City Council

699 CITY OF SALEM APRIL 9, 2026 REGULAR MEETING A Regular Meeting of the City Council was held in-person on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM for the purpose of transacting any and all business. Notice of this meeting was posted on April 7, 2026, at 1:22 PM. This meeting is being recorded and is live on S.A.T.V. and Zoom unless technological issues interrupt the transmission. Councillor Hapworth was absent. Council President Merkl presided. Councilor Flynn moved to dispense with the reading of the record of the previous meeting. It was so voted. President Merkl requested that everyone who is able to 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 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 1. Craig Beauregard, 159 Fort Ave., Salem - Pole on Cross Ave and other comments on utility companies (#129 & #111) - NATIONAL GRID AND VERIZONTO RELOCATE I JOINTLY OWNED POLE - CROSS AVE. Continued from the last meeting, the hearing on the Order from National Grid and Verizon to relocate one (1) Jointly Owned Pole on Cross Ave. Appearing in favor was Sibhita Mahbier-Sheehey, National Grid Representative, 44 River Street, Beverly, MA. She stated this is to relocate one pole to take care of aerial issues. Also appearing in favor was Chris Winton-Henderson, 99 Bayview Ave. This pole is outside her home. There was a meeting on site with the Ward Councillor, Jay 700 CITY OF SALEM APRIL 9, 2026 REGULAR MEETING Carroll, John Giardi and Sibhita Mahbier-Sheehey to look to see if there were any other options. Since there was none, she wanted to make sure it is a secondary pole, not a primary, and only electricity will be on it and transmission. No one appeared opposed. Councillor Turowski moved that the public hearing be closed. It was so voted. Councillor Turowski moved that this location be granted with the condition that the power going through this pole will be secondary transmission only, no primary lines and no transformers and that there will be an informal request to the Tree Commission to replace the mature cherry tree. (#130) - APPOINTMENT OF KATERINA THOMPSON TO THE FOOD POLICY COUNCIL Held from the last meeting, the Mayor's Appointment of Katerina Thompson 3 Goodell St. to the Food Policy Council with a term to expire March 26, 2029, was confirmed by a roll call vote of 10 yeas, 0 nays and 1 absent. Councillor Turowski requested and received suspension of the rules to all the appointee to speak. (#131) - RE-APPOINMENTS OF KEVIN JORDAN TO THE BICYCLING COMMITTEE AND KRISTIN MACEK TO THE COUNCIL ON AGING Held from the last meeting the Mayor's Re-Appointments for the following with Terms to Expire were confirmed by a roll call vote of 10 yeas, 0 nays and 1 absent. Councillor Hapworth was recorded as absent. Kevin Jordan 19 Gardner St. Bicycling and Shared Path Advisory Committee March 26, 2029 Kristin Macek 48 Webb St. #1 Council on Aging March 26, 2029  701 CITY OF SALEM APRIL 9, 2026 REGULAR MEETING #179 - APPOINTMENT OF SEAN LUNDE TO THE BOARD OF HEALTH AND LEIGH CHANDLER TO SERC The Mayor's Appointments of the following with their terms to expire were held under the rules. Sean Lunde 22 Forrester St. Board of Health April 9, 2029 (replacing Paul Kirby) Leigh Chandler 15 Hardy St. #2 Sustainability, Energy & Resiliency Comm. February 22, 2027 (replacing Betsy Frederick) #180 - RE-APPOINTMENT OF GINA FLYNN TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND BOARD The Mayor's Re-Appointment of Gina Flynn, 25 Buena Vista Ave, to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board with a term to expire on April 2, 2028 was held under the rules. #181 - DONATION OF $4,000.00 FOR A SALEM COMMON BENCH The following order submitted by the Mayor was adopted. ORDERED: To accept the donation from Robert T. Lutts REV TR 2006 in the amount of Four Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($4,000.00) for the Park and Recreation Department Salem Common bench donation. These funds will be deposited into the Park and Recreation Department Donation account 24061-4830 in accordance with the recommendation of His Honor the Mayor. #182 - DONATION OF $3,500.00 FOR A SALEM COMMON BENCH The following order submitted by the Mayor was adopted. ORDERED: To accept the donation from DAF giving 360 in the amount of Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents ($3,500.00) for the Park and Recreation Department Salem Common bench donation. These funds will be deposited into the Park and Recreation Department Donation account 24061-4830 in accordance with the recommendation of His Honor the Mayor. 