[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6076781,"mediaKeyId","2967472-1b6177d962cb4e419dba026f55e7bf35","parentId",2967472,"title","Votes at a glance: key outcomes from the April 10, 2025 Salem City Council meeting","audioSeconds",3015,"startMs",2379000,"endMs",5394000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2967472-1b6177d962cb4e419dba026f55e7bf35&start=2379&end=5394","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2967472-1b6177d962cb4e419dba026f55e7bf35/thumbnail_2379000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6076781/Salem-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-key-outcomes-from-the-April-10-2025-Salem-City-Council-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076781-6991dbeacdf3f5d930e6d845afc36ada/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196603&Signature=P1n1jXa4T6XO8J71mO-qNFJSWQEYCoe-LsToc2~Je5P9degnvsgWZwsjHXiNb0KIGCTdgYWPmwdjnl6ciaHwbh8ChFbCHmbbGv~IMpLu3Ks4~9Zsx-em7YkrfR84aGqzrges0ayPORjLJxfFGelQccW898J--3cuUt9knrgX9NoAfsVTVTIBCHdd0XtE5QBZwKE~dtPkQBWGPCPjexfzky5qfedX1kUEYcOQtQ7s8hPbW2OVp1h~xkQwA8FvrYOtEhb-OkOxQkPvlYRTwX4GwHRg8ns5tRREYv6NwfQ4EFnq9O2fcNFQ~BH~4o5xP6UkCrw82T0hi30FRX-J65aS7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Salem City, MA","date","2025-04-11T00:00:00Z","article","This is a concise summary of formal votes and recorded actions from the Salem City Council regular meeting on April 10, 2025.

Adopted/Granted
- Resolution to ensure the safety and protection of the transgender and nonbinary community: adopted by roll call, unanimous (11–0). (See full article.)
- Comcast petition to place conduit on Federal Street (to serve 160 Federal Street): public hearing closed and petition granted (motion carried). (Public testimony and brief council questions preceded the vote.)
- Mayor’s reappointments: adopted by roll call (11–0) for the slate presented; individual items included standard reappointments and one planning‑board appointment (Graham Hines) held under the rules for two weeks.
- Land conveyance: authorization to convey an approximately 5‑acre parcel (deepwater berth lot 2B) to the Salem Harbor Port Authority: adopted by roll call (11–0).
- Appropriations: $10,000 capital outlay to fund polling‑location accessibility work at Bates School and Salem High School: adopted; $6,800 transferred from Witch House receipts for an Indigenous history educational program: adopted.
- Approval to submit the City of Salem’s application for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant for 7/1/2025–6/30/2026: approved; staff reported the usual annual process continues.

Referred or Held
- Outdoor dining license for Which Side Tavern (address corrected to 283 Derby Street): matter moved to the Community and Economic Development Committee / co‑posted to the Committee of the Whole to clarify year‑round licensing and fees.
- Ordinance to amend chapter 24, section 31 (no‑camping): referred to the Committee on Public Health, Safety and Environment co‑posted with the Committee of the Whole (public hearing set for April 15 at 6 p.m.).
- Claims and a petition regarding a denied public guide license: referred to Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs (executive session if necessary).
- Committee report accepted: Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs recommended first passage of an amendment to the water‑use restrictions (water management plan); report accepted and will proceed through ordinance process.

Other procedural items: Clerk called roll for multiple matters; several appointments were held under the rules for two weeks per council procedure; meeting adjourned at the conclusion of the agenda.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Salem City Council Regular Meeting April 10th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal actions taken by the Salem City Council on April 10, 2025, including approvals, appropriations, conveyances and referrals.","taxTitle","Salem City, Essex County, Massachusetts","taxId",70531,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076786,"Council sends home‑rule petition to ban second‑generation anticoagulant rodenticides to the legislature",3554,1410000,4964000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2967472-1b6177d962cb4e419dba026f55e7bf35&start=1410&end=4964","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2967472-1b6177d962cb4e419dba026f55e7bf35/thumbnail_1410000.jpg","/articles/6076786/Salem-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Council-sends-homerule-petition-to-ban-secondgeneration-anticoagulant-rodenticides-to-the-legislature","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076786-07509bd89792c8a099b1b5c66e2d41bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196603&Signature=AZCcwth6TEEqG2iD5MBjNw~HZoYz96MAy~-FvRJZRK1WBhNCOHKsQTPUSSh-rQSemtdxSbnD8TE5bdZuY4G89BvZgUalqQFlvdio1-7TsPe24zUMUIkqWi1tivj7yJrCY79ovIA4qzP8Npnl6vB1pdaZ8eddX9Xo2OCh4CE~dkoXX5f6SVVw-~SwCmq78ndVvNubAOt5yNDtE9mOlt6HmI0oJ77R0xuE8eq2YtIOR-N9lGqLidNWOFcL0de6q8A9oCs7QsT1RkJfoZ1KtyikWVlOiWMJOEHkZu76fbx3dH5cWAPe-HGSQeklfZ6lFKQA8aqvjmOFCZThiWMsaEVeeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Salem City Council on April 10 voted to authorize submission of a home‑rule petition that would allow the city to prohibit the application of second‑generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) within Salem.

