[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6215394,"mediaKeyId","3661734-adb630ab12636fd71c543ea5f5242463","parentId",3661734,"title","Salem committee approves sustainability operating budget; funding request for citywide flood model included in five-year CIP","audioSeconds",982,"startMs",168000,"endMs",1150000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3661734-adb630ab12636fd71c543ea5f5242463&start=168&end=1150","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3661734-adb630ab12636fd71c543ea5f5242463/thumbnail_168000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6215394/Salem-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Salem-committee-approves-sustainability-operating-budget-funding-request-for-citywide-flood-model-included-in-five-year-CIP","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6215394-e2817c11db8c26f8f5678114e9ced4d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776850655&Signature=WK5Xhz0EUB413qdUalCVQq5PoE3gH-evqBNaIo1MCgn0M-TO8v5~hBM-Z7WqktM~4LUBWhdHrkEJfmW66Ar2KqfxE2xS0MQftfnMtg1qrTujM2wVDIGh~oama6Dh41Wy-rDPdVvPJy9c~Nos0ZEpK4qEiObcVeJ~ebY38cj~JZIjopUPqWyTF5t6EBx2TVR3oRzukqMtwvsYKyWIP~1DwnMDFZnGW~GZDxz8jxk1MpXZBMWpAfX-0Eb47lC~1piqy0FUZhd-cIBWKuPDx-0dsnGVb169YiV3Sx~Svf2i5xxGYUP9pdkihkN7Fk2lmIvCkxq7fcH3O~KIH9hdxiX6Jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Salem City, MA","date","2025-06-04T23:08:38Z","article","The Salem City Council Administration and Finance Committee on Tuesday recommended approval of the Sustainability and Resiliency Department’s fiscal 2026 operating budget and reviewed a capital request to develop a citywide hydraulic and hydrologic model to inform flood-mitigation priorities.

Neil Duffy, director of the Sustainability and Resiliency Department, told the committee the department has “4 full time, staff, including myself, and 1 part time admin” and that a UMass Lowell–funded fellow will join the team over the summer to add capacity.

The department presented a largely flat operating budget for FY26: staff levels remained unchanged and only small adjustments were proposed for training and in-state travel. The Administration and Finance Committee voted to recommend approval of the department’s personnel line of $265,053 and an expenditures line of $5,600, for a department total of $270,653; Councilor Stock made the motion and Councilor Harvey seconded. The motion carried.

Duffy outlined grant-funded work that will continue into FY26, including two Coastal Zone Management (CZM) coastal resilience grants for Collins Cove and Winter Island Park and a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant. He said the department expects other technical-assistance awards and smaller grants to support resiliency projects.

On the capital improvement plan, Duffy described a request for funding to support part of a full H&H model of the city to better understand how rainfall and other flows move through Salem. “We want to be able to better understand how that happens and where we should be focusing our efforts to try to mitigate the flooding that we experience,” he said, noting that state tools for coastal flooding exist but that a more holistic, citywide model is lacking. The request covers a portion of the model scope; Duffy said the department expects to combine the local appropriation with grant funding to complete the full scope.

Councilors asked how the model would be used. One councilor said the work should avoid “moving the flooding situation next to it” and described the need for comprehensive solutions. Duffy and committee members discussed how a citywide model can reveal upstream interventions that reduce downstream impacts, citing Worcester’s recent citywide H&H work as an example of how modeling can shift project priorities to non-obvious locations.

Duffy also briefed the panel on program-level tracking data the department has been collecting—such as counts of electric vehicle registrations and installations of air-source heat pumps—and cautioned that the figures have varying sources and margins of error.

The committee heard that Salem was recently designated a Climate Leader community, a status that made the city eligible for a $50,000 planning grant and up to $1 million in action grant funding for decarbonization projects. Duffy said the department will strategize this year about how best to use those funds.

