City Council

City of Salem, Massachusetts “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.” The City Council Committee on Public Health, Safety and Environment co-posted with the Committee of the Whole met in the Council Chamber on _June 2, 2025__________________ at ______6:00_______P.M. for the purpose of discussing the matters(s) listed below. Notice of this meeting was posted on ___ May 22, 2025_ at ___ 5:02 PM__________________________________________________________ (This meeting is being recorded) ATTENDANCE PHSE – Cohen (chair), Harvey, & Jerzylo. COW – Hapworth, Merkl, Watson-Felt. Absent Were: PHSE - Davis & Stott. COW – Morsillo, Prosniewski, & Varela. From the city Police Lieutenant Dave Tucker, Chistina Hodge, Assistant Director of the Department of Transportation, Jeff Swartz, Vice Chair, Transportation Commission & Executive Director, Salem Chamber. #256 Ordinance to Amend an Ordinance relative to Traffic Sec. 11 Bus Stops: Sec. 51 and 51B Article V, Parking Prohibited. #163 Ordinance relative to fines for failing to remove snow and ice from sidewalks. Discussion regarding #256 Ordinance to Amend an Ordinance relative to Traffic Sec. 11 Bus Stops: Sec. 51 and 51B Article V, Parking Prohibited: Hodge – We are discussing some ordinance recommendations from the Transportation Commission to create or modify the existing bus parking around Salem. This will create more spaces that will allow buses to have a safe drop off location or a location where they can idle if they are waiting a short time for a tour group. Drop offs include one on Bridge St adjacent to the Old Salem Jail and that will be a 10-minute limit for drop off only in October from 9am to 6pm. Also, on Canal St. at Hancock St. in October, weekends only, from 9am to 6pm. New Derby St., east of Washington St., 10-minute limit for drop off only in October from 9am to 6pm. That will impact 3 existing metered spaces. Next is Washington Square West, north of the Essex St. intersection for a one-hour limit for bus parking only in October. This currently has 3 existing parking spaces and across the street from the Hawthorne Hotel. The next location is on Washington Square South, near the intersection of Washington Square West, next to the Hawthorne Hotel parking lot, for a 2-hour limit and this would be year-round. This would move the current year-round space that is on the opposite side of the street. Then the current space would only allow for parking in October. Section 1, paragraph 2 of the ordinance was an error that Lt. Tucker brought to my attention and was from a previous version that should have been removed so we are correcting that with this ordinance. Cohen – Before we go on, does anyone have any issues or questions regarding striking that paragraph from the ordinance? Hapworth – Was that part of the discussion of removing some additional tour bus parking downtown? Hodge – I think there was some discussion about creating additional drop locations rather than one hour parking and this was a carryover from a previous draft where it removed it from the one-hour parking and created a drop off only but there was a typo. Cohen - Before we go on the other changes, I will entertain a motion to remove Section 1, paragraph 2 starting with Washington Square West. Harvey - Motion to remove Section 1, paragraph 2 regarding Washington Square West. Seconded by Jerzylo. Motion carries 3- 0. Cohen – I want to address Canal St. I talked to Chief Miller about the intent to move tour bus parking away from downtown. This space is going from 225 feet to 525 feet, so it seems like we are encouraging tour buses to park on Canal St. and walk downtown. Hapworth – Can you clarify where the parking would be on Bridge St.? Hodge – It is before Howard St. The lane is wider there so we would mark it off and narrow the existing lane. Hapworth – Can you talk about the thought process for the temporary spots and the 1- and 2-hour tour bus parking? Tucker – Referring to the spaces on Washington Square. We had input from business owners, the transportation commission and Salem Chamber of Commerce. The business owners think it would be a beneficial change for them to have one hour parking in that area. Hapworth – The concern that we discussed after October 2024, that the tour bus parking wasn’t a commercial concern, it was a safety concern. We understand that tour buses are something that businesses rely upon, and it is a big part of Halloween and the business it creates but they are getting bigger and there are more of them coming in and it is becoming dangerous for the pedestrians, the locals and other drivers. I am surprised the businesses feedback took priority. Is it a business concern or a safety concern? Tucker – I think that a bus could come down 1A and safely park in those spots along Washington