Votes at a glance: Salem Council confirms appointments, advances several ordinances and adopts seasonal parking and dining measures

The Salem City Council handled a broad slate of votes on Nov. 13, approving personnel, administrative orders and several ordinances at first or second passage. Below are the principal outcomes and key details recorded in the meeting transcript.

Appointments and reappointments - Elizabeth Smith was confirmed as deputy auditor by roll call (unanimous: 11 yeas, 0 nays). (Transcript roll call: Councilors Watzenfeld, Varela, Stock, Marcello, Merkel, Jerslow, Harvey, Hopworth, Davis, Cohen and Prozniewski recorded as yes.) - Mayor’s appointees Anthony Henschel (Beautification Committee) and Fred Norton (Food Policy Committee) were confirmed (11 ayes recorded in the transcript). - Mayor’s reappointments including Christopher Milsford and Joel Simpson were confirmed by roll call (11 yays, 0 nays).

Ordinances and orders (selected) - Virtual currency kiosks: An ordinance to add a “virtual currency prohibitions” section to Chapter 24 was introduced and advanced for first passage; Salem Police told the council they investigated multiple scams in recent years and estimated about 15 machines in the city. (Sponsor: Councilor Atworth; police chief testimony recorded.) - Tour-guide amplification: An ordinance to prohibit amplified tour‑guide activity in residential zones after 8 p.m. passed first reading after debate; the council discussed whether to send it to committee but ultimately advanced first passage. - Water rates: Council approved first passage of the annual water rates ordinance. - No-turn-on-red: A previously introduced ordinance amending Chapter 42 (no turn on red) was adopted on second passage.

Administrative orders and waivers - Parking fee waiver for canned goods: Council authorized a seasonal program (Nov. 28–Dec. 23) waiving up to $30 in late parking fees in exchange for donations of canned/nonperishable items. Program specifics discussed: bring two cans and qualify for up to $30 in waived fees (waiver applies to fees, not base ticket). (Sponsor: Councilor Morcillo.) - Free parking: City-owned lots, garages and on-street spaces will be free Nov. 28–30 and Dec. 20–24; sponsors noted economic benefit to downtown small businesses. - Outdoor dining waivers: The council approved committee recommendations allowing Bambelina and Witchside Tavern to maintain outdoor dining through winter (Nov.–May) under conditions including prorated parking fees (~$1,000 per spot prorated), a snow‑removal plan and liability for damage. - Fire Station 2: Council authorized the fire chief to intermittently close Station 2 on North Street while building repairs are completed and to coordinate housing of apparatus in nearby locations as needed.

Votes and tallies - Several measures were adopted by voice or unanimous consent; explicit roll‑call tallies are recorded for the deputy auditor confirmation and the Smart Growth overlay second passage (10 ayes, 1 nay in one roll call noted). Where exact roll call tallies were not enumerated in the transcript, the record shows the chair declared the motion carried.

What to watch: The virtual‑currency kiosk ordinance will be followed closely by consumer‑protection advocates; the tour‑guide amplification rule will require outreach to the tour‑guide and hospitality community; and parking and transportation housekeeping items may re-emerge in committee for more public input where councilors requested it.