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

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.