City Council

CITY OF SALEM August 21, 2025 REGULAR MEETING City of Salem, Massachusetts Office of the City Clerk Ilene Simons Room 1 City Clerk City Hall 08/19/2025 MEETING NOTICE AND AGENDA The Salem City Council will hold its regular meeting in-person on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 6:00 PM 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/88151173839?pwd=zVCtcH6nDifn1gXPkhGI9uBbhitKCh.1 Password: 491246 Go to the website link: https://zoom.us/join. Enter meeting/webinar ID# 881 5117 3839 followed by the meeting password above if directed to do so. Or Telephone: Participants can dial a toll free number at 877-853-5257 (Toll Free) or 888- 475-4499 (Toll Free). When prompted, enter meeting/webinar ID#: 881 5117 3839 and 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. Very truly yours, MAUREEN E. FISHER ATTEST: ASSISTANT 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  2 CITY OF SALEM August 21, 2025 REGULAR MEETING in utilizing these devices for meetings at 93 Washington Street may contact the City Clerk’s Office at 978-745-9595 ext. 41200 or mfisher@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.” A Regular Meeting of the City Council was held in-person on Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 6:00 PM for the purpose of transacting any and all business. Notice of this meeting was posted on August 19, 2025, at 2:51 PM. This meeting is being recorded and is live on S.A.T.V. and Zoom unless technological issues interrupt the transmission. Councilors absent: Council President Prosniewski presided. Councilor _________ moved to dispense with the reading of the record of the previous meeting. VOTED President Prosniewski requested that everyone please rise to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Salem City Council Land Acknowledgement The Salem City Council honors that this land is Naumkeag, or fishing place, where generation 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:  3 CITY OF SALEM August 21, 2025 REGULAR MEETING You may participate in Public Testimony in-person or remotely, if technologically feasible by either of the following two methods: 1. On-line form: https://www.salemma.gov/FormCenter/City-Council-72/City-Council- Public-Comment-Registrants--135 This form will be available beginning 6:30 PM on the Tuesday before the meeting and remains open until 6:30 PM 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. If the form is not available due to technology issues, you must use option #2. In addition, if you plan to have signed up to speak 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 not later than 6:30 PM on the date of the meeting. HEARINGS NONE APPOINTMENTS AND REAPPOINTMENTS The Mayors ReAppointment of the following with Terms to expire: Name Board/CommissionAddress Term Term Expiration Length Datanis Elias Board of Health 71 Harbor Street 3 years 7/16/2028 Zachary Calderón Sustainability, 21 Cabot Street Unit 2 3 years 7/16/2028 Energy and Resiliency Committee Lynda Coffill Council on Aging 56 Belleview Avenue 3 years 7/16/2028 Board Action Contemplated Councillor Varela Moved Held Under the Rules Voted  4 CITY OF SALEM August 21, 2025 REGULAR MEETING COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR NONE MAYOR'S INFORMATIONAL PAGE NONE MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS NONE COMMITTEE REPORTS Councillor Cohen offered the following Committee Report for the Committee on Public Health, Safety and Environment co-posted with the Committee, to whom was referred the matter of Ordinance to Amend an Ordinance relative to Ch 24 – Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions, adding Sec. 32 – Gas Powered Leaf Blowers. Has considered said matter and would recommend: Remain in Committee Accept the Report Voted Adopt the Recommendation Voted Committee on Administration and Finance co-posted with the Committee of the Whole to whom it was referred the matter of That the City of Salem hereby accepts the provisions of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 54, which authorizes municipalities to set a minimum threshold for the taxation of personal property, and hereby sets that minimum taxable value at $1,000. Personal property accounts valued below this amount shall be exempt from taxation. Has considered said matter and would recommend: Adoption Accept the Report Voted Adopt the Recommendation Voted  5 CITY OF SALEM August 21, 2025 REGULAR MEETING COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY OFFICIALS Ordered That residents of