[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_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",5988363,"mediaKeyId","5765675-01cbed471ed857e879ff8753e5b3f980","parentId",5765675,"title","Candidates call for cleaner, more resident-focused downtown, propose retail support and enforcement","audioSeconds",98,"startMs",4260000,"endMs",4358000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5765675-01cbed471ed857e879ff8753e5b3f980&start=4260&end=4358","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5765675-01cbed471ed857e879ff8753e5b3f980/thumbnail_4260000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5988363/Salem-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Candidates-call-for-cleaner-more-resident-focused-downtown-propose-retail-support-and-enforcement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5988363-29f5056cd906ca002b4e4dd01354db0d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775394021&Signature=fxhuqGQdIRhpLC42I2j-LrAK4vtfcIv9uSY4g4ZXv5wX74kirGEYytjS9mgOcazZsCavhvbXMBedyTBDFdMuQTe76taQy8rPkzhXRVCVb35aQlZ04bqQl986d1KA5TTdI2cUGslJaF9RrTFGGmgeJ7yc0Zlq~bZiXGerQjx-f6TdADpXT6IOrNftMgPnkpYEN3P7BMSJlby1e3MQqSKzwc4wLqfG5MOSNmfpnets6obz1tPb4mHSNVNkPpWfZ1QeUUbQOLK6YWUs7DmfzfW3cbO6zmOhnAMaJ4soUNUP5KpdNU-rY~4FwRHj-IWC7wNA0NDWt-j3Ww6KSvYmEfyXtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Salem City, MA","date","2025-09-12T00:00:00Z","article","Candidates at the Ward 2 forum said downtown Salem needs work to be more welcoming for residents and everyday commerce, citing graffiti, flyers on light poles, panhandling and losses of everyday businesses.

William Legault recommended more police foot patrols and bicycle patrols and said the city’s Main Streets team had helped remove posters; he also suggested stronger enforcement of existing ordinances to keep poles and streets clearer. John Newhall proposed grants and technical assistance to help small, resident-serving businesses open and survive downtown. Andrew Smith recommended practical steps such as more trash receptacles and community-led downtown cleanups to improve the look and feel of the core.

On panhandling, Legault noted the city has an “aggressive panhandling ordinance” passed around 2014–2015 that restricts behavior that impedes passage or access. Candidates emphasized services and affordability as longer-term ways to reduce panhandling, while acknowledging the constitutional protections around solicitation.

Ending: Candidates combined enforcement, public art and small-business supports as a three-part approach to make downtown more inviting for residents and daily commerce.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Salem's Election 2025: City Council Ward 2 Preliminary Candidate Forum at Hamilton Hall 9/9/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the Ward 2 forum, candidates proposed grants for local businesses, more foot and bicycle patrols downtown and public art and beautification programs to address graffiti, posters and panhandling.","taxTitle","Salem City, Essex County, Massachusetts","taxId",70531,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5988367,"Candidates voice mixed views on Washington, North Street projects, back resident parking and better enforcement",0,1676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5765675-01cbed471ed857e879ff8753e5b3f980&start=1676&end=1676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5765675-01cbed471ed857e879ff8753e5b3f980/thumbnail_1676000.jpg","/articles/5988367/Salem-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Candidates-voice-mixed-views-on-Washington-North-Street-projects-back-resident-parking-and-better-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5988367-8f345a65aa15a435dd16b4eb6505d8dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775394021&Signature=SIchv~7TGWW59-RmSjmWJ5EXz7AhNF9tagyGZpLOI44m1rSP4gRlfheM60YWCAu5FhynN6xQbyAMmAoBDYER8F-ENgBMt~Hj1rELndf-7762XwkVq6qCX3FrfQYLXjMhlua618z8Ezmj3U1kt0f86aSeTGtQmVfN2YoB46RiZi~TBvn3T9Z2hFrCRhZ92HWFfRW~jJPpkgjBoL7mmZGMti5b7eiivC9OqK5CQlNdpuD0lPOVgl9LTSvteVuxNzMxtsi6-ch4TV~PTIxu~AS0vjEVOLYBDOHN9JSJV58rEeDZHHvJim6Y8C-96fpnugx1UUGhSHhcRGfZI1SIPCR~3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Transportation and parking drew detailed questions at the Ward 2 forum, with candidates evaluating recent projects on Washington and North streets, debating bike-lane placement and endorsing stronger resident parking and enforcement.

