc., doing business as River North Transit LLC of New York, New York for an on demand rideshare program.
The Interim City Clerk, Maureen Elizabeth Fisher, submitting the 2026 State Election Order:City of SalemElection Warrant2026 State ElectionCiudad de SalemOrden de eleccionesElecciones estatales de 2026In City Council, September 24, 2026En Ayuntamiento 24 de Septiembre, 2026ORDERED: That the meetings of the qualified voters of the City of Salem be held in the several voting precincts in the City at the polling places designated hereinafter on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 for the purpose of casting votes in the State Election for the candidates of political parties for the following offices:ORDENO: Que las reuniones de los votantes calificados de la Ciudad de Salem se lleven a cabo en los distintos precintos de votación de la Ciudad en los lugares de votación designados de aquí en adelante el martes 3 de Noviembre de 2026, con el fin de emitir votos en las Elecciones Primarias Estatales para los candidatos de los partidos políticos para los siguientes cargos:SENATOR IN CONGRESS For this CommonwealthSENADOR EN EL CONGRESO PARA ESTA MANCOMUNIDAD GOVERNOR For this CommonwealthGOBERNADOR PARA ESTA MANCOMUNIDAD LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR For this CommonwealthVICEGOBERNADOR PARA ESTA MANCOMUNIDADATTORNEY GENERAL For this CommonwealthMINISTRO DE JUSTICIA PARA ESTA MANCOMUNIDADSECRETARY OF STATE For this CommonwealthSECRETARIO DE ESTADO PARA ESTA MANCOMUNIDADTREASURER For this CommonwealthTESORERO PARA ESTA MANCOMUNIDADAUDITOR For this CommonwealthAUDITOR PARA ESTA MANCOMUNIDADREPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS Sixth DISTRICTREPRESENTANTE EN EL CONGRESO PARA SEXTO DISTRITOCOUNCILLOR Fifth DISTRICTCONCEJAL PARA QUINTO DISTRITOSENATOR IN GENERAL COURT Second Essex DISTRICTSENADOR DE LA LEGISLATURA ESTATAL PARA DISTRITO SEGUNDO DE ESSEXREPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT Seventh Essex DISTRICTREPRESENTANTE DE LA LEGISLATURA ESTATAL PARA DISTRITO SEPTIMO DE ESSEXDISTRICT ATTORNEY Eastern DISTRICTFISCAL DE DISTRITO PARA DISTRITO ESTEREGISTER OF PROBATE Essex COUNTYREGISTRO DE SUCESIONES PARA CONDADO DE ESSEXQuestion 1 Law proposed by initiative petitionDo you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives before May 6, 2026?________________________________________SummaryThis proposed law would make most records held by the Legislature and the Office of the Governor public records under the Massachusetts Public Records Law. This proposed law would exempt documents related to the development of public policy and communications between legislators and their constituents, if those communications are reasonably related to a constituent’s request for assistance in obtaining government-provided benefits or services or interacting with a government agency.________________________________________A YES VOTE would make most records held by the Legislature and the Office of the Governor public records under the Massachusetts Public Records Law.A NO VOTE would make no change to the Massachusetts Public Records Law.Question 2 Law proposed by initiative petitionDo you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives before May 6, 2026?________________________________________SummaryThis proposed law would specify that employees of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (“CPCS”) are permitted to engage in collective bargaining with their employer. It would also require CPCS, after executing a collective bargaining agreement, to request the appropriation necessary to fund such agreement from the Governor.________________________________________A YES VOTE would specify that Committee for Public Counsel Services employees may form a union to collectively bargain with their employer.A NO VOTE would make no change to the law governing labor relations for Committee for Public Counsel Service employees.Question 3 Law proposed by initiative petitionDo you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives before May 6, 2026?________________________________________SummaryThis proposed law would eliminate political party primaries for state elections and instead establish a system where there would be a single, all-party primary in which all candidates, regardless of their party affiliation, would be listed on one ballot, and voters could vote for any candidate on the ballot. The two candidates receiving the most votes in the primary would advance to the general election ballot.This proposed law would require candidates for governor and lieutenant governor to run and be listed jointly on the ballot in the primary.This proposed law would provide political party status to any group whose candidates for any statewide office received at least 3% of the ballots cast in the state primary.________________________________________A YES VOTE would eliminate separate party primaries for state elections and require a single primary in which all candidates appear on one ballot, voters could vote for any candidate, and the top two candidates would advance to the general election.A NO VOTE would make no change to the laws governing primary elections.Question 4 Law proposed by initiative petitionDo you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives before May 6, 2026?