the following streets shall be granted eligibility for temporary resident permit parking, and certain streets shall be designated as temporary resident permit parking streets, from October 1 to November 1, 2025. Eligible residents may obtain a temporary resident parking permit. One temporary guest pass may be purchased in accordance with Article V-A Section 75A Subsection A. Temporary resident permit parking signage will be installed on said streets. Temporary October Resident Permit Parking shall be in effect from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M., Monday through Friday, and 12:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M. Saturday through Sunday, October 1 to November 1, 2025. Temporary October Resident Parking shall occur on the street in existing parking areas and shall not supersede other parking restrictions, including but not limited to, handicap/accessible parking spaces, parking within four (4) feet of a driveway, parking within twenty (20) feet of an intersection, or parking restricted on a certain side of the street. Temporary signage shall be installed before October 1 indicating streets designated as Temporary October Resident Permit Parking streets and all parking shall be prohibited during the hours indicated except by motor vehicles displaying a Temporary October Resident Parking permit. 1. Dearborn Street from North Street to Lee Street 2. Dalton Parkway odd side only (11-13 Dalton Pkwy) 3. May Street Residents of the following streets or sections of streets shall be granted eligibility for temporary resident parking permits on nearby designated temporary residential permit streets. Residents of the following streets must apply for the temporary parking permit at the parking office showing proof of address and vehicle registration. One parking pass will be granted per vehicle and no guest passes may be purchased. 1. Upham Street 2. Walter Street 3. Harris Street 4. Osborne Street 5. Orchard Street 6. Moulton Street 7. 412-414 Essex Street 8. 129 & 140 North Street Action Contemplated Councillor Stott Moved Adopted Voted  6 CITY OF SALEM August 21, 2025 REGULAR MEETING Ordered: That the parking rate for the parking lot locations identified below shall be $40.00 per day*: Crombie Lot (283 Essex Street) – October 1 to October 31. Saturday through Sunday, 8:00am to 6:00pm. Residents may park for free during these times but must register at the Parking Kiosk or with the Passport Parking App. Old Salem Jail Lot (Adjacent to 13 Howard Street) – October 1 to October 31. Saturday through Sunday, 8:00am to 6:00pm. Residents may park for free during these times but must register at the Parking Kiosk or with the Passport Parking App. Crescent Lot (252 Bridge Street) – October 1 to October 31. Saturday through Sunday, 8:00am to 6:00pm. Residents may park for free during these times but must register at the Parking Kiosk or with the Passport Parking App. Salem Green Lot (21 Church Street) – October 1 to October 31. Saturday through Sunday, 8:00am to 6:00pm. Residents may park for free during these times but must register at the Parking Kiosk or with the Passport Parking App. Church Street East Lot (15 Federal Street) – October 1 to October 31. Saturday through Sunday, 8:00am to 6:00pm. Residents may park for free during these times but must register at the Parking Kiosk or with the Passport Parking App. Church Street West Lot (15 & 29 Federal Street) – October 1 to October 31. Saturday through Sunday, 8:00am to 6:00pm. Residents may park for free during these times but must register at the Parking Kiosk or with the Passport Parking App. Action Contemplated Councillor Watson-Felt Moved Adopted Voted Ordered: That the parking rate for the locations identified below shall be $7.00 per hour: Washington Street – Temporary Weekend Rate Established – both sides, from the intersection with Essex Street to Federal Street. October 1 to October 31. Saturday through Sunday, 8:00am to 6:00pm. Residents may park for free during these times but must register with the Passport Parking App. Action Contemplated Councillor Watson-Felt Moved Adopted Voted Ordered: That the parking rate for the locations identified below shall be $1.00 per hour: Canal Street – Temporary Parking Meter Zone Established – both sides, from the intersection with Lyme Street to a point approximately two hundred fifty (250) feet south of the intersection with Washington Street / Mill Street. October 1 to October 31. Saturday through Sunday, 12:00pm to 6:00pm. Residents may park for free during