The Salem City Council voted on Feb. 13 to prohibit the mayor from authorizing the use of the city seal on medallions for the Salem 400 quadricentennial commemoration, following a sustained round of public comment and council debate.

Councilors spent more than an hour discussing the item after several residents and members of the public urged caution because the city seal is under review by a task force. The first procedural vote — to send the matter to the Committee on Government Services co‑posted with the Committee of the Whole so the mayor could present the proposal — failed on a 4‑6 roll call. Councilor Marcello had moved to refer the matter; that motion did not carry. After the failed referral, Councilor Rossello moved to deny the mayor authorization to use the seal on the medallions; that motion passed on a roll call vote, 9 yeas and 1 nay.

The debate centered on whether the city should expand use of the existing seal while a separate review process is underway. Councilor Helen Merkel said she would not support wider use “out of acknowledgment and respect for the many residents that have emailed us and spoken here tonight and previously, their concerns about the imagery.” Councilor Davis said she opposed sending the item on and urged the council to vote it down, telling colleagues the public had been clear about their objections. Councilor Cohen related a lengthy conversation with the Salem 400 coordinator and urged more creativity and community engagement before expanding use of a contested image.

Supporters of referral said the city clerk and the mayor should explain the selection and legal protections available for official merchandise. Councilor Marcello, who initially moved to refer the matter to committee, said a mayoral presentation could clarify how sale proceeds would support Salem 400 events and whether legal language could restrict third‑party use of the image.

Public speakers earlier in the meeting had urged the council to delay or reconsider use of the seal. Brett Safarian, a resident, told the council he was “troubled by the lack of foresight in putting the seal itself on the reverse side of the coin” while the seal task force was still working. Several other residents urged alternatives or waiting for the task force’s recommendation.

The final denial motion passed 9‑1; the council then adopted the motion and recorded the roll call. The mayor’s office will not be authorized to use the current city seal on the Salem 400 medallions under this council action.

Why it matters: The vote responds directly to community concern and to an active civic review of the city seal. Councilors who opposed use said continuing to deploy the seal for merchandise would undercut the purpose of the ongoing task force and the city’s commitments to listening to affected residents.

What’s next: Councilors who favored sending the matter to committee said the mayor could still propose alternate designs or legal restrictions governing third‑party use at a later date, and community members continue to press the task force and council for broader input.