Councilor Davis moved adoption of the home‑rule petition; the motion passed by roll call, 11–0. Councilors discussed evidence of wildlife and pet harm, procedural questions about the petition’s relationship to pending state legislation, and local health‑department input.

Councilor Davis described meetings with residents and with the city’s health agent, Dave Greenbaum, who told councilors that most current use of SGARs in Salem is underground. Davis said that increased local regulation is appropriate for resident and business use. Councilor Cohen noted that related statewide legislation is advancing in the Massachusetts Legislature and cited a House bill (number cited in meeting as 965) and a Senate bill (cited as 644) that have attracted extensive co‑sponsorship; Cohen said the state bills may advance before a home‑rule petition is acted on, but supported the local submission as evidence of community support.

Councilor Marcello noted that if the legislature acts differently, any local rule should apply broadly (not carve out the city or particular users). The council’s action authorizes staff to prepare and submit the petition; it does not itself enact a local ban.

Action taken: Motion to authorize the city to submit a home‑rule petition to prohibit SGARs in Salem carried by roll call vote, 11–0. The petition will be submitted to the state legislature; the council did not adopt a local ordinance at this meeting.","Council voted unanimously to authorize submission of a home‑rule petition that would let Salem prohibit second‑generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) within city limits; councilors discussed state bills already moving in the legislature.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076791,"Council refers proposed no‑camping amendment to public‑health committee after extensive public opposition",3600,928000,4528000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2967472-1b6177d962cb4e419dba026f55e7bf35&start=928&end=4528","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2967472-1b6177d962cb4e419dba026f55e7bf35/thumbnail_928000.jpg","/articles/6076791/Salem-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Council-refers-proposed-nocamping-amendment-to-publichealth-committee-after-extensive-public-opposition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076791-c2a72fbab8bcef6f6ee649cfd8e1f7f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196603&Signature=VeSVnzGc0vuSplxgpQnjk1zvuP4YY98Cl0mcHhPmrfLbYx2PegJkys7nvyU8qODsOu6DO~933Y2qe8pTTkIgGY8ZXX33Gz5PZUV~-RHNJY9pknhVI-QaQtPvlDyD07UuukfZ9d5zo-ykKIlA4bbKgAQhvC0LSIAsegL3gjZjcf13wtEMSBpYH7BbARpLyCNc9rg0juCEpsD4REg7JelMsHshmYEE2YsXQL5EmBeEHsx5zSRY8wVu4BUYLklvoYORpd1Jo8c9IYOoHRjA1jRoVIojMh0HNHDEIpW30RLolflZukyW17iKLtpdxwU-Mjaazwbk5ooq~J8QloLsfICD8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Salem City Council on April 10 voted to refer a proposed amendment to the no‑camping ordinance to the Committee on Public Health, Safety and Environment co‑posted with the Committee of the Whole. The referral includes a public hearing scheduled for April 15 at 6:00 p.m. in the council chamber.

The proposed amendment would change how and when officers may remove encampments, including a provision that would shorten the removal window in some circumstances from 72 hours to 12 hours and allow sweeps when no shelter is available or when public health or wildfire risk is identified. Councilor Cohen moved to refer the matter to committee; the motion carried.

Public testimony at the April 10 meeting featured numerous residents who said the amendment would harm people experiencing homelessness and called for enforcement alternatives and better shelter resources. Resident Jason Doherty, who has worked with people living outside, said stricter enforcement “is going to harm people within our community.” Resident Jess Tower told the council: “Allowing Salem cops to sweep local encampments when there is no other shelter available is extremely inhumane,” and said the city’s publicly posted list of available shelters had not been updated as required by the existing ordinance.

Other public commenters echoed those concerns. Resident John Coverdell said people should be free to choose the places where they sleep and described the amendment as limiting “self‑determination.” Resident Kaitlyn Tricombe cited three unhoused residents who died in the past year and warned a move to 12‑hour removals would cause more harm. Several speakers also tied the issue to the city’s transgender community, noting elevated rates of homelessness among queer and trans people and asking the council to consider the overlap of vulnerabilities.

Councilor Davis said she could not support the amendment in its present form and emphasized the need to consider impacts on queer and transgender residents, who are more likely to be unhoused. The committee referral means the council will hold more detailed hearings; the April 15 meeting was announced in council chambers.