these times but must register with the Passport Parking App. Margin Street – Temporary Parking Meter Zone Established – east side only, from the intersection with Endicott Street to a point just north of the Salem Police Department’s  7 CITY OF SALEM August 21, 2025 REGULAR MEETING driveway (95 Margin St). October 1 to October 31. Saturday through Sunday, 12:00pm to 6:00pm. Residents may park for free during these times but must register with the Passport Parking App. Ordered: That the parking rate for the location identified below shall be $2.00 per hour: North Street – Temporary Parking Meter Zone Established – 22 perpendicular spaces located adjacent to the North Street Bridge and 4 Franklin Street. October 1 to October 31. Saturday through Sunday, 12:00pm to 6:00pm. Residents may park for free during these times but must register with the Passport Parking App. Action Contemplated Councillor Cohen Moved Adopted Voted Ordered: That the streets set forth below, with limited resident permit parking, shall be designated as temporary resident permit parking only streets from October 1 to November 1, during the hours of 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M., Monday through Friday, and 12:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M. Saturday through Sunday. Temporary Resident Permit Parking Only Streets 1. Chestnut Street from Flint Street to Cambridge Street 2. Derby Street from Becket Avenue to Webb Street 3. Essex Street from Monroe Street to Summer Street 4. Hawthorne Boulevard from Essex Street to Charter Street Action Contemplated Councillor Watson-Felt Moved Adopted Voted Ordered: That the parking rate for the parking garage locations identified below shall be $20.00 for 0-2 hours and $50 for 2 hours and up: Museum Place Garage (1New Liberty Street) – October 1 to October 31 Weekends including Indigenous People’s Day (Columbus Day) and Halloween*. South Harbor Garage (245 Derby Street) – October 1 to October 31 Weekends including Indigenous People’s Day (Columbus Day) and Halloween*. Action Contemplated Councillor Watson-Felt Moved Adopted Voted  8 CITY OF SALEM August 21, 2025 REGULAR MEETING ORDERED: That the meetings of the qualified voters of the City of Salem be held in the following Wards/Precincts in the city at the polling places designated hereinafter on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, for the purpose of casting votes in the City Preliminary Election for the nomination of candidates for the following office: ORDENO: Que Las reunions de los votantes calificados de la ciudad de Salem se llevaran a cabo en todos los recintos del Distrito uno de votacion en la ciudad en los lugares de votacion designados a contuacion el martes 16 de septiembre del 2025, con el proposito de emitir votos en la Eleccion Preliminar de la Ciudad para la eleccion de candidatos para el siguiente cargo: Councillor of Ward One: for the term of two years Concejal Distrito Uno: por el termino de dos anos Councillor of Ward Two: for the term of two years Concejal Distrito Dos: por el termino de dos anos Councillor of Ward Five: for the term of two years Concejal Distrito Cinco: por el termino de dos anos Councillor of Ward Six: for the term of two years Concejal Distrito Seis: por el termino de dos anos AND BE IT FURTHER ORDERED: Thant the following places be a hereby are designated as polling places for said meetings: Y ADEMAS ORDENARSE: Que los siguientes lugares sean y por la presente se designen como lugares de votacion para dichas reunions: WARD ONE / DISTRITO UNO Precinct 1 Bentley Academy Gymnasium, 25 Memorial Drive Recinto 1 Gimnasio, Escuela Bentley Academy, 25 Memorial Drive Precinct 2 Community Room, 135 Lafayette Street Recinto 2 Sala Comunitaria, 135 Lafayette Street WARD TWO / DISTRITO DOS Precinct 1 Community Life Center, 401 Bridge Street Recinto 1 Centro De Vida Comunitaria, 401 Bridge Street Precinct 2 Community Life Center, 401 Bridge Street  9 CITY OF SALEM August 21, 2025 REGULAR MEETING Recinto 2 Centro De Vida Comunitaria, 401 Bridge Street WARD FIVE / DISTRITO CINCO Precinct 1 Saltonstall School Auditorium, 211 Lafayette Street Recinto 1 Auditorio, Escuela Saltonstall, 211 Lafayette Street Precinct 2 Saltonstall School Auditorium, 211 Lafayette Street Recinto 2 Auditorio, Escuela Saltonstall, 211 Lafayette Street WARD SIX / DISTRITO SEIS Precinct 1 Bates School , Music Room, Liberty Hill Avenue Recinto 1 Asala De Musica, Escuela Bates School, Liberty Hill Avenue Precinct 2 Bates School , Music Room, Liberty Hill Avenue