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Record of Proceedings

Salem Town Council Meeting - April 20, 2026

Town Council — Monday, April 20, 2026
BodySalem, New Hampshire
SessionTown Council
DateMonday, April 20, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 54:27

Transcript — VerbatimClick a line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:00

Good evening, Salem.

0:02

And uh this is the April 20th meeting of the Salem Town Council.

0:06

Would you all please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance?

0:11

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

0:18

One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:26

Thank you.

0:27

Let me just go around the table really quickly and introduce everyone who's here this evening.

0:32

To my far left, Mr.

0:34

DJ Bettencourt.

0:35

Good evening.

0:36

To his immediate right, Mr.

0:38

Keith Stromaya.

0:40

Good evening.

0:41

To his immediate right, Paul Pellatea.

0:43

Good evening, sir.

0:44

To his right again is Mr.

0:45

Hatch, Jeff Hatch.

0:48

And to my immediate left is the vice chair of the committee, uh Mr.

0:52

Joseph Sweeney.

0:53

Good evening.

0:55

To my immediate right this evening is uh Kathy Stacy.

0:59

Thank you, Mr.

1:00

Chair.

1:00

Good evening.

1:01

And finally, all the way to the right is uh Ms.

1:03

Bonnie Wright.

1:05

Hello, Salem.

1:06

And then the town manager, Mr.

1:07

Joe Devine.

1:08

For the purposes of the meeting minutes, uh Ms.

1:11

Withthrow has been excused.

1:14

And now I will take a motion from Miss Stacy.

1:18

Mr.

1:18

Chair, I move to seal the town council non-public meeting minutes for sessions one, two, three, four, and five for April 20th, 2026.

1:25

Pararis A91A32.

1:28

Members C C C D and L, because they involve matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person other than a member of the public body itself, or render a proposed action ineffective.

1:41

Second second.

1:48

And we're off.

1:50

Miss Stacey, you're going to do the minutes.

1:52

Sure.

1:52

I move the minutes of April 6th, 2026 public session.

1:56

Second.

1:56

Motion has been made and seconded by Mr.

1:58

Pellatea.

1:59

All those in favor?

2:02

8 to 0.

2:04

Chairman comments.

2:05

There won't be any.

2:07

I don't have all that much to say usually.

2:10

Approval of the consent agenda, Mr.

2:12

Sweeney.

2:13

Mr.

2:13

Chairman, at this time I move to approve the April 20th, 2026 consent agenda.

2:17

Second.

2:18

Motion has been made and seconded by Mr.

2:20

Hatch.

2:21

All those in favor.

2:26

Additions or requests by the public or a council by vote.

2:29

Is there anybody that uh Mr.

2:30

Sidechak would like to address the council?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████████████23%
Public Safety██████████████████18%
Parks and Recreation█████████████████17%
Procedural█████████9%
Fiscal Sustainability████████8%
Public Engagement███████7%
Economic Development████4%
Budget Equity Analysis████4%
Historic Preservation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Salem Town Council Meeting - April 20, 2026

The Salem Town Council met on April 20, 2026, to address a range of administrative, financial, and community development items. Key actions included approving a police station bond sale, discontinuing a portion of old Route 97, appointing a new member to the Economic Development Committee, receiving updates on community services and municipal facilities, and exploring recreational use of the former wastewater treatment plant site.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the minutes of the April 6, 2026 public session (8-0).
  • Approved the consent agenda for April 20, 2026 (8-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • John Sidek (34 Town Village Drive) praised the Department of Public Works for a remarkable job cleaning up litter on Clough Road and behind Target, noting the area had accumulated trash over winter. He described the intersection of Broadway and Veterans as Salem's doorstep and emphasized the importance of maintaining a good appearance for Massachusetts visitors.