________________________________________SummaryThis proposed law would permit eligible individuals to register to vote or update their voter registration address on Election Day.An individual who is eligible to vote could register to vote on Election Day by going to the polling place in the precinct where they live during voting hours and presenting proof of residency and signing a written oath. Proof of residency could be a valid photo identification, or documentation showing the individual’s name and the address where the individual resides, such as a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, residential lease, wireless telephone statement, paycheck, current student fee statement or other document from a post-secondary school, or another government document or correspondence. The written oath would require the individual to certify that they are a citizen of the United States, are at least 18 years old, are not legally prohibited from voting, and have not and will not vote in the same election at another location. The oath would require the individual to acknowledge that providing false information is a felony punishable by not more than 5 years imprisonment or a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.If an individual did not present proof of residency, they would be allowed to cast a provisional ballot, which would be counted only if the individual returned to provide the required information before the close of polls for a municipal election; within two days after a state primary; or within six days after a state election.Individuals who register to vote on Election Day would be registered to vote in future elections as well as in the election taking place that day.Individuals who are already registered to vote would not be able to change their political party affiliation on Election Day.The proposed law would take effect on January 1, 2028.________________________________________A YES VOTE would permit eligible citizens to register to vote or to update their voter registration address at their polling place on Election Day.A NO VOTE would make no change to the laws governing voter registration.Question 5 Law proposed by initiative petitionDo you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives before May 6, 2026?________________________________________SummaryThis proposed law would change the limit on how much revenue the state can collect in a given year. The proposal would limit state revenue in a given year to the net amount of state revenue from the year before, increased by a rate equal to the average growth of wages and salaries in Massachusetts over the most recent three years. If revenue collected by the state in a given year exceeds the limit, the excess amount would be refunded to taxpayers the following year. The proposed law would include all revenue from the surtax on incomes over $1 million when calculating the revenue limit and when determining whether state revenue exceeds the limit.The provisions of the proposed law would all be effective as of July 1, 2027.The proposed law states that, if any of its parts were declared invalid, the other parts would stay in effect.________________________________________A YES VOTE would change the limit on state revenue collection, tying it to prior year collections plus average wage and salary growth, and provide for a rebate of revenue exceeding that limit.A NO VOTE would make no change in the law relative to state revenue collection.Question 6 Law proposed by initiative petitionDo you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives before May 6, 2026?________________________________________SummaryThis proposed law would establish a Nature for All Fund that, subject to appropriation by the Legislature, would receive 50% of state taxes collected from the sale and use of sporting goods, recreational vehicles, and golf courses for the first year of its operation. After July 1, 2028, the Nature for All Fund would begin receiving, subject to appropriation by the Legislature, 100% of state taxes collected on the sale and use of sporting goods, recreational vehicles, and golf courses. The sales tax revenue received by the Nature for All Fund would exclude sales tax revenue transferred to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority State and Local Contribution Fund and the School Modernization and Reconstruction Trust Fund. The proposed law would allow the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to spend the money in the Nature for All Fund for natural resource conservation.The proposed law would allow public and private donations to the Nature for All Fund. The proposed law would prevent the state comptroller from transferring surplus funds in the Nature for All Fund at the end of the fiscal year. It would also allow state agencies, municipalities, public charities involved in natural resource conservation, tribal governments, and other regional public entities to receive money from the Nature for All Fund.Natural resource conservation would include the conservation or restoration of land to protect drinking water, streams, rivers, lakes, coasts, farms, forests, connectivity between open spaces, and lands and natural resources of indigenous cultural significance. Natural resource conservation would also include the creation, improvement, and management of parks, trails, greenspaces or outdoor recreation access.The proposed law would establish a 15-member Nature for All Board that consists of five state officials and ten members of the public appointed by the