Recinto 2 Asala De Musica, Escuela Bates School, Liberty Hill Avenue AND BE IT FURTHER ORDERED: That the polls at said meetings be opened at 7:00 a.m. and closed at 8:00 p.m. abd that the City Clerk be instructed to post this notice as required by law. Y ADEMAS ORDENARSE: Que las urnas en dichas reunions se abran a las 7:00 a.m. y se cierren a las 8:00 p.m. y que se le indique ai Secrectario Municipal que publique este aviso segun lo exige la ley Action Contemplated Councillor Varela Moved Adoption by RCV Yea Nay Abs PETITIONS Petition from Comcast to install Conduits to provide service to 266 Canal St. Action Contemplated Hearing ordered on September 11, 2025 Petition from Comcast to install Conduits for service 1 Lee Fort Terrace Action Contemplated  10 CITY OF SALEM August 21, 2025 REGULAR MEETING Hearing ordered on September 11, 2025 Petition from Loring National Grid and Verizon to install 1 Jointly Owned Pole at the intersection of Loring Ave and College Drive. (33 Loring Ave.) Action Contemplated Hearing ordered on September 11, 2025 Petition from National Grid to install Conduits at the intersection of Loring Ave and College Drive. (39 Loring Ave.) Action Contemplated Hearing ordered on September 11, 2025 Petition from National Grid and Verizon to install 2 Jointly Owned Poles at the intersection of Bay View Ave. and Cross Ave. ( 99 and 104 Bay View Ave) Action Contemplated Hearing ordered on September 11, 2025 Petition from National Grid to install Conduits at the intersection of Canal St. and Kimball Rd. (266 Canal St.) Action Contemplated Hearing ordered on September 11, 2025 Petition from residents on Broad St. to hold a Block Party between Jackson St. and Dalton Pkwy. Sunday September 7, 2025, 2:00 PM - 8:30 PM . Action Contemplated Councillor Morsillo Moved Granted Voted UNFINISHED BUSINESS  11 CITY OF SALEM August 21, 2025 REGULAR MEETING In the year Two Thousand and Twenty-four An Ordinance to amend an Ordinance relative to Pickup of Large items/fee. Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Salem, as follows: SECTION I: Chapter 36. Sec. 36-4. Pickup of large items/fee is hereby amended by deleting paragraph (d) in its entirety and replacing it with the following: “(d) Residents are responsible for paying the fee of $20.00 for the collection of each bulky item, and the fee of $40 for a mattress or box spring, which shall be paid directly to the city's collection contractors.” Section II. This Ordinance shall take effect as provided by City Charter. Action Contemplated Councillor Hapworth Moved Adoption for second Voted passage An Ordinance Relative to Traffic Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Salem, as follows: Section 1. Section 74 of Article V-A be amended by inserting the following: North Street – General Prohibition Towing Zones – South side, from intersection with Symonds Street, continuing in an easterly direction for eighty (80) feet. Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect as provided by City Charter. Action Contemplated Councillor Stott Moved Adoption for second Voted passage In the year Two Thousand and Twenty-Five An Ordinance Relative to Traffic Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Salem, as follows: Section 1. Section 50A of Article V be amended by repealing the following: Washington Street – Handicapped Parking Zones – easterly side, starting thirty (30) feet north of Front Street and running in a northerly direction for fifteen (15) feet, first space, Handicapped Parking Zone. (10/15/90) Section 2. Section 56 of Article V be amended by repealing the following: Washington Street – Parking Meters Zones Established – easterly side, from Dodge Street to Essex Street, excepting the area known and marked as the "bus stop". Four (4) hour parking. (7/14/11) And inserting the following: Washington Street – Parking Meters Zones Established – easterly side, from Dodge Street to Front Street, excepting the area known and marked as the "bus stop". Four (4) hour  12 CITY OF SALEM August 21, 2025 REGULAR MEETING parking. Section 3. Section 13 of Article I be amended by inserting the following: Washington Street – Service Zones – easterly side, from Front Street to Essex Street, 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Section 5. This ordinance shall take effect as provided by City Charter. Action Contemplated Councillor Watson-Felt Moved Adoption for second Voted passage ADJOURNMENT On the motion of Councillor Morsillo , the meeting adjourned at P.M.  13 CITY OF SALEM August 21, 2025 REGULAR MEETING