Discussion Items

  • Appointment to Economic Development Committee: Jeremy Gilbalt, a Hemlock Lane resident and current Planning Board member, was appointed to the Economic Development Action Committee with a term expiring April 2027. The appointment passed 8-0.
  • First-Read Waiver for Police Station Bond Sale: Finance Director Nicole McGee presented the final bond sale for the police station construction project. The bond sold at a true interest cost of 3.61% with eight bids received. The council unanimously adopted Resolution 2026-09 and waived the second reading.
  • Public Hearing — Discontinuance of Portion of Old Route 97 (Old Havel Road): Assistant Town Manager Colleen Mayo explained the request to discontinue a section of road that was never formally abandoned after a 1958 realignment by NHDOT. The property at 354 Main Street requested the cleanup. The council voted unanimously to discontinue the portion running through map 75, lots 7310, 7313, 7314, and 7315.
  • Community Services Department Update: Director Gillian Smith reported on plans for a new unified logo (with community input and high school graphic design class involvement), the Boston Post cane award to be presented in May for Older Americans Month, and a series of events celebrating America's 250th anniversary, including a coloring contest, food drive, road race, concert series, and trips.
  • Municipal Advisory Committee (MBAC) Update:
    • Police station construction is on schedule and budget; second floor framing nearly complete, painting starting, tactical training center epoxy paint finishing, and exterior veneer work beginning.
    • South Station phase two design discussions included adding a third bay with minimal cost increase and no wetland concerns.
    • Building improvements: Senior center guardrail and handrail repairs completed; Pine Grove Cemetery windows and doors being replaced.
    • A six-year capital plan (2027-2032) was presented, prioritizing employee and resident facilities. Proposed CIP projects include South Fire Station reconstruction and Phase 2 of the DPW facility (2027), town-wide security system upgrade (2028), HVAC and roof replacements (2029), roof repairs and water connection (2030), and elevator updates (2031). Operating budget items for 2027 include set replacement at North Fire, exterior painting/lighting at Town Hall, and security audit.
  • Former Wastewater Treatment Plant (SARL Drive Property): Staff requested direction to explore multi-purpose recreational fields on the 32-acre remediated site, potentially separating a portion for the Salem Animal Rescue League (SARL). Council members Bettencourt, Hatch, and Pellata expressed strong support for recreational use over selling, citing need for fields and a permanent home for SARL. The council unanimously authorized exploration.
  • Lease Extensions:
    • Bureau of Courts: Approved a three-year lease (July 2026 – June 2029) for 21,480 sq ft at 35 Geremonti Drive, with 0% increase in year one ($439,862.10), 3% in year two ($453,057.96), and 3% in year three ($466,649.76). Generates ~$1.3M gross revenue.
    • New Hampshire Department of Corrections: Approved a three-year lease for 100 sq ft at the same address, with 2% annual increases ($1,634.28, $1,666.92, $1,716.00). Both approved unanimously.
  • Town Manager’s Report:
    • Provided details on police details at Tuscan Village: four privately funded details Thursday–Saturday nights (6 PM–1 AM). Over three recent weekends, 10–12% of total calls (121 of 1,038) were at Tuscan, with most handled by detail officers. Shoplifting, unattended children, theft, parking complaints, and motor vehicle lockouts were common; alcohol-related issues were not dominant. Council thanked the manager for clarifying taxpayer cost.
    • Announced a food truck festival for 603 Day (June 3) at the chamber parking lot, 10 AM–2 PM.
    • Reminded public about street sweeping, National Drug Take Back Day (April 25 at police station), mosquito control program with no-spray registry, appreciation for dispatchers and Animal Control Officer Cento, and voter registration deadline (June 2) for party affiliation for the September primary.
  • Future Agenda Item: Councilor Hatch requested a future discussion on the Lancas Fund to review the balance and distribution policy.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved consent agenda (8-0).
  • Appointed Jeremy Gilbalt to Economic Development Committee (8-0).
  • Adopted Resolution 2026-09 for police station bond sale and waived second reading (8-0).
  • Discontinued portion of Old Havel Road (8-0).
  • Authorized exploration of recreational development on former wastewater treatment plant site (unanimous).
  • Approved three-year lease extension with Bureau of Courts (unanimous).
  • Approved three-year lease extension with NH Department of Corrections (unanimous).
  • Motion to adjourn (8-0), with next meetings scheduled for May 4 and May 18, 2026.

Additional Notes

  • The council voted to seal non-public meeting minutes for sessions 1–5 on April 20, 2026, citing matters that would adversely affect reputation or render proposed action ineffective.
  • The town manager clarified that Tuscan Village police details are privately funded; taxpayer-funded calls to Tuscan are similar to other businesses.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, Salem. And uh this is the April 20th meeting of the Salem Town Council. Would you all please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Let me just go around the table really quickly and introduce everyone who's here this evening. To my far left, Mr. DJ Bettencourt. Good evening. To his immediate right, Mr. Keith Stromaya. Good evening. To his immediate right, Paul Pellatea. Good evening, sir. To his right again is Mr. Hatch, Jeff Hatch. And to my immediate left is the vice chair of the committee, uh Mr. Joseph Sweeney. Good evening. To my immediate right this evening is uh Kathy Stacy. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good evening. And finally, all the way to the right is uh Ms. Bonnie Wright. Hello, Salem. And then the town manager, Mr. Joe Devine. For the purposes of the meeting minutes, uh Ms. Withthrow has been excused. And now I will take a motion from Miss Stacy. Mr. Chair, I move to seal the town council non-public meeting minutes for sessions one, two, three, four, and five for April 20th, 2026. Pararis A91A32. Members C C C D and L, because they involve matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person other than a member of the public body itself, or render a proposed action ineffective. Second second. And we're off. Miss Stacey, you're going to do the minutes. Sure. I move the minutes of April 6th, 2026 public session. Second. Motion has been made and seconded by Mr. Pellatea. All those in favor? 8 to 0. Chairman comments. There won't be any. I don't have all that much to say usually. Approval of the consent agenda, Mr.

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