Governor. The proposed law would require the ten members of the public to include representatives of underserved communities and indigenous peoples and at least one person with expertise or experience in natural resource conservation. The proposed law would allow the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to spend money from the Nature for All Fund to hire staff to manage the fund. The proposed law would also require the Nature for All Board to establish rules about how the money in the Nature for All Fund should be spent, including rules regarding alignment with environmental justice principles, access to and restoration of lands and natural resources of indigenous cultural significance, promotion of affordable housing development, and other matters regarding spending and bond issuance.The proposed law would require the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to submit an annual report to various state committees regarding the funds spent to buy or improve land in cities and towns containing environmental justice populations.The proposed law would take effect on July 1, 2027.________________________________________A YES VOTE would create a fund that could be utilized for natural resource conservation that would receive some state taxes collected on the sale and use of sporting goods and recreational vehicles, and the use of golf courses.A NO VOTE would not create this natural resource conservation fund or change how sales and use taxes are spent.Question 7 Law proposed by initiative petitionDo you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives before May 6, 2026?________________________________________SummaryThis proposed law would allow single-family homes to be built in a residentially zoned area as long as the land on which it is to be constructed is at least 5,000 square feet, has at least 50 feet of land bordering the street, road, or public way that it faces, and has access to public sewer and water services.The proposed law would allow cities and towns to reasonably regulate certain aspects of those single-family homes, including their height, distance from neighboring buildings, open space, parking requirements, and whether they can be rented out on a short-term basis. The proposed law would also allow the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to issue guidance or regulations to administer the proposed law.________________________________________A YES VOTE would allow single-family homes to be built on lots of 5,000 square feet or more in residential areas, subject to reasonable local regulation of certain aspects of those homes. A NO VOTE would make no change to the law relative to building single-family homes.A NO VOTE would make no change to the law relative to building single-family homes.Question 8 Law proposed by initiative petitionDo you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives before May 6, 2026?________________________________________SummaryThe proposed law would change the type and amount of marijuana that may legally be possessed in Massachusetts by repealing the laws that legalize, regulate, and tax the retail sale of adult recreational use marijuana in Massachusetts. The proposed law would also permit persons 21 years of age and older to possess 1 ounce or less of marijuana including no more than 5 grams in the form of concentrate, and to gift or transfer to another person 21 years of age and older 1 ounce or less of marijuana including no more than 5 grams in the form of concentrate. The proposed law would also impose a civil penalty of $100 and forfeiture of the marijuana for the possession of marijuana between the weight of 1 and 2 ounces.For persons 21 years of age and younger, the proposed law would make the possession of 2 ounces or less of marijuana a civil infraction subject to a $100 fine, forfeiture of the marijuana, completion of a drug awareness program and community service, and notification to their parents or legal guardian of the offense and penalties.The proposed law would allow currently licensed adult recreational marijuana businesses to apply on an expedited basis to become a licensed medical marijuana dispensary and to sell their remaining inventory of adult recreational marijuana to medical marijuana dispensaries. The proposed law would retain the Cannabis Control Commission but modify its authority so it would regulate only the medical marijuana market.The proposed law states that, if any of its parts were declared invalid, the other parts would stay in effect.The proposed law would take effect on January 1, 2028.________________________________________A YES VOTE would prohibit the legalization, regulation, and taxation of the retail sale of adult recreational use marijuana, and change the penalties for possession of marijuana.A NO VOTE would make no change to the law relative to marijuana.Question 8 Law proposed by initiative petitionDo you approve of a law summarized below, which was approved by the House of Representatives on July 18, 2024 by a vote of 124 to 33, and approved by the Senate on July 18, 2024 by a vote of 35 to 5?