Councilor· 2023-05-01 – 2029-03-01 (month-level start: first appears on the Town Council roll call of May 2023 (Sept 2023 roster 'Term expires March 2026'), re-elected March 2026; month-level end: city Town Council page 'Term Expires: March 2029')
D.J. Bettencourt
Salem
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 14
- Total speaking time
- 1:24:49
- Avg per meeting
- 6:04
- Segments
- 1133
Want every word Bettencourt has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Bettencourt said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)(Parks Rec)
Millville Beach Cleanup and Old Bathhouse
A few new picnic tables are needed; possible funding from the Conservation Committee or nonprofits, and asbestos abatement at the old bathhouse is an unpriced future item.
Town Forest Stewardship
Applicants pay a fee and get a partial refund when they clean up their sites.
Hedgehog Park Basketball Court and Pavilion Improvements
Municipal project cost not stated.
Gaga Ball Pit Eagle Scout Project at Hedgehog Park
No town money needed — materials cost roughly $900 to $1,300, raised by the scout himself.
Fireworks Return?
$45,000, funded by charitable gaming revenue with no direct tax impact.
Rail trail timing at Tuscan Village
Fiber optic lines under the rail trail would cost over $2 million to relocate, per Councilor Pelletier's comments in the discussion.
Year-Round Operation of Hedgehog Park
Year-round operation could work only if the Friends group covers winter plowing costs.
CART on-demand transportation cut
$30,124 saved; on-demand rides drop to three days a week.
Hedgehog Park update
Allowing dogs would require funding waste bags and a pickup service similar to the town forests' arrangement.
Caboose at Depot Park
No town funds committed yet; the ~$150,000 project is privately fundraised.
Town Forest maintenance and volunteer program
About $2,000 for one year: $575 installation plus $115/month service.
Salem Community Road Race turnout
Upcoming community events
Community Donations for Parks and History
$20,630 in donated services and materials at no cost to taxpayers.
Halloween Trunk or Treat planning
Former Wastewater Treatment Plant Redevelopment
Remediation costs already spent won't be recovered; field development costs TBD.
Temporary Event Permitting
Events pay a modest temporary event permit fee of roughly $50.
New signs for Norwood and Stramaglia conservation areas
$5,838 from the conservation fund, including $1,000 per sign installation.
Hedgehog Park off-season access
The park brought in $19,400 this year; easier pass purchases could raise revenue while boosting resident use.
Hedgehog Park LWCF Grant Project
A missed grant round means the town either delays park upgrades or funds them locally, likely with rec impact fees as the matching source.
Decisions during term (0)
Recorded while Bettencourt was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
No decisions found matching Parks Rec.
Voting record (0)(Parks Rec)
No votes found matching Parks Rec.