City Council backs tour bus permit and October fare hike. The Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs and the Committee of the Whole approved ordinances establishing a $50 daily parking permit fee for tour buses, rising to $100 in October, with a $150 fine for standing or idling buses.
Salem council approves first-ever tour bus parking permit program. The City Council voted unanimously to implement permits with a $50 annual base fee and $100 rate for October, Salem's Haunted Happenings tourism peak, with tracking through the Passport App system. The 1.1 million visitors in
City Council restricts chamber use, bars public after-hours access. The Committee on Government Services and Committee of the Whole unanimously approved six amendments to the City Council Chamber Policy and Reservation Form on May 13, including a prohibition on public use outside business hours, a
Salem council committee unanimously backs three senior tax relief initiatives for fiscal 2027. The Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs recommended raising the elderly tax deferral income threshold to $75,000, creating an optional taxpayer fund for low-income seniors, and increasing
City Council approves 2025 Haunted Happenings report. The City Council Committee on Community and Economic Development unanimously backed the annual event summary at its May 12 meeting, hearing from Director of Special Events Jeremy Fiske and city department heads. The event contributed $1,791,175
Salem backs BlueWave solar deal for income-eligible residents; confirms three appointees. The City Council voted 10-0 (1 absent) to authorize the Mayor to execute 20-year contracts with Boston-based solar developer BlueWave and establish a revolving fund collecting incentive payments to reimburse
City Council advances home occupation ordinance, votes unanimously to keep in committee. Chair Andrew W. Varela presented a draft replacing current restrictions to allow home-based businesses including visual artists, writers, recording studios, and licensed professionals. Councillors raised
City Council committees hold snow ordinance and enforcement measures in committee. Ward 2 Councillor Andrew Smith reported that higher fines imposed in June 2025 were never implemented and that Inspectional Services could not provide ticket data from the past two years, prompting the body to vote 4
Salem City Council approves $1.08M federal grant; votes 7-3 on committee meeting times. Council President Alice Rose Merkl led approval of the Community Development Block Grant application for $1.08 million covering July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with Councillor Andrew W. Varela recusing
City Council committee votes 4-0 to reject Congress Street metered parking plan. The Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs voted unanimously against introducing paid parking on Congress Street, citing impact on Pickering Wharf employees who rely on free street parking. Councillor
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