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Salem council approves funding for Salem Common lanterns, Dixon Chapel restoration and multiple city projects
Summary
The council approved several mayoral appropriations on March 12, including $90,740 to complete the Salem Common lantern project (state earmark covers remainder), $84,559 for Dixon Memorial Chapel exterior restoration, multiple retirement buybacks for firefighters, and accepted donations for artwork restoration and tree planting.
The Salem City Council approved a sequence of mayoral orders March 12 funding completed work and municipal needs across parks, historic preservation, public safety and other city programs.
Key votes
- Salem Common Lantern project: the council approved an appropriation of $90,740 to fund the remaining cost of the Salem Common lantern project (total project cost cited at $190,740 with a $100,000 FY26 state earmark covering part of the work). Councillor Davis explained the appropriation and thanked the Friends of the Salem Common and state Senator Joan Lovely for assistance in securing funding.
- Dixon Memorial Chapel: the council approved $84,559 to complete the chapel's exterior restoration; members noted a $65,000 state grant requires restoration completion prior to June 30, 2026.
- Retirement buybacks: several orders appropriated funds to cover contractual vacation/sick‑time buybacks for retiring Salem Fire Department members (amounts varied by employee); councillors observed and thanked retirees for service.
- Parks and program appropriations and donations: the council approved multiple smaller appropriations, including golf course equipment and operational items, $65,500 from Witch House receipts to fund signage and programming for Salem’s 400th anniversary, and $19,150 for Charter Street Cemetery documentation work. The council accepted a $15,000 donation from Wellpoint Health Insurance for artwork restoration and a $6,000 donation from Darlene Melis to support tree planting and a landscape plan for Salem Common.
Council discussion highlighted long volunteer efforts (Friends of the Salem Common) and the role of state funding in making projects feasible. Roll‑call votes were recorded and motions carried on each appropriation.
Representative quote: "I just want to tip my hat off to those people... the Friends of the Salem Common consists of a small group of residents who raised $100,000 to put new lights inside the Salem Common," Councillor Pasnooki said.
Ending: The council approved the appropriations and accepted donations; several items referenced deadlines tied to state grants (Dixon Chapel) and will move forward under city project management.