________________________________________SummaryThis law makes a number of changes to Massachusetts laws governing firearms.The law adds school administrators and licensed healthcare providers as parties permitted to ask a court to issue an Extreme Risk Protection Order – requiring an individual to surrender or relinquish their firearm licenses, permits, and firearms - if an individual is a present danger to self or others. The law also provides that, when issuing an Harassment Prevention Order, a court may also order the surrender of firearms licenses, permits, and firearms.The law imposes penalties for possessing, creating, and transferring untraceable “ghost gun” firearms and requires all firearms except antiques and relics, including unfinished frames and receivers that can be readily made into a finished product, to have serial numbers. The law includes privately-made guns like 3D-printed guns within the provisions governing untraceable “ghost gun” firearms.The law changes firearms licensing requirements to: (1) allow local licensing authorities to request prior license and permit information from the state, as well as access petitions for involuntary mental health commitments denied by a court in addition to prior involuntary commitments, as a part of their review of applications for licenses to carry firearms, firearm ID cards, and licenses to sell firearms; (2) require an individual to be 21 years of age to own semiautomatic rifles or shotguns; (3) add the possibility of incarceration of up to six months for a second offense of failing to report a firearm loss or theft; and (4) enable 12-15 year olds to apply for a self-defense spray permit with parental permission, and 15 to 18 year olds to apply independently.The law allows local firearm licensing authorities to transfer the responsibility to inspect firearm dealers to the State Police. The law requires local licensing authorities to attend statewide training regarding those inspections. It requires dealers to confiscate expired or suspended licenses and report them to the state and to local licensing authorities.The law changes the definition of “machine gun” to include bump stocks, trigger cranks, Glock switches and auto sears among the devices whose possession and use are subject to penalties. It expands the definition of “silencer” to include the parts used to construct a silencer.The law clarifies how to determine whether a firearm is an assault-style weapon and the circumstances under which a person may continue to possess assault-style weapons and large capacity feeding devices they already own.The law requires the state Firearm Control Advisory Board and the state Secretary of Public Safety and Security to review and update the rosters of prohibited assault-style firearms, approved firearms, and approved firearms sold for target shooting.The law clarifies requirements relating to the carry and transport of firearms in motor vehicles and ATVs. It prohibits the carrying of firearms in government buildings, polling locations, and schools, with certain exceptions.The law expands data compilation and reporting requirements to and from the state, and creates a publicly-accessible dashboard of anonymized aggregate firearm data, along with a commission to study that data.The law requires the State Police to provide training and a test for new applicants for licenses to carry or Firearm ID cards.The law establishes two special legislative commissions – one to examine funding for violence prevention services, and one to study emerging firearms technology.The law criminalizes discharging a firearm and striking a building in use.________________________________________A YES VOTE would keep in place the law, which increases the regulation of firearms, including ghost guns, machine guns, and assault-style weapons.A NO VOTE would repeal this law.Preguntas de la boleta electoral estatal de 2026Pregunta 1 Ley propuesta mediante petición de iniciativa popularAprueba usted la ley que se resume a continuación, sobre la cual ni el Senado ni la Cámara de Representantes votaron antes del 6 de mayo de 2026?________________________________________ResumenEste proyecto de ley convertiría la mayoría de los documentos en poder de la Legislatura y la Oficina del Gobernador en documentos públicos conforme a la Ley de Registros Públicos de Massachusetts. Esta propuesta eximiría los documentos relacionados con la elaboración de políticas públicas y las comunicaciones entre los legisladores y sus electores, siempre que dichas comunicaciones guarden una relación razonable con la solicitud de asistencia de un elector para obtener beneficios o servicios gubernamentales o para interactuar con una agencia gubernamental.________________________________________Un voto afirmativo convertiría la mayoría de los documentos en poder de la Legislatura y la Oficina del Gobernador en documentos públicos, de conformidad con la Ley de Registros Públicos de Massachusetts.Un voto negativo no supondría ningún cambio en la Ley de Registros Públicos de Massachusetts.Pregunta 2 Ley propuesta mediante petición de iniciativa popular¿Aprueba usted la ley que se resume a continuación, sobre la cual ni el Senado ni la Cámara de Representantes votaron antes del 6 de mayo de 2026?________________________________________ResumenEste proyecto de ley especificaría que los empleados del Comité de Servicios de Asesoría Jurídica Pública (CPCS) tienen permitido negociar colectivamente con su empleador. Asimismo, exigiría que, tras la firma de un convenio colectivo, el CPCS solicite al Gobernador la asignación presupuestaria necesaria para financiar dicho convenio.