OpenPublica

Accountability starts with access.

© 2026 · Filed for the public record

AboutAPIPrivacyTermsLinkedIn
Home/Salem, New Hampshire/Town Council
OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Salem Town Council Meeting – October 6, 2025

Town Council — Monday, October 6, 2025
BodySalem, New Hampshire
SessionTown Council
DateMonday, October 6, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 38:22

Transcript — VerbatimClick a line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:01

Good evening, Salem, and welcome to the October 6th, 2025 meeting of the town council.

0:08

Councilor Sweeney, would you lead us in the pledge?

0:11

Absolutely.

0:14

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

0:18

And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:27

Thank you.

0:29

To introduce the board to my far left is Councillor Stramalia.

0:32

Good evening.

0:33

To his right, yes, is Councillor Sweeney.

0:36

Good evening.

0:39

Good evening, Madam Chair.

0:40

To my immediate left is the Vice Chair, Councillor Hatch.

0:43

Hello, Salem.

0:44

To my immediate right is the uh Secretary.

0:46

Good evening, Councillor Withrow.

0:48

To her right is Councillor Pellatea.

0:50

Good evening, Salem.

0:51

To his right is Councillor Wright.

0:53

Hello, Salem.

0:54

And to her right is Town Manager Joe Devine.

0:56

Good evening.

0:57

Good evening.

0:58

Okay, moving right along.

1:00

Meeting minutes.

1:02

Okay, first I will move to seal the non-public meetings from tonight.

1:05

One meeting from tonight under RSA 91A32A.

1:10

Second.

1:10

I have a motion and a second by Councillor Bryant.

1:13

Any discussion?

1:14

All those in favor?

1:15

Unanimous.

1:18

Okay.

1:19

I would move the September 22nd, 2025, non-public session number one.

1:23

Second.

1:24

I have a motion by Councillor Whitrow and a second by Councillor Bryant.

1:28

All those in favor?

1:29

Unanimous.

1:30

I would move September 22nd, 2025, non-public session number two.

1:35

Second.

1:35

Motion by Councillor Withrow, second by Councillor Bryant.

1:38

All those in favor?

1:40

Unanimous.

1:41

And lastly, I would move September 22nd, 2025, public session.

1:44

Second.

1:45

I have a motion by Council Withrow, a second by Councillor Bryant.

1:48

All those in favor.

1:50

Unanimous.

1:51

There are no chairman comments this evening.

1:54

Consent agenda.

1:57

Councillor Sweeney.

1:58

Madam Chair, at this time I move to approve the October 6th, 2025 consent agenda.

2:03

Second.

2:03

Second.

2:04

I have a motion and a second by Councillor Wright.

2:07

All those in favor?

2:09

Unanimous.

2:11

Nothing from the public.

2:12

Nothing from the public.

2:13

Okay.

2:14

Interview section session.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████18%
Economic Development████████████████16%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████13%
Zoning Regulations█████████████13%
Personnel Matters████████████12%
Transportation Safety█████████9%
Water And Wastewater Management███████7%
Public Engagement██████6%
Public Safety██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Salem Town Council Meeting – October 6, 2025

The Salem Town Council held its regular meeting on October 6, 2025, beginning at approximately 7:00 PM. The council approved several appointments, adopted a resolution forming a new development corporation, authorized trust fund withdrawals, accepted donations, and discussed enforcement options for unregistered vehicles. All votes were unanimous except where noted.

Consent Calendar

  • Meeting Minutes: Unanimously approved minutes from the September 22, 2025 non-public sessions (two meetings) and the public session.
  • Consent Agenda: Unanimously approved the October 6, 2025 consent agenda.

Appointments

  • Communications Committee: Geraldine Fajardo, a new Salem resident with a background in marketing and communications, was unanimously appointed to the Communications Committee after attending two prior meetings and answering council questions.
  • Conservation Commission: Sean Lewis was unanimously appointed as an alternate member of the Conservation Commission.

Resolutions & Ordinances

  • Resolution 2025-31 – Formation of Salem Development Corporation: After a presentation and amendment by Councilor Sweeney, the council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution. The amendment reduced the board of directors from nine to five members: one town council member, the town manager or designee, one commercial real estate development professional, one residential real estate development professional, and one representative of Salem businesses. The corporation will be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to promote economic development, public infrastructure, and revitalization. Councilor Sweeney was then appointed as the town council representative (7 yes, 1 abstention by Sweeney).
  • Resolution 2025-33 – Pelham Road Improvement Trust Fund: Unanimously approved a first‑read waiver to withdraw $6,279.54 (plus accrued interest) for the Styles Fiber Expansion Project to improve traffic signal timing at three intersections.
  • Resolution 2025-34 – Salem Hose House #2 Trust Fund: Unanimously approved a first‑read waiver to withdraw $8,928 for storm window restoration labor and materials at the hose house.

