Past meetings
October 2026
-
School Committee
Approved Salem High School's February 2028 Dominican Republic trip and the revised consent agenda, both 7-0.
September 2026
-
City Council
Granted utility work on Bridge, Naples, Webb streets and Jefferson Ave; adopted October taxi pickup zones and $10,768.48 school salary payment.
-
Design Review Board
Approved Peabody Essex Museum banner signs at 161 Essex Street; continued Lifebridge Main Campus design review at 56 Margin Street and other properties.
-
City Council Committee on Public Health, Safety and Environment
Councillors heard police and outreach updates on Salem's camping ordinance; voted 4-1 to keep the matter in committee.
-
Planning Board
Disapproved 47 Congress Street subdivision; approved 59 Boston Street site plan; recommended data center and two-family parking zoning changes to City Council.
-
Board of Public Library Trustees
Poet Laureate committee recommended a candidate; draft minutes from June 18, 2026 approved unanimously.
-
Zoning Board of Appeals
Motion to approve appeal over revoked building permit at 35 Congress Street failed; zoning requests at four other addresses were approved or continued.
-
Historical Commission
Approved gutter work at 115 Derby Street and an EV charger at 13 Beckford Street; found 38 Norman Street building historically significant.
-
City Council
Living wage ordinance for city employees sent back to full council with recommendation to discharge, on a 3-1 vote.
-
City Council
Voted 8-2 to change the city seal and passed a gas-powered leaf blower ordinance for first passage, 7-3.
-
Joint City Council and Planning Board
Referred proposed ban on data centers for review; public hearing held on removing two-family parking minimums.
-
Zoning Board of Appeals
Approved variance for 5, 7, and 9 Wilson Road and three nonconforming house permits; continued 75 North Street and 31 Cedar Street hearings.
-
Salem Redevelopment Authority
Approved small project reviews for 11 Summer Street, 14 New Derby Street, 192 Essex Street, and 161 Essex Street, two subject to DRB review.
-
Design Review Board
Presented the Lappin Park redesign, which removes Linden trees and moves the Samantha statue; funding has not been secured.
-
Salem Harbor Port Authority
Set October parking rate at $4/hour with 20% resident discount and $100 daily fine; authorized $200,000 Mass Clean Energy Center harbor planning grant.
-
Race Equity Commission
Approved previous meeting minutes; the chair recommended pausing changes to the discrimination reporting form while research continues.
-
Planning Board
Approved 25 Bow Street frontage waiver and plan; continued 57 Wharf Street, 440 Highland Avenue, 56 Margin Street, and 75 North Street.
-
Sustainability, Energy, & Resiliency Committee
Approved revised mission statement with edits, passing with all four members in favor.
-
Historical Commission
Approved gate and porch work at 21 Warren Street and black storm windows at 10 Broad Street.
-
Bicycling and Shared Path Advisory Committee
Kept its regular schedule; discussed snow removal in bike lanes, Bluebikes expansion, and bike racks.
-
Zero Waste Salem
Tabled two Styrofoam items until the next meeting, approved the August minutes unanimously, and noted Brian Romer will step down as of 2027.
August 2026
-
Design Review Board
Approved Salem Inn expansion design at 11 Summer Street and several sign requests; continued 6 Front Street and Lifebridge reviews.
-
Zoning Board of Appeals
Approved projects at 2 Rockdale Avenue, 8 Briggs Street, 111 Mason Street, and 61 Salem Street; continued 7 Burnside Street and 22 Vista Avenue.
-
Historical Commission
Approved signs at 142 Derby Street, a 2 Broad Street downspout, and 14 Kosciusko Street renovations; continued 5 Orne Square and 41 Chestnut Street.
-
Public Art Commission
Offered Artists' Row Public Artist in Residence spots to Javiera Garcia and thecollab, and awarded Stall #4 to MiraMar Printmakers.
-
Park and Recreation Commission
Approved a $5.00 surcharge on Witch House tickets, to go toward a stabilization fund for municipal and school buildings.
-
Conservation Commission
Approved South River culvert rehabilitation at 73 Lafayette St; continued Margin Street housing hearing to September 15, 2026.
-
City Council Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs
Approved amendments to proposed zoning for small roof-mounted wind energy systems, and recommended the ordinance for a joint public hearing.
-
City Council Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs
Recommended sending Fire Lanes ordinance #331 on Beach and Sutton Avenues to City Council for first passage.
-
Salem Redevelopment Authority
Approved demolition of a garage and removal of vinyl siding at 11 Summer Street before DRB review; referred that project to the DRB.
-
City Council Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs
Kept draft home occupation zoning ordinance in committee for more work, 4-0 vote.
July 2026
June 2026
May 2026
April 2026
March 2026
February 2026
January 2026
Meetings before this site began recording are on the city's Agenda Center (opens in new tab).