Square. We are setting up more parking areas close enough to downtown, so the hope is there won’t be as many tour buses dropping off downtown or getting them out of downtown as quick as possible. The discussion was around making it safe enough, convenient enough so they will use it. Hapworth – The majority of the bus drivers have done their homework and are following the rules, but more buses are coming in and there are some that have no regard for our rules, following the signs and being safe. This ordinance is fine, but it doesn’t address the bad acters and that was really what it was supposed to do. Is this it on tour buses for October? Tucker – As for parking, this is all we can offer at this time, but as far as closing of roads, it comes down to enforcement. This ordinance isn’t about enforcement. As far as the type of driving they are doing or the type of vehicle, that is part of motor vehicle laws or a different city ordinance. Once it has been changed, we will push it out to the tour companies. Hapworth – Washington Square is the most central location to downtown. Do you think it would be better to have the spots in front of the Stafford House as one hour parking, which I feel like it’s difficult to enforce? Tucker – I feel comfortable with the level of safety, having vehicles park there, if they comply with the zone and the time limit. The one-hour time limit is not that difficult to enforce, but the 2 or 4 hours are more difficult. The other things are that these vehicles will be parked in the right direction, so when we are clearing the roads to close them, it will be easier to move them out. Hapworth – I know that thought was put into this ordinance. I would prefer to see the Washington Sq. W zone be temporary to keep people moving. Even making it temporary, year-round or at least a longer time period would make sense. If I were on the committee, I would recommend that change. Cohen – I hope that in future meetings, the Transportation Commission will talk more about safety, because this ordinance, is just about parking regulations. I have a question for C. Hapworth, is your suggestion to change Washington Sq. W. from a one hour to a 10-minute zone? Hapworth – I would recommend it be a temporary, drop off zone only, tow zone. I would want to run it through Christina (Hodge) and Lt. Tucker before we ran it in front of the council. Cohen – We could change it to the same as Bridge St. – drop off only. Jerzylo – Is there a sign that say no idling? I get complaints that they are idling and there are fumes. I would like to make motion to change the Washington Sq. W. to a 10 minute drop off only. Seconded by Harvey. Harvey – Can’t we move all the drop off zone out of the downtown? Can’t we move them to the T station? I would be ok with a couple of drop off spots downtown but most of them should be away from downtown for safety and traffic issues. Tucker – Generally, I would agree with that but sometimes there are school groups with children, elderly groups or people with mobility issues, because you don’t know who is on the bus. I think part of the services with the companies is if you pay for the tour, then we will get you close to the attractions. I certainly wouldn’t have design the city this way if we were to know how much tourism we were going to have. As far as the rotary, it was designed to be driven over by larger trucks, that is why it was designed to be relatively flat. We would love to see the buses parking on the outskirts of town and cars parking outside of the downtown area. It would make our life easier, but we must balance the needs. Merkl – Do you think putting up signs around the city would help, or do you think that the buses that are just dropping off anywhere, will still do that because I see buses dropping off all over the city especially on Federal St. Tucker – The tour buses have designated spots, and we are trying to allow for as many drop off spots without losing too many parking spaces. No matter the number of signs, etc., there will be someone that doesn’t follow the rules and then we must take action, when that happens. Watson-Felt – What these drivers are doing, the bad actors, is dangerous. They drop off in the middle of the road, they block roads, etc. And they are gone, long before enforcement gets there. I agree with C. Hapworth that having drop off only zones instead of allowing parking in that area, would be better. I would also change the Washington Sq. S. to a 10-minute drop zone as well. For clarification, is the drop off spot on Bridge St. before the entrance to the Old Salem Jail parking lot or after? Hodge – It is the parcel between the entrance to the parking lot and Howard St. Watson-Felt – I do have some concerns about the people coming around that turn because you are going uphill but maybe the marking off