702 CITY OF SALEM APRIL 9, 2026 REGULAR MEETING #183 - PER MGL CH. 44, SEC. 53E 1/2 THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE REVOLVING FUNDS FOR FY26 - AMENDING THE CHARLOTTE FORTEN REVOLVING FUND - FUND NAME & PROGRAMS & PURPOSES The following order submitted by the Mayor was adopted. ORDERED: That, as authorized by City Council vote on June 12, 2025, pursuant to MGL Chapter 44, Section 53E ½ for the establishment of the revolving funds for fiscal year 2026, the Charlotte Forten Revolving Fund is hereby amended as detailed below in accordance with His Honor the Mayor. Dept. Fund Fund # Programs & Type of Receipts Authorization FY2026 Budget Name Purposes Credited for Spending Request Maximum Annual Expenditures Planning SRA Plazas 2389 Utility Costs and Revenue from Director of Planning 20,000.00 & Community maintenance costs programming, and Mayor Development for Charlotte Forten, contract, vendor Lappin Park and East fees, event rentals India Square #184 - CDBG GRANT FUNDS FOR FY2027 Councillor Varela recused himself from this matter. The following order submitted by the Mayor was adopted. Ordered: That the City Council hereby approves the submittal of the City of Salem’s Application for Federal Assistance to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 in the amount determined by HUD’s formula entitlement allocation estimated at ($1,080,00.00). The City Council does not accept or consent to conditions that have been set aside or enjoined from enforcement. Councillor Holappa is glad to see the same condition was added not to accept the conditions Federal Government puts on us. We received the funds although they were delayed last year, which impacts us on a local level. Councillor King re-emphasizes the money still came through even though delayed even with us stating these conditions.  703 CITY OF SALEM APRIL 9, 2026 REGULAR MEETING #185 - PER MGL CH. 59 SEC. 5, CLAUSE 41A SET THE INCOME LIMIT FOR THE ELDERLY TAX DEFERRAL PROGRAM NOT TO EXCEED THE CIRCUIT BREAKER STATE INCOME TAX CREDIT The following order submitted by the Mayor was referred to the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs co-posted with the Committee of the Whole. Ordered: That, pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41A, the City Council hereby votes to set the income limit for eligibility for the Elderly Tax Deferral Program based on the applicant’s gross income, or combined gross income for joint applicants, at an amount not to exceed the income limit established for the circuit breaker state income tax credit for single, non-head of household filers, as adjusted annually. This vote shall take effect for Fiscal Year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter. #186 - ACCEPT MGL CH. 60, SEC. 3D - TO CREATE A LOCAL FUND FOR TAXPAYERS TO CONTRIBUTE TO LOW-INCOME ELDERLY RESIDENTS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES PROPERTY TAXES The following order submitted by the Mayor was referred to the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs co-posted with the Committee of the Whole. ORDERED: The City of Salem hereby accepts Massachusetts General Law Chapter 60, section 3D, authorizing the City of Salem to create a local fund, to which taxpayers can voluntarily contribute by checking a box on their tax bill, to help low-income elderly residents and people with disabilities pay their property taxes. It further establishes a taxation aid committee, consisting of the chair of the Board of Assessors, the City Treasurer, and three residents of Salem to be appointed by the Mayor. This board shall adopt rules and regulations to execute the provisions of said section 3D of Chapter 60 of the General Laws and to identify the recipients of such aid. #187 - ORDINANCE AMENDING CH. 2, SEC. 2052 RELATIVE TO THE SENIOR RESIDENT TAX WORK ABATEMENT PROGRAM The following ordinance submitted by the Mayor was adopted for first passage and referred to the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs co-posted with the Committee of the Whole. In the year Two Thousand and Twenty-six An Ordinance increasing the maximum benefit limit for the senior resident tax work abatement program to two-thousand dollars. 