What’s next: The recommended budget will move through the council’s remaining hearing schedule in mid-June; the H&H model funding request remains in the five-year capital plan pending confirmation of matching grant support.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Salem City Council Committee on Administration and Finance Meeting 6/3/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Salem City Council Administration and Finance Committee on Tuesday recommended approval of the Sustainability and Resiliency Department’s FY26 operating budget and reviewed a capital request to develop a citywide hydraulic and hydrologic model to guide flood-mitigation priorities.","taxTitle","Salem City, Essex County, Massachusetts","taxId",70531,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6215373,"Historical commission continues preservation work; Mac Park survey and Old Town Hall restoration highlighted",81,2431000,2512000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3661734-adb630ab12636fd71c543ea5f5242463&start=2431&end=2512","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3661734-adb630ab12636fd71c543ea5f5242463/thumbnail_2431000.jpg","/articles/6215373/Salem-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Historical-commission-continues-preservation-work-Mac-Park-survey-and-Old-Town-Hall-restoration-highlighted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6215373-98733b2809ea3e30ad4cd0e99962f43d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776850655&Signature=M0wLRcaPrl4mL7pGCwvh8MTrYJJz~BxyOywPH~~6fkUeqveP1YF6UYCAv5B6GAgIa6E9sG4HmkASTY-Ns81NpSE6OrW7u73gW7W-iiteNENLXUisuiTQf9lao5M90AqZZ7ixVA1Hgi4UR8L6Fuk7esz6aLAC42sVbSslCpVuWK9lo6grplg0r1TdKg2WCIWhYBr39GQWkG9Nxffs7q2jdL4pJJlwXWam1UxI0jgLH7WMQWkvEuFaSjOT5lKEKq3q3QPve6FyRPhdqnrfEfytfGZdKfJTXAtIH3CZcVUfZT7qN1UDT98hKI~4iTJj7YTNEYNiWOigHTi0mFgyFEdNzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Administration and Finance Committee recommended approval of the Historical Commission’s FY26 operating budget and heard staff updates on preservation projects including a Mack Park neighborhood survey funded through the Massachusetts Historical Commission and ongoing work at Old Town Hall.

Tom Daniel and staff noted that May was preservation month and that a behind-the-scenes tour of Old Town Hall is planned as exterior restoration and accessibility work wraps up. Patty Kelleher, senior planner for preservation (referenced by staff), was noted as leading survey and preservation planning efforts; staff said Mack Park received a Mass Historical Commission survey and planning grant and that inventory forms have been posted by the state agency.

Councilor Stott moved to recommend approval of the Historical Commission’s personnel line of $41,481 and an expenditures line of $1,382 for a department total of $42,863; Councilor Harvey seconded and the motion carried.

What’s next: Staff said a press release will follow to announce the Mack Park survey availability on the Massachusetts Historical Commission website and Old Town Hall follow-up work will continue into future capital planning.","Committee recommended approval of the Historical Commission’s FY26 budget. Staff noted a Mass Historical Commission survey and planning grant for Mack Park and ongoing restoration work at Old Town Hall.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6215378,"Council endorses Market and Tourism expenditures supporting Destination Salem leadership transition",195,2161000,2356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3661734-adb630ab12636fd71c543ea5f5242463&start=2161&end=2356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3661734-adb630ab12636fd71c543ea5f5242463/thumbnail_2161000.jpg","/articles/6215378/Salem-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Council-endorses-Market-and-Tourism-expenditures-supporting-Destination-Salem-leadership-transition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6215378-d5b2a2a409ae3ad7a089a31970e238b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1776850655&Signature=KkpBSc14hCJ1zHezP~kBryipTR31tjCF5oPAv2B-zxRqpu1rdHeXgBkM9VMrgdM2rHmkFphy48e0E-cXMWiPILyAlJ42ew31wOKgjACcoRcufg93yVozMmVuaP2AzyLReYlE2N7FoZpTT9gNpfCEXMPQo4WHQhLNKB-RbZg1YS-aSRrL4a4Hj6PJ63WZfhFLOfDxbkcTEeeS3B1mTQhvUa6wHg19xKWWbLl9CpocKA2M2vqk7YGhreRPFoTOVx1QY2CNZvsoRDL6yEDII3rbqPpcegZl~Ky~q0GDMauCuymv0DzFgKNbtMcPDAsizIpnBe97sIPAyUuHNPYmmYBeXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Administration and Finance Committee recommended approval of the Market and Tourism expenditures budget of $309,550, which primarily supports Destination Salem’s work promoting the city’s tourism and downtown economy.

Tom Daniel, director of the Planning Department, said the bulk of the Market & Tourism funds “go towards supporting Destination Salem’s work” and noted leadership transitions at several partner organizations. He highlighted the collaborative network that supports downtown—Destination Salem, the Chamber of Commerce, Salem Main Streets, Creative Collective and other partners—and said the partnerships are a key part of the city’s economic vitality.

Councilor Stott moved to recommend approval of the expenditures-only budget of $309,550; Councilor Harvey seconded, and the motion carried.

What’s next: The recommended expenditure will be forwarded to the full council for final action.","The committee recommended approval of Market & Tourism department expenditures that fund Destination Salem and noted recent leadership changes at the organization.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6215383,"Conservation commission funds Highland Trails study; staff and commission co-fund project",115,1864000,1979000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3661734-adb630ab12636fd71c543ea5f5242463&start=1864&end=1979","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3661734-adb630ab12636fd71c543ea5f5242463/thumbnail_1864000.jpg","/articles/6215383/Salem-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Conservation-commission-funds-Highland-Trails-study-staff-and-commission-co-fund-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6215383-c2c61b68b9669f7a3edd00d483617b25/orig.mp4?Expires=1776850655&Signature=Jus3h4DEzHln3hs~YG~Zree~eYSFfjIzvQW3XlytV96WzetQccAt-Sgfal5vs4sA6LfHi2jW1zvNVzZa58MFqzZLgx8dbDFeH88XJeTlNaCDPsQozknTVX6bUR8aYmZxuWRq6XItc1E1GB1SXNAtVHREVEXuK9fmJIYOdOlhDDtIO1ODFD-g52Z62qtUT0wD4Qjv66WWRn68gka69soNZTCT9UCzWpgzV7MdjjlX27DjdDdEqe7lENU8uQsUcguXhBXTE4~fPWwZYYyVFOOj4ub3H9NEs2S7QlNlttJcyrph-TnVONrUsaccd1HDIVz-pVaocuSKWpkl9Idd~DZ2~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Administration and Finance Committee recommended approval of the Conservation Commission’s FY26 operating budget and heard an update on the Highland Trails area study, which the commission and the city are jointly funding.

Tom Daniel, director of the Planning Department, said Rachel Rizalovec recently joined as the city’s conservation agent and is managing the Highland Trails study, which aims to better connect existing trails off Highland Avenue and improve public access. “There’s lots of trails off of Highland Avenue…this study is really looking at how to make connections, better connections within those and then connections to Highland Avenue,” Daniel said.

The committee supported the Conservation Commission personnel line of $33,705 and a small expenditures line (for a department total of $35,218); Councilor Stock moved the recommendation and Councilor Harvey seconded. The motion carried. Daniel said the study is quieter but important work to formalize trail connections and access points.

What’s next: The Highland Trails study will continue under the commission’s management and planning staff will return with prioritized first-phase implementation recommendations when the study concludes.","The committee recommended approval of the Conservation Commission’s small operating budget and learned that the commission and the city are jointly funding a Highland Trails area study to improve trail connections and public access.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6215388,"Planning department outlines housing, resiliency and downtown capital priorities; council approves general admin budget",1653,1157000,2810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3661734-adb630ab12636fd71c543ea5f5242463&start=1157&end=2810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3661734-adb630ab12636fd71c543ea5f5242463/thumbnail_1157000.jpg","/articles/6215388/Salem-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Planning-department-outlines-housing-resiliency-and-downtown-capital-priorities-council-approves-general-admin-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6215388-cf5fa405fc2f6b09e2fca2dc084cc607/orig.mp4?Expires=1776850655&Signature=llMx9TVUsQ9BZr0lvJ1MpaDo0xQuyGH~g253QfFtSuEIlmqcN4DghVof7OTZqrdvFmVoHh93SnqQPFL4gIDw~2~pF9e78Q3FYCGmI3sBUUcz0TAgsChGyQe0yQuJAaD9zSSnU1Qh4Wxyf0PtT~II3nKld~KKmS2SgTGWo-dJthSyGM4WUnuZoQhQp7Nvw87vLvdjjyb2sfECXh3gR84yb64LwOpDPEjoc9Ggcx0wsaZRHsN0QlKlQ0u242dQAqy7S8tyuPzKwhA~EX78ZL0x~Dh5yzTNPj5lzU9le8n~qzkH0MU3bJ1Ynvnc-9tz1eX8ZyPw7OIX5hx3Oyx6o-Br2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Salem City Council Administration and Finance Committee on Tuesday recommended approval of the Planning Department’s FY26 general administration budget and spent substantial time reviewing the department’s five-year capital improvement priorities, which cover housing policy work, resiliency overlays, downtown visioning and several preservation and design projects.

Tom Daniel, director of the Planning Department, told the committee the department is juggling housing work (including SRO and efficiency-unit policy), parking-minimum discussions, 40R work, and related economic-development efforts tied to regional climate-tech and port investments. “We’re working very closely with the North Shore Alliance for Economic Development, MassHire, North Shore Workforce Board, UMass Amherst, the Gloucester Marine Station, and Innoventures North,” Daniel said, describing regional collaboration on climate-tech opportunities tied to the port.

The committee approved the planning department’s general administration personnel line of $730,324 and an expenditures line of $123,860 for a department total of $854,184; Councilor Stock moved the recommendation and Councilor Harvey seconded. The motion carried.

On capital projects, Daniel reviewed a package of study and design requests: a $50,000 Artist Row “improvements and interventions” study to evaluate structural and program alternatives after recent costly roof-repair estimates; $50,000 for a Church Street community visioning process to refine concepts from the earlier parking study; funding to continue Jefferson Avenue corridor planning with public engagement; first-phase implementation funding tied to the Highland Avenue trails study; continued design work and future construction funding needs for the Ferry Terminal building; design funds for Lapham Park (currently at roughly 50% design); planning and zoning study funds for implementing prior grant-funded work; and ongoing needs tied to Old Town Hall interior and exterior restoration, including a projected $12,000,000 interior phase that city staff said will require a mix of grants and fundraising.

Councilors pressed for clarity about scope and the need for consultant budgets. Councilor Stott asked why $50,000 is requested for Artist Row and Highland Avenue implementation when department staff and board members already do planning work. Daniel said the funds would pay for technical analyses and preliminary engineering beyond in-house capacity, including structural assessment and slope analysis. He cited a prior 2015 visioning study and said the new work would update and expand that analysis.

Councilor Harvey questioned whether the city should first formulate conceptual options and then pay for consultant feasibility checks; Daniel and others said the planning and parking studies already include concepts and that consultant work validates and refines those concepts to identify feasible, code-compliant, and constructible solutions.

What’s next: The planning department’s recommended operating and capital items will continue through the council’s budget review cycle. Several capital lines are contingent on grant applications, additional design work and later council capital appropriations.","The council committee recommended approval of the Planning Department’s general administration budget and reviewed capital projects and studies including Artist Row assessment, Church Street visioning, Jefferson Avenue corridor planning, Old Town Hall restoration and the Ferry Terminal design work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Salem committee approves sustainability operating budget; funding request for citywide flood model included in five-year CIP

Historical commission continues preservation work; Mac Park survey and Old Town Hall restoration highlighted

Council endorses Market and Tourism expenditures supporting Destination Salem leadership transition

Conservation commission funds Highland Trails study; staff and commission co-fund project

Planning department outlines housing, resiliency and downtown capital priorities; council approves general admin budget