The Salem Town Council met on Monday, March 16, 2026, and addressed several organizational items, policy updates, public safety matters, and community announcements.
Town Council Organization
The Council unanimously elected its leadership for the coming year, with Councilor Bryant serving as Chair, Councilor Sweeney serving as Vice Chair, and Councilor Withrow continuing as Secretary.
Boards, Committees, and Commissions
Councilors also reviewed board and committee appointments and discussed a change to representation on the Economic Development Committee. To help avoid tie votes, the Council agreed that one of the current Town Council representatives could serve as an alternate so the committee can maintain an odd number of voting members.
Town Council Bylaws
The Council unanimously reaffirmed its Town Council bylaws and non-public meeting rules of procedure for the year. In addition, the Council formally adopted a new attendance policy for appointed boards and committees, intended to help ensure appointed members participate consistently and that boards can maintain quorum and effectively conduct business.
Proposed Establishment of Finance Committee
One of the more in-depth discussions of the evening focused on a proposed Advisory Finance Committee. Town Manager Joe Devine explained that the proposed committee would help with long-range forecasting, financial planning, and budget understanding beyond a single budget year. Councilors said the committee could also improve transparency, help monitor spending throughout the year, and give residents more insight into the budget process. The proposal received its first reading and was approved unanimously to move forward to a second reading on April 6, 2026.
Police Department – Public Hearing
The Council also held a public hearing and unanimously accepted an additional $38,097.40 grant from the New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety for the Police Department. Police Chief Joel Dolan said the funding will be used to replace four mobile data terminals in frontline police vehicles, along with docking stations, in-car printers, and barcode scanners.
Town Manager’s Report
During his report, Town Manager Joe Devine discussed the results of the March Town Election, noting that about 17 percent of Salem’s 21,000 registered voters participated. He highlighted that the 2026 General Fund Operating Budget decreased by 2.2 percent, from approximately $63 million in 2025 to $61 million in 2026.
Despite this reduction, the estimated municipal tax rate increased to $6.17, up about 27 cents or 4.58 percent compared to 2025. Devine explained that decreased revenues, which dropped from over $29 million in 2025 to just over $25 million in 2026, contributed to the increase in the tax rate. A significant factor in revenue decline was the previous use of $2.3 million in fund balance for a fire apparatus, which is no longer available.
Devine added that changes in the Town Charter had caused costs to appear in the operating budget, complicating year-to-year comparisons of tax impact. He reminded residents that the final tax rate is determined by a mix of Town spending, warrant articles, and the School District budget.
Councilors also addressed voter confusion regarding new polling locations, with some voters mistakenly going to their former sites. The Town sent out postcards to inform residents of these changes. Finally, Devine recognized Officer DeFusco as New Hampshire’s Juvenile Police Officer/SRO of the Year for his commitment to the Woodbury School community and student safety.
Upcoming Community Events
Several upcoming community events were highlighted during the meeting, including the Easter Egg Hunt on March 28 at Hedgehog Park, the Fishing Derby on May 2, Town Forest Cleanup Day on May 30, the reopening of community garden plots at Hawkins Farm, and the start of the Town’s annual litter cleanup program on April 6.
Public Safety Concerns
Toward the end of the meeting, Councilors and police leadership discussed public safety concerns at Tuscan Village following a recent viral incident. Town officials said Salem Police responded to more than 1,700 calls at Tuscan Village in 2025 and are working proactively with property management, tenants, and security staff to address ongoing issues. Police said they are increasing patrols, assigning problem-oriented policing resources, and encouraging Tuscan Village security to take a stronger enforcement role on the private property.
The meeting concluded with a reminder that the next Town Council meetings are scheduled for April 6th and April 20th.
The Town Manager’s Report is available to view on the Town Website. The complete Town Council meeting, including all discussion and presentations, is available to view online, along with the Town Council meeting materials and the March 16, 2026, Town Council meeting recording.
