The Salem City Council on Jan. 9 approved a package of mayoral orders and appropriations covering unanticipated medical claims, school repairs, retirement buybacks and preservation funding.

Key actions adopted included:

- $100,000 appropriated from the general fund balance (free cash) to the human resources account for workers' compensation medical costs related to two employees, covering claims that occurred before the city secured MIIA workers' compensation coverage.

- $60,000 previously appropriated in fiscal 2023 for school moving costs was repurposed to capital outlay to support mechanical, electrical, plumbing and life-safety repairs in the school department after the planned moves did not occur.

- A set of retirement stabilization fund expenditures for contractual vacation and sick leave buybacks: $20,451.60 for a retiring teacher (Beth Contos), $15,000 for Salem Firefighters Union contractual buybacks, and $4,748.82 for a Salem Public Library retiree. Councilors described these as contractual obligations.

- Acceptance of a $1,000 donation from Joan Connolly Johnson in memory of Henry Bud Connolly for Pioneer Village.

- $180,000 appropriated from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) fund for exterior restoration at Old Town Hall, including ADA and energy-efficiency work; the Community Preservation Committee recommended the award and backup materials were provided to councilors.

Most of these measures were moved by Councilor Merkel and carried by unanimous roll call votes.

Why it matters: The appropriations address immediate contractual and maintenance needs, preserve historic assets, and fund required retiree buybacks. Councilors framed the items as routine, contractual, or corrective reallocations rather than new recurring budget commitments.

What’s next: Departments named in orders will carry out work or administer payments; the Old Town Hall restoration will proceed with CPA funding and accompanying project oversight as documented in the meeting backup.