the lane would be helpful. I also have a concern about people coming down Howard St. and taking a left on Bridge St. so what is the distance from Howard and how far away is it from the crosswalk? Hodge – We have not looked at sightlines. Watson-Felt – That is a problem, because in my opinion, sightlines are incredibly important part of the research. You need to know where the pedestrians will be moving around in the area. There is a lot of pedestrian activity in that area, because of the cemetery and there are a lot of Airbnbs in that area too. There are a lot of people crossing Bridge St. and walking up and down Howard St. Hodge – There shouldn’t anyone that is parked in that spot, so I don’t think there should be a problem seeing traffic to make a left onto Bridge St. from Howard St. There are no engineering guidelines for idling vehicle sightline distant because most of the time that space will be open unless there is a bus that is dropping off. We can certainly evaluate that spot and the situation that we are proposing. Watson-Felt – I will support it if it is the will of the body and I think that it should be more than just October. Maybe August to November. There have been a lot of issues in that area, so we need to make sure that it is as safe as possible. On the flip to the other side at Washington Sq. S., is that the same amount of parking from the other side? Cohen – It’s currently 120 feet and the new space will be 135 feet. Watson-Felt – Will there be any restriction on the other side of the street for parking due to the width of the street? Tucker – We did adjust the distance of the parking in the area which reflects what is needed for a tour bus. We did look at the width of the road and we will restrict parking just for October. Watson-Felt – Is there a plan on how to direct those buses that have dropped off to get them out of downtown traffic? Tucker – We have discussed a plan but that is not part of this ordinance. We have ideas for signage in order to direct them away. They can make that right turn but we don’t want them to because it is a very tight turn. We would encourage them to make a left onto Washington Sq. E. and then another left onto Washington Sq. N. Or go back down Hawthorne Blvd. depending on where their next destination is. Watson-Felt – If it is the will of the body to make that a 10 minute drop off zone, then there will be more buses circling the common and there will need to be clear direction as to where to go and how to get there. We need to keep buses moving around the common, I don’t want them to park there so hopefully the body will support that. Tucker – The only issue I see if you make that a 10-minute drop zone, then where will they go to park? They can go to Fort Ave., but will they try to go down Essex Street? They will need to know how to get back to Bridge St. Cohen – There is an issue between more buses or better safety. If we changed both of the spots on Washington Sq. to 10- minute drop zones, would that make it easier to enforce because they are so close together? Tucker – The police aren’t the only enforcing body, but it’s very tough to enforce in October. Getting there is an issue and if someone calls in a complaint, then we have to observe it. So, if it is a one-hour parking then we must observe that they have been there for an hour, so we must go back there and check after an hour. And that is not just for buses. We want to make it a system that is easy to comply with so people are willing to comply with it and hopefully we will reduce the need for enforcement. Jerzylo – How did you come up with a one-hour parking limit? It doesn’t seem long enough to drop off people and have them back on the bus an hour later. Did you check with the tour bus companies? It seems that a 10 minute drop off would be better. Tucker – We didn’t do any studies but one hour would serve certain groups. You don’t have to park for an hour. If that space is open, you could pull in, drop off only. Swartz – We did talk to a number of businesses that rely on those spaces. The school bus groups will be in and out in an hour, as well as some of the walking tour groups. And the Witch Museum prides itself on doing it in an hour in October. Cruise ship companies can be in and out in an hour. Hapworth – There should be an amendment to Washington Sq. W. to say going from Essex Street to the intersection of Brown St. along with repealing section 1, paragraph 2. Having it temporary drop off only, in October, all around the common makes most sense to me. In May, we already had no available parking and buses looking for places to drop off. I would like to have more discussion regarding Bridge St. as we move through these amendments. Cohen - I'm just going to repeat that Washington Square West bus stops westerly side, beginning 165 feet north