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Council approves appointments, appropriations and traffic measures; National Grid pole petition granted with condition
Summary
Salem’s council confirmed several mayoral appointments, approved appropriations for emergency water repairs and Salem 400 events, granted National Grid’s pole petition with a condition (no street lights), and enacted multiple traffic and resident‑parking ordinances on second passage.
In addition to rate and budget work, the Salem City Council handled a range of routine but consequential items June 11.
Appointments and confirmations: The council confirmed Victor Hernandez to the Beautification Committee by roll call (10–0). Several other mayoral appointments (assistant city treasurer Britney Dove; Crystal Brown to the Affordable Housing Trust; Jessica Cresammano to the Salem Cultural Council) were introduced and handled per rules, with some held under committee rules for further consideration.
Appropriations: The council approved a $75,000 appropriation from water/sewer retained earnings to cover emergency water‑main repair services for damage in the Danvers River/Kernwood area, and two $11,000 appropriations (Witch House receipts and free‑cash) to support Salem’s 400th anniversary Old Town Hall activations. A $6,000 transfer from workers’ compensation to dental insurance was approved to cover a June invoice.
National Grid: After a public hearing National Grid’s petition to install a pole on Beach Avenue and relocate another on Sutton was approved; an abutter asked that the new poles not include streetlights, and the council approved the petition with that condition.
Traffic and local ordinances: Council approved several traffic‑related ordinances on second passage, including resident parking changes for Essex and North streets, new stop signs on Ocean and Summit avenues, and fines related to tour bus idling. The fire‑lane ordinance for Beach & Sutton (the Willows access route) was referred to committee for more study.
Events and licenses: The council granted the Chestnut Street Phillips House car meet (Aug. 9) and approved routine guide and drain‑layer licenses, referring a small set of seaworm/license applications to ordinance committee for standard vetting.
What happens next: The city clerk and departments will schedule follow‑up committee reviews (Willows fire‑lane ordinance, seaworm/license checks) and post administrative details for the approved appropriations and events.
