The Salem City Council voted 9 to 2 on Thursday, July 9 to adopt a resolution urging the Massachusetts Legislature to pass “An Act enabling cities and towns to stabilize rents and protect tenants,” ending a three-meeting debate that drew more public comment than any issue the council had taken up this year. Ward 4 Councillor Timothy Flynn and Ward 3 Councillor Jason Sydoriak voted no.
The resolution, introduced by Ward 5 Councillor Lydia King on June 25 and sent to the Committee on Community and Economic Development, says the average rent in Salem rose 34.8 percent between 2020 and 2025, from $2,000 to $2,695, faster than the Greater Boston average of 26.6 percent, and that about 51 percent of Salem renter households are cost burdened. It notes that Salem voters rejected the 1994 statewide ban on rent control 54 to 46 percent, that the Supreme Judicial Court struck a 2026 ballot question on the subject, and that only the Legislature can now lift the ban. The bill it supports would cap annual increases at the Consumer Price Index or 5 percent and exempt owner-occupied buildings of four or fewer units and new construction.
The amendment fight
The committee, after a two-and-a-half-hour meeting that included a presentation from Carolyn Chu of Homes for All Massachusetts, recommended adoption with two amendments by King aligning the text with the state bill. On the floor, Sydoriak moved to add two paragraphs declaring that rent stabilization “must be paired with proactive local and state policies that actively unlock new housing production” and expressing support for zoning reform, faith-based housing development and single-family homes on small lots. Ward 1 Councillor Erin Turowski seconded.
Ward 6 Councillor Katelyn Holappa and King said the ideas belonged in a separate resolution and that ten days’ notice before the committee meeting had been enough time to draft amendments. Ward 2 Councillor Andrew Smith called it “writing a resolution onto another resolution.” Councillor-at-Large Ty Hapworth said a resolution “should not be a hard vote” and that the council’s state representative and senator already support the bill. The amendment failed 3 to 7, with Flynn, Sydoriak and Turowski in favor and Hapworth voting present.
Flynn said he had never seen a resolution grow “layers upon layers” and that it was “not a tool in the toolbox,” only a message that could raise false hopes. Councillor-at-Large Conrad Prosniewski, who moved adoption, said the message was simple: “make it Salem’s choice.” Councillor-at-Large Kyle Davis rejected the idea that the process had been a waste of time, saying anyone who has knocked on doors in Salem knows housing is the most important issue in the city.
Data centers
The council referred to the Planning Board, for a joint public hearing, a zoning ordinance from Mayor Dominick Pangallo that would define data centers and prohibit them in every underlying, overlay and special district in the city. The definition covers server racks, cooling, substations, backup generators and related infrastructure, and says a data center is not an office, warehouse, manufacturing or research use. The Planning Board’s report came back to the council on September 24.
Also at the meeting
- The council approved $920,836 in transfers to close out fiscal 2026, $42,309 from the general stabilization fund for a comprehensive Fire Department staffing study, $38,117.89 in golf course receipts for spray equipment and $14,430 from Salem Common receipts to paint the Common’s light posts.
- An easement agreement with South River Partnership LLC for 315 Derby Street, replacing an easement with Beverly Cooperative Bank, passed 10 to 0 with Smith absent for the vote.
- King’s zoning amendment to drop the parking requirement for two-family dwellings, matching the rule for multifamily buildings, was referred to the Planning Board for a joint hearing, and her order for a committee to draft a roof-mounted wind energy ordinance was adopted.
- Appointments confirmed 11 to 0: Dr. Javier Garcia-Perez to the Race Equity Commission; Elena Eimert to the Planning Board, after she confirmed she will leave the Zoning Board of Appeals when her term ends; Phillip Pelletier to the Salem Harbor Port Authority; Ellen Simpson and Hilary Forbes to the Zoning Board of Appeals; Emmet Costen to the Conservation Commission; reappointments of Kirt Rieder (Planning Board) and Peter Habib (ZBA); and the council’s own appointment of Annie Thompson and reappointment of Kate Martin to the Community Preservation Committee. Hapworth asked that a city seal and letter of thanks go to Carole Hamilton for her years on the Planning Board.
- Block parties were approved for Linden and Wisteria streets (August 9), Lemon Street Court (July 25), Warner Street (September 6) and Clark Street (September 12).
- Ten residents spoke during public testimony, most in favor of the rent resolution and several asking the council to review or lift the camping ordinance.
The meeting is on Salem Access Television’s YouTube channel; the minutes are here.
