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Council approves firefighter pay orders, roof funding and bike-share contract; several traffic and design items move forward
Summary
Salem City Council adopted multiple appropriations and contract authorizations on Jan. 23, 2025, approved traffic ordinance changes for two streets and referred a design appropriation for the Essex Street pedestrian mall to committee.
The Salem City Council on Thursday adopted multiple financial orders and contract authorizations, moved several traffic ordinances forward and referred an $80,000 design appropriation to committee.
The council approved retroactive and ongoing pay increases covering the Salem firefighters under a memorandum of agreement. The council adopted an order appropriating $225,203.61 for retroactive wages and a second order appropriating $218,909.77 to fund the ongoing pay increases for fiscal year 2025. Both items were presented as contractual obligations and were adopted after motions to suspend the rules and a brief statement that they implement the union agreement.
The council also approved repurposing $222,500 previously appropriated for an Artist Row roof replacement to complete Old Town Hall roof repairs and exterior preservation. Councilors said moving funds to finish Old Town Hall will save money by timing related contractor work; backup documentation was cited for details.
The council authorized the mayor to enter a contract exceeding three years for operation of the Bluebikes regional bike-share system beginning in 2026. The council noted the Metropolitan Area Planning Council will issue a regional request for proposals and that Salem may contract with a selected operator for an initial five-year term with potential five-year extensions. Since the program launched in 2021, city staff reported that Salem has logged more than 40,000 rides.
On traffic items, the council approved first-passage changes to create a handicap parking zone in front of 23 Wisteria Street and approved first-passage parking prohibitions and towing zones on Wilson Street tied to safety improvements at the Jefferson-Wilson intersection. Both ordinances were advanced for later final passage.
Votes at a glance (actions recorded in council minutes): - Retroactive wages for firefighters: Order to appropriate $225,203.61 — motion to adopt by Councilor Merkel; adopted (tally: not specified in minutes). - FY25 firefighter compensation order: $218,909.77 — motion to adopt by Councilor Merkel; adopted (tally: not specified). - Repurpose $222,500 to Old Town Hall roof repair — motion to adopt by Councilor Merkel; adopted (tally: not specified). - Authorization to contract for bike-share operator beyond three years (Bluebikes) — motion to adopt; adopted (tally: not specified). - Traffic ordinance — handicapped zone, 23 Wisteria St.: adopted for first passage (tally: not specified). - Traffic ordinance — Wilson Street parking prohibitions: adopted for first passage (tally: not specified). - Essex Street Pedestrian Mall design appropriation of $80,000: motion to appropriate and refer to Committee on Administration & Finance co-posted with Committee of the Whole — referred for committee review.
Councilors asked for committee follow-up on the pedestrian-mall design appropriation, citing limited detail in the backup materials and expressing concern about prioritization and cost estimates. Councilor Merkel said she will schedule the committee meeting promptly and invite Chief Miller and other staff to provide information.
