City of Salem

Why wouldn't a tourist park on my street? Tickets are only $15 a day - a lot cheaper than the parking garage. A car from Maryland now has two $15 tickets and after two days is going nowhere. Why isn't the City issuing more expensive tickets during October? There is no incentive for these tourists to park in a City garage. Please rectify this situation. Otherwise the posting of the orange resident only parking is a complete waste of time.

Hello, I have only lived here a few years but each October they have always put up those orange resident only parking signs. Well, first time but called the police today about some tourists parking right in front of the signs and asked they be ticketed/towed. I took the time and went to get the Halloween parking pass as a resident. Turns out, there was NO POINT! When I called the police they said I would have to talk to the City Council because they were told they cannot ticket cars on certain streets! What a kick in my already-overtaxed butt!! Apparently they do not want to send bad vibes to tourists. And yet, when I, a RESIDENT, went over on a parking meter, I got a ticket! What is even the point of having these signs put up?? Just to give the DPW people something to do? I have read about how the current administration does not care about its residents but now I am really seeing it. Thanks for the push, Salem, I had an accepted offer on buying a house with my girlfriend but nope! Not going to buy in a place (we had a business plan submitted as well) and pay my property/business taxes to a city that clearly does not care about its residents. I used to really like Salem, told everyone they should come here, good place to live, etc. Past few years things have really gone downhill. Now a complete and total disregard for residents, cow-towing to tourists has ruined it.

I moved to Salem in June 2004. Even then, Boston Street was in poor condition. FOURTEEN years later, it’s so irritating to maneuver through the uneven surfaces and patchwork repairs. No doubt it’s causing a negative cumulative effect on vehicles when repeatedly using this busy road into and out of Salem. When will the entire section of roadway from Salem to Peabody be repaved?

At the intersection of Canal Street, Loring Ave, and Jefferson Ave, the lanes are way too narrow when you are coming from Canal Street and bearing right onto Jefferson at Eastern Bank. When you have a vehicle beside you going straight. Feels like you are playing a game of chicken to see who will throw their brakes on first before being sideswiped. This was always narrow, but when the intersection was redone, it became impossible to fit 2 cars through there safely.

Why is this camp allowed at old town hall. The less fortunate who are living there have basically an apartment outside. Wife is afraid to walk out dog by them and family and friends don't like to visit anymore

There have been several complaints about the tent city on lafayette st on this site, and the only answer given is we are aware of it, what is the plan to have them removed? How much longer before citizens of salem have to do something?

Maitland Mountain Farm is a pickle business, not a farm. They cannot be classified as a farm because they don’t have the required acreage and they don’t grow the cucumbers themselves. They buy cucumbers from their suppliers and make them into pickles. Their pickles don’t meet FDA and USDA requirements because their handling and packaging is unapproved. They want to build a packaging plant to meet these requirements on the property right next to their neighbors. The land was cleared, but the city denied their request. To get around city approval, the Maitlands are trying to change Salem’s zoning ordinance to be recognized as a “farm” of their small size. This would give them the protection of the Right to Farm By-Law that would override all city controls and neighbor complaints to allow them do what they please without interference. Neighbors have been already subjected to excessive truck traffic, noise, tree clearing of buffer zones, rotting vegetation smells, rat infestations, coyotes, dump eyesores, and it will get worse when they expand their pickle making operations. Would you want to live next to this? Our quality of life and property values will be greatly affected if this change is allowed. Neighbors need to be united in their efforts to stop this because everyone’s future will be adversely affected as the “farm” grows and expands operations. It’s not fair that one family is able to ride roughshod over their neighbors, and obtain more protections than their neighbors have.

The combination of allowing Tavern in the Square to barricade the sidewalk and the placement of the wooden sculpture near the corner of Washington and New Derby Streets is a violation of ADA Law. These two items together prevent all passage up and down Washington Street. The sidewalk in front of Tavern is completely chained off and the Wooden Sculpture is blocking the other sidewalk and leaving only a very narrow path way on either side. In addition, the sculpture has parts that are canter levered out into the path. Furthermore, the small waist high chain that Tavern uses to block the sidewalk is not adequate and creates a dangerous situation.

Since the City placed the sculpture and allowed Tavern in the Square to block the sidewalk, I would like to know how you plan to rectify both the accessibility issue on the sidewalk as well as improper barricading of the sidewalk by Tavern. In closing, as part of your response please let me know how you will rectify the problem and when it will be completed.

I am a tourist from out of state. My family of six parked our van at this parking meter (refer to address) and put what change we had in the meter which did not except credit cards because evidently you're a little behind the times.. the store in fornt of the meter would not provide us with change for the meter so we had to "limp" as i have a bad leg injury to the closest busines that would provide change. this was also a good opportunity to go on a tour since one was starting at that moment. after the tour we were 8 minutes shy of refilling the meter. if your going to force people to run around looking for change this day in age at least give them time! would not recommend anyone visit Salem MA in big part because it's not tourist friendly!

Does the city have a plan to take control of the flag pole area across from the post office. It is constantly crowded with degenerates making it unsafe for the public to use. It's the middle of downtown and is a complete disgrace.

What in the world is going on at the post office and flag pols? Homeless passed out, fighting, urinating and regular police and rescue responses. Also laying all over the lawn at the post office. This is outrageous and something needs to be done. It's one thing to accept that we have a homeless problem but to look the other way with regards to those who are not allowed in the shelter is not the answer.

For years the bathrooms at the mall have been truly unsafe. As more wonderful businesses find their way into the mall, the bathrooms have only become more of a health issue. Absolutely terrifying. Feces and urine on floors and walls, burned toilet seats, no soap, and the smell, it’s a cesspool if bacteria. How have we allowed this?