of the intersection of Essex Street, 20 feet from the intersection of Brown St. C. Jerzylo, would you accept that amendment? Jerzylo – Yes. Tucker – It should be 20 feet south of Brown St. to 20 north of Essex St. Swartz – Would this be a temporary restriction for just October, or would it be year-round? Hapworth – There is an argument that could be made that it could be year-round, but we are just looking at October for the moment. Maybe we should have a larger conversation in the future about what that should look like long term but right now we are only discussing October. Swartz – I think the issue at hand is safety. We have had extensive conversations around making these spaces as safe as possible. It is really the comings and goings of these buses that is inherently unsafe, but I don’t think a parked bus is unsafe unless it’s blocking a sightline. Having these spaces as 10-minute drop only, will create a lot more bus traffic in and out of downtown and with increased bus traffic, it creates more problems. Given that the walking tour, Witch Museum etc. can get the groups in and out in an hour should make it a consideration to keep it at 1 hour instead of just a drop off area. Cohen – First of all, if people were complying then we wouldn’t be talking about safety and second of all, we don’t really know if there will be more buses. There hasn’t been a study done that shows that if the space is open that it will be immediately filled. There isn’t an app that tells you if the space is open. We have 2 counselors that live in the area. I will be opening this up to public comment and we also have Jeremy Fisk here, so we will let him talk as well. Harvey – I think tour buses in the downtown area altogether is a nightmare and we should limit them to spots on the outskirts of downtown like Canal St. and Bridge St. Watson-Felt – I agree. I understand Lt. Tucker’s comment about folks with mobility issues, and we don’t know who is on the buses, but we could ban large tour buses from our 400-year-old tiny streets downtown, and we could shuttle them around to get them where they need to be. I wish we had a more creative, innovative, strategic plan for the flow of traffic and people. I will have to respectfully disagree with Jeff (Swartz) about it being less safe. I have seen it; the one-hour parking is full, so they just stop anywhere to drop off passengers even in the middle of the street, etc. If there is signage and communication on where these drop off locations are, then perhaps they wouldn’t just open their doors anywhere and they will wait for the drop off zone to open. I think the bigger safety issue, is the consistent bad acting that we see year-round because those spaces are full. I don’t think storage space for these bus companies is good use of our historic downtown space. They need to be designated drop zones, we need to keep the traffic moving and, I have been advocating for this for years, we need dedicated bus routes throughout the city. We can’t just have signs that say no heavy vehicles or no truck access because people continue to ignore them. What about the stretch along the park on Franklin St. that is on the other side of the overpass, but close enough to be walkable. I know that we need more storage for these buses, but it shouldn’t be downtown. I think to keep the traffic moving downtown, store them somewhere else and add designated routes will help with safety far more than longer term storage downtown that must be tracked. Tucker – I agree with you on setting up a designated route but the problem with restricting just buses is something that must be approved by MassDOT. We can temporarily close a road, but to restrict from heavy commercial traffic, you must do an engineering study and petition MassDOT, and they must approve it street by street. They won’t restrict a number route, like 1A. The only problem I see with Franklin St. is trying to get out of that neighborhood would be tough. Cohen – That sounds like a homework assignment for the transportation commission. Tucker – Are you thinking of amending Washington Sq. W. to a drop zone only in October or year-round? Hapworth – My intention was just for October. We could do our homework to get the wording right before it goes in front of the full council. Cohen – We are still going to delete section 1, paragraph 2, then amend section 3 to change it from a 1 hour to a 10 minute from 20 feet south of Brown St. to 20 feet north of Essex St. We would be also changing Washington Sq. S., and it would be all the same amendment. We will briefly take public testimony on this and then we will come back and deal with the amendment. Seeing no one and Jeremy Fisk has left, then we will go back to our discussion. Jerzylo – Is the parking long Washington Sq. S. intended to be year-round or just October? Tucker – It was intended for Washington Sq. S. to be year-round but the restriction on parking across the street, was supposed to be only in October. And the proposed amended for Washington Sq. W. will remove about 3 more metered parking spots that weren’t intended to be lost. Watson-Felt – So, as far as Washington Sq. W., we should leave in section 1 paragraph 2 and keep the distances in the originally proposed ordinance and just change the time limit from 1 hour to 10 minutes? Cohen – C. Jerzylo motions to amend to remove the repeal of section 1, paragraph 2. Then we are changing the distance, in section 3, paragraph 4, from 165 to 95 and changing the 70 in a southerly direction to 70 feet in a northerly direction. And we are changing the time limit from 1 hour to 10 minutes. And we are changing Washington Sq. S. from 2 hours to 10 minutes. Seconded by Harvey. Motion carries 3-0. Any more discussions? Hapworth – I have a concern about the location on Bridge St. Have we considered making the Old Salem Jail parking lot a drop zone instead? The 15 parking spaces in that lot are not vital parking and there aren’t even any businesses there anymore. Jerzylo – I know a lot of residents that don’t have parking in that building park there. I don’t’ think it is big enough to turn a tour bus around. Tucker – We did look at that space for potential in the future, but you would need to do some construction to modify it so a bus could come in one side and then exit on the other side. Watson-Felt – How about narrowing Bridge St. with a permanent tour bus stop and doing a bump out at the end of Howard, then you could safely move forward to be protected and then you would move the crosswalk. You could make that a permanent bus stop. I am currently concerned with it being a temporary with the way people drive around that corner. I would like you to think through what you could do there to make it easier to make a left off Howard St. onto Bridge St. I know you would have to get MassDOT support to permanently change it. It also has a traffic calming component to it that is worth exploring. Hapworth – What is the reason for adding the space on Bridge St.? Tucker – We saw that as a wide spot with room to stop and drop off and then after they drop, they can easily go to Fort Ave. to park. I have also looked at the distance and there should be enough space to have a pretty good sightline coming out of Howard St. to see past the bus. Swartz – Also, when the streets are shut down in downtown, that is a drop off location that would still be available. Same with the spot on New Derby St. Hapworth – I have concerns about the location on Bridge St. I don’t think it is a safe place to have a bus doing drop offs. A lot of people use Howard St. as a cut through to get out of the city. Cohen – Are you asking us to delete the Bridge St. drop off site? Hapworth – Yes. If I were on the committee, I would remove it. Jerzylo – I must agree that the spot is very dangerous. People are making a right and they fly down the street. Maybe you could beef up the crosswalk and put one of those walking lights there? Watson-Felt – I think that location on Bridge St. has potential but with some work and I think it would work better if it was a year-round drop off location and not just October. Harvey – Can we use the T station as a drop off zone? Tucker – We have looked into that, and they are very protective of it, so it is T buses and vehicles only. Hapworth – How about the Universal Steel Lot? That is city owned and that the street is never closed. Tucker – We have not considered it, but we would have to eliminate the parking to allow a bus to enter and exit. Hodge – And that would eliminate the fundraising that occurs on October weekends for the Salem youth organizations. Tucker – We could take a look, but I am not sure that they could even pull into the lot the way it is currently configured. It is not a wide-open lot, there is a center island, so you would have to make sure that they could make the turns. Swartz – I would love to explore making the stop on Bridge St. year-round. Cohen – Is there any other discussions? Hapworth – I would just like the committee to consider removing the section about Bridge St. Jerzylo – Motion to remove the paragraph in section 3 as it relates to Bridge St. Seconded by Harvey. Motion carries 2-1. Cohen – For clarity, section 1 paragraph 2, we are leaving the repeal. We are removing section 3 regarding Bridge St. Section 3, Washington Sq. W. we are changing from 165 feet to 95 feet, changing the distance from 70 feet southerly to northerly, and we are changing the time limit from 1 hour to 10 minutes. We are changing the Washington Sq. S. from 2 hours to 10 minutes. Discussion regarding an Ordinance relative to fines for failing to remove snow and ice from sidewalks: