Salem roundup: 48 veteran apartments approved, high school project advances, capital plan moves forward

The most consequential decisions in Salem over the past two weeks centered on housing, the new high school, and the city's five-year spending plan. The Planning Board approved 48 studio apartments for veterans at 50 Washington Street, the City Council authorized a key agreement with the state for the high school building project, and a council committee recommended the 2027–2031 capital plan.

Planning Board approves 48 veteran apartments at Tabernacle Church

The Planning Board voted 8-0 on June 25 to grant a special permit and site plan review for Beacon Communities to convert the Tabernacle Congregational Church at 50 Washington Street into 48 studio apartments for veterans.

The board also voted 8-0 to approve a letter to MassDOT supporting the Forest River Residences stormwater plan and continued that public hearing to July 9. A proposed Lafayette Street culvert amendment was continued to July 9 on a 7-0 vote with one abstention. The board appointed Tom Furey to the Community Preservation Committee (8-0) and approved its June 4, 2026 draft minutes (8-0).

City Council authorizes MSBA high school agreement

The City Council voted 11-0 on June 25 to authorize the Mayor to sign a Project Scope and Budget Agreement with the Massachusetts School Building Authority for the high school project. The council also confirmed Krystle Brown to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board (11-0).

In financial actions, the council approved an $8,926.62 transfer for copier supplies and a $6,500 appropriation from Free Cash for copier supplies. A resolution supporting state rent stabilization legislation was referred to the Committee on Community and Economic Development, co-posted with the Committee of the Whole. Appointments to the Race Equity Commission and Planning/Zoning Board were held until the next meeting.

Five-year capital plan recommended 5-0

The Committee on Administration and Finance, co-posted with the Committee of the Whole, voted 5-0 on June 25 to recommend approval of the proposed 2027–2031 Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan. The vote had been postponed from June 10, 2026. No discussion or amendments were recorded.

Design Review Board approves five sign permits

The Design Review Board unanimously approved sign proposals for five Salem businesses on June 24, each by a 5-0 vote:

• 100 Washington Street (Black Cat), with a height waiver.
• 11 Church Street (Sinistry), as submitted.
• 259 Essex Street (Warren Museum), with conditions on a surety bond and blade sign requirements.
• 24 Congress Street (Mexizol), with a surety bond condition.
• 60 Washington Street (Odd Meter Coffee & Kitchen), with a condition to paint the background to match.

The board also acknowledged review of interpretive signage at 266 Canal Street (5-0), forwarding comments to the Planning Board, and approved its May 20, 2026 minutes (5-0). Public comment addressed ADA compliance for outdoor dining.

School Committee reviewed high school restroom designs

The School Committee met June 22 for an update on the MSBA High School Building Project, including a review of student survey data showing a 39% preference for individual restrooms. The discussion covered Massachusetts Plumbing Code updates from December 2023 regarding multi-stall gender-neutral restrooms and proposed restroom locations across four floors of the new high school. Minutes for this meeting have not yet been published.

The same agenda listed ratification of the Executive Director of Special Education contract, approval of FY26 warrants totaling $1,262,138.21 (dated 6/4/26) and $735,035.13 (6/11/26), discussion of superintendent interview questions, and approval of a Salem High School JROTC field trip to Buzzards Bay, MA.

Other meetings

The Transportation Commission and Bicycling & Shared Path Advisory Committee held a special joint meeting June 24 to discuss an updated Complete Streets Prioritization Plan, which is no longer required by MassDOT but still encouraged. The Sustainability, Energy, & Resiliency Committee met the same day to discuss Mass Save funding cuts and refine its mission statement. The City Council Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs met June 25 to discuss granting certain licenses for seaworms. The July 1 Conservation Commission meeting and the July 2 Salem Harbor Port Authority meeting were both cancelled; the Port Authority will next meet August 6.

Coming up

• **July 6, City Council** — Committee on Community and Economic Development discusses the Rent Stabilization Resolution.
• **July 6, 7, and 9, School Committee** — Special meetings to interview superintendent finalists Thomas Welch, Jorge Allen, and Andrew Bott.
• **July 8, Housing Authority Board** — Public hearing and vote on the Draft State Annual Plan/Capital Improvement Plan, including a final $18,870 payment for an elevator upgrade at 27 Charter Street.
• **July 8, Salem Redevelopment Authority** — Update on historic courthouse and Crescent Lot redevelopment; consideration of appointing Joe Badowski to the Design Review Board.
• **July 9, Planning Board** — Review of several major projects, including 145 dwelling units at 8 Harrison Road, 53 affordable homes and a 70-bed shelter near Margin Street, and 18 new units at 57 Wharf Street.
• **July 15, Historical Commission** — Votes on certificates of appropriateness and demolition delay waivers for properties at 2 River Street, 15 Willow Avenue, 21 North Street, and 26 Linden Street.

Earlier weeks

• week of 2026-06-29 — 48 veteran apartments at Tabernacle Church approved; Council committee OKs 5-year capital plan

Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.