704 CITY OF SALEM APRIL 9, 2026 REGULAR MEETING Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Salem, as follows: Section I. Sec. 2-2052 Program guidelines of Chapter 2 Administration is hereby amended in subsection (a) by deleting the number “$1,500.00” and replacing it with the number “$2,000.00”. Section II. This ordinance shall take effect as provided by city charter. #188 - LETTER FROM MAYOR APPOINTING 2 MEMBERS FOR THE SAM ZOLL AWARD SELECTION COMMITTEE the following letter submitted by the Mayor relative to the Sam Zoll Leadership Award Selection Committee was received and filed. Dear Councillors, This letter is being provided to you for informational purposes. As you may recall, in September, Councillor Hapworth introduced an Order to create the Sam Zoll Civic Leadership Award, to be presented annually to a living individual who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to public service, civic engagement, and the betterment of the Salem community. Per the Order, a selection committee is formed each year, consisting of two members of the City Council appointed annually by the President, the Mayor or their designee, one Salem resident at large appointed annually by the Mayor, and one past recipient of the award, if applicable. The committee shall solicit public nominations and make a final recommendation to the full City Council. I am pleased to share that for the 2026 Sam Zoll Civic Leadership Award selection committee I have appointed Sabrina Trask from my office to be my designee and former City Councillor Lev McClain to serve as the Salem resident at-large. I look forward to the committee commencing their work! Sincerely, Dominick Pangallo Mayor City of Salem  705 CITY OF SALEM APRIL 9, 2026 REGULAR MEETING #189 - AMENDING THE RULES AND ORDERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL SECTION 35 (2) - TIME OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS The following order introduced by Councillor Varela was held until the next meeting on April 23, 2026 for the second reading was adopted by a roll call vote of 7 yeas, 3 nays and 1 absent. Councillors Davis, Flynn, Holappa, Smith, Sydoriak, Varela and Merkl were recorded as voting in the affirmative. Councillors King, Prosniewski and Turowski were recorded in the negative. Councillor Hapworth was recorded as absent. ORDERED: That the Rules and Orders of the City Council Section 35. Rules of Committees (2) shall be amended by deleting 6:00 P.M. and inserting in place thereof 5:00 P.M. to read as follows: “2. All committee meetings shall be held on a day and time appointed by the committee chairperson except that no committee meeting shall be conducted prior to 5:00 P.M. on any day unless by majority vote of the members of said committee.” Councillor Varela stated this will give us more flexibility for meetings. Work times have changed no longer 9-5. Some Councillors have young families or department heads have to wait 2 hours for a meeting scheduled on Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Some leave and have to come back. When times change so shouldn't our rules. Councillor King stated she loves the intention but does work 9-5 so 5pm is too early, maybe a comprise to 5:30pm. Councillor Holappa likes this idea. Not against the rule. You could meet between 5- 6pm. this can be handled by the Committee Chair and their members. Councillor Turowski stated it makes it impossible for people's work schedule. May also conflict with other meetings that start earlier that a Councillor needs to attend, for example the Port Authority starts at 5pm. She already readjusted her schedule when she became Councillor based on the 6pm time. Councillor Davis stated it doesn't have to start at 5pm. It just gives us the flexibility. Councillor Sydoriak asked when does this vote get held? Councillor Varela stated we all make sacrifices. We have remote options. This is to just give us flexibility. It will be done on a case by case basis. Councillor Smith stated we already have a mechanism in place to start earlier than 6pm. This is going to cause some issues for those who were just voted in and thought meetings started no earlier than 6pm. Zoom option also helps. 706 CITY OF SALEM APRIL 9, 2026 REGULAR MEETING Councillor King agrees that we already have a mechanism in place. I would like chairs to ask for availability of others not on a committee when co-posted. Councillor Prosniewski - has anyone asked SATV. They do our meetings for us. Councillor Turowski stated that remote transmission is a problem. It's a big ask if on a train and can't hear people at the meeting. Councillor Holappa said it can be voted down on April 23rd. This may need a larger conversation on committees. #190 - MEET TO DISCUSS AND REVIEW THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER POLICY AND RESERVATION FORM The following order introduced by Councillor Varela was adopted. ORDERED: That the Committee on Government Services co-posted with the Committee of the Whole meet to discuss and review the City Council Chamber Policy and reservation form. Councillor Varela stated we had some issues this week with the audio/video. There needs to be more clarity on this equipment so it doesn't delay our meetings. #191 - NAMING OF A VETERANS SQUARE AFTER WILLIAM ANTHONY "BOLEY" KIELBASA TO BE LOCATED AT THE CORNERS OF HARROD AND IRVING STREET The following order introduced by Councillor Holappa was adopted. ORDERED: That a Veteran’s Square be named after Sergeant William Anthony “Boley” Kielbasa who was killed in action on December 30, 1944, to be known as Kielbasa Square. And that the square be located will be located in Ward 6, at the corners of Harrod and Irving Streets. A dedication is being planned as part of the 2026 Memorial Day ceremony.  707 CITY OF SALEM APRIL 9, 2026 REGULAR MEETING #192 - (#466 of 2025) - ORDINANCE AMENDING TRAFFIC CH. 42, SEC. 75A - OCTOBER RESIDENT PARKING Councillor Varela offered the following report for the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs co-posted with the Committee of the Whole. It was voted to accept the report and adopt the recommendation. The Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs co-posted with the Committee of the Whole to whom it was referred the matter of discussing an Ordinance relative to traffic, Sec. 75A parking prohibitions towing zone (October Resident Parking) (#466 of 2025) has considered said matter and would recommend that the matter to be discharged from committee. Councillor Varela stated this one is very similar to the one that came in from Parking and Traffic. #193 - (#139) - ORDINANCE AMENDING TRAFFIC CH. 42, SEC, 75A - PARKING PROHIBITIONS - OCTOBER RESIDENT PARKING Councillor Varela offered the following report from the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs co-posted with the Committee of the Whole. It was voted to accept the report and adopt the recommendation. The Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs co-posted with the Committee of the Whole to whom it was referred the matter of discussing Ordinance relative to traffic, Ch. 42, Sec 75A parking prohibitions towing zone (October Resident Parking) has considered said matter and would recommend that the ordinance be adopted for Second and Final Passage. #194 - (#148) - DISCUSSING RESIDENT STICKER PARKING RULES RELATIVE TO VISITOR PASSES Councillor Varela offered the following report from the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs co-posted with the Committee of the Whole. It was voted to accept the report and adopt the recommendation. The Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs co-posted with the Committee of the Whole to whom was referred the matter of discussing resident sticker parking rules on how visitor parking passes are implemented has considered said matter and would recommend that this matter remain in Committee. 708 CITY OF SALEM APRIL 9, 2026 REGULAR MEETING Councillor Varela stated that the visitor parking passes were very difficult to get. It's a cumbersome process. We have very frustrated residents. Try to compromise with Traffic & Parking especially for someone who is disabled or elderly. There has to be an easier mechanism than using a computer. The all out digital system does not work for everybody. Councillor King stated the Councillors gave Dave Kucharsky a lot of suggestions and we will wait for them to come back. Councillor Prosniewski stated that Councillor Varela summed it up well. The upgraded system does not work well for all individuals. Some type of hybrid method is needed. Hopefully, we can come up with a solution in the near future. Councillor Turowski stated it is a very nuanced system. We need to continue to work on education. The residents in the Willows forget it was April 1st when resident sticker parking starts. #195 - (#141) - AMENDING AN ORDINANCE RELATIVE TO TRAFFIC CH. 42, SEC. 17A - SCHEDULE OF FINES RE: PENALTIES Councillor Varela offered the following report for the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs co-posted with the Committee of the Whole. It was voted to accept the report and adopt the recommendation. The Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs co-posted with the Committee of the Whole to whom was referred the matter of discussing an Ordinance relative to Traffic, Ch. 42, Sec 17A – Schedule of Fines re: Penalties has considered said matter and would recommend that the ordinance be adopted for second and final passage. Councillor Varela stated these are the fines for the October Resident Sticker time frame from September 15th through November 1st. #196 - (#142) - PARKING RATES FOR CONGRESS STREET Councillor Varela offered the following report for the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs co-posted with the Committee of the Whole. It was voted to accept the report and adopt the recommendation. The Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs co-posted with the Committee of the Whole to whom was referred the matter of discussing Parking rates be as follows: Congress St – both sides, from Pickering Way to Ward St. has considered said matter and would recommend that the matter be denied.  709 CITY OF SALEM APRIL 9, 2026 REGULAR MEETING Councillor Varela stated this is just not the right time to implement metered parking on Congress Street. There's a lot of employees that work in Pickering Wharf that utilize that parking, and if we were to meter that, our October rates are very steep. Councillor Turowski stated in general, parking on the street is a public resource and needs to have some kind of subsidy from the city to be provided. My biggest objection to this is that we were trying to enforce payment from residents and business employees that work there, while we still provide free parking for tour buses year-round to spots right across the street from these places. So, I think it's disingenuous to say that we're trying to generate revenue for the city while we're still letting tour buses come in and not pay to use our streets and not pay to use our parking. We need a plan, or a pathway to have tour bus permitting and payment for parking in our city, in the downtown area at least. That needs to happen first. #197 - (#143) - ORDINANCE AMENDING TRAFFIC CH. 42, SEC. 56 - ZONES ESTABLISHED - CONGRESS STREET Councillor Varela offered the following report from the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs co-posted with the Committee of the Whole. It was voted to accept the report and adopt the recommendation. The Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs co-posted with the Committee of the Whole to whom was referred the matter of an ordinance relative to Traffic, Ch. 42 Sec. 56 - Zones Established has considered said matter and would recommend that this ordinance amendment be denied. Councillor Varela stated that this has to do with Congress Street so don’t need to adopt this since we didn’t adopt the parking rates. #198 - (#61) - ORDINANCE AMENDING CH. 38 - STREETS AND SIDEWALKS SECS. 13 & 14 RELATIVE TO FINES FOR FAILING TO REMOVE SNOW AND ICE FROM SIDEWALKS Councillor Varela offered the following report for the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs co-posted with the Committee of the Whole. It was voted to accept the report and adopt the recommendation. The Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs co-posted with the Committee of the Whole to whom was referred the matter of an ordinance relative to fines for failing to remove snow and Ice from sidewalks has considered said matter and would recommend that the matter remain in committee. 710 CITY OF SALEM APRIL 9, 2026 REGULAR MEETING #199 - (#66) - DISCUSS SNOW REMOVAL BEST PRACTICES AND ENFORCEMENT Councillor Varela offered the following report from the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs co-posted with the Committee of the Whole. It was voted to accept the report and adopt the recommendation. The Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs co-posted with the Committee of the Whole to whom was referred the matter of an Order to discuss snow removal best practices and enforcement has considered said matter and would recommend that the matter remain in committee. Councillor Varela stated that DPS Director does a fantastic job with resources he has. DPS has to rely on contractors, May need to spend some money on different types of equipment. Residents also need to patient so DPS can prioritize. Councillor King thanked Ray for coming in and answering questions. She feels there is a need for future conversations with other departments involved in snow i.e., police, parking department, Mayor's office. More communication is needed. Councillor Sydoriak thanked Ray - looking forward to further conversations. Should have a performance matrix. Councillor Davis thanked Ray - hope the purse strings open up a bit. Need resources to fight the snow. Councillor Turowski is grateful to Ray for showing up. We need to give the public some more time since no time for public comment. #200 - REQUEST FROM KAREN SCALIA FOR USE OF COUNCIL CHAMBERS TO MEET WITH CHEF SCOTT CONANT The request from Karen Scalia Founder and Owner of Salem Food Tours for use of City Council Chambers on Friday, June 12, 2026, from 10AM - 11:15AM for a City Seal Ceremony, Media photo opportunity with Chef Scott Conant was granted. #201 - SOUTH ESSEX SEWERAGE DISRRICT REQUEST TO MAKE PRESENTATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL A request from Michael Parson, P.E. Chairman, of the South Essex Sewerage Board, requesting to make a presentation to the Salem City Council regarding the South Essex Sewerage District's operating and capital needs was referred to the Committee of the Whole.  711 CITY OF SALEM APRIL 9, 2026 REGULAR MEETING #202 - REQUEST FROM SALEM MAIN STREET TO CLOSE FRONT STREET AND PART OF ESSEX STREET FOR THE SALEM ARTS FESTIVAL A request from Kylie Sullivan, Executive Director of Salem Main Streets, to close Front Street as well as Essex St. from New Liberty St. to Hawthorne Blvd. to vehicular traffic for the Salem Arts Festival on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 8:00AM - 6:00PM was granted. #203 - #205 - GRANTING CERTAIN LICENSES The Following License Applications were granted. PUBLIC GUIDES: BRIAN COGGER 11 RAYMOND ROAD SALEM GLENN DAVIS 27 WISTERIA STREET SALEM ALLAN DORRINGTON 64 PORTER TERREACE, LOWELL BRIAN MCCARRON 14 LYMAN STREET, BEVERLY GABRIELLE MONTERECCHI 15 BAYVIEW TERR, DANVERS VINCENT MORREALE 18 ROSLYN STREET #1, SALEM JONATHAN STREFF 10 BRADFORD STREET, SALEM TAXI OPERATORS: PATRICK LAFORTUNE 167 KENNEDY DRIVE APT 103 MALDEN YELIS DE LOS SANTOS JIMENEZ 12 1ST STREET APT 801 SALEM EDILIO MEJIA SILVERIO 47 LEAVITT STREET SALEM RAMON RODRIGUEZ 57 HARBOR STREET APT 1-2 SALEM JORGE GUZMAN 7 ELM STREET APT 2 PEABODY RAFAELA GARCIA DE ALMONTE 22 PULASKI STREET APT D8 PEABODY VEHICLE FOR HIRE OPERATORS ONLY: MAUREEN TANZELLA 29 EASTERN AVE BEVERLY TAMMY HARRINGTON 48 FEDERAL STREET UNIT 305 BEVERLY RAMON GUZMAN 45 WALSH AVE PEABODY ROGER FRUFFIERO 11 BERRYWOOD LANE SALEM VICTOR ANTOLINI 19 MELCH ROAD, LYNNFIELD 712 CITY OF SALEM APRIL 9, 2026 REGULAR MEETING #206 - PUBLIC GUIDE LICENSE APPLICATION - DENIAL The Following Public Guide License Application was denied. Kathleen Girard, 58 Butternut Lane, Methuen #207 - #215 - CLAIMS The Following Claims were referred to the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs. WILLIAM BASHAM 1000 LORING AVE APT C42 SALEM TOM BAVARO 28 GOODHUE ST. BOX 100, SALEM ERNESTO BOCANEGRA 33 PICKMAN ROAD SALEM HEATHER COLBY 4 CALABRESE STREET SALEM JUSTIN GIERKA 63 BASSETT LANE NEWFIELDS, NH BRIAN KIRBY 41 SABLE ROAD SALEM MOLLYKA PHENG 150 HIGHLAND AVE SALEM LORI STEWART 7 BARNS ROAD SALEM LAURIN SUFFERA 190 BRIDGE STREET #5302 SALEM (#66A) - RECONSIDERATION ON THE EXTENDED HOURS OF THE WARREN MUSEUM The matter of reconsideration for extended hours of the Warren Museum was then taken up. Councillor Smith's motion of reconsideration was adopted by a roll call vote of 10 yeas, 0 nays and 1 absent. Councillor Hapworth was recorded as absent. Councillor Smith's motion was to amend the extended hours for Haunted Warren Museum, 259 Essex St., Salem, MA 01970 as follows: Weekdays 6:00 AM - 10:00PM Sunday - Thursday Weekends 6:00 AM - 12:00 AM Friday & Saturday Councillor Smith stated this was to make the hours of operation consistent with our ordinance. Councillor Varela made a motion to amend the hours as follows: Sunday - Thursday 6AM to 11PM and Friday and Saturday from 6AM to 1AM. Seconded by Councillor Davis.  