Councilor· 2025-03-01 – 2028-03-01 (month-level start: term begun March 2025; prior term on Sept 2023 roster expired March 2025; month-level end: city Town Council page 'Term Expires: March 2028')
Paul Pelletier
Salem
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 33
- Total speaking time
- 1:24:53
- Avg per meeting
- 2:34
- Segments
- 1251
Want every word Pelletier has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Pelletier said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
2027 municipal budget bottom line
All-in cost of $73,272,691 including enterprise funds, roughly a 3.4% estimated tax rate increase.
Town-Wide Fee Schedule Review
Could eventually change what you pay for permits, transfer station stickers, and other town services — but no fee changes were made at this meeting.
Town Council Proposed Budget
A $2 million revenue increase was floated; roughly $1 million from fund balance could offset tax impact if applied to one-time projects.
South Fire Station Wetland Permit
About $421 total over 20 years for a $500K home, possibly less if more impact fees arrive — roughly zero tax impact in the first three years.
Recycling Program Support
Actual per-ton costs for trash and recycling are not yet known because the service is out to bid.
Transfer Station Operations and Costs
Out-of-state users are shifting disposal costs onto Salem taxpayers.
2026 Road Program Funding
$500,000 more for roads than the draft budget showed.
2026 zoning amendments
Supporters and opponents alike tied it to potential tax burden and traffic impacts along Route 28.
Ending recycling at the transfer station
About $65,000 a year in savings — less than a penny on the tax rate.
Donigian Farm senior housing density and flooding
The developer would fund an estimated half-mile water main extension along Pelham Road; two built homes sit unoccupied, and the property is listed for $3.2 million.
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.
South Fire Station project budget
About $21 a year on a $500,000 home once bond payments start in 2028.
Town Forest Stewardship
Applicants pay a fee and get a partial refund when they clean up their sites.
Exemption Limits Adjusted After Revaluation
Keeps current exemption recipients' relief level intact; no expansion of eligibility criteria.
South Fire Station replacement wetland impacts
Roughly $10.4 million expected as a 2027 warrant article, likely bonded.
Spicket River Tree Removal / Clean River Project
Unknown — crane work or specialized in-river machinery would require town contracting and budget commitments.
Community Development Director staffing dispute
Six-month funding saves $103,189.
Mandatory Water Restrictions
Buying more regional water costs about $3.09 per unit versus far cheaper town-treated water, which could pressure water fees.
Hedgehog Park Basketball Court and Pavilion Improvements
Municipal project cost not stated.
Variance requests for residential construction in Salem
ADUs typically add value to the homes and don't cost the town anything directly.
Decisions during term (511)
Recorded while Pelletier was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Accept Town of Salem correspondence
Accept Salem School District/SAU57 minutes
Adopt September 17, 2026 meeting minutes
Adjournment
Approval of Meeting Minutes (Sept 28, Oct 7, Oct 14, 2026)
Approve Consent Agenda
Appointment of Dawn Arahovites as Municipal Agent
Resolution No. 2026-22 – Traffic Signal Improvements at Pelham Road and Keewaydin Drive
Accept $21,200 NH Highway Safety Grant for Police Traffic Enforcement
Salem Animal Rescue League Trailer at 4 SARL Drive
Increase in Elderly, Blind, and Disabled Exemption Limits
Adjournment
Human Services - Lien - Spring Street
Increase Building Permits revenue line to $1,550,000
Reduce employee COLA from 4% to 3%
Cut Legal Budget publications line in half
Fund Community Development Director for six months only
Add $30,000 to Direct Assistance budget
Use $45,000 charitable gaming revenue for fireworks
Fund $300,000 DPW equipment replacement from fund balance
Voting record (17)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Move that the Town Council hereby adopts Resolution No. 2026-19 to consider amendments to Salem Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 490-501 (Zoning) – Multi-Family/Mixed Use Developments as recommended by th
Resolution No. 2026-19 – Multi-Family/Mixed-Use Zoning Amendment
Gateway Auto Center sign conditional use permit — 354 Main Street
He valued keeping the longtime Rockingham Toyota sign in place and praised the applicant's work on the building.
Move in accordance with RSA 36-A:4, that the Town Council authorizes the Conservation Commission to purchase Map 22, Lots 10785 through 10791; and further authorizes the Town Manager to sign any and a
Conservation Commission purchase of seven parcels off Norwood Road ($500,000)
Felt two upland lots with water views could be sold to developers for tax revenue.
Move to appoint Alexi Popov to a two-year term on the Finance Committee ending June 2028.
Appoint Alexei Popov to Finance Committee
He preferred a different slate of three candidates.
Move that the Town Council denies the request for a tax exemption as the use is not a qualifying structure and the Applicant has not demonstrated that the request provides a public benefit in accordan
Public Hearing #1 - Tax exemption for Building 1300 Parking Garage, 24 Via Toscana
Shared parking protects the commercial businesses in the village from losing customer parking.