Salem Town Council Meeting - December 1, 2025

The Salem Town Council convened on December 1, 2025, to address routine administrative updates, provide feedback on the 2026 budget reductions requested by the Budget Committee, and vote on five proposed charter amendments. Key discussions included a public hearing regarding the abolition of the Budget Committee, progress on the new police station construction, and the strategic direction of the town's road maintenance program.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved the minutes from the November 17, 2025 public and non-public sessions.
• Unanimously approved the December 1, 2025 Consent Agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jake Schmitz (Resident): Expressed urgent concern regarding road safety, specifically the danger of ice forming on roads after freezing precipitation falls. He requested a policy change to permit preemptive salting when overnight temperatures are forecasted to be 32 degrees or lower to prevent ice formation. He cited personal experience as a morning runner and the common practices in Western New York. Staff indicated they received similar feedback but noted the current policy is restrictive; no immediate policy change was enacted during the meeting.
• Ed Humnick (ZBA Chairman/Former Budget Committee Member): Strongly opposed the charter amendment to eliminate the Budget Committee, framing the current frustration as a temper tantrum of a child denied candy, and emphasized the committee's historical necessity for checks and balances. He requested the council members explain individually their reasons for opposing the committee.
• Ohyssa Cadillac (Resident): Supported the removal of the Budget Committee, arguing that town council members and staff know departmental needs best and that the committee's role has become redundant and disconnected from fiscal responsibility.
• Tom Campbell (Attorney/Resident): Opposed eliminating the Budget Committee, stating that an advisory status would be meaningless and that the committee provides essential checks and balances. He also addressed misinformation, clarifying that the proposal to eliminate the committee originated solely with the Town Council, not the School Board.
• Jeff Boyer (Budget Committee Member/Citizen): Strongly defended the existence of the Committee, citing its 63-year history and the fact that the vast majority of similar charter towns in New Hampshire retain it. He argued that the Committee provides vital oversight, transparency, and a training ground for community involvement.
• Stephen Gardew (Budget Committee Member/Citizen): Contended that the Budget Committee is the only body that analyzes the full tax impact of town and school budgets. He argued that without it, taxpayers would face "default budgets" with excessive rates, citing the recent reduction of a proposed 15% rate increase to 5-6% thanks to the Committee's intervention.
• Pamela Barry (Resident): Expressed concern that removing the Budget Committee lacks citizen voice and would eliminate a core component of fiscal responsibility. She stated she intends to propose a petition warrant at the deliberative session to eliminate the proposed amendment.
• Valerie Tobin (Resident): Condemned the Council's attempt to remove the Committee as egregious and unfair, arguing that the Committee is the only body that scrutinizes line items thoroughly.
• Tom Campbell (Clarification): Reiterated that the School Board has not discussed, endorsed, or promoted the motion to eliminate the Budget Committee; the initiative is solely driven by the Town Council.

Discussion Items

• Road Salting Policy: A resident requested a policy change to allow preemptive salting to prevent ice. Council members noted the current policy restricts salting to active precipitation on the road. While the issue of road safety was acknowledged, no directive was issued to change the salting policy at this time.
• Police Station Construction: Mark Lahoolia (Trident) and Ted Galante (Galanti Group) provided updates. Mark confirmed the project is on schedule (steel erection beginning Dec 16) and on budget, utilizing savings to offset soil issues. He established a winter conditions allowance to cover winter-specific costs. Ted presented design renderings, explaining that exterior colors were adjusted from the original concepts to a lighter beige based on physical precast samples to achieve a crisper, cleaner, stately look. He confirmed there was no cost impact from the color change and that the change was driven by material availability and design refinement.
• Municipal Fee Increases: Town Clerk Nicole Morse informed the Council that the state is increasing fees for licenses and titles effective January 1, 2026. These are the first fee updates in approximately 20 years. Letters to residents will be sent in January, not December, to reflect correct rates.
• Road Program Update: Director of Engineering John Clipville reported that the 2025 program (approx. $3.4M) was completed under budget. He highlighted the use of rubber chip seal as a cost-effective transition treatment. For 2026, the Council is considering a $3M program, excluding some high-cost reconstruction roads (like Duffy Avenue and Valesca Lane) due to budget constraints and utility issues. Councilors expressed concern over the delays in addressing deteriorated grid roads (e.g., Anderson Road) and the lack of transparency regarding road selection on the ballot.
• 2026 Operating Budget & Warrant Articles: Town Manager Joe Devine outlined two scenarios for meeting the Budget Committee's directive to cut $2M without reducing revenue:
  • Option 1: Remove the $1.995M sidewalk program (approximate 8.11% tax rate increase).
  • Option 2: Implement targeted operating cuts ($2M total) including freezing hiring, reducing winter weather reserves, and delaying fleet/vehicle purchases (approximate 3.98% tax rate increase). This option risks "kicking the can" and increasing costs in subsequent years.
  • Councilors debated the options; many expressed strong opposition to cutting essential fleet services (Option 2) or removing the sidewalk program (Option 1) individually, with some seeking a hybrid approach or delaying the decision.
• Charter Amendments Public Hearing: The Council held a hearing on five proposed amendments:
  1. Extending the audit firm selection cycle from 3 years to 6 years.
  2. Amending the Municipal Budget Law to remove references to the Budget Committee (effectively abolishing it).
  3. Adding prohibitions on officials using their influence for personal benefit.
  4. Mandating annual ethics training for elected and appointed officials.
  5. Reinstating scheduled terms for the Conservation Commission.
  • Councilors debated the abolition of the Budget Committee (Amendment 2). Councilor Bettencourt strongly opposed it in principle, arguing it removes a critical taxpayer watchdog. Council Sweeney supported putting the issue to a vote to ensure direct democratic input. Council Pelletier noted a lack of communication between the Council and Committee as a root cause of the friction.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 2025-36: Unanimously adopted to unmerge lots 180 Main Street (Map 90, Lot 1469) as recommended by staff.
• LED Streetlight Project: Unanimously accepted an additional incentive of $1,854.82 from Liberty Utilities.
• Charter Amendments Vote: Adopted all five charter amendments by the Salem Town Council (8 in favor, 1 opposed). The opposition was recorded by Councilor Bettencourt, who stated she supported all but Amendment 2. The amendments will be submitted for final approval to the Attorney General's Office, DRA, and Secretary of State for inclusion on the 2026 Town Meeting Warrant.
• Budget Decision: The Council directed staff to prepare warrant article packets based on Option 1 (removal of the sidewalk program) for the initial discussion phase, while acknowledging the final decision on the specific cuts (Options 1 vs. 2 or a hybrid) will be made at the December 15th meeting in conjunction with the warrant article vote.
• Fire Engine: The Council discussed a five-year lease for a new fire engine (replacing a 2006 model) as part of the 2026 warrant articles, noting the significant lead time for delivery.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned unanimously.