Today’s theme is “accountability.” It is an election year, and some councilors are more prone to lengthier speeches and diatribes - though, let’s be honest, some are prone to that regardless. I remind myself that it is good that they orate, because it makes transparent their stances, their preparedness, and their competency; and you, dear voters, need to judge them on all three things and hold them accountable on Election Day. As a reminder, you will be voting for five councilors this November: your ward councilor and four at-large councilors. Do they represent you and your values? Let’s get to it.
The budget, the finances, and the accounting practices of a Massachusetts city make my eyes glaze, but it is important that the city councilors understand them, since the fiscal well-being of our fair city is their fiduciary responsibility. Some funds are fungible, some are not, which means at the end of the fiscal year, council can move money from an account with excess to one carrying deficit. The state governs which funds can hold excess and which can carry deficit. The fund for snow and ice removal is intentionally kept low because (if I read this correctly) it can only carry a deficit or exceed the available appropriation if the allotted funds equaled or exceeded what was appropriated the year prior. Carrying a deficit enables the city to pay contractors, even in wicked snowy years. As the accountants clean and close the books, they move money to close the deficit; it is routine, and in this case, has a reporting deadline. Councilor Dibble moved to send the matter of shifting $300k from an account with excess cash to close the snow and ice deficit to the Administration & Finance (A&F) committee because Councilor Dominguez asked why we were paying the contractors so late in the year. To be clear, the contractors have been paid. The motion failed; the councilors voted in favor, except Dominguez (opposed) and Dibble (present). Other such maneuvers were approved without incident. The excess funds covered salary gaps caused by the extra days in the fiscal year and COVID interruptions.
The council also unanimously approved to accept money and donations. They authorized the city to receive the funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. A special position will be created to oversee the administration of this funding and a committee will be convened to guide the decisions of how the money is spent. They accepted a security camera for Bertram Field, and Councilor Morsillo reminded everyone that the ribbon cutting is next Thursday, 22 July. And, they accepted a donation from the Cornacchios. Every councilor extolled the kindness and selflessness of the family and extended thanks for their generosity and contributions to the city over the years.
Put the champagne on ice! We have some changes to liquor licenses: Council approved Salem’s Retreat and La Delicia to convert from seasonal to annual licenses. The license for Boston Burger will convert from beer and wine to full liquor. Bella’s Pizza will be able to sell beer and wine “to go” for take-out orders (not to be consumed on premises). The proposals for Jaho were sent to the Ordinances, Licenses, and Legal Affairs (OLLA) committee because Dibble wants abutters to have the chance to provide input on these matters. He had originally requested that all license requests go to committee, but the ward councilors in each of the respective wards where these restaurants exist noted that there would probably be more unhappy opinion directed at them if the licenses were stymied. The restaurants have had a rough year, and the people are keen to get back to their local places. He withdrew the request and there were no objections to any of the licenses. All these will now advance to the state licensing board, who has the authority to grant them.
Destination Salem has a new home! They will move into the South Harbor garage where Scratch Kitchen used to be. The city sent out a request for proposals, and the full bid from Destination Salem is available in the accompanying meeting materials. They have agreed to support public restrooms in the space and will be paying out of pocket for a contractor to maintain them. Good news!
Name changes: The square at Grove St. and Tremont will hereafter be called US Army Staff Sgt. Walter Anthony Mielcarz Square. Mielcarz was killed in action 18 September 1944. The right of way between 15–19 Front Street will be hereafter called Houdini Way in honor of the great escapist. Seems Houdini was able to escape the Salem jail and free several of the prisoners to boot, one of whom was never again apprehended. A footnote of history I am sure the Salem Police department holds in high regards (haha)!
There were several late files: Councilor McCarthy sent a request for a road race to the Public, Health, Safety and Environment (PHSE) committee. Dibble sent a matter pertaining to the Ward 2 social club demolition to the Community and Economic Development committee. Dibble also sent a long and slightly odd request for a meeting pertaining to why water mains break to the Government Services committee. Dominguez requested that the PHSE take up the matter of dog poop (raising the fines for failure to curb and clean). Dibble and Dominguez, if you’re reading this, a friendly reminder to send your late files to the clerk please.
OLLA had been working on a demolition delay ordinance in concert with Historic Salem and it cleared first passage last night. Essentially, demolition on older homes with historic value will have a delay. Homes that are 50 to 99 years old will have a 12-month delay; if a home is older than 99 years, there will be an 18-month delay. This will give the city time to work with the homeowner on preservation, as needed. If there is no historic significance to the home, but it is still over 50 years old (thinking of ranches in W4 or capes in W5), there will be a quick assessment and the delay will not apply.
The council unanimously approved passage for a home rule petition to allow speed detection cameras in school zones. The cameras will be triggered if the speeder is 10 miles over the limit. The police are not staffed to handle the ticketing and fining, so a third party will be employed to collect. And, fines will be allocated to safety education programs for students.
The urban agriculture ordinance was retained in PHSE.
That’s it folx! Everything else was block party, guides, tag days, and housekeeping.
Respectfully submitted,
Jen Lynch