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Salem committee discharges two home-rule petitions, approves outdoor dining use and carries over park and policy reviews
Summary
At a Salem City Council committee meeting, members discharged two home-rule petitions (real estate transfer fee and a broker-fee payment petition), approved outdoor dining use at Witchside Tavern (263 Derby St.), and carried over a park vision review and a city outdoor-dining policy review to the next council year.
A committee of the Salem City Council met in the City Council Chambers and discharged two home-rule petitions, approved a use of city property for outdoor dining, and carried over two items for the incoming council.
The committee discharged Item 36, a home-rule petition concerning real estate transfer fees, after the Chair noted a recent communication from the mayor that the petition "will expire on its own at this point in the calendar" and that the mayor is working with the planning department and plans to resubmit the measure in the new year. A motion to discharge was made and seconded; the committee voted in favor and the item was removed from the committee's active list.
The committee also discharged Paper 164, a home-rule petition requiring broker fees to be paid by the party who solicits the broker. Councilor Davis, who had submitted the petition, told members the state legislature has taken up the issue, making the local action unnecessary; Councilor Davis moved to discharge and members voted 5–0 in favor.
The committee approved the use of city property for outdoor dining by Witchside Tavern at 263 Derby Street. Councilor Mercillo said a new agreement had been reached and moved to discharge that item; the motion was seconded and the committee voted in favor. A committee speaker noted the stretch of properties near Derby Street has been discussed more holistically in prior council sessions and referenced posted video and backup materials for additional context.
Two items were carried over to the next council year for further work: Paper 437, submitted by Councilor Hopworth, to review current vision and plans for Charlotte Fortin Park; and Paper 39, a request to meet with city departments to review the Outdoor Dining Policy and consider edits including year-round outdoor dining. Councilor Hopworth moved to carry the park item over so the incoming council could hold a public meeting; the motion passed unanimously. The outdoor-dining policy item, submitted Nov. 13, was carried to the next committee for review.
The meeting opened with logistics and accessibility guidance; the Chair noted backup documentation is available on the council SharePoint site and provided the City of Salem ADA coordinator phone number. The committee adjourned after completing the listed carryover matters.
Next steps: Items discharged may be resubmitted by the mayor or respective sponsors (the mayor indicated intent to resubmit the real estate transfer fee petition in the new year). The carried-over items will be on the agenda for the incoming council/committee for further review and any proposed policy edits or public meetings.
