The Salem Town Council met on Monday, September 14, 2026, to review plans for the proposed South Fire Station replacement, consider updates to the Commercial Tax Credit Program and Town wide fee schedule, advance several zoning amendments, approve additional funding for the Bridge Street Bridge project, accept community donations, and receive the 2027 Capital Improvement Program report. The Council also recognized two Town employees and received several community updates from the Town Manager.
Employee of the Month Recognitions
The Council recognized Officer Mike Cummings as the August Employee of the Month. Police Chief Joel Dolan shared that Officer Cummings received six nominations and has earned a reputation for professionalism, patience, mentorship, and a willingness to assist wherever needed during his twelve years with the Salem Police Department. His support for new officers, interns, coworkers, department projects, and community events was highlighted.
Bridget Gard, Administrative Secretary in the Planning Division, was recognized as the September Employee of the Month. Planning Director Jacob LaFontaine praised her customer service and her ability to help residents, contractors, and developers understand the land use and permitting process. He also shared recent positive feedback from residents who said Bridget listened carefully, explained the information clearly, provided helpful maps and materials, and made their visit to Town Hall easy.
South Fire Station Design and Planning
The Municipal Building Advisory Committee and the project team presented the current concept for replacing South Fire Station, also known as Fire Station 3. The existing station received a building condition index score of 36 and has significant space, accessibility, energy efficiency, and employee health deficiencies.
Current total project estimates are around $10 million, including construction, contingencies, design and other professional costs, and relocation expenses. The team identified approximately $470,000 in value engineering changes to keep the project near its anticipated cost. Design development documents are expected in November, with the proposed warrant article amount expected around December 1st. The project is proposed for the 2027 warrant and ballot.
The Council voted unanimously to appoint Council Members Lisa Withrow and Keith Stramaglia to the South Fire Station Finance Working Group. The Council also requested that the Budget Committee appoint two members and that the Finance Committee appoint one member. Updates will be posted on the Town’s website as they become available. View South Fire Station project updates.
Commercial Tax Credit Program
The Council completed the first reading of Resolution 2026-14, which proposes amendments to Salem’s Commercial and Industrial Property Tax Credit Program. The proposed changes would limit eligible areas to nonresidential districts, place greater emphasis on redevelopment, revise the required public benefits, clarify the application process, and add a recommendation from the Economic Development Committee before Council consideration. Under the proposal discussed, new construction would not receive the tax benefit.
A second reading on the resolution is scheduled for September 28. Staff will continue refining the language before that meeting.
Request to Unmerge Lots at 5 Frary Street
The Council completed the first reading of Resolution 2026-16 regarding a request from NTC Real Estate Development, LLC to reverse an involuntary merger involving property at 5 Frary Street.
A second reading and public hearing is scheduled for September 28.
Proposed 2027 Town Wide Fee Schedule
The Council completed the first reading of Resolution 2026-17 regarding the proposed 2027 Town wide fee schedule.
Proposed changes include increasing the sewer consumption rate from $5.75 to $6.15 per 100 cubic feet and the water usage rate from $4.75 to $5.60 per 100 cubic feet.
The annual Transfer Station permit fee would increase from $60 to $70, while permits would remain free for residents over age 65. A new mattress disposal fee is of $25 for a mattress and box spring together is proposed.
The proposed fee schedule would take effect in January 2027 and may be amended at a later date. Finance staff will return to the Council once updated solid waste contract rates are available.
A second reading and public hearing is scheduled for September 28.
Proposed Zoning Amendments
The Council advanced three zoning proposals to second readings and public hearings on September 28.
Resolution 2026-18 would update the permitted use table by consolidating educational and religious use categories and allowing personal service businesses, such as salons, barber shops, and tattoo establishments, in the Business Office districts. Staff said the changes would reduce ambiguity, align the code with state law, and better reflect existing development patterns.
Resolution 2026-19 would allow multifamily mixed use development in commercial districts in response to changes in state law. Proposed projects would remain subject to applicable dimensional standards and a determination that adequate infrastructure is available. This amendment is proposed for compliance with recent changes in state statute.
Resolution 2026-20 would establish a 750-foot separation between kennels and residential districts. The original proposal also addressed certain cigar bars, but the Council removed that portion before advancing the resolution. Council discussion distinguished ongoing kennel noise from issues associated with late night establishments and considered how the buffer would be measured from district boundaries.
Bridge Street Bridge Project
The Council unanimously approved Resolution 2026-21 and waived a second reading, authorizing $200,000 from the Roadway Improvements Capital Reserve Fund for additional Bridge Street Bridge construction costs.
Staff explained that high spring water flows, artesian groundwater, limited space near neighboring properties, overhead utilities, and deep bedrock delayed the project and required extended pumping and additional engineering oversight. Water had to be pumped from the work area for more than two months, including repeated removal of water from foundation forms.
Community Donations
Following public hearings, the Council unanimously accepted two community donations.
The Salem Friendship and Garden Club donated plantings and a bench valued at $9,200 for the area near the pickleball courts at Michele Memorial Park. The improvements are intended to beautify the area and may also help reduce noise.
The Salem Historical Society donated gravestone repair and resetting services valued at $11,430 for the Salem Center Burying Ground. The project will repair 14 gravestones and reset an additional 24 gravestones. Salem Community Television plans to document the preservation work for educational and future preservation purposes.
Communication Site Leases
The Council unanimously approved amendments to two communication site lease agreements with T Mobile.
One amendment extends the lease for use of the water tank at 82 Lawrence Road through 2061. The other extends the lease for use of the water tank at 2026 Howard Street through 2057. The Town Manager was authorized to execute both agreements.
Municipal Building Advisory Committee
The Council approved updates to the Municipal Building Advisory Committee charter. The revisions add the Superintendent of Facilities as a member, remove the project engineer role, and replace the requirement for weekly meetings with a schedule established at the Chair’s discretion.
2027 Capital Improvement Program
The Council received the 2027 Capital Improvement Program report. The program reviews proposed projects with a useful life of at least five years and a cost of at least $150,000.
The committee ranks projects based on significance and readiness while considering tax impact and the Town’s goal of making steady investments without major year to year fluctuations.
Additional Council Actions and Town Manager’s Report
The Council accepted several gifts through its consent agenda, including donations supporting plantings at Hedgehog Park, Senior Services, National Night Out, the Police Department’s Community Services Unit, and a free library shed at Town Hall.
The Town of Salem will be recognized by the New England Water Works Association for 30 years of membership and support.
The Town Manager reported that the Town is implementing CivicPlus DocAccess to improve the accessibility of PDF documents published on the Town website. The service provides accessible versions of current and future documents while preserving access to the original PDFs. This improvement will help the Town comply with the Department of Justice’s ADA Title II requirements by the April 26, 2028 deadline.
Inspectional Services now offers both morning and afternoon counter hours for permit assistance and conversations with inspectors.
- Morning hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
- Afternoon hours are Monday through Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Work has begun on the Ermer Road project along Route 111. Motorists should expect traffic pattern changes and delays and should use caution through the work area.
The Town Manager clarified that Salem’s intersection cameras are traffic monitoring cameras, not Flock license plate recognition cameras, and that the Town does not record them.
The Town Manager’s Report, agenda, and meeting materials are available on the Town’s website. Town Council meeting recordings are available through Salem Community Television.
Upcoming Meetings:
Monday, September 28, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the community room at the new Salem Police Department
Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. for the first 2027 budget presentation and discussion of warrant articles
Monday, October 5, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. for a regular meeting
Wednesday, October 7, 2026, for preliminary discussion of the 2027 budget and warrant articles
Wednesday, October 14, 2026, for votes on the 2027 budget and warrant articles
Monday, October 19, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. for a regular meeting