713 CITY OF SALEM APRIL 9, 2026 REGULAR MEETING Councillor Varela - It's a very reasonable request because about 80 to 100 feet away, we have Gulu Cafe. They serve alcohol, they're open till 1 o'clock. We should allow this business that does not serve alcohol to mirror the hours of someone that does. I think that is where I have a problem with this. We have to allow businesses, within reason, to operate the way they think they can operate and be successful, and to draw their clientele. I think that this body is setting a very dangerous precedent of not being business friendly. Our restaurants, by right, are able to open until 1 AM. I don't think that this body should be making decisions like this. I think this is appropriate for licensing. They take a much more non-political approach when it comes to certain matters, and that's where I'm having a little hard time with this. Like, if we want Salem to be different and unique, and to attract Councillor Holappa - This was something that I said at the last public hearing. If another business close by that has a potentially a higher potential for rowdiness, we should give them a trial period to prove that this was not an issue. I believe 1AM is reasonable. Councillor Merkl stated before we continue, as a reminder, this is just a revisiting of the amended hours to be consistent with our ordinance, and not a public hearing, and therefore should be limited in discussion or sent to committee. Councillor King - I will just say I'll be voting against this amendment. I'm not thrilled that we are rehashing something that we already decided in a hearing that felt like a really reasonable compromise for the neighborhood and an area where the ward Councillor did a lot of hard work to make sure he was trying to get the right balance for what the neighborhood and the business was looking for. Councillor Turowski - I do want to point out that Gulu closes at 8 on Sundays. I just really feel like this is not something that would be providing a benefit. We're asking the rules to be bent, and I don't see the benefit to the residents in this situation. Councillor Merkl - Do we have any additional motions? Since none no more discussion. This is a reconsideration of the hours to be consistent with our ordinance. I’d recommend this being sent to committee if it's going to continue with discussion. There were hours and hours of discussion on this with a council that came to consensus on this, and this is a council meeting, and like I said, this is a reconsideration of ours to comply with our ordinance. On Councilor Varela's motion to amend the main motion to the hours he stated above. The motion did not pass by a roll call vote of 3 yeas, 7 nays, and 1 absent. Councillors Davis, Holappa and Varela were recorded in the affirmative. Councillors Flynn, King, Prosniewski, Smith, Sydoriak, Turowski, and Merkl were recorded in the negative. Councillor Hapworth was recorded in the negative. 714 CITY OF SALEM APRIL 9, 2026 REGULAR MEETING Councillor Smith's motion to amend the hours as noted above was adopted. Councillor Varela was recorded as opposed. (#147) - SECOND PASSAGE OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TRAFFIC CH. 42, SEC. 57B - PARKING TIME LIMITED; OFF STREET PARKING AREAS The Second Passage of the following Ordinance amending Traffic Ch. 42, Sec. 57B - Parking time limited; off street parking areas was then taken up. It was adopted for second and final passage. In the year Two Thousand and Twenty-Six An ordinance relative to Traffic, Ch. 42 Sec. 57B – Parking time limited; off-street parking areas Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Salem, as follows: Section 1. Section 57B of Article V be amended by deleting this section in its entirety and replacing it with the following: Sec. 57B. - Parking time limited; off-street parking areas. Any off-street parking area on which a mobile parking application is utilized for parking fees, including the parking lots on Church Street (W), Crombie Street, 297 Bridge Street and Bridge Street adjacent to 13 Howard Street shall be enforced Monday through Saturday 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. and on Sunday noon to 6:00 P.M. Parking shall be free on Sundays for Salem residents, verified via automobile registration. Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect as provided by City Charter. On the motion of Councillor Prosniewski, the meeting adjourned at 8:41 P.M. ATTEST: ILENE SIMONS CITY CLERK