John Newhall characterized the Washington Street project as “a bit of a failure” and said the North Street installation had taught the city lessons about pilot programs. Andrew Smith and Newhall both said well-designed, connected bike lanes can reduce driving if they are physically separated and safe; Smith added they must be planned with intersection safety in mind. William Legault said bike lanes should be assessed case-by-case and stressed enforcement resources for traffic and noise laws.

Resident parking and app system: Candidates backed resident parking and favored a hybrid approach to visitor permits. Legault said he preferred the older placard system to the current app-based interface and suggested license-plate based permits could simplify enforcement; Newhall proposed a one-zone resident-parking model (all Salem residents eligible across zones) with a physical component for visitors. Candidates also raised concerns about staffing levels in the Salem Police Department and whether more traffic officers are needed for enforcement.

Traffic projects and downtown design: Candidates differed over the rotary at Summer Street and changes near the Ropes Mansion; Newhall praised the rotary from a pedestrian perspective while criticizing some bollard design at historic sites as out of scale. Smith suggested municipal teams should look to European precedents for subtler street furniture.

Ending: All three candidates expressed a desire for better planning, clearer pilot evaluation and improved enforcement to ensure projects deliver safety improvements without unintended congestion or parking loss.","Forum candidates criticized recent bike-lane and street projects for creating congestion in some places, backed resident parking expansion and called for enforcement of noise and parking laws.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5988372,"Candidates pressed on homelessness: mixed views on LifeBridge expansion and encampment response",693,2417000,3110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5765675-01cbed471ed857e879ff8753e5b3f980&start=2417&end=3110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5765675-01cbed471ed857e879ff8753e5b3f980/thumbnail_2417000.jpg","/articles/5988372/Salem-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Candidates-pressed-on-homelessness-mixed-views-on-LifeBridge-expansion-and-encampment-response","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5988372-81bac75f13deeab71a61d4394ce1a4a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775394021&Signature=aJfiRY8KTKhj6M7rzjfQF2YbnKJ41-oE5qP8dm3ULzTlFGFKH~Y0K5YdMNh6FtqO40ou9fWLSeaZ5wiCIEEGfQkaa6kgcAqiPNDeSv56Xt7gcH6Dwh6vGPrlUzGHaACe79jY6ruhQgIGmvm638tDw3U7Sn7HwSQHf7dCoX9vQOmC7lTPJr1gMCPsBLCrrH6Ld7N5XGBolYpJYwlYP4Q31z-DV6ewFlP0Bg7uuR72AIAFiD1PYeSHph~SPNkdstHtFjirWt1D1iy7oS3ykTbKmVk4Boyttd2NpP3rFQsPLqDVZDQ0SBe4Rxin78vCO7pfliQrdFTQiHI5DS08q0xjwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Homelessness in downtown Salem was a central topic at the Ward 2 forum at Hamilton Hall, with audience members asking candidates whether they supported an expansion of LifeBridge's day center and how the city should handle encampments.

John Newhall, William Legault and Andrew Smith all said they support services to move people from street homelessness into housing, but they differed on whether the LifeBridge expansion as proposed is ready. “I do reluctantly support the LifeBridge building expansion,” Legault said, while also saying he wanted better operations and accountability. Smith said he “do[es] not support the expansion” as presented, while adding he supports LifeBridge’s mission. Newhall urged the city to “lean much harder on LifeBridge” for day programming including career services, mental health and addiction support.

Encampment and storage of belongings: Candidates addressed a recent, controversial encampment clearance along the South River. Legault said he supported the camping ordinance and the Community Impact Unit’s (CIU) role in storing residents’ property when it was safe to do so, but he said storage handling could have been better and that some property was discarded. Newhall supported the dismantling and said a shelter-first, housing-first approach was appropriate but raised concerns about the health risks for people collecting and storing property.

Regional and service coordination: Candidates noted that Salem cannot address the issue alone. Smith said a regional approach is necessary and urged surrounding communities to step up, while Legault recommended a city action team to engage people on the street and coordinate with LifeBridge and the Epstein Mental Health Center. Candidates raised Harbor Light Homes (the permanent housing arm) and LifeBridge (day services/shelter) as different pieces of the system: Legault said Harbor Light is providing housing placements while LifeBridge provides day services and shelter beds.

What candidates said they'd do: Proposals included expanding day-center capacity and outreach, funding more mental health and addiction workers, coordinating with regional providers and insisting on better accountability and reporting from nonprofit partners. No candidate described a specific council action they had already taken; candidates framed their positions as priorities they would pursue if elected.

