Salem City Council on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, voted unanimously to ask the state for permission to use automated speed‑enforcement cameras in school zones and to seek an adjustment to annual payments from the South Essex Sewerage District (SESD). The council also approved a package of appropriations, a resolution supporting the Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) and first‑passage changes to local traffic ordinances.

The actions are aimed at addressing traffic safety near schools, correcting a decades‑old inequity in how SESD payments are calculated, and covering several contractual and capital needs for city departments. Councilors described the measures as incremental but necessary steps to protect students, stabilize city finances and maintain city assets.

Councilor Salvatore Marcello, who moved the home‑rule petition to allow automated enforcement in school zones, said the measure "will do one thing, make it safer for students going to and from school." Marcello noted the petition limits mailed violations to cases where a vehicle is recorded more than 10 miles per hour over the posted limit, and that such violations would not become moving violations on a driver's record unless unpaid and reported to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. He told colleagues the petition is a resubmission to the Legislature because previously filed bills lapsed at the end of the prior legislative term.

Council discussion stressed safety and incremental expansion of camera‑based enforcement. Councilor Stott said she was "hopeful this year" the petition will pass after recent state action allowing camera evidence for school‑bus stop‑arm violations. Councilor Cohen urged broader enforcement and said he favors treating some violations as moving violations. The council voted 11‑0 to adopt the home‑rule petition and forward it to the state legislature for consideration.

On a separate home‑rule petition, the council voted unanimously to ask the Legislature to update a fixed pilot payment that SESD has paid Salem since 1993. Councilors said the original $500,000 annual payment was not indexed for inflation and has cost Salem an estimated $6 million in foregone revenue over three decades. The petition would phase payments from $600,000 in 2025 to $1 million by 2029 and then adjust annually for inflation at a minimum 2 percent. Councilors urged residents to contact state lawmakers in support; the roll call was 11‑0 in favor.

Other votes and actions

Votes at a glance (all measures adopted unless noted):
- Home‑rule petition: automated speed enforcement in school zones — mover: Councilor Salvatore Marcello; vote: unanimous 11‑0; notes: petition limits mailed notices to speeds >10 mph over limit; funds from violations earmarked for road safety and driver education.
- Home‑rule petition: revised PILOT payments by South Essex Sewerage District — mover: Councilor [motion text]; vote: unanimous 11‑0; notes: phases payments from $600,000 (2025) to $1,000,000 (2029); thereafter indexed to inflation (min. 2%).
- Resolution supporting Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) — mover: Councilor Merkel; vote: unanimous 11‑0; notes: urges state leaders to restore funding after reduction in monthly reimbursements to $20 per household.
- Appropriation: $100,000 from free cash to Human Resources for unanticipated workers' compensation medical costs — mover: Councilor Merkel; vote: unanimous 11‑0.
- Reclassification/repurpose: $60,000 previously appropriated for school moving costs repurposed to mechanical, electrical, plumbing and life‑safety repairs for the School Department — mover: Councilor Merkel; vote: unanimous 11‑0.
- Retirement stabilization / vacation & sick leave buybacks: $20,451.60 (teacher Beth Contos), $15,000 (Salem Firefighters union), $4,748.82 (Salem Public Library retiree) — mover: Councilor Merkel; vote: unanimous 11‑0.
- CPA appropriation: $180,000 for Old Town Hall exterior restoration — mover: Councilor Merkel; vote: unanimous 11‑0.
- Traffic ordinance (first passage): Pioneer Terrace one‑way, Lafayette Place parking adjustments (aimed at easing emergency access and school drop‑off congestion) — mover: Councilor Cohen; action: adopted for first passage (process continues).
- Handicap parking ordinance (first passage): Jefferson Ave handicap zones — mover: Councilor Varela; action: adopted for first passage.
- Zoning ordinance referral: amendment to Business Neighborhood zoning (B1 column changes) — mover: Councilor Cohen; action: referred to Planning Board for joint public hearing.
- National Grid conduit installation at 13 Hawthorne Blvd (public hearing granted; requirement to notify abutters about closures) — applicant representative: Sabita Mahabershehe; action: permit granted with condition that contractor notify abutters and a police detail will be provided.
- Multiple appointments and confirmations: Megan Montgomery to Community Preservation Committee (term to May 10, 2026) — confirmed by roll call; Robert Sanzone to Cemetery Commission (term to Feb. 1, 2025) — confirmed by roll call; other appointments and some held under the rules for later consideration.

Councilors and staff framed many votes as technical or procedural steps that enable later work: the home‑rule petitions must go to the Legislature for final approval, traffic changes will return for final passage and zoning changes will go to the Planning Board for public hearings. Several votes were described as implementing contractual obligations (the buybacks) or reallocating previously approved funds (the $60,000 for school repairs).

A smaller administrative item: National Grid sought permission to place underground conduit on Union Street to provide service to a new condominium at 13 Hawthorne Blvd. Sabita Mahabershehe, a National Grid representative, told the council the work "is to provide service for the new condos going in at 13." Councilors required that abutters be notified when any street closures occur and noted a police detail will be used during work; the public hearing was closed and the permit granted.

Why it matters

The automated enforcement petition, if approved by the Legislature, would allow Salem to use cameras in school zones — a tool councilors said would reduce speeding and make walking routes to school safer. The SESD PILOT petition aims to correct a long‑running fiscal imbalance that councilors say has left Salem undercompensated for hosting the regional sewer facility. The appropriations and repurposings address immediate contractual liabilities and building repairs that city officials described as necessary to maintain services and safety. Several measures will require further steps — state approval, Planning Board hearings or second passage by the council — before they become final.

Next steps

The home‑rule petitions will be forwarded to Salem’s state delegation and the Legislature for consideration. Zoning changes will be scheduled for a joint Planning Board public hearing. Traffic ordinance changes adopted on first passage will return to the council for a second vote. Other administrative items — appointments and appropriations — are effective per city rules.

Votes and formal motions recorded during the meeting are reflected in the city clerk’s official minutes.