________________________________________Un voto afirmativo especificaría que los empleados del Comité de Servicios de Asesoría Jurídica Pública pueden formar un sindicato para negociar colectivamente con su empleador.Un voto negativo no supondría ningún cambio en la ley que rige las relaciones laborales de los empleados del Comité del Servicio de Asesoría Jurídica Pública.Pregunta 3 Ley propuesta mediante petición de iniciativa popular¿Aprueba usted la ley que se resume a continuación, sobre la cual ni el Senado ni la Cámara de Representantes votaron antes del 6 de mayo de 2026?________________________________________ResumenEsta propuesta de ley eliminaría las primarias de los partidos políticos en las elecciones estatales y, en su lugar, establecería un sistema de primarias únicas para todos los partidos, en las que todos los candidatos, independientemente de su afiliación partidista, aparecerían en una sola papeleta, y los votantes podrían votar por cualquiera de ellos. Los dos candidatos que obtuvieran la mayor cantidad de votos en las primarias pasarían a la votación de las elecciones generales.Este proyecto de ley exigiría que los candidatos a gobernador y vicegobernador se presenten a las elecciones y aparezcan juntos en la papeleta de votación en las primarias.Este proyecto de ley otorgaría estatus de partido político a cualquier grupo cuyos candidatos a cualquier cargo estatal recibieran al menos el 3% de los votos emitidos en las primarias estatales.________________________________________Un voto afirmativo eliminaría las primarias separadas de los partidos para las elecciones estatales y requeriría una sola primaria en la que todos los candidatos aparecerían en una sola papeleta, los votantes podrían votar por cualquier candidato y los dos candidatos más votados pasarían a las elecciones generales.Un voto negativo no supondría ningún cambio en las leyes que rigen las elecciones primarias.Pregunta 4 Ley propuesta mediante petición de iniciativa popular¿Aprueba usted la ley que se resume a continuación, sobre la cual ni el Senado ni la Cámara de Representantes votaron antes del 6 de mayo de 2026?________________________________________ResumenEste proyecto de ley permitiría a las personas que cumplan los requisitos registrarse para votar o actualizar su dirección de registro electoral el día de las elecciones.Una persona con derecho a voto puede registrarse para votar el día de las elecciones acudiendo al centro de votación de su distrito electoral durante el horario de votación, presentando un comprobante de domicilio y firmando una declaración jurada. El comprobante de domicilio puede ser una identificación con fotografía válida o documentación que muestre el nombre y la dirección de residencia, como una factura de servicios públicos, un extracto bancario, un cheque del gobierno, un contrato de alquiler, un estado de cuenta de teléfono móvil, un recibo de nómina, un estado de cuenta de matrícula estudiantil u otro documento de una institución de educación superior, o cualquier otro documento o correspondencia gubernamental. La declaración jurada requiere que la persona certifique que es ciudadana de los Estados Unidos, tiene al menos 18 años, no tiene prohibido votar por ley y no ha votado ni votará en las mismas elecciones en otro lugar. La declaración jurada también requiere que la persona reconozca que proporcionar información falsa es un delito grave punible con hasta 5 años de prisión o una multa de hasta $10,000, o ambas.Si una persona no presentaba prueba de residencia, se le permitiría emitir un voto provisional, que solo se contaría si la persona regresaba para proporcionar la información requerida antes del cierre de las urnas en una elección municipal; dentro de los dos días posteriores a una elección primaria estatal; o dentro de los seis días posteriores a una elección estatal.Las personas que se registren para votar el día de las elecciones quedarán registradas para votar en futuras elecciones, así como en las que se celebren ese mismo día.Las personas que ya estén inscritas en el censo electoral no podrán cambiar su afiliación política el día de las elecciones.El proyecto de ley entraría en vigor el 1 de enero de 2028.________________________________________Un voto afirmativo permitiría a los ciudadanos elegibles registrarse para votar o actualizar su dirección de registro electoral en su centro de votación el día de las elecciones.Un voto negativo no modificaría las leyes que rigen el registro de votantes.Pregunta 5 Ley propuesta mediante petición de iniciativa popular¿Aprueba usted la ley que se resume a continuación, sobre la cual ni el Senado ni la Cámara de Representantes votaron antes del 6 de mayo de 2026?________________________________________R
Order from National Grid to Install Conduits on Bridge St., in front of 252 Bridge St.Appearing in Favor:Appearing in Opposition
Order from National Grid to install Conduits on Naples Rd. at the intersection of Naples Rd. and Hemenway Rd.Appearing in FavorAppearing in Opposition
Order from National Grid to Install Conduits on Webb St., at the intersection of Webb St. and Fort Ave.Appearing in Favor:Appearing in Opposition
Order from GoNetSpeed to install and maintain underground fiber-optic facilities on Jefferson Ave.Appearing in Favor:Appearing in Opposition
Held from the last meeting The Mayor's Appointment of Samantha Stringfello of 44 Bay View Cir. to the Zoning Board of Appeals Term to Expire September 10, 2028.
The Mayor's Appointment of Darrien Marazzo of 1 Harbor St. to Zero Waste Salem. This is for Informational Purposes Only.
