Council approves Salem Skipper expansion funding, election and personnel appropriations

The Salem City Council approved multiple financial orders and appropriations at its Feb. 12 meeting.

Salem Skipper: Council approved an order appropriating $235,109.24 from the Transportation Enhancement Fund to the FTA Salem Skipper Expansion account to continue the regional pilot service. Councilor Davis noted the Skipper has delivered more than 550,000 rides since launching in 2020 and that the 2024 federal allocation helped expand service into Danvers and Beverly.

Special election: The council approved a $43,245.14 appropriation from free cash to pay costs associated with the May 5, 2026 special election, including machine rental, printing and binding, police overtime and postage. Councilors emphasized that the agenda backup outlines a detailed breakdown of those costs.

Retirement buybacks: The council approved two retirement/stabilization fund buybacks: $30,864.60 for a Salem Public Schools employee and $6,773.43 for a legal-department employee; councilors offered public thanks to the employees for their service.

Prior fiscal-year invoice: Under Mass. Gen. Laws chapter 44, §64, the council approved payment of a FY25 invoice to Extra Duty Solutions for $4,873, to be paid from FY26 IT department funds to cover police details during fiber installations.

All of these orders were adopted by the council during the meeting; recorded votes were affirmative and carried as presented.

Next steps: Implementation will be handled by identified departments (Transportation, City Clerk, Finance, Human Resources) and appropriate follow-up reporting to council as payments and contracts proceed.