Fire chief and pedestrian advocates urge case‑by‑case review on proposed right‑on‑red restrictions; council tables measure and confirms two mayoral appointments

Speakers at the Salem City Council meeting on Thursday urged a targeted, evidence‑based approach to a proposed ordinance that would restrict right‑turn‑on‑red at intersections across the city. After public testimony and discussion, the council’s ordinances committee recommended tabling the measure to allow for intersection‑by‑intersection review and input from traffic staff.

Fire Chief Veil Dion told the council the city should not adopt a blanket prohibition without careful study. Citing emergency response considerations, Dion said prohibiting right turns on red “could possibly” worsen traffic congestion and impede emergency vehicles that rely on vehicles clearing intersections to allow responders to pass. He asked for a case‑by‑case analysis before any change is enacted.

Pedestrian safety advocates, including Steven Kapantis, said pedestrian risks are real and cited specific near‑misses and a reported crash. Kapantis recommended targeted controls and better enforcement rather than an across‑the‑board ban. Robert Callahan, a retired police captain who led traffic operations for years, likewise urged a measured approach, saying the city should change intersections one at a time, with Transportation and Police input, rather than a comprehensive rewrite.

Council committee members and staff agreed the city can use modern traffic signals that activate pedestrian alerts during busy pedestrian cycles and said enforcement must be part of any change. Councilor Hapworth’s ordinances committee, after receiving the Transportation Commission’s intersection analyses and police input, moved to table the ordinance and re‑examine intersections individually. The council voted to table the measure to its Oct. 23 meeting for continued review.

The council also took several separate actions during the meeting:

Votes at a glance

- Mayor’s appointment of Alex Sanchez to the Parks and Recreation Commission: adopted by roll call (9 yeas, 2 absent). - Mayor’s appointment and confirmation of James LeBlanc as finance director and auditor: adopted by roll call (9 yeas, 2 absent); LeBlanc spoke briefly and thanked the council. - Bond order for design and replacement of the Bates School roof, $3,618,491 (second passage): adopted by roll call (9 yeas, 2 absent). - Purchase of a Greensmaster Toro TriFlex mower for the golf course, $66,715.12: adopted (vote taken; tally not recorded in minutes). - Acceptance of donation from Salem Harbor Station to Parks & Rec for the Derby Street Mile, $3,075.70: adopted (vote taken; tally not recorded in minutes). - Several zoning and ordinance referrals: referred to the Planning Board or committee as noted (no final votes recorded at this meeting).

Public comment amplified two themes: the need to tailor any turn‑on‑red restrictions to intersection conditions, and the importance of enforcement where signage already exists. Councilors reflected competing priorities: pedestrian safety and traffic flow, while acknowledging modern signal technology and selective no‑turn signage could be part of the solution.

Following the public testimony and committee report, the council tabled the proposed blanket restriction to permit more analysis and stakeholder input. No permanent citywide right‑on‑red prohibition was enacted at Thursday’s session.