SALEM — City Council updated the city’s vicious dog ordinance language in its meeting Tuesday.
The much-discussed update was forwarded to council by the rules and ordinances committee in its Oct. 3 meeting and modifies the language of the section of the ordinance regarding dangerous or vicious dogs killing another domestic animal. Under the previous version of the ordinance the language specified the killing of another dog, and only another dog, while the update changes the ordinance to read as “companion animal.