Question 1: Why are you running for Councilor and what particular skills can you bring to the position?
One of the things I have enjoyed about being a City Councilor is diving into research related to constituent concerns. A recent example of this was the discovery that a piece of private land under consideration for a solar farm had a Conservation Restriction on the deed. While this was plainly stated on the deed, I was curious how this property slipped through the cracks after the City paid for the restriction in 1980. This led to searching through City Council minutes to find when this was discussed and passed by the Council.
Whatever the issue, I do not hesitate to ask questions and do the research needed to provide amendments to update our City Ordinances or to bring creative solutions to the problems facing my constituents. We have so many great City employees who are there to help with issues, and I am grateful for the respectful relationships that I have created with members of City Departments and Boards.
The next few years will bring important discussions and ordinance updates related to climate change and resiliency, through the Green Building Ordinance, the Urban Agriculture Ordinance, the Solar Ordinance, and the Wetlands Protection updates. Keeping on top of these issues, doing the research to understand the questions raised, and keeping constituents up to date on the progress for each one is very important.
I have proven over the past year as the Chair of the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses, and Legal Affairs, that I can successfully run effective meetings and work in a congenial manner with all. My goal is to get to consensus first, through respectful discussion. Once we have gotten to consensus, working towards making the modifications necessary to gain unanimous approval is easier. Our discussions have been calm, informative, open, and above all respectful of each other’s viewpoints.
Question 2: What are some of your proposed solutions towards resolving the housing crisis in Salem?
One thing I have been spending time thinking about and researching is the decreasing stock of 2- and 3-family houses in Salem. The decrease in these housing types results in a decreased number of naturally occurring affordable rental units. The loss is the result of the increased popularity and financial gain to be made from turning these units into condos, and in some cases, short term rental units, which remove these units from the residential rental market.
As a member of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board, I am working in a subcommittee to research a Condo Conversion Ordinance. The ordinance would not stop conversions, but it would require the owner to get a permit from the City. This would allow the City to ensure state laws regarding tenants’ rights are being followed. There is certainly a place for condos in the housing market – for many it is an entry into the housing market, allowing them to build equity.
This is the same equity-building benefit of 2- and 3-family houses. Historically these types of houses have been bought by immigrant families and or first-time homeowners. Owner-occupied rental units in 2- and 3-family houses provide the naturally occurring affordable rents of which we are so badly in need, and the rental income gives the homeowner the financial flexibility required to purchase the home.
We need to find a way to rebuild our stock of 2- and 3-family working class houses. This is an income equity issue, as homeownership is the foundation of generational wealth. Multi-family homes build community and family bonds. Very often, immigrant families will have 2 or 3 generations in one house, each in a separate unit. Families help with childcare and healthcare, and this helps to transition immigrants into the larger community more easily.
The solution requires creative thinking and financing. And we need to find the space to build these houses. One possibility is the Salem State University South Campus. Building new 2- or 3-family homes on that land, deed restricting them to require the homeowner to live in the home and rent at affordable rents, and in return, the price to buy is reasonable through very low-cost mortgages and subsidized housing prices. Clearly there is a lot to work out, but this would provide desperately needed affordable rental units and homeownership for those who have been shut out of the housing market regionally.
Question 3: How do you see Salem impacted by the climate crisis and what new initiatives would you take to lead Salem's resiliency efforts?
First, we need to focus on and pass some of the ordinance updates in the pipeline: the Green Building Ordinance, updates to our wetlands protections, the new Solar Ordinance, and the Urban Agriculture Ordinance.
We also need to continue to apply for and receive federal and state funding, in addition to providing budget moneys for the rebuilding and stabilization of our sea walls. We have older, well-established neighborhoods, parks, and commercial properties within storm surge areas, having been built a hundred or more years ago. Protection of our coastline is and has been an ongoing conversation in multiple departments and Boards.
We also need to focus on education around our tree initiatives, to increase the City’s tree canopy to reduce energy use:
Greening of the Gateway Cities Program – This provides free trees for specific zones in the city, to increase the tree canopy and reduce heating and cooling energy and costs in areas that have a marked decrease or lack of tree cover. The trees are planted on homeowners’ properties for free, and in return, the homeowner agrees to water the tree regularly for two years. You can learn more about the program, managed through the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), and determine if your home is in one of the zones here: https://www.maurbancanopy.org/town/salem/
Century Tree Program – In celebration of Salem’s 400th birthday in 2026, residents can suggest locations for new trees to be planted. The trees must be visible from the sidewalk or road, and each will have a label attached to signify that the tree is part of the program.
Salem Street Trees Program – Each year, the City provides a budget for new city trees to be planted along streets and sidewalks.
