SALEM CITY — The Salem City Council committee on public health, safety and environment met on Dec. 4 and moved to clear several items that have lingered in committee while deferring a rules change to the next council term.

Chair convened the meeting at 6 p.m. and noted public notice had been posted on Nov. 21, 2025. Councilors present reviewed a slate of legacy matters and made motions either to discharge items from committee or to carry them forward for further work.

On Matter 461, a petition originating 06/23/2022 about noise from car stereos and motorcycles, Councilor Stott said the topic remains important but could be reintroduced next year if an ordinance change is proposed. "If somebody has something that they wanna bring forward, like a ordinance change or requirement, they can very much bring that forward in the new year," Stott said. He moved to discharge; the motion was seconded by Councilor Harvey and the committee agreed to discharge the matter.

The committee also voted on Matter 21 (01/12/2023), a proposed composting ordinance brought by Councilor Varela. The chair summarized prior meetings and said a pilot program in schools had been launched by waste reduction coordinator Janelle Roque and that school committee members resisted prescriptive requirements. Councilor Stott moved to discharge the ordinance so staff and sponsors could prepare a cleaner draft; the motion was seconded and the committee approved the discharge (vote recorded in the minutes as "3 to nothing").

A draft leaf‑blower ordinance (Matter 137, submitted March 13, 2025) prompted extended discussion over scope and enforceability. Speakers noted municipal equipment was not included in prior drafts and that changing seasonal patterns affect the ordinance’s timing. The chair said the draft will be discussed by the Board of Health at its next meeting; Councilor Howard moved to discharge the item until further revisions are prepared. The committee approved the motion (vote recorded as "3 to nothing").

A citizens’ petition from Jackson Street residents Liz and Wayne Malionek requesting traffic calming on Jackson and Broad Streets was reviewed. Committee members advised the petitioners that the Transportation Department and the Transportation Commission are the appropriate bodies for traffic‑calming requests. The committee moved to discharge the petition from this committee and noted the referral path for petitioners.

On Matter 531 (11/13/2025), which would amend the Rules and Orders of the City Council regarding traffic recommendations, Councilor Stott argued that the Transportation Department and the Transportation Commission have technical jurisdiction and recommended the rules item roll over so the incoming council can review it. Using Rule 29b, members moved to carry Matter 531 into the next term; the motion was seconded and approved. A committee member asked that the carried item be co‑posted when it is placed into the next committee so the entire council has notice.

The meeting concluded after a brief expression of appreciation from the chair and a motion to adjourn by Councilor Harvey.

Votes at a glance

• Matter 461 (noise from car stereos and motorcycles): motion to discharge approved (mover: Councilor Stott; second: Councilor Harvey). Vote: recorded as approved (tally not specified in the record).

• Matter 21 (composting ordinance): motion to discharge and resubmit when a cleaner draft is available approved (mover: Councilor Stott). Vote: "3 to nothing" (as recorded).

• Matter 137 (draft leaf‑blower ordinance): motion to discharge until revised approved (mover: Councilor Howard). Vote: "3 to nothing" (as recorded).

• Jackson Street traffic‑calming petition (Liz and Wayne Malionek): discharged from this committee with referral guidance to Transportation Department/Transportation Commission (mover: Councilor Harvey; second: councilor who seconded). Vote: approved (tally not specified in the record).

• Matter 531 (amend rules/orders re: traffic recommendations): carried into next term under Rule 29b (mover: Councilor Stott; second: Councilor Harvey). Vote: approved (tally not specified in the record).

What happens next

Several items discharged from this committee may be refiled or returned with revised drafts next year; the leaf‑blower draft will appear on the Board of Health agenda for further review. The rules amendment will be posted and considered by the next council term under Rule 29b.

Speakers quoted in this article are taken from the meeting transcript and appear in the official committee record.