Held from the last meeting, the Mayor's Appointment of Elena Rodriguez-DePaul of 26 Linden St. to the Race Equity Commission.Term to Expire September 10, 2029
Report from the Planning Board regarding Zoning: Proposed Amendment to Section 3.1 Table of Uses: Data Centers
In City Council September 24, 2026 ORDERED: That the City Council herby approves and adopts the submittal of the City of Salem's Hazard Mitigation Plan Update, as prepared and submitted in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.
Councillor Hapworth offered the following report of the Committee on Public Health, Safety and Environment co-posted with the Committee of the Whole to whom was referred the mater of The Camping Ordinance to review the policy and get updates from our police department.Has considered said matter and would recommend: Action Unknow meeting held after agenda deadline
Request from National Grid to relocate 1 Jointly Owned Pole on Summit Ave. at the corner of Summit Ave and Eden St.
Request from the residents of Orne Sq. to hold a Block Party on October 31, 2026, from 3PM - 9PM.
Held from the last meeting, the Mayor's Appointment of Catrina Meyers 4 Willow Ave. to the Bicycling and Shared Path Advisory Committee Term to Expire February 10, 2028
RESOLUTION HONORING ILENE SIMONS - Retired City Clerk WHEREAS, Ilene Simons has devoted more than twenty-five years of service to the City of Salem and its residents, including service as Assistant City Clerk and, since 2018, as City Clerk; andWHEREAS, throughout her career, Ilene has served the people of Salem with professionalism, integrity, patience, good humor, and an unwavering dedication to public service; andWHEREAS, as City Clerk and Salem’s Chief Election Official, Ilene has overseen the fair, accurate, and orderly administration of our elections, faithfully safeguarding the democratic process and ensuring that Salem’s residents can exercise their most fundamental civic right with confidence; andWHEREAS, Ilene has been a trusted partner, confidant, counselor, and mentor to countless City Councillors, providing guidance rooted in deep institutional knowledge, sound judgment, and an enduring respect for the responsibilities of public office; andWHEREAS, through decades of service at the center of municipal government, Ilene has become a steward of the City Council’s institutional memory and a guardian of Salem’s civic history, customs, and traditions, preserving the continuity of an institution that extends far beyond any individual elected official; andWHEREAS, over those many years, Ilene has seen the full range of Salem’s famously engaged civic life, and has met it all with patience, steadiness, discretion, and good humor; andWHEREAS, her dedication to the City Council, City government, Salem’s residents, and the democratic institutions we share represents the very best of public service;NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Salem City Council, on behalf of the residents of the City of Salem, expresses its profound gratitude to Ilene Simons for her extraordinary service and for the wisdom, integrity, steadiness, and friendship she has brought to City Hall throughout her distinguished career; andBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Salem City Council extends its warmest congratulations to Ilene upon her retirement and its sincere wishes for happiness and fulfillment in the years ahead.
Councillor Varela offered the following report for the Committee on Ordinances, License and Legal Affairs Co-Posted with the Committee of the Whole to whom the matter was referred the matter relative to an Ordinance Amendment Relative to Living Wage Requirement for the City of Salem.Has considered said matter and would recommend the matter be discharged from the committee
In the year Two Thousand and Twenty-Six An Ordinance to amend an Ordinance relative to Offenses and Miscellaneous ProvisionsBe it Ordained by the City Council of the City of Salem, as follows:Section 1. Chapter 24 – Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions is hereby amended by addinga new section as follows:“Sect. 24-33 – Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers(a) PurposeThe use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers contributes to noise pollution, air contamination, and the release of harmful particulate matter. This ordinance seeks to protect the public health, welfare, and the environment by limiting the use of gas-powered leaf blowers, while also promoting the adoption of cleaner alternatives.(b) DefinitionsCommercial leaf blower operator: Any entity that receives income, remuneration, or compensation of any kind, whether as a fee, a charge, a salary, wages, or otherwise, for operating a leaf blower. All City Departments and their contractors are excluded from this definition.Gas-powered leaf blower: Any portable handheld or backpack style power device that is powered by a petroleum-based engine and used in any landscape maintenance, construction, property repair, or property maintenance for the purpose of blowing, moving, removing, dispensing, or redistributing leaves, dust, dirt, grass clippings, cuttings, and trimmings from trees and shrubs or any other type of litter or debris.Property Manager: Any tenant in possession or person or entity in control of real property, including, but not limited to, a condominium association.Property Owner: The legal owner of record of real property as listed by the tax assessor’s records.(c) Restrictions on UseThe use of gas-powered leaf blowers shall be prohibited in the City of Salem.