Ending: The three candidates agreed on the need for more services and better coordination but differed over whether to endorse the LifeBridge expansion as presented, highlighting a split between support for the mission and concerns about operational readiness and regional burden-sharing.","Forum attendees asked candidates how Salem should handle visible homelessness. Candidates supported expanding day services and coordination with LifeBridge and Harbor Light but disagreed about whether LifeBridge's expansion should proceed before service improvements.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5988376,"Candidates urge changes to Halloween-driven tourism and short-term rentals to favor residents",235,1375000,1610000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5765675-01cbed471ed857e879ff8753e5b3f980&start=1375&end=1610","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5765675-01cbed471ed857e879ff8753e5b3f980/thumbnail_1375000.jpg","/articles/5988376/Salem-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Candidates-urge-changes-to-Halloween-driven-tourism-and-short-term-rentals-to-favor-residents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5988376-186196d04bbd70cd63b4003caeea2575/orig.mp4?Expires=1775394021&Signature=c0YPZv6nRp8xXCHNBoBhNHFiGyyBtlBbe~bdsnru45H86oX6WMfAwMYTWdpU81oLLtRlYypFAtbempXpwet3xa8BpEPginpEmRsLTN4C9oielFASRzfXG8f~Uci-JMvBQMYgRdGTTRPDCmy7CC82i45uTFo8VEG72yruj-j8YB7n-BLGDfflLKw0HX3FOA9r8lT2RsUyFb000WjV-Ye85aNTJqx6jM9XLFanLruL1g6V3tulbH2yBODWbd~caxfKQ-yrueosAGYJiH93e4DFi1dYUT54oX5SkjGGfwUd3V0I4eCC0ReqoQ3~okkoszviuM0~v7gNuiuY8u~DcBMWpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Three Ward 2 candidates told an audience at Hamilton Hall that Salem's Halloween-driven tourism has become outsize and that city policy should serve residents' needs first. John Newhall said Halloween has “become the primary thing that draws our incredible amounts of tourists” and urged the city to prioritize resident needs. William Legault and Andrew Smith echoed calls for better balance between tourism revenue and year-round services.

Why it matters: Candidates said the focus on tourism can squeeze locally useful businesses and housing, contribute to parking and traffic pressures, and fail to deliver proportional municipal revenue. “The city should not be making $80,000” in Halloween-related receipts, Newhall said, arguing the city should capture a larger share of visitor spending.

Policy ideas proposed: Candidates suggested several tools: a city-issued pass for paid Halloween attractions (with a municipal cut), tighter enforcement of short-term rental taxes, and incentives for businesses that serve residents. Newhall proposed identifying and taxing tour operators more aggressively and requiring guide badges so residents can identify tour companies. Legault said rezoning certain properties to commercial use — an example he cited was a Winter Street project — can raise tax revenue while acknowledging such rezoning may remove a housing unit.

Short-term rentals and hotels: Candidates said the city lacks clear counts and enforcement for short-term rentals. Newhall called for identifying how many short-term rentals are registered, whether they are inspected and whether they pay the tourist/inn tax. Legault pointed to the proposed AC Hotel and other large hotel projects and asked whether the city should be prioritizing tourists when housing is scarce. Smith said hotels can have a place but argued the city should also push for residential units when large developments are proposed.

Local businesses and economic mix: Candidates backed targeted help for small, resident-serving businesses — grants, loans and simplified permitting were suggested — to rebalance the retail mix downtown and keep everyday services available.

