The Salem City Committee of the Whole considered multiple carryover matters on Dec. 4. Several routine items were discharged from committee while one request was rolled into the next council term for further consideration.

Item 2701 (2022), introduced by the mayor to address ARPA funds and program matters, was presented and Councilor Cohen moved to discharge the matter from committee. The motion was seconded by Councilor Marcela and carried (vote tally not specified in the transcript).

Item 559 (2023), brought by Councilor Stott, asked that the Massachusetts/tribal flag for Poncaepaug be displayed in the council chambers near the Naumkeg Port portrait. Councilor Stott said she found a case of flags and proposed a year-round place of display; she moved under council rule to roll the item into 2026. Councilor Merkel seconded the motion and councilors voted to let the matter carry over.

Item 138 (2024), a proposed joint meeting of the Committee of the Whole and the School Committee with state legislators for updates on pending legislation, was introduced by Councilor Merkel. She said some pending legislation had timed out and moved to discharge the item; the motion to discharge carried.

Item 574 (2024), brought by Councilor Hapworth (transcript also spells this name as Hathworth), requested meetings with Andrew DeFranza and Jason Etheridge to discuss the Margin Street project. Councilor Hapworth moved to discharge; Councilor Cohen seconded and the motion carried.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.

Votes recorded in the transcript are procedural (“all those in favor”) and the transcript does not provide numerical vote tallies. Items discharged were recorded as carried; Item 559 was specifically kept for the incoming council and rolled into 2026.