Action taken: Councilor Cohen moved to refer the ordinance amendment to the Committee on Public Health, Safety and Environment co‑posted with the Committee of the Whole; the motion carried (vote recorded as carried). The committee will hold a hearing on April 15 at 6 p.m.","Council voted to refer a proposed amendment to the no‑camping ordinance—which would allow earlier removal of encampments when shelter is unavailable—to the Committee on Public Health, Safety and Environment co‑posted with the Committee of the Whole. Public commenters warned the change would harm unhoused people, including transgender residents.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076796,"Salem City council declares city a place of safety for transgender and nonbinary residents",2992,609000,3601000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2967472-1b6177d962cb4e419dba026f55e7bf35&start=609&end=3601","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2967472-1b6177d962cb4e419dba026f55e7bf35/thumbnail_609000.jpg","/articles/6076796/Salem-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Salem-City-council-declares-city-a-place-of-safety-for-transgender-and-nonbinary-residents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076796-123e583fa0c8f5abb73773d3586dd466/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196603&Signature=boHfZvFaIU7sYdHB8qOWXjWd7jwAA9WNbbXB~XDOiyFQW-ZQ83y6ZKXipZXr5ikFkF6B34nlHG93rj4fwhEop3enMsBl7Rk5kcz3SxnKAyNZwJLlydW4vzqqXoHAwLs6Ak7p2U0ebTWfQK6s41wwzLXMFTeI14~3M2OiwnvMWUPrz2c3c4jrvfkIpVvs775l3MfXqPyctLibmWFr-SFXOnUsxTeeJW4zAS38vQd7Y4CXDp0yp-A9cmAWI7VpC~XOwyaT~Kvh7yxv-fU67p9BUFMy3KW-3dylSGsoRnQMcrPv-bdJZ77XuVOGFguV3MveAXPFDNYGE7PyImp-H-P48A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Salem City Council on April 10 unanimously adopted a resolution declaring the city a sanctuary and place of safety for transgender and gender‑nonconforming residents and visitors.

The resolution, introduced by Councilor Merkel and adopted by roll call vote, reiterates Salem’s commitment to upholding rights guaranteed by the United States, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Salem municipal code and directs the city to work with the Salem Human Rights Coalition to identify equity shortcomings and expand protections, including support for gender‑affirming health care and measures to protect students and municipal employees.

Why it matters: The resolution frames local policy as a bulwark against recent federal actions and a sharp rise in bills targeting transgender people nationwide. It directs the city to continue identifying ways to protect vulnerable community members and affirms support for existing municipal nondiscrimination rules cited in the resolution.

Public testimony and council debate preceded the vote. Resident Alphonse Wright said passing the resolution was “vital” and called it the least the city could do to protect those who fear for their safety. Resident Joe Bova said simply, “Trans rights are human rights.” Resident Kaitlyn Halapa, who described emailing councilors after the January 29 executive order, praised the resolution’s commitment to “identify ways to do more in the future and act on them.” Regina Saragosa Fry, who helped draft the measure with local advocacy groups, said the resolution “signals to our trans and nonbinary neighbors that their city sees them, values them and will defend their right to live freely and safely.” Tony (representing NAGLI) told the council the measure is “life saving” for local youth who use the group’s services.

Councilor Merkel, the motion’s sponsor, opened debate by thanking the North Shore LGBTQ+ youth advocacy organization, Salem public schools staff and local nonprofits for their work drafting the resolution and said the text “speaks for itself clearly and impactfully to the urgent need to take every action possible to protect and ensure the safety of our transgender and nonbinary community.” Councilor Cohen said he supported the measure and described plans to re-energize Project Out programming and educational outreach. Councilors Watzenfeld, Marcello and Davis each expressed support; Councilor Davis said the resolution made her proud to be a Salem resident.

Action taken: Councilor Merkel moved adoption of the resolution by roll call; the motion carried unanimously, 11–0. The adopted resolution references municipal code chapter 2, article 16 (nondiscrimination) and chapter 2, article 18 (safe access to legally protected health care) and cites an executive order dated 01/29/2025 in its findings.

The resolution directs municipal staff to work with the Salem Human Rights Coalition on next steps; it does not itself create new regulations or budget appropriations.","On April 10, 2025 the Salem City Council unanimously adopted a resolution declaring the city a sanctuary and committing municipal support and protections for transgender and gender‑nonconforming people after extensive public testimony and council debate.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: key outcomes from the April 10, 2025 Salem City Council meeting

Council sends home‑rule petition to ban second‑generation anticoagulant rodenticides to the legislature

Council refers proposed no‑camping amendment to public‑health committee after extensive public opposition

Salem City council declares city a place of safety for transgender and nonbinary residents