Ending: All three candidates said they favor keeping tourism while making it “work for us as residents,” with a mix of regulation, targeted revenue collection and incentives to support local businesses and housing.","At the Ward 2 forum candidates criticized Salem's heavy reliance on Halloween tourism and called for better revenue capture from visitors, regulation of short-term rentals and incentives for resident-serving businesses.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5988381,"Ward 2 candidates split on parking rules, want clearer plans before Shetland project advances",56,3272000,3328000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5765675-01cbed471ed857e879ff8753e5b3f980&start=3272&end=3328","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5765675-01cbed471ed857e879ff8753e5b3f980/thumbnail_3272000.jpg","/articles/5988381/Salem-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Ward-2-candidates-split-on-parking-rules-want-clearer-plans-before-Shetland-project-advances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5988381-7493004e66e6707b9f31d5b2675e499c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775394021&Signature=D9RuLQs8vAsZrivMC413ipiqpoT7dYgBpjc-iTsxQzsEEVJfsbCA4vScWe0SYfMB-7dSLvoKwDaFRZ~DB6Ztzj5cMaDBeqUhyvRULvERE50asTlsHwGll4LHvuoyQpfqP9-qZlkbqvlgCEkwpoCJ9Xsr-DuCEVhUtagwnlinOo47sAcZAh-kM1gv6pFiAy7MZrCHKuAT8ETwCHiAdhtla0Oc1TakUhe5K0RWg8BXL~2tKf~hBi8HrlIEFngmYJlZnZr4JDL5RNOQ-F~Xv0-rDl5ftHqow1KZ7Sd5rQEjIAedbsUHzJNTEYYPInTRQfn0v9tOkI6Tc2zg0oREVf1yXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a Ward 2 candidates forum at Hamilton Hall, housing affordability and development drew sustained attention as William Legault, John Newhall and Andrew Smith offered contrasting approaches to parking rules, flood-zone building and the proposed Shetland Park development.

The candidates tied affordability, growth and parking policy together as key levers for whether longtime residents can remain in Salem. “We shouldn't have 50,000 people in Salem,” William Legault said during the forum, arguing for limits on how much the city should grow and for conversations with landlords to restrain rent increases. John Newhall said he supports eliminating parking minimums for new multifamily buildings and noted the city still has multiple planning approvals that would shape any project. “I do support getting rid of parking minimums, parking requirements,” Newhall said. Andrew Smith said he would demand more detailed plans from developers before endorsing large projects in waterfront neighborhoods such as Shetland Park.

Why it matters: Candidates tied zoning and parking to that larger question of affordability. Newhall said removing parking minimums can help lower construction costs and enable mixed-income housing; Legault countered that developers will still build parking unless car ownership is explicitly addressed, saying “Until we tell people they can't bring cars to Salem, we have to have parking.”

Details and policy context: The candidates debated a set of related items raised by the moderator: whether multifamily housing should be allowed to build units without parking; whether the city should permit development in flood-hazard zones; and whether the Shetland Park proposal for roughly 1,200 residential units is appropriate for Salem's waterfront. Legault said flood-zone projects should be vetted more carefully and cited the Franklin Street example where buildings were elevated to mitigate flooding. Newhall said he generally “defaults to no” on building in flood zones unless mitigation is proven adequate. On Shetland Park, candidates said they had not formed final positions because they want more concrete plans from developers and more community engagement.

Quantities and tradeoffs cited in the forum: candidates referenced citywide population estimates — “at 45,000 population right now, we're on our way to 50,000 people in Salem” (Legault) — and noted the city currently requires about 1.5 parking spaces per unit while observed usage averages about 0.85 spaces per unit (Newhall). Newhall and Smith emphasized that even if parking minima are removed, economic incentives often lead developers to include parking unless other incentives or transit alternatives exist.

What candidates proposed: Newhall favors eliminating parking minimums and expects existing zoning and approvals to remain a check on developers. Legault favors retaining parking requirements until car ownership is reduced and proposed incentives or tax breaks to encourage landlords to keep rents affordable. Smith emphasized requiring developers to engage with neighborhood groups and produce detailed traffic and site plans before projects such as Shetland proceed.

Next steps and city context: Candidates repeatedly pointed to the lack of an up-to-date citywide master plan — Newhall and Legault urged a modern citywide and downtown master plan to provide clearer guidance for development decisions. None of the candidates described a specific ordinance change already adopted; they framed most proposals as priorities they would press if elected.

Ending: Voters in Ward 2 will hear continued debate about parking rules, flood risk and Shetland Park as the campaign continues; candidates called for more community engagement and for the city to produce clearer, publicly available plans before major zoning changes are approved.","At a Ward 2 forum in Hamilton Hall, candidates debated how to balance affordability and growth, with disagreements over eliminating parking minimums, developing flood-prone parcels and the 1,200-unit Shetland Park proposal.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Candidates call for cleaner, more resident-focused downtown, propose retail support and enforcement

Candidates voice mixed views on Washington, North Street projects, back resident parking and better enforcement

Candidates pressed on homelessness: mixed views on LifeBridge expansion and encampment response

Candidates urge changes to Halloween-driven tourism and short-term rentals to favor residents

Ward 2 candidates split on parking rules, want clearer plans before Shetland project advances