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 Community and Economic Development___________________________ met in the Council Chamber on _Thursday, November 20, 2025 _____________ at ______6:00_______P.M. for the purpose of discussing the matters(s) listed below. Notice of this meeting was posted on __November 17, 2025__ at ___ 2:03 P.M._ (This meeting is being recorded) ATTENDANCE CED – Watson-Felt (chair), Hapworth, Davis, Jerzylo and Morsillo. ABSENT WERE: None SUBJECT(S) Carrying over Items in Committee (see list for items) Watson-Felt – We will start with item #36 – Home Rule Petition for Real Estate Transfer Fees. It was introduced by the mayor in January 2025. The mayor has communicated that this matter will expire on its own and the planning department plans to resubmit it in 2026. The mayor’s email is saved in the public folder for reference. Morsillo – Motion to discharge and seconded by Hapworth. Motion carries 5-0. Watson-Felt – Next, #164 - Home Rule Petition requiring broker fees to be paid by the party who solicits the broker. This was submitted by Davis. We discussed this matter in March and sent to this committee because there was additional work being done at the state level and therefore, we were unable to host a committee meeting this year. Davis – This is a matter that has been taken up by the state, so it is no longer necessary for us to handle. I move to discharge. Watson-Felt – Motion by Davis to discharge and seconded by Morsillo. Motion carries 5-0. Moving on to #183, authorizing use of city property for outdoor dining for Witchside Tavern, 263 Derby St. Morsillo – I move to discharge since we just came up with a new agreement. Watson-Felt – Motion by Morsillo and seconded by Hapworth to discharge this matter. Motion carries 5-0. For the public’s reference, this matter has been taken up more holistically with other properties and the council has discussed this matter in other meetings that are available to view. There will be further discussions in this committee next year to discuss year-round outdoor dining policies. Next is #437, submitted by Hapworth to review the current vision, plans and future of Charlotte Fortin Park. It was submitted in September 2025 and has not been discussed by this committee yet but is an important item that should be discussed in the future. Hapworth – I move to carry this item over to next year so the council will have an opportunity to discuss during a public meeting. Watson-Felt – Motion by Hapworth and seconded by Morsillo. Motion carries 5-0. The last item is #539, meet with city departments to review and make edits to the outdoor dining policy including year-round outdoor dining. It was just submitted on November 13th with the intention that the new council take it over in the new year. Motion by Morsillo to carry the matter over to next year and seconded by Hapworth. Motion carries 5-0. On the motion of C. Morsillo, meeting adjourned at 6:07P.M. ________________________________________________________ (Chairperson)