ORDERED: Per MGL Chapter 44 Section 64 which allows for a municipality to pay for prior fiscal year invoices using current fiscal year appropriations by two-thirds vote of the City Council we request the sum of Three Hundred Thirty Dollars and Zero Cents ($330.00) of an outstanding Fiscal Year 2025 invoice is hereby allowed to be paid from the Fiscal Year 2027 Engineering Department’s Solid Waste Fund budget (account 620032-5291) as listed below in accordance with the recommendation of His Honor the Mayor.Department Vendor Amount Engineering Department Hart Halsey LLC $330.00 Solid Waste Collection (620032-5291) Total $330.00
The City of Salem's Sustainability, Energy and Resiliency Committee (SERC) revised its Mission Statement. The original statement was written before the City created and staffed its Sustainability and Resiliency Department. For Informational Purposes Only.
Held from the last meeting, The Mayor's Appointment of Alphonse Wright 23 1/2 Broad St. to the Food Policy Council with a Term to Expire November 16, 2028.
ORDERED: Per MGL Chapter 44 Section 64 which allows for a municipality to pay for prior fiscal year invoices using current fiscal year appropriations by two-thirds vote of the City Council we request the sum of Nine Hundred Dollars and Eighty One Cents ($900.81) of an outstanding Fiscal Year 2026 invoice is hereby allowed to be paid from the Fiscal Year 2027 Parking Department’s electricity budget (account 14812-5211) as listed below in accordance with the recommendation of His Honor the Mayor.Department Vendor Amount Parking Department National Grid $900.81 Electricity (14812-5211) Total $900.81
#385 Section I. Section 3.1 Table of Principal and Accessory Use Regulations of the City of Salem Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended by adding in Section D Industrial Uses, after “Contractor’s yard; landscaping business”, the following, shown in underlined and italics: Section II. Section 10.0 Definitions is hereby amended by inserting the following definition after the definition for “COOP”: Data Center: A facility, or portion thereof, primarily designed or used to house computer servers and related information technology infrastructure for the storage, processing, management, or transmission of electronic data. A Data Center may include, but is not limited to, server racks, data storage systems, cooling systems, power conditioning equipment, substations, uninterruptible power supplies, backup generators, telecommunications equipment, security systems, and associated mechanical and electrical infrastructure. For purposes of this ordinance, a Data Center shall not be considered an Office, Warehouse, Manufacturing, or Research use. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Data Centers are prohibited in each and every underlying district, overlay district and special district of this Ordinance.
Communication from Veteran's Agent Kim Emerling requesting Councils consideration for the naming of a new Veteran Square - O’Neil Square: to be located at the corner of Lafayette Street and College Drive in Ward 7.US Army Captain Walter C. O’Neil resided at 386 Lafayette Street prior to his enlistment. He was employed at the Monroe and Arnold-Merritt Express company and was a Salem Police Reserve officer.
ORDERED: that the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs co-posted with the Committee of the Whole to meet to discuss Administrative Review for Reasonable Accommodations in their land use and zoning regulations for individuals with disabilities. See Attached for full description.
ORDERED: Per Salem’s Traffic Ordinance Section 20A – Experimental regulations for the purpose of trial, Dodge Street shall be one-way in an east bound direction from Dodge Street Court to Lafayette Street. This condition will be in effect from October 1 to October 31, 2026.
