BY MATT HERSH

After a somewhat controversial Town Meeting season, Salem voters have voted down all three of the town’s large bond articles which needed a two-thirds majority vote to pass.

A $3,856,000 article, which would have funded repairs on four bridges along with the roads leading up to them, failed by only 23 votes, gaining 2,070 of the needed 2,093. The article would have addressed the North Main Street, Haverhill Road, Emerson Way, and Pelham Road bridges.

An $800,000 hydrology study which would have been used to conduct a hydrology study of the area to determine flooding impacts on the various areas, was the most controversial aspect of the plan.

Though touted by officials as a necessary part of the overall bridge program, some residents said the studies were unnecessary and would end up going unused.

Resident Robert Campbell made a push to remove the studies from the article at the town’s deliberative session on Feb. 10 but didn’t gather enough support from the room.

Campbell cited similar studies which were conducted more than 20 years ago which were never used by town officials.

Selectmen Chairman Michael Lyons said he understands the concern over the past studies not being used but that wouldn’t have been the case this time.

Over the past few months, Lyons and other officials have advocated for the studies, calling them an integral part of the article.  In light of the severe flooding which hit Salem last May, it would be irresponsible to move forward without the studies, Lyons said.

While the results were announced, Lyons sat in the back of the room with a disappointed look on his face.
“I’m really discouraged about the bridge bond,” he said later.  “They need to get done, and now we’ll have to go back and look at them again.”

Both Lyons and selectman Everett McBride said they weren’t sure how the board will proceed now, but some type of repair proposal will have to be discussed.

“The 66 percent was a tough sell,” McBride said.

Another $1,410,000 article which would have funded running municipal water lines to areas of North Salem, only captured 1,795 of the necessary 2,075 votes needed to pass.

The project would have extended water lines up North Main Street and make improvements to nearby roads at the same time while bringing water to hundreds of residents.

The idea had been discussed for in past years by former selectmen, but Lyons said no board had ever put it forward to the ballot.  Prior to the vote, he said he was proud to be one of the town officials involved in bringing water to the area.

Now that the article has been defeated, Lyons said it is unlikely residents in North Salem will see water any time soon.

“By not getting the two-thirds, the voters are telling us they don’t want to have water in North Salem,” he said.

The last of the town bond articles, a $2 million article which would have helped to fund the purchase and conservation of 84.6 acres of land in North Salem known as the Duston Farm, failed to acquire the two-thirds majority. It received 1,729 yes votes and 1,324 no votes.

The article was added to the ballot after George Jones, chairman of the conservation commission, submitted a citizen’s petition to selectmen.

Jones made an effort to add the article because he wanted to protect the property which contains several old buildings and a variety of wildlife.

Still, voters did not approve the money likely because of ambiguity about the purchase from the current owners.

The property is owned by the Whiteneck family who have already sold a portion of the lot to housing developers. 

Though Jones had been communicating with the Whitenecks, a price had not been agreed upon.

Bob Whiteneck, who helps manage the property, said in January that his family would not sell it for below market value. Two million dollars would not be enough, he said.

Though the conservation commission had about $500,000 to contribute to the purchase, Jones was not able to persuade enough voters.

Approved by voters was the town’s $31,825,994 operating budget by a vote of 2,040 to 1,056.

Out of a host of 16 zoning articles, 11 passed, including one which will make the zoning board an elected rather than appointed body in the future.

Also approved were a series of articles asking to give pay raises to employees of the town including, fire, police, clerical, public works, and department heads.