[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6184288,"mediaKeyId","5090733-9e741a5426719426d3917a77d6452b3d","parentId",5090733,"title","Council okays $100,000 appropriation from water/sewer retained earnings for stormwater study","audioSeconds",127,"startMs",2207000,"endMs",2334000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5090733-9e741a5426719426d3917a77d6452b3d&start=2207&end=2334","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5090733-9e741a5426719426d3917a77d6452b3d/thumbnail_2207000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6184288/Salem-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Council-okays-100000-appropriation-from-watersewer-retained-earnings-for-stormwater-study","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184288-fc0eddf061d23b5313a3a8a6d277f7e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1776152205&Signature=hcFboi5PchEgroxGRMqhCwrNZ2tZEV39bQBVJ4PImjREIiXXplOKr1jExnQgwzOHOYKZfrLdfy5TSbi4wX0-iLZzkZA-tNKMG-WW6P8sov6gsaA2fqks9L0qVq3O8WgSv1XVpjkJKSEyCNq3nMN1FYHHy4KJw2foobrvLmfCDsOSaM9Ef9vBCkhjyRLVAN1JVvWbaehSAdONv33Ty4sBIneRFg9WKy~QYYQSKOlquna5t4XUXvSYpRizaS576~CV1g6v0~Sw5wFUPHPoaUtB96sCMKCMBDedZM7No~YbvmLO6bbmmPnmivJMzmpmgUyeqf2xaUdxomoz4Ub7EfpdHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Salem City, MA","date","2025-06-27T19:57:54Z","article","The Salem City Council approved on June 26 an appropriation of $100,000 from water/sewer retained earnings to the sewer account to fund a stormwater study.

Councilor Merkel, reporting for the administration and finance committee, said the matter stemmed from equity concerns — ratepayers pay for stormwater runoff — and that recent quotes for the study exceeded prior estimates. \"This was discussed in regards to people paying their water sewer bills, and they are paying for stormwater runoff and some conditions, such as parking lots, cause more of this and which causes an equity issue,\" Councilor Merkel said.

The committee heard from the city engineer, identified in the record as Miss Duhamel, who noted the study will account for properties that already manage runoff and will look at how to appropriately fund regulatory requirements and infrastructure improvements, including EPA testing requirements mentioned in the committee discussion. The committee noted $50,000 was already in the budget from the prior year and recent quotes increased the amount needed to complete the work.

Councilors voted to approve the appropriation; the matter carried on the committee recommendation. The study is intended to inform future funding and regulatory decisions; the council did not specify a timeline for study completion in the meeting record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Salem City Council Meeting 6/26/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council accepted a committee recommendation to appropriate $100,000 from water/sewer retained earnings to the sewer account to fund a stormwater study, citing equity and regulatory requirements.","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},6184293,"Council approves parking ordinance changes for October, expands Canal Street bus parking and adds short‑term drop‑offs",209,2727000,2936000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5090733-9e741a5426719426d3917a77d6452b3d&start=2727&end=2936","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5090733-9e741a5426719426d3917a77d6452b3d/thumbnail_2727000.jpg","/articles/6184293/Salem-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Council-approves-parking-ordinance-changes-for-October-expands-Canal-Street-bus-parking-and-adds-shortterm-dropoffs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184293-ed25dc1dff94061e858da7f76ac38215/orig.mp4?Expires=1776152205&Signature=XovRR2Eh68Rlz9Zi6Szi0NTJJzMWwVNZo~uDIOhS9wyjyeph285-2MoGy9x7JJaGuEB~J9wTeqOmpB~DwvJKZP2yCZZmVO4FZsc30seTgl7HZwTXOuA~AtTSPZVDF8obPZEfZyK14DFdW8iaBRgwGjY7zPGIH4uFS~AGSxUIVPRNt~dEBEFKioYkC3tIM2U1d0k8PHvnfXmpp7bNygq~hkRKJxyay3jAgZChKP85X2fY4ool-Uz8ylmi71cxWt9L3Z9OQRjZCaWsPc7h~hh8~6JXTUYjWDWdoOUtrGupVHuF~zIu7sJz1rpcHsHiceTmCRFHugrmdMpGXL~HtA8lcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Salem City Council on June 26 approved, on first passage as amended, changes to parking and bus‑loading regulations intended in part to manage tour buses and peak‑season activity in the downtown core.