#387 Section I. Amend Section 5.1.8 Table of Required Parking Spaces by a. Deleting the phrase "Dwellings, two-family;” in the first row of the table B. Adding to the phrase "Dwellings, two-family;” to the second row of the table, so it reads:  <table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="bottom" style="width: 69.5842%; vertical-align: top;">Use</td><td valign="bottom" style="width: 30.4158%; vertical-align: top;">Required Parking</td></tr><tr><td valign="bottom" style="width: 69.5842%; vertical-align: top;">Dwellings, two-family; Dwellings, multifamily</td><td valign="bottom" style="width: 30.4158%; vertical-align: top;">None</td></tr></tbody></table> Section II. Amend Section 6.11.8 Parking and Loading a. Inserting the phrase "and two-family dwelling units" after “For multifamily dwelling units” at the beginning of the section.Section III. Amend Section 8.7.8.4 Development Standards. Parking Standards Section B. Parking Ratios, section i by inserting the phrase "and two-family dwellings" after “For multifamily dwellings”
ORDERED: Per MGL Chapter 44 Section 64 which allows for a municipality to pay for prior fiscal year expenses using current fiscal year appropriations by two-thirds vote of the City Council we request the sum of Ten Thousand Seven Hundred Sixty Eight Dollars and Forty Eight Cents ($10,768.48) of outstanding Fiscal Year 2025/2026 School Department salaries are hereby allowed to be paid from the Fiscal Year 2027 School Department’s budget (account 13930120-5171) as listed below in accordance with the recommendation of His Honor the Mayor.Department Description Amount School On Track Facilitators $6,832.00 Collective Bargaining Reserve 13930120-5171 School Language Evaluation and Family Advisor $3,936.48 Collective Bargaining Reserve 13930120-5171 Total $ 10,768.48
The Mayor's appointment of the following to the Taxpayer Relief Committee, with a Term to Expire September 24, 2029.Joe Ferrari 33 Roslyn St. SalemKathleen Walker 2 Derby Sq. SalemJill El-Ashkar 212 Canal St. Salem
In the year Two Thousand and Twenty-Six An ordinance relative to TrafficBe it ordained by the City Council of the City of Salem, as follows:Section 1. Section 49 of Article IV be amended by repealing the following:Lafayette Place – Obedience to Isolated Stop Signs – easterly bound traffic on Lafayette Place at Salem Street. (1/10/73 DPW 5-664)Lafayette Place – Obedience to Isolated Stop Signs – southwesterly bound traffic on Lafayette Place at Salem Street, "Obedience to Stop Signs". (12/7/06)Section 2. Section 51 of Article V be amended by repealing the following:Salem Street – Parking Prohibited on Certain Streets – easterly sideAnd inserting the following:Salem Street – Parking Prohibited on Certain Streets – easterly side beginning at the intersection with Lafayette Place and extending in a northerly direction for approximately fifty-six (56) feetSection 3. Section 51B of Article V be amended by inserting the following: Salem Street – Parking prohibited at certain times on certain streets – westerly side beginning at a point one hundred and thirty (130) feet from the intersection with Lafayette Place and extending in a northerly direction for approximately three hundred (300) feet. No parking, tow zone, except for school faculty, Monday through Friday September to June only 7:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.Salem Street – Parking prohibited at certain times on certain streets – easterly side beginning at a point one hundred and seventy-five (175) feet from the intersection with Lafayette Place and extending in a northerly direction for approximately one hundred and thirty (130) feet. No parking, tow zone, except for school faculty, Monday through Friday September to June only 7:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.Section 4. Section 74 of Article V-A be amended by inserting the followingSalem Street – General Prohibition Towing Zones – westerly side, beginning at the intersection with Lafayette Place and extending in a northerly direction for approximately one hundred and thirty (130) feet.Section 5. This ordinance shall take effect as provided by City Charter.
In the year Two Thousand and Twenty-six An Ordinance relative to Noise controlBe it ordained by the City Council of the City of Salem, as follows:Section I. Chapter 2 Noise Control, Sec. 22-6. – Special regulations relative to the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall and adjacent streets and sidewalks is hereby amended by:Inserting the phrase "the two public walkways abutting 20 Central Street running from Central Street to Derby Square" after the words "Cervoni Walkway" as they appear in Section 22-6(b)(2).Section II. This ordinance shall take effect as provided by City Charter.
In the year Two Thousand and Twenty-Six An ordinance relative to TrafficAn ordinance relative to Traffic, Ch. 42 Sec. 13B – Fire lanesBe it ordained by the City Council of the City of Salem, as follows:Section 1. Section 13B of Article I be amended by inserting the following:Beach Avenue – Fire Lanes – on the easterly side, beginning at the intersection with Sutton Avenue and continuing for twenty-five (25) feet in a southerly directionSutton Avenue – Fire Lanes – on the northerly side, beginning at the intersection with Beach Avenue and continuing for forty-five (45) feet in a westerly directionSection 2. This ordinance shall take effect as provided by City Charter.
Report from the Planning Board regarding Zoning Amendment for Two Family Dwelling Units: Parking Minimum

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