I am also researching the idea of expanding our Tree Ordinance to cover private property as well. This is not to stop a homeowner from taking down a dying or diseased tree, or even from taking down a healthy tree. It is to allow the Tree Warden to do an inspection of the tree, speak to the homeowner about why a healthy tree needs to be removed, and allow the Tree Warden to either save the tree or require the owner to contribute to the Tree Fund to plant new trees in the neighborhood. This of course will not have an immediate net zero effect, because trees newly-planted are not nearly as large as existing well-established trees.
We also need to have city-wide discussions about the value of old growth trees and understand the trade-offs of removing trees in order to build solar collectors. Every year since 2001, Salem has achieved the Tree City USA designation due to our efforts to plant new trees, among other requirements. We need to educate about the importance of large, old trees and their effects on summer cooling in our neighborhoods. Replacing an old tree with a new young tree will take many, many years to achieve the canopy replacement and environmental benefits of the removed tree.
Question 4: Please outline some ideas you have that can enhance civic engagement at the city level.
I committed to writing a weekly newsletter when I ran for City Councilor in 2019. And I am proud of what I have produced - and its results. My newsletter provides a weekly list of City meetings, including links to agendas and access information. I also highlight some of the news in the City and in my Ward, and offer updates from some important meetings held during the previous week. I know that this has enabled my constituents to attend more meetings and participate with knowledge and interest. To subscribe to the Ward 3 Weekly Newsletter: www.pattiforsalem.com/subscribe.
We must develop a fail-proof method for holding hybrid City meetings. One of the most important benefits to come out of the pandemic is the virtual meeting, allowing parents with small children, employees who can’t get back home in time, and those who have difficulty accessing the City Council chambers, the ability to join all public city meetings. We absolutely MUST continue to run hybrid meetings for ALL City meetings: Committees, Boards, and City Council. We can’t go back to the days of requiring participation through physical presence in a specific room. It is not inclusive, it is not realistic, and it does not engage the public in our City government.
We have work to do to set up this hybrid meeting capability. Boards and Committees need to make materials viewable easily over Zoom or whatever online platform is used. This was a key to making meetings with the Planning Board, for example, so accessible. When a developer or homeowner presented materials, they were viewed on Zoom clearly by everyone. At physical meetings, the materials are directed at the Board, and away from those in attendance. This is the opposite of civic engagement.
The biggest win for Civic Engagement in the next two years will be finally achieving the correct hybrid model for City meetings.
Continued efforts by the City to engage interested parties in visioning studies, like the one recently completed for the Highland Avenue Corridor. And increased efforts by City Councilors to hold neighborhood meetings to discuss issues and share information. Though the pandemic has redefined how we come together as a community to discuss issues, it has not stopped the efforts or decreased the need. Some of the best creative thinking comes from community meetings, where ideas can bounce around, and residents feel heard. When you feel heard, you are more likely to stay involved.
Question 5: How do you think Salem should continue working on issues of race equity, now that the City's first Race Equity Task Force has submitted its report?
The City Council needs to discuss and vote on the Mayor’s proposal to create a Race Equity Commission, whose role would be to work with the new Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Officer to assess and address issues of equity and inclusion. My areas of concern with the Commission are the make-up of the group, the focus and drive, transparency, and achievable goals. The DEI Officer will be pulled in many different directions in the City, and goals and focus will be extremely important.
Given the constraints of the Task Force during COVID-19 protocols, I look at the report as a small first step. The five committees have highlighted areas of opportunity for the City and for private businesses and institutions in Salem to step up efforts, but this was an early effort. The report made it clear that this was too short of a time-period needed to effectively address systemic racism, and underscores the need to keep the focus on the issue through the DEI Officer and the Commission.
My hope is that the Commission, if approved, and the DEI Officer will pick up the efforts of the Task Force and continue the conversation about effective ways to increase BIPOC hires into positions in the City, State and private sectors in Salem. The ability to live and work in Salem is an important step in creating a healthy, trusting community.
Coming out of this pandemic, the City needs to keep the focus on recovery efforts, most particularly for the minority community. These were the heroes in essential jobs, who have suffered with COVID-19 disproportionately. Increased communication and outreach about the City’s Rental Assistance programs, Salem Pantry, Mack Park Food Farm, and city-wide job openings is imperative.
The report listed some excellent goals for the Salem Public Schools, including more than doubling pre-K seats. Building a solid pre-K program, and opening it to all pre-K aged children is not only important for a solid foundation for these students, it is important for working parents who rely on healthy, educational supports for their children’s care. There is bountiful evidence that pre-K programs that are rigorous in instruction and support are essential to a child’s future learning.