The Salem City Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs on Dec. 18 authorized the city solicitor to work with engineering to seek an abatement for condominium owners who were billed $10,250 after a meter failure and an apparent long-running leak.

Daniel Meagan introduced the water‑billing claim, saying, “They’re alleging that the city was negligent in not notifying them in a more direct fashion rather than just putting an estimate, notice on the bill.” Councilor Cohen moved to authorize the solicitor to pursue settlement discussions with engineering; the motion was seconded and carried with four hands raised.

Committee members then considered a long slate of liability and parking claims. Staff repeatedly cited investigations conducted by Maya (the city’s claims/insurance administrator) and recommended denials where investigators found no notice of a defect or where third parties (for example, National Grid or contractors) were responsible. For example, a claim alleged white paint from striping had damaged a vehicle; staff reported National Grid was the party doing roadway work and recommended denial, which the committee approved.

The committee also approved payment for several towing reimbursements where staff acknowledged an administrative error — for instance, a claimant who had registered a rental vehicle online and whose hearing‑officer ticket was rescinded but was still charged towing fees. Councilor Burrell moved to pay that claim and the committee approved the reimbursement.

A number of street‑sweeping and resident‑parking permit appeals raised recurring concerns about signage and notification practices. Several claimants said signs were not visible or not posted in advance; staff noted some tickets were waived by the parking department when claimants later registered for resident permits. Members asked staff to verify sign placement and the timing of notices (including whether CodeRED voice alerts were functioning). The committee left several of those appeals in committee for follow up.

A more serious personal‑injury claim arising from a fall on a recently reconstructed sidewalk at 107 Congress Street was held for further investigation; staff noted the work may have been performed by Tasco Construction and that Maya’s coverage could provide up to $5,000 toward medical expenses. The committee voted to retain that file for additional review.

The committee completed its docket after taking motions to deny, pay, or discharge individual claims as appropriate and then adjourned.