CommitteeSalem

City Council

Track committee activity, current roster, and published meeting coverage for City Council in Salem.

0 active membersNext meeting Aug 17, 2026Last meeting Aug 13, 202633 summaries in 30d

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Aug 13, 2026

Municipality

Salem

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City Council Organizes for 2026

Published Aug 13, 2026

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Published meeting coverage connected to City Council.

Briefing

Jul 27, 2026

Council Reviews Jefferson Avenue Corridor Plan

The City Council received and filed a preliminary Jefferson Avenue Corridor Plan presentation by a 9-0 vote. The proposal examines housing affordability, climate resilience, transportation improvements, and redevelopment opportunities.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jul 16, 2026

Council Refers Open Meeting Complaint

The Government Services Committee voted 4-0 to refer an Open Meeting Law complaint about its July 9, 2026 meeting to the city solicitor for a written response.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jul 9, 2026

Council Committee Recommends Preservation Appointments

The Government Services Committee voted 5-0 to recommend reappointing Kate Martin to the Community Preservation Committee for a two-year term and appointing Annie Thompson for a one-year City Council seat, subject to full council approval.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jul 6, 2026

Rent Stabilization Resolution Advances

The committee recommended an amended rent stabilization resolution to the full City Council in a 3–1 vote. The amendments removed a specific 5% rent-increase cap, replacing it with language supporting increases tied to the Consumer Price Index, and broadened support for state legislation lifting the statewide ban on rent stabilization.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jun 25, 2026

City Council advances rent stabilization resolution

The council referred a rent stabilization resolution to committee for further review while state lawmakers consider whether to restore local authority. The proposal described at the meeting would limit annual rent increases to 5% or the cost-of-living adjustment, whichever is lower, with an exemption for owner-occupied buildings of fewer than four units; state lawmakers were said to have until July 31 to act.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jun 11, 2026

Council Panel Recommends Utility Fee Increases

The committee recommended that the full City Council approve higher trash, water, and sewer fees effective July 1, 2026. Residential trash rates would rise from $25.79 to $26.83, water usage fees by 9% from $4.82 to $5.26 per 100 cubic feet, and sewer usage fees from $8.28 to $8.70 per 100 cubic feet.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jun 10, 2026

School Budget and Capital Plans Recommended

The committee unanimously recommended an FY2027 Salem Public Schools budget totaling $81,755,368, including $64,053,931 for personnel and $17,701,437 in other expenditures.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jun 9, 2026

FY27 Budget Recommendations Advance

The committee unanimously recommended FY27 funding for the Collector, Assessor, Purchasing, Treasurer, and Finance departments, including $400,000 transferred to the Stabilization Fund. The city reported 98% real estate tax collection and 97% excise tax collection, while about $1 million in ARPA funds remains to be spent before December 31, 2026.

3 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jun 8, 2026

FY27 Department Budgets Recommended

The committee unanimously recommended Fiscal Year 2027 operating budgets for the Council on Aging, parks and recreation services, golf, cultural sites, Winter Island, and related facilities, while also reviewing capital improvement projects.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jun 4, 2026

Ranked-Choice Voting Proposal Advances

The committee voted 5-0 to recommend amended Home Rule Petition language on ranked-choice voting to the full City Council.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jun 3, 2026

FY27 Public Services Budgets Approved

The minutes record approval of FY27 budgets for public services, snow and ice, water, sewer, engineering, and solid waste, including a $5.26 million trash and solid waste budget. Engineering also presented approximately $10.5 million in planned infrastructure investments for roads, water, sewer, drainage, flood mitigation, and utility reliability.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jun 2, 2026

FY2027 Budget Priorities Set

The committee unanimously recommended a $294,927 Sustainability and Resiliency budget and approved recommendations for several planning-related budgets, while identifying $2,337,822 in proposed capital projects.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jun 1, 2026

FY27 Department Budgets Advance Unanimously

The committees unanimously approved or recommended FY27 budgets for several city departments, including $11,920,064 for the Fire Department, $1,851,964 for Traffic and Parking, and $1,050,820 for Electrical.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

May 21, 2026

FY27 Department Budgets Approved

The committee approved four FY27 departmental budgets by 4-0 votes: City Council ($297,438), City Clerk ($411,873), Elections and Registrations ($354,533), and Veterans Services ($581,733).

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

May 20, 2026

FY27 Department Budget Recommendations Advance

The committee recommended approval, by 4-0 votes, of FY27 budgets totaling $872,906 for Health, $474,299 for the Harbormaster, and $15,286,379 for Police.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

May 19, 2026

FY27 Department Budget Recommendations Reviewed

The committee recommended multiple FY27 departmental budget amounts, including $21,914,161 for employee insurance benefits; recorded motions carried 4-0.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

May 18, 2026

Sewer district finances remain under review

The committee voted 7-0 to receive the South Essex Sewer District presentation and keep the matter in committee after hearing that the district faces significant financial challenges.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

May 14, 2026

Salem Approves Tour Bus Rules

Salem approved amended tour bus parking rules, setting permit fees at $50 most of the year and $100 during October, with a $150 fine for standing or idling tour buses.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

May 13, 2026

Council chamber use rules updated

The Committee on Government Services recommended 3-0 that the City Council revise its chamber policy and reservation form, limiting evening and weekend use by outside groups and requiring 48 hours’ notice to the IT department.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

May 12, 2026

Council Reviews Haunted Happenings Report

The committee voted 4-0 to receive and file the 2025 Haunted Happenings report, which said event revenues have been slightly higher than expenses since 2021.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Apr 23, 2026

Council Approves Solar Contracts, Advances Bus Rules

The City Council authorized the Mayor to execute 20-year contracts with BlueWave, a solar developer, by a 10-0 vote with one absence. The Council also advanced amended bus-related traffic rules for further review and referred a proposed $50-per-visit parking permit fee for tour buses to committee.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Apr 14, 2026

Home Occupation Ordinance Stays in Committee

The City Council kept a proposed home occupation ordinance in committee by a 5-0 roll-call vote so department heads can review enforcement, permitting, zoning, and health-related questions.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Apr 9, 2026

Council changes parking and museum hours

The City Council gave final approval to parking rules requiring enforcement in specified mobile-payment lots Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.; Salem residents may park free on Sundays with vehicle-registration verification.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Apr 8, 2026

Council Panel Rejects Congress Street Parking Plan

The committee voted 4-0 to send the Congress Street parking proposals to the full City Council with a negative recommendation, citing concerns about employees’ access to parking and limited projected revenue.

1 min readMunicipal coverage