Salem Town Council Meeting Summary - August 3, 2026

The Salem Town Council held its regular meeting on August 3, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting covered routine approvals, public comments on gravel roads, a presentation on the Salem Rail Trail phases 4 & 5, and discussions on budget committee participation. Key decisions included the approval of a consent agenda with three donations, the appointment of a deputy town clerk, adoption of a solid waste code amendment, acceptance of a $30,000 cybersecurity grant, and a vote on the terms for budget committee attendance at departmental presentations.

Consent Calendar

• Approved August 3, 2026 consent agenda (8-0) which acknowledged donations: $200 from Service Credit Union for National Night Out, $5,000 from Standex International for Police Canine Unit, and $750 from Salem New Hampshire Lions Club for summer youth program.
• Sealed non-public sessions pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (8-0).
• Approved minutes from June 1, 2026 non-public sessions #1 and #2, and July 6, 2026 public session (8-0, with Mr. Bettencourt abstaining on the July 6 session).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cindy Sawin (13 Palm Road): Expressed frustration that her gravel road has been on the paving list for 70 years without action. Noted recent grading was washed away by rain. Asked how many town-approved gravel roads remain (at least 12) and why more are not paved annually. Mr. Bryant acknowledged the issue but noted budget constraints and the need to prioritize failing paved roads.
• Larry Belair (15 Artisan Drive): Supported the rail trail plan, requested stone benches for memorialization, asked about traffic signal timing at Rockingham Park Boulevard crossing, and suggested removing abandoned utility poles along the trail. Raised concern that budget committee cuts affected rail trail maintenance funds.
• Adam Gidley (72 South Broadway): Read a letter from attorney Bernard Campbell arguing that a culvert under the rail bed (on NH DOT property) should be replaced before the rail trail surface is paved. Noted that the town replaced the adjacent culvert under Route 28 in 2019 but not the rail bed culvert, which remains undersized. Requested the town address this prior to trail construction.
• Tim Vermett (President of Methuen Rail Trail): Expressed support for the rail trail plan but requested more trees along the sun-exposed western section and shrubs to buffer from Route 28.

Discussion Items

• Appointment of Deputy Town Clerk: Town Manager Joe Devine recommended Deborah Sweeney, who brings strong municipal government background. Council approved unanimously (8-0) effective August 3, 2026.
• Town Moderator Update on September 8, 2026 Primary: Bernie Campbell reminded absentee voters to mail ballots early due to Labor Day (Sept 7) and noted ballots must be received by 5 PM on election day. He pleaded for poll workers, noting two shifts and a $15/hour pay. Mr. Bettencourt highlighted this will be the last September primary before moving to June.
• Swearing-in of New Firefighters: Chief Craig Lemaire introduced four new firefighters: Brian Parker (Badge 279), Eric Ziffric (Badge 280), Kyle Murphy (Badge 281), and Troy Jutras (Badge 282). Each was pinned by family members and took the oath of office.
• Second Reading and Adoption of Resolution 2026-15 (Solid Waste Code Amendment): Council adopted the amendment to Chapter 409 of the Salem Municipal Code, as recommended by the Transfer Station Study Committee, with no further discussion (motion by Mr. Hatch, second by Ms. Withrow, 8-0).
• Public Hearing on $30,000 Community Water Cybersecurity Grant: Wayne Amaral (Municipal Services Director) explained the grant from the Overwatch Foundation (partnership with NH Dept. of Information Technology and DES) requires no match. Council accepted the grant (8-0).
• Salem Rail Trail Phase 4 & 5 Preliminary Design: Presentation by Tim Whitney (GPI) and Creighton Brubaker (Community Development Director). The 1-mile paved path from Main Street to Rockingham Park Boulevard will be 14 feet wide, funded 80% by CMAC federal funds and 20% by Tuscan Brands. Proposed landscape features include benches, bike racks, shade trees, and flexible bollards at crossings. Discussion included: enforcement of motorized bike restrictions (Mr. Pellateer), coordination with future Tuscan pedestrian bridge (Mr. Pellateer), concerns about the undersized rail bed culvert (Mr. Gidley, Ms. Stacy, Mr. Hatch), and removal of abandoned utility poles (Mr. Belair, Mr. Hatch). Council took no formal action at this time; the project is expected to go to bid in June 2027.
• Conservation Easement at 417 South Broadway (Canobie Lake Toyota): Creighton Brubaker presented the easement condition from the Planning Board. Ms. Stacy noted missing legal description and plan, and that occupancy had already occurred. Motion to table for additional information passed (8-0).
• One-Year Lease Extension with NH DHHS: Office space at the courthouse (428 sq. ft.) for $8,947.08/year, a 2% increase. Approved (8-0).
• Town Manager Report and Council Questions:
  • Employee Appreciation Barbecue: Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at noon at Ingram Senior Center (town hall closed at noon).
  • Food truck pilot program in Tuscan parking lot (no rent initially, will develop policy later).
  • 9/11 Memorial Ceremony: Friday, September 11, 2026 at 8:30 AM at Town Common (25th anniversary).
  • National Night Out: August 4, 2026, 5-6 PM at Salem High School.
  • Jamestown Canyon virus detected in Salem (first mosquito-borne illness in several years; ongoing monitoring).
  • Thanked Salem Area Women’s Club for Fourth of July flags.
  • Call for candidates for Municipal Budget Committee (applications due August 15; interviews August 20).
• Budget Committee Participation Request: Budget committee requested to attend departmental presentations and ask questions. Council debated: Ms. Stacy and Ms. Withrow favored presentations-only with questions reserved for budget committee meetings; Mr. Hatch opposed due to potential for staff being “peppered” and because the request did not include the school district. Mr. Betancourt supported granting the request with clear ground rules. Motion by Ms. Withrow (seconded by Mr. Pelletier) to allow budget committee to attend presentations but not ask questions during the council meeting passed (8-0). Town Manager Devine will communicate the terms.
• Bridge Street Bridge Update: Mr. Devine reported the project remains behind schedule due to heavy rainfall; the recent incident did not impact construction.
• Gravel Roads Discussion: Mr. Hatch asked about pre-engineering for dirt roads. Mr. Devine noted one road was planned but cut from budget. Mr. Amaral stated that gravel roads are expensive due to drainage and road shape issues; the town prioritizes paved roads at risk of failure. Council acknowledged the long-standing issue.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent agenda, minutes, and sealed non-public sessions.
• Appointed Deborah Sweeney as Deputy Town Clerk (8-0).
• Adopted Resolution 2026-15 amending Chapter 409 (Solid Waste).
• Accepted $30,000 cybersecurity grant (8-0) with gratitude.
• Tabled conservation easement at 417 South Broadway for additional documentation (8-0).
• Approved one-year lease with NH DHHS (8-0).
• Voted to allow Budget Committee to attend departmental presentations but not ask questions during the council meeting (8-0).
• Town Manager will communicate the decision to the Budget Committee.
• The rail trail and culvert issues will be revisited as design progresses; no formal action taken.