Salem · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Salem public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Lake Street/Bluff water main extension
A proposed ~$4.5M water main project would be grant-and-bond funded and paid by water ratepayers — on top of the recent water rate increase. More water rate details promised at the next meeting.
Transfer Station Operations and Costs
Chairman Bryant flagged cars with Massachusetts and Florida plates dumping full loads at the transfer station using other people's permits — costing taxpayers money. The council will look into enforcement.
Municipal water supply data and contingency planning
The town has been under a water restriction since May and Canobie Lake is low, but the board has no hard data on how much water Salem uses, where it comes from, or what happens if it runs out. Chairman Feole has asked for a water memo for years; staff agreed to compile data before the end of the year.
Mandatory Water Restrictions
Salem is in drought and the council made lawn watering mandatory-restricted: odd days only, midnight to 10 a.m., starting May 15. Councilors ditched the original voluntary plan because businesses and residents wouldn't comply, and utilities staff said mandatory restrictions recover lake levels better.
Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds
Member Alexei Popov flagged an opportunity in the water fund. Since enterprise funds aren't taxpayer-funded, they'll be reviewed after the other priority areas.
Potential $33 million PFAS water treatment plant
MBAC flagged a jaw-dropping $33 million estimate for a PFAS/PFOS water treatment plant. Hatch warned the mandate is coming eventually whether or not federal grants materialize.
Canobie Lake water levels and restrictions
Water restrictions from May kept the lake at acceptable levels despite a dry summer, and staff want them to stay until the town switches to Arlington Pond around November 15. The Canobie Lake Protective Association asked for an earlier switch.
Manchester Water Works Agreement Talks
Salem is in year eight of a ten-year water interconnect deal and wants to lock in residential rates and buy more water to protect Canobie and Arlington pond reserves.
T-Mobile Antenna Leases on Water Tanks
The council extended T-Mobile leases for cellular antennas on the Lawrence Road (to 2061) and Howard Street (to 2057) water tanks — steady lease revenue for the town on infrastructure it already owns.
Water System Cybersecurity
The town accepted a free $30,000 grant to buy hardware and software protecting Salem's water systems from cyberattacks, following recent attacks on other municipalities.
Water usage and infrastructure capacity
The town has been under water restrictions since May 15 — the earliest ever — and the new Tuscan plan projects higher water use. Staff and engineers are still reviewing the numbers.