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Early July Newsletter

Table of Contents

Regular Council Business


Meeting Details:

The Salem City Council voted to have only one meeting in the months of July and August, as opposed to the usual 4. As such, after this next meeting, there will be no regular Council meeting until September. Some committee meetings will likely still be scheduled.


The next meeting taking place on July 9th.

Folks looking to give public comment can sign up with this link, or sign up with the City Clerk prior to 6:30 pm on the day of.


As long as it behaves, the meetings are also available via Zoom (here) or SATV on Channel 22. The Zoom password is 110065


Agenda Highlights:


  • Mayor Pangallo put forward an ordinance relative to zoning, to explicitly forbid data centers from being built in any zone in Salem. I strongly support this measure!

  • Ward 5 Councillor King and I put forward an ordinance relative to zoning to eliminate minimum parking requirements for new two-family dwellings (R2 zones). This expands on the ordinance passed by the previous Council that eliminated parking minimums for new multi-family housing (R3 zones). If passed, this would allow new two-family dwellings to build however much parking they deem appropriate for the neighborhood.

  • Councillor King introduced an ordinance relative to zoning, for the Committee of Ordinances, Licenses, and Legal Affairs to discuss allowing roof mounted wind energy systems to be built in Salem. As a coastal city, this could allow property owners a viable alternative to generate energy on their property, as opposed to oil, gas, or solar. I support this measure and I am optimistic that we will have a valuable discussion if this gets to committee.


Council Subcommittee Updates


The council maintains five standing subcommittees on which different Councillors serve, in addition to a Committee of the Whole, which meet as needed to discuss business outside of the regular bi-weekly Council meetings.


I serve on OLLA, PHS&E, and C&ED, as well as the Committee of the Whole with all other Councillors. As a member of those committees I have "voting rights" and count towards the quorum. More information about subcommittee assignments can be found here, on the city's website.


Community & Economic Development (C&ED):

Held to discuss a Rent Stabilization Resolution introduced in our last regular meeting by our Ward 5 Councillor, Lydia King. Presently, the City of Salem is forbidden to enact any sort of rent stabilization policies due to state law. The resolution calls for our state government to lift the ban and allow local municipalities, like Salem, to use rent stabilization as one tool in the toolbox to address the housing crisis. I was a vocal supporter of the resolution during both the regular council meeting and the committee meeting. I firmly believe that we need to be treating the crisis with the urgency that it deserves, which includes significant zoning changes to encourage small and medium housing projects to be developed. Without these changes, we can expect the trend to continue where nearly all new housing is in the large, corporate, apartment building format.


Government Services:

Topic: Discussing Community Preservation Committee Applications.


Committee of the Whole:

Topic: Discussing the Jefferson Ave. Corridor Study.


Potential Changes in the Neighborhood


New Roadway Striping at Tremont & School Intersection


Folks who regularly travel on School and/or Tremont Streets have likely noticed that, last week, a new, temporary, striping plan was implemented! The hopeful goal of this new layout is to encourage drivers turning from School onto Tremont to actually stop at the stop sign.


As always, please feel welcome to reach out to me with your feedback on the new layout! I don't think its perfect, but it is temporary and there is an opportunity to evaluate and change this, as needed, in the future.







Feedback on 75 North Street Development Project


There will be 2 virtual public hearings for the community to provide public comment and input on the proposed 75 North Street development project. These meetings will be held at 2pm and 6pm on July 23rd. Please see the notices below for details. All written comments received before September 7th will also be taken into consideration.

As it stands, the project consists of a 4-story, 60-unit residential apartment between Mason and Commercial streets. 10% of the units will be priced at 60% of the area median income, and the project will include improved waterfront access, a public walkways, and new pubic open space.


Upcoming Events & Activities


Volunteer at Mack Park Farm:

On Saturday, the municipal farm will be having the 3rd free market of the summer, as well as the 2nd Salem 400+ workshop, Roots of Salem, with Sheiglagh Cruikshank and Massachusett Tribe member Thomas Green. Please see the flyer below for details.


It is looking like there will be quite the harvest this week and extra hands would be very helpful this week in particular! Please consider signing up for one of several volunteer options this week by clicking here.


Office Hours at Konna Café and Things:

I have weekly office hours at Konna Café and Things (130 North St.) every Tuesday morning from 9am-Noon. Please feel welcome to stop in and say hello! You'll know I'm there by the bike parked out front!


Flyers for Upcoming Events In/Around Salem:

Check out the flyers below for events in our beautiful city.



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