City Council

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