The Salem Town Council met on Monday, June 15, 2026, to recognize the Town’s Employee of the Month, adopt new policies, authorize the purchase of conservation land, receive an update on the Transfer Station Study Committee, and review the tax impact of Tuscan Village.

Todd Welch Recognized as June Employee of the Month

Todd Welch of the Engineering Division was recognized as the Town of Salem’s Employee of the Month for June.

Municipal Services Director Wayne Amaral praised Welch for assuming additional responsibilities while the division experienced staffing challenges. Welch has helped manage major capital projects, oversee ongoing engineering initiatives, and maintain the division’s daily operations.

His flexibility, dedication, and willingness to take on additional work have helped ensure that important projects continue moving forward.

Council Adopts Human Services Agency Funding Policy

The Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2026-11 and Policy No. 2026-03, establishing a formal policy for funding outside human services agencies.

The policy is intended to clarify how the Town evaluates funding requests from organizations that provide essential services the Town may otherwise be obligated to provide.

At Councilor Lisa Withrow’s request, the policy will also include language addressing agencies that receive funding through the Town’s operating budget and discouraging those organizations from separately pursuing additional funding through a petitioned warrant article.

Fundraising Policy Established for the Transfer Station

The Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2026-12 and waived the requirement for a second reading, formally establishing a fundraising policy for the Transfer Station.

The policy puts the Town’s existing practices into writing and allows Salem-based nonprofit and community organizations that benefit the Salem community to conduct fundraising activities at the facility.

Only one organization will be permitted to fundraise each day, and participants must remain within the designated fundraising area without interfering with Transfer Station operations. Reservations will now be coordinated through the Municipal Services Department.

Town staff emphasized that the policy is intended to improve safety and organization rather than exclude groups that have previously used the facility.

Police K-9 Dash Retires After More Than a Decade of Service

The Council authorized the release of retired Salem Police K-9 Dash to his handler, Officer Paul Benoit.

Dash began serving the Salem community in May 2015 and completed his final patrol shift following the meeting. Officer Benoit has served as a K-9 officer for nearly 20 years.

Police Chief Joel Dolan explained that allowing a retired police dog to remain with its handler is customary because of the close bond developed throughout their years of service.

Chief Dolan also announced that Officer Ruben Jimenez and K-9 Stone recently graduated from the Boston Police K-9 Academy and have begun patrol operations.

Council Approves Conservation Land Purchase Near Arlington Pond

Following an extensive discussion, the Council voted 5-4 to authorize the Conservation Commission to purchase seven parcels off Norwood Road for $500,000.

The properties total just over 10 acres and include approximately one-quarter mile of shoreline along Arlington Pond. The land will be permanently restricted for conservation purposes.

The purchase will be funded entirely through the Conservation Fund and will not use general property tax revenue. Before the acquisition is finalized, the Town will complete a title search and a Phase I environmental site assessment.

Supporters of the purchase cited the limited amount of undeveloped land remaining near Arlington Pond, protection of the Town’s water supply, wildlife habitat, public access to open space, and the potential environmental effects of future development.

Councilors who opposed the purchase questioned whether the land faced an immediate development threat and whether the Conservation Commission should preserve its funds for other properties with greater development potential.

The Conservation Commission anticipates maintaining the existing informal trail network and exploring opportunities for benches, volunteer cleanups, and other passive recreational improvements.

Transfer Station Study Committee Provides Progress Update

Municipal Services Director Wayne Amaral provided an update on the work of the Transfer Station Study Committee, which was established by the Council in June 2025.

The committee has reviewed the Town’s Transfer Station regulations, developed committee bylaws, added signage required by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, created an annual holiday schedule, and reviewed the facility’s operating plan.

The committee is also reviewing the definition and use of bulky waste permits. Town staff noted that some residents have used a single permit to dispose of multiple large items, including mattresses, box springs, grills, and furniture, exceeding the amount the permit was intended to cover.

Future discussions may include separate disposal requirements or fees for mattresses, greater cost recovery, construction and demolition debris, and ways to make the Transfer Station more financially self-sufficient.

The committee has also discussed creating a volunteer-operated swap shop. However, staff noted that similar programs in other communities have struggled when volunteer participation declines, leaving municipal employees responsible for managing the operation and disposing of unwanted items.

Irrigation Connection Approved for New Police Department

The Council unanimously approved a waiver allowing the irrigation system at the new Salem Police Department facility at 9 Veterans Memorial Parkway to connect to the municipal water system.

Because the property is considered commercial under the Municipal Code, a separate irrigation well would ordinarily be required. The cost of an irrigation system was included in the facility budget, but the cost of constructing a separate well was not.

The waiver allows the Town to connect the irrigation system directly to the municipal water supply.

Town Manager Presents Tuscan Village Tax Impact Report

Town Manager Joe Devine presented an overview of Tuscan Village’s effect on Salem’s property tax base.

Tuscan Village encompasses approximately 170 acres and had an assessed value of approximately $463 million in 2025, compared with the former Rockingham Park property’s assessed value of roughly $40 million.

Properties within Tuscan Village generated approximately $9.87 million in property taxes in 2025, representing about 7.3% of Salem’s total tax levy.

Of that amount:

• Approximately $5.5 million supported local education.
• Approximately $3.2 million supported Town services.
• Approximately $766,000 supported statewide education.
• Approximately $424,000 supported Rockingham County.

The presentation estimated that a Salem home valued at approximately $610,000 had a 2025 property tax bill of about $7,810. Without Tuscan Village’s additional assessed value—and assuming the site had remained the former racetrack, the estimated bill would have been approximately $8,485, a difference of about $675.

Devine explained that development does not automatically cause property taxes to decrease. Instead, additional assessed value expands the tax base and helps limit the amount the tax rate must increase as municipal, school, county, and statewide expenses rise.

Tuscan Village has also paid approximately $10.3 million in impact fees, which have supported transportation improvements, public safety projects, school facilities, and recreation.

The development is estimated to be approximately two-thirds complete, meaning additional assessed value and tax revenue are expected as remaining parcels are developed.

Town Manager Shares Additional Community Updates

Town Manager Devine also shared several updates:

• A new kiosk has been installed along the Salem Bike-Ped Corridor near Hampshire Road.
• For the first time known to Town officials, the Salem Police Department is fully staffed with all 70 authorized officers.
• The July 6 Town Council meeting will be held at the Old Town Hall on Main Street.
• A new “Where Do Your Property Taxes Go?” resource is available through the Town Manager’s page on the Town website. The page explains Salem’s tax rate, operating budget, department spending, and how a resident’s tax payment is distributed.
• The Palmer School sign was temporarily removed for repairs and will be reinstalled.
• The Town will provide a future update regarding safety improvements near the intersection of North Main Street and Bluff Street.

Councilor Joseph Sweeney also discussed organizing a community Independence Day gathering at Field of Dreams, potentially featuring a reading of the Declaration of Independence, music, food trucks, and participation from local organizations.

Upcoming Meetings

The Town Manager’s Report is available on the Town website. Full meeting recordings are available through Salem Community Television, agenda and meeting materials are available on the Town’s website.

The Town Council’s next meeting will be held on Monday, July 6, 2026, at the Old Town Hall on Main Street.

The Council will also meet on Monday, August 3, 2026.