City Council

City of Salem, Massachusetts Office of the City Clerk Ilene Simons Room 1 City Clerk City Hall October 15, 2024 MEETING NOTICE AND AGENDA The Salem City Council will hold its regular meeting in-person on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers, 93 Washington Street, 2nd floor for the purpose of discussing any and all business. In-Person shall be the primary method of public access to such meetings. A secondary method of public access may be provided, if technologically feasible through Salem Access Television, and/or remotely through Zoom. See below for remote access and SATV information. Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85457938627?pwd=2UQbbZ8vXW4NaQgkkuTNmSh54qxjhZ.1 Password: 122170 Go to the website link https://zoom.us/join. Enter Webinar ID: 854 5793 8627 followed by the meeting password noted above in necessary. Or by Telephone: Participants can dial a toll-free number at 877-853-5257 (Toll Free) or 888- 475- 4499 (Toll Free). When prompted, enter Webinar ID: 854 5793 8627 follow the instructions to join the meeting. For those dialing in, you may press *9 to raise your hand to speak if signed up for public testimony or to participate in the public hearing portion of the agenda (if applicable). The public may also watch the meeting live on SATV on Channel 22. Please note that it is the intent of the City Council that its meetings be available to the public in person, remotely and through Salem Access Television. Very truly yours, ATTEST: ILENE SIMONS CITY CLERK “When in person, individuals requiring auxiliary aids and services for effective communication such as sign language interpreter, an assistive listening device, or print material in digital format or a reasonable modification in programs, services, policies, or activities, may contact the City of Salem ADA Coordinator at (978-619-5630) as soon as possible and no less than 2 business days before the meeting, program, or event.” Assistive Listening System is available for City Council Meetings. Those interested in utilizing these devices for meetings at 93 Washington Street may contact the City Clerk’s Office at 978-745-9595 ext. 41200 or isimons@salem.com. “Know Your Rights Under the Open Meeting Law, M.G.L. c. 30A ss. 18-25, and City Ordinance Sections 2-2028 through 2-2033.”  2 CITY OF SALEM OCTOBER 17, 2024 REGULAR MEETING A Regular Meeting of the City Council was held in-person on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 7:00 P.M. for the purpose of transacting any and all business. Notice of this meeting was posted on October 15, 2024, at 1:35 P.M. This meeting is being recorded and is live on S.A.T.V. and Zoom unless technological issues interrupt the transmission. Councillors absent: Council President Hapworth presided. Councillor moved to dispense with the reading of the record of the previous meeting. VOTED President Hapworth requested that everyone please rise to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Salem City Council Land Acknowledgment The Salem City Council honors that this land is Naumkeag, or fishing place, where generations of Naumkeag people from the Pawtucket band of the Massachusett Tribe lived and passed through for centuries. We acknowledge that this is unceded Indigenous land and also acknowledge the Massachusett Tribe, who continue to honor and hold this land into the present. Salem’s City Council is committed to having ongoing meaningful dialogue with the indigenous peoples who have presence in Salem in order to dismantle the legacies of oppression and inequities that persist today. PUBLIC TESTIMONY Public Testimony not to exceed 15 minutes. Public Testimony is not a public hearing or question and answer period. Sign up must occur 30 minutes prior to meeting. The President shall, depending on the number of speakers, set a time limit, not to exceed three minutes, which each individual presenting testimony must abide. How to Sign Up: You may participate in Public Testimony in-person or remotely, if technologically feasible by either of the following two methods: 1. On-line form by using the link below: https://records.salem.com/Forms/PublicMeetingSpeaker This form will be available beginning 6:30 P.M. on the Tuesday before the meeting and remains open until 6:30 P.M. on the day of the Council Meeting. This form requests information such as your name, address, and whether you will attend in person or remotely.  3 CITY OF SALEM OCTOBER 17, 2024 REGULAR MEETING If the on-line form is not available due to technology issues, you must use option #2. In addition, if you signed up for public testimony on zoom, we will allow you to speak as long as it is technologically feasible. 2. You may also sign the roster in the City Clerk’s Office, no later than 6:30 P.M. on the date of the meeting.  4 CITY OF SALEM OCTOBER 17, 2024 REGULAR MEETING HEARINGS Held from the last meeting a request from National Grid to install 1 Jointly Owned Pole and Relocate 2 Jointly Owned Poles on Canal St. at the intersection of Canal St. and Kimball Rd. APPEARING IN FAVOR: APPEARING IN OPPOSITION: Action Contemplated Councillor Cohen Moved to close the Public Hearing Voted Councillor Cohen Moved Granted Voted *The Hearing from Comcast to install Conduits on Hawthorne Blvd., for service at 13 Hawthorne Blvd. will be held November 14, 2024, due to Notice requirements to Abutters.  5 CITY OF SALEM OCTOBER 17, 2024 REGULAR MEETING APPOINTMENTS AND REAPPOINTMENTS Held from the last meeting The Mayor’s Appointment of Doneeca Thurston-Chavez 12 Osborne St. #2 to the Housing Authority Board, with a term to expire May 27, 2027. Action Contemplated Councillor Stott Moved Confirmation by RCV Yeas Nays Absent Held from the last meeting The Mayor’s Re-appointment of the following with terms set forth below: Term Name Board/Commission Term Expiration Length Carly Dwyer Naik Public Art Commission 2 years 10/12/2026 Affordable Housing Trust Fund Megan Boyle 2 years 10/26/2026 Board Action Contemplated Councillor Varela Moved Confirmation by RCV Yeas Nays Absent The Mayor’s Appointment of Kevin Jordan of 19 Gardner St. #2 to the Bicycling and Shared Path Advisory Committee, with a term to expire February 27, 2026. Councillor Cohen Suspension of the Rules Councillor Object Action Contemplated Councillor Cohen Moved Held Under the Rules Voted  6 CITY OF SALEM OCTOBER 17, 2024 REGULAR MEETING COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR ORDERED: That the sum of Two Hundred Twenty-One Thousand Dollars ($221,000.00) is hereby appropriated within the “Capital Outlay” account (20002517-5846JH) to cover the cost complete the remediation and restoration of Mansell Field in accordance with the recommendation of His Honor the Mayor. Councillor Merkl Suspension of the Rules Councillor Objection Action Contemplated Councillor Merkl Moved Adoption Voted OR Refer to the Comm. on Admin. & Fin. Voted The following two orders for retirement buyback for fire department employees: ORDERED: That the sum of Forty-Nine Thousand Seven Hundred Seventy Dollars and Twelve Cents ($49,770.12) be approved within the “Retirement Stabilization Fund-Vacation/Sick Leave Buyback” account (83113-5146) to be expended for the contractual buyback(s) listed below in accordance with the recommendation of His Honor the Mayor. Name Department Amount James Koen Salem Fire Department $49,770.12 TOTAL $49,770.12 ORDERED: That the sum of Thirty-Eight Thousand Six Hundred Eight Dollars and Four Cents ($38,608.04) be approved within the “Retirement Stabilization Fund-Vacation/Sick Leave Buyback” account (83113-5146) to be expended for the contractual buyback(s) listed below in accordance with the recommendation of His Honor the Mayor. Name Department Amount Edward Burns Salem Fire Department $38,608.04 TOTAL $38,608.04 Councillor Merkl Suspension of the Rules Councillor Objection Action Contemplated  7 CITY OF SALEM OCTOBER 17, 2024 REGULAR MEETING COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR Councillor Merkl Moved Adoption Voted OR Refer to the Comm. on Admin. & Fin. Voted The following three donations ORDERED: To accept the donation of Thirty-Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500.00) from Ryan and Matthew Murray LLC. The donation is to be deposited into the Parks and Recreation Donation Fund 2406 (24061-4830) for a Salem Common Bench in accordance with the recommendation of His Honor the Mayor. ORDERED: To accept the donation of Three Thousand Seventy-Five Dollars and Fifteen Cents ($3,075.15) from the Salem Harbor Station. The donation is to be deposited into the Parks and Recreation Donation Fund 2406 (24061-4830) for a donation towards Park, Recreation and Community Services annual Derby Street Mile Road Race in accordance with the recommendation of His Honor the Mayor. ORDERED: To accept the donation of Twelve Hundred Dollars ($1,200.00) from John Buonfiglio. The donation is to be deposited into the Parks and Recreation Donation Fund 2406 (24061-4830) for a bench donation at the Olde Salem Greens Golf Course in accordance with the recommendation of His Honor the Mayor. Action Contemplated Councillor Merkl Moved Adoption Voted OR Referred to the Comm. on Admin. & Finance Voted  8 CITY OF SALEM OCTOBER 17, 2024 REGULAR MEETING MAYOR’S INFORMATIONAL PAGE NONE  9 CITY OF SALEM OCTOBER 17, 2024 REGULAR MEETING MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS ORDERED: That the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses, and Legal Affairs meet with the Director of the Department of Transportation and the Commander of the Police Department Traffic Unit, in both February and August of 2025 to discuss the implementation and efficacy of the new Resident Parking system, including October Resident Parking. Action Contemplated Councillor Morsillo Moved Adopted Voted  10 CITY OF SALEM OCTOBER 17, 2024 REGULAR MEETING COMMITTEE REPORTS NONE  11 CITY OF SALEM OCTOBER 17, 2024 REGULAR MEETING COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY OFFICIALS NONE  12 CITY OF SALEM OCTOBER 17, 2024 REGULAR MEETING PETITIONS Petition from Attorney Joseph Correnti for the Discontinuance of India Street. HEARING ORDERED NOVEMBER 14, 2024 The Following License Applications: PUBLIC GUIDES: Robert Zachary Sanzone 91 Essex St. Salem Daniel Kostelec 138 Main St Gilbertsville, NY Action Contemplated Councillor Morsillo Moved Granted Voted The Following Claims: Michelle McNamara 6 Norman Ave. Gloucester Nathan Ginler-Zimmerman 190 Bridge St. Salem Action Contemplated Councillor Morsillo Moved referred Comm. on Voted Ord., Lic. & Legal Affairs  13 CITY OF SALEM OCTOBER 17, 2024 REGULAR MEETING UNFINISHED BUSINESS Second passage of a Bond Order recategorizing and renaming 3 funds totaling $1,282,761.00 from the FY2025 General Fund Capital Improvement Program to the “School – Energy Efficiency Improvements: BOND ORDER: That the order of the City Council passed on June 27, 2024 and approved by the Mayor on July 2, 2024, authorizing an appropriation and borrowing in the aggregate amount of $5,828,761 to fund the Fiscal Year 2025 General Fund Capital Improvement Program and allocating such authorized amount among various capital projects in specified amounts (“the FY25 CIP Loan Order”), is hereby amended to replace the projects designated in the FY25 CIP Loan Order as “School – Lighting (Energy Efficiency) - $591,388”; “School – Weatherization/Infiltration Reduction (Energy Efficiency) - $134,396”; and “School – Controls (Energy Efficiency) - $556,977” with the following project: “School – Energy Efficiency Improvements - $1,282,761”; and that the FY25 CIP Loan Order is otherwise ratified and confirmed in all respects. Action Contemplated Councillor Merkl Moved Adoption for second passage by RCV Yea Nay Abs On the motion of Councillor Prosniewski the meeting adjourned at P.M.