Salem Town Council Meeting – February 9, 2026

The Salem Town Council met on February 9, 2026, to address a range of business including public comment, appointments, recognitions, resolutions, financial updates, and department reports. The meeting was held in the evening.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the non-public session (under RSA 91-A:3, II(a) and (d)) and the public session of February 2, 2026, were approved. The public session minutes had one abstention (Councillor Wright, who was absent).
• The consent agenda for February 9, 2026, was approved unanimously.

Public Comments

• Harvey Glenn, representing the Arlington Pond Protective Association (APA), requested that the town work to extend a water line from the fire station to the end of the road to allow residents to connect. He also discussed efforts to combat cyanobacteria in Arlington Pond and asked for a group to address the water line issue. The council assured him that discussion would occur with the town manager.

Discussion Items

• Interview Session for Recreation Advisory Committee: The council interviewed two candidates for vacancies on the Recreation Advisory Committee. Alyssa Cadillac, a former recreation manager for Cambridge, expressed interest in Millville Lake and the town's master plan. Joanne Parcellin, a retired mother of three, cited her experience in collaboration and event coordination. Both were appointed unanimously, with Cadillac receiving the term expiring April 2028 and Parcellin the term expiring April 2027.
• Employee of the Month Recognition: Chief Dolan recognized dispatcher Ashley Andrews for her exceptional communication, training, and dedication, including coming in on her own time during a major event. The council congratulated her.
• Swearing-In of Fire Dispatcher: Fire Chief Lamere introduced Cameron McNally, who was sworn in as a full-time fire alarm operator. He started in September 2025 and was released from training on December 7, 2025.
• Resolution 2026-05 – Use of Police Impact Fees: The council approved a resolution authorizing $45,000 from police public safety impact fees to offset the 2026 police station construction bond payment. Unanimous.
• Resolution 2026-06 – Depot Furnace Replacement: The council approved a $25,000 withdrawal from the town facility maintenance capital reserve for emergency replacement of the furnace at the depot train station. Unanimous.
• Public Hearing and Grant Acceptance for Invasive Plant Removal: The council held a public hearing and accepted a $21,925 grant from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and a $1,925 donation from the APA for invasive plant treatment at Arlington Mill Reservoir. The remaining $20,000 will come from the water fund. Unanimous.
• Municipal Building Advisory Committee (MBAC) Update: Finance Director Nicole McGee reported on the police station construction (99% bought out, completion late summer/early fall) and discussed the South Station fire station project. She noted that the current conceptual design has two apparatus bays, but the fire chief now recommends three bays. The council agreed to explore the cost and feasibility of a third bay. McGee also presented the Building Condition Index, a facility assessment tool, and noted that MBAC's budget requests for 2026 were not included due to the budget committee's $2 million reduction.
• Discussion on 2026 Default Budget: Nicole McGee explained the calculation of the default budget, noting that while the expenditure budget appears $5.3 million lower, the revenue offsets are also lower, resulting in a tax rate difference of approximately $10 per $100,000 assessed value (about $50 for a $500,000 home). The proposed operating budget is $5.63 per $100,000 compared to the default $5.53.
• Winter Weather Operations Update: Municipal Services Director Wayne Amarall reported that the winter has been harsher than anticipated, with contracted services balances lower than previous years. The department may need to request additional funds from reserves. Council praised the crew's efforts.
• Town Manager's Report: Carly Mayo announced that Town Hall will be closed on President's Day, February 16, and that the 2026 resident survey is open on the town website.

Key Outcomes

• Approved minutes and consent agenda.
• Appointed Alyssa Cadillac and Joanne Parcellin to the Recreation Advisory Committee.
• Recognized Ashley Andrews as Employee of the Month.
• Swore in Cameron McNally as fire alarm operator.
• Adopted Resolution 2026-05 (police impact fees for bond payment) and Resolution 2026-06 (depot furnace replacement) unanimously.
• Accepted the NH DES grant and APA donation for invasive plant removal.
• Directed MBAC to explore adding a third apparatus bay to the South Station design.
• Noted that MBAC's 2026 budget requests were not funded.
• Concluded that the tax rate difference between default and proposed budgets is minimal.
• Acknowledged potential need for supplemental winter weather funding.
• Next meeting scheduled for March 2, 2026.