New Business

  • Stop Sign Installation: Unanimously authorized the installation of a stop sign at the Birchwood Avenue and Ashwood Avenue intersection, as recommended by the Municipal Services Department after a resident’s request and site review.

Donations & Grants

  • Historical Society – Hose House Siding: Accepted with gratitude a $48,250 donation from the Salem Historical Society to replace the clapboard siding at Hose House #2.
  • Historical Society – Hose House Floor: Accepted with gratitude a $5,500 donation from the Salem Historical Society to jackhammer and replace the cracked concrete floor at Hose House #2.
  • Total Highway Services – Guard Rail: Accepted with gratitude a donation of a guard rail plus installation valued at $4,405 from Total Highway Services Inc. for the fire station’s back parking lot.
  • FEMA AFG Grant: After a public hearing, unanimously accepted a $89,427.27 grant from FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program to purchase three heavy‑duty PPE gear extractors and gear dryers for each fire station.

Town Manager’s Report & Discussion Items

  • Preambulation: The Salem‑Atkinson boundary line preambulation has been completed and GIS updated.
  • Elections Redistricting: Letters will be sent only to residents affected by redistricting; council supported placing electronic message board signs at former polling locations to direct voters.
  • Rail Trail Phases 4 & 5: Engineering has begun; construction is anticipated May 2027 – January 2028 under a federally‑funded CMAC grant.
  • Police Accreditation: The police department passed its annual CALEA assessment.
  • Upcoming Events: Trick‑or‑treat scheduled for October 31, 6–8 PM; Trunk‑or‑Treat on October 23, 5:30–7:30 PM.
  • Water Supply: Canobie Lake remains above the 16‑foot restriction threshold; the area is classified as “abnormally dry” but not in drought. The town plans to switch to Arlington supply in November.
  • Unregistered Vehicles Enforcement: Councilor Withrow raised concerns about a car dealership parking dozens of unregistered vehicles at various locations. Town Manager Devine explained that enforcement under RSA 676 is slow and suggested adopting a local ordinance citation under RSA 313:9D, which allows daily fines and is handled in district court. Several councilors expressed interest; the manager agreed to work with the planning director to bring a proposal to a future meeting.

Key Outcomes

  • All votes were unanimous except Councilor Sweeney’s abstention on his own appointment to the Development Corporation board (7‑1).
  • Resolutions adopted: 2025‑31 (Development Corporation), 2025‑33 (trust fund withdrawal for fiber), 2025‑34 (trust fund for hose house windows).
  • Appointments confirmed: Geraldine Fajardo (Communications Committee) and Sean Lewis (Conservation Commission).
  • Stop sign authorized at Birchwood Avenue/Ashwood Avenue.
  • Donations accepted totaling $58,155 ($48,250 + $5,500 + $4,405) plus $89,427.27 federal grant.
  • Next steps: Town Manager to prepare a local ordinance citation proposal regarding unregistered vehicle enforcement.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, Salem, and welcome to the October 6th, 2025 meeting of the town council. Councilor Sweeney, would you lead us in the pledge? Absolutely. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. To introduce the board to my far left is Councillor Stramalia. Good evening. To his right, yes, is Councillor Sweeney. Good evening. Good evening, Madam Chair. To my immediate left is the Vice Chair, Councillor Hatch. Hello, Salem. To my immediate right is the uh Secretary. Good evening, Councillor Withrow. To her right is Councillor Pellatea. Good evening, Salem. To his right is Councillor Wright. Hello, Salem. And to her right is Town Manager Joe Devine. Good evening. Good evening. Okay, moving right along. Meeting minutes. Okay, first I will move to seal the non-public meetings from tonight. One meeting from tonight under RSA 91A32A. Second. I have a motion and a second by Councillor Bryant. Any discussion? All those in favor? Unanimous. Okay. I would move the September 22nd, 2025, non-public session number one. Second. I have a motion by Councillor Whitrow and a second by Councillor Bryant. All those in favor? Unanimous. I would move September 22nd, 2025, non-public session number two. Second. Motion by Councillor Withrow, second by Councillor Bryant. All those in favor? Unanimous. And lastly, I would move September 22nd, 2025, public session. Second. I have a motion by Council Withrow, a second by Councillor Bryant. All those in favor. Unanimous. There are no chairman comments this evening. Consent agenda. Councillor Sweeney.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com