I’m a little late getting the notes posted today, because yesterday, between a long day at work, full moon madness and a generally bad day, I opted for bar pizza and red wine at Bertinis over city council. Thankfully, the Zoom recording is available on Facebook, and I really hope this is a permanent change.
I skipped over the first 45 minutes, in which the council discussed and approved several National Grid and Verizon petitions. The appointments and reappointments were routine and I always like to take a moment to thank residents willing to serve on city committees and boards. On to business:
The first matter was a motion to clarify the language in the agreement between the Salem Redevelopment Authority and the city council pertaining to the Crescent lot sale. Councilor Dibble questioned the legality of making changes to the agreement and requested that the matter wait until the city solicitor could review the changes. City planner Tom Daniel read the language from the original agreement that allowed for such changes and noted that it was the city solicitor who wrote what was before them. Nevertheless, Dibble moved to table the discussion until the next meeting. Once a motion to table is put forward, all discussion is shut down and a vote is taken. Councilors Sargent, Flynn, Dominguez and Dibble voted to table the matter. The vote to adopt the proposed changes, which were date clarifications - using a fixed date instead of “18-months” - fell down the same lines and the matter passed.
Money, money, money: All money matters passed without drama. $159K to satisfy the police patrolmen union settlement pertaining to back pay. $81K in retirement buybacks for school and fire personnel. $50K to contract for city financial services until full-time hires can be made. $400 for a lighting bill carried over from the last fiscal year. The council also accepted a $1K donation from Salem Saves Animals to put to the K9 program.
The council unanimously approved the resolution to endorse the Commonwealth Wind project. The state decision on the project is coming in December. Hopefully the council endorsement and public support will go a long way.
The committee on ordinances, licenses and legal affairs (OLLA) endorsed a home rule petition to allow homeowners renting accessory dwelling units (ADUs) under market rate to apply for a tax exemption. Essentially, the property tax rate would only include the bedroom and not the bathroom or kitchen portion of the ADU. Dibble verbalized his opposition somewhat comically, noting that “…if there are children living in that unit, they are not paying anything towards their education…” I don’t think he meant that children are already little freeloaders and we should consider taxing them, but I laughed anyhow. This is what gets me through some of the meetings. Anyhow, the matter passed with Sargent, Flynn, Dominguez and Dibble voting against. This will now go to the state for consideration.
Happy news for those of you with outstanding parking fines: Peas for Fees is back. You can pay for your parking ticket with two canned goods. There are some limitations, for example if cannot have more than $30 in late fees on top of the ticket. In other holiday season news, there will be FREE PARKING downtown on 26–28 November and 23–26 December. Shop local!
Councilor Madore put forward a zoning change to allow home offices by right. She noted that this was a matter of economic dignity. There have been three zoning petitions by small business owners, who have to pay for the announcement and legal representation, to allow them to operate out of their homes this year, and all have been approved. Changing the zoning in light of the changing times - many, many people now work out of their home full-time - just makes sense. The matter is going to OLLA for work. Watch this space.
The bike safety improvements ordinance will also go to OLLA for love and attention.
Councilor Morsillo reported that OLLA voted favorably for the home rule petition pertaining to e-bikes. This would clarify how e-bikes will be legislated in Salem. There are 3 classes of e-bikes: class 1, pedal assist, class 2, throttle assist, and class 3, a cross between a bike and a moped. You would need a drivers license to operate class 3, so this is only pertaining to class 1 and 2. They max out at 20 mph and will be required to follow all the same rules as bicycles. Matter carries unanimously.
The committee on government services is keeping the matter pertaining to hybrid meetings in committee. IT is not ready to support hybrid, they hope to be able to support hybrid meetings by mid-January. Councilor Hapworth said government services is considering how to formalize the process for naming streets. Morsillo said the city solicitor and the city clerk had formalized the process.
The rest was all routine: taxi licenses, traffic ordinances, etc.
Have a lovely Thanksgiving!
Respectfully submitted,
Jen Lynch