Councilors approved increasing the Canal Street bus parking allowance from 225 feet to 525 feet and added 10‑minute drop‑off zones on New Derby Street near Raleigh Plaza and in several Washington Square locations for October. The changes were described as an attempt to give tour buses legal places to drop visitors and to move long‑term parking outside the main downtown area.

“One of the reasons that that's been increased is basically to try to get some of the tour bus parking outside of the the main downtown area,” a councilor said during debate. Councilor Hackworth described committee amendments that removed a proposed 10‑minute drop zone on Bridge Street and adjusted Washington Square West and Washington Square South to 10‑minute parking (October only).

The council adopted the order for first passage as amended by hand vote on committee recommendations and then by formal vote; recorded action carried with no recorded opposition. Separately, recommendations from the Traffic and Parking Commission regarding several no‑right‑turn‑on‑red locations remain under further committee consideration and were held for additional review.

What to expect next: the changes approved for first passage may return for a final vote under the council’s ordinance amendment process. Councilors discussed a future working group led by the mayor’s office to study tour‑bus parking and year‑round management options for larger vehicles.","The council approved first‑passage amendments to traffic and parking rules that increase Canal Street tour bus parking, add 10‑minute drop‑off zones and adjust Washington Square parking dimensions for October; some no‑right‑turn‑on‑red recommendations remain in committee.",{"_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},6184298,"Council approves budget housekeeping and second‑passage CIP bond orders totaling about $19.5 million",2479,1107000,3586000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5090733-9e741a5426719426d3917a77d6452b3d&start=1107&end=3586","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5090733-9e741a5426719426d3917a77d6452b3d/thumbnail_1107000.jpg","/articles/6184298/Salem-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Council-approves-budget-housekeeping-and-secondpassage-CIP-bond-orders-totaling-about-195-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184298-18f9b73c751024b4c62219ee691a8d56/orig.mp4?Expires=1776152205&Signature=POr3GoGAhrzoGiQS1UmtISC8XW72ZCNroSpybbQ5Hc5CLdePgod0qUnuYHoK1JAwWuDw98gNizPQv2J0idTCKvITYj~SXOR5gxe11~Ebc-ubEPvHKc8qZtuYWY7jRKpOiAzxVLSCZZQ-AkfDScaKobNAtBTMk16YKeUBNtrwfhV98CBITXwlIHuxHCgQpr1Mgo0RJxE9LH7t75ytYqlXv-OMrJimNjxijkP~2tidZQwxwE1cJ8J4GvnxlK4OjpFFqRpoyMrfOnKeuTwbJOoMdUkmy4iN1~uNxyrIgMcIJRjwuwH7ZfELbjvh5a7ehaqUje3ms6e39UIgREKOShGaIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Salem City Council on June 26 approved several fiscal housekeeping and capital finance measures, including rescinding legacy authorized but unissued bond appropriations, transferring $2,119,896 to close fiscal year 2025 costs, and carrying second‑passage bond orders for fiscal 2026 capital improvement projects.

Councilor Merkel, who moved the measures, said the rescissions remove outdated bond authorizations dating back 10 to 25 years that never issued and could present an inaccurate picture of the city’s future debt capacity. “These authorized but unissued bond appropriations from 10 to 25 years ago, didn't occur for the full appropriation. Leaving these on the books shows an inaccurate picture of our future debt capacity and will ultimately negatively impact our bond rating,” Merkel said.

The council also approved transfers totaling $2,119,896 to fund remaining fiscal 2025 costs; Councilor Merkel noted the transfers were time‑sensitive under state law and thanked the finance team for the cleanup. She referenced Massachusetts law that permits certain interdepartmental transfers only during the first 15 days of the new fiscal year.

On capital financing, the council gave second passage to a bond order for $10,026,020 for fiscal 2026 CIP projects and to a separate enterprise fund bond order of $9,450,000; both measures passed by roll call with 10 in the affirmative and one member absent.

What this means: the rescissions and transfers are administrative steps intended to clean up the city’s authorized debt records and close the prior fiscal year. Second passage of the bond orders advances planned CIP projects toward financing; further steps (such as sale of bonds) and implementation will follow administrative procedures outside the council vote.","The Salem City Council voted to rescind long‑standing unissued bond authorizations, approved a $2,119,896 year‑end transfer to close fiscal 2025, and gave second passage to bond orders for fiscal 2026 capital improvement projects.",{"_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},6184303,"Council approves easement to allow Canal Street development to build public path, bridge and seating",192,1345000,1537000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5090733-9e741a5426719426d3917a77d6452b3d&start=1345&end=1537","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5090733-9e741a5426719426d3917a77d6452b3d/thumbnail_1345000.jpg","/articles/6184303/Salem-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Council-approves-easement-to-allow-Canal-Street-development-to-build-public-path-bridge-and-seating","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184303-4cfd25dde7923d6aa17fc12eea194cee/orig.mp4?Expires=1776152205&Signature=PB-68l4yZN4zF6dcYEJYLAhH4257R5FjSOVp~n1acCMrApK73dfMBaTbWJOEaOa1NCBpUJEVg9Gd0q5tb6zCSTR4b~3VSANxdxd2qRdNbBviJFtHCyzCQEPwlap9EnQF-0AELsBuiuLWbwuE81wrxKp~uGyB5-lZyKBYRaIanBAHIpZ-XslL061F2rrFp~l8vgYhyajAk-tiNqrC5TzCs5w1nAhTgSPCFafdXIh8O9VAw4ee1J~qLhO2PSRAim5RzbvP65HwpyPEpLFOIkqQ8PXP6MQlYSwLFpJL6V8KD1JWXurwF~-Efh2P~CZiOVhoKTZ9rl2MroKhDZp~R5GzCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Salem City Council on June 26 voted to authorize the mayor to execute an easement from the city to the Canal Street LLP developer so the developer can construct and maintain improvements required by the Salem Planning Board, including a shared‑use path, a pedestrian bridge, bicycle parking and bench seating.

Councilor Cohen said the project’s public amenities go beyond the private development. “I rarely get enthusiastic about easements, but this is really a lot of stuff that it's gonna benefit the community,” Councilor Cohen said.

The council’s action implements conditions the planning board placed on the project during its decision process. Councilor Cohen described the bridge as providing a new public overlook of Rosie’s Pond, and said the shared‑use path will better connect pedestrians and bicyclists to an existing crosswalk. He also said the developer committed to allowing free public movement through the development and that an amphitheater area could be used for city events.

The matter was adopted by roll call vote with 10 in the affirmative, none in the negative and one member absent.

Discussion and context: councilors framed the easement as a way to deliver neighborhood connectivity and public amenities that were required by the Planning Board decision. Councilors noted the features were intended to serve both residents of the development and the broader public; an attorney for the developer was present to answer technical questions, according to the council record.

What the vote does and what remains: the council’s vote authorizes the mayor to sign the easement; it does not itself change zoning or planning approvals. The easement is intended to allow the developer to build and maintain the required path and related public improvements consistent with the planning board decision.

The council did not specify an implementation timetable in the meeting record, and no additional funding authorizations were tied to the easement vote in the council’s language. The mayor’s office and the developer retain responsibility for carrying out the construction and maintenance commitments.","The Salem City Council authorized the mayor to sign an easement enabling a Canal Street developer to build and maintain a shared‑use path, a pedestrian bridge overlooking Rosie’s Pond, bike parking, benches and public amphitheater space required by the Planning Board.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council okays $100,000 appropriation from water/sewer retained earnings for stormwater study

Council approves parking ordinance changes for October, expands Canal Street bus parking and adds short‑term drop‑offs

Council approves budget housekeeping and second‑passage CIP bond orders totaling about $19.5 million

Council approves easement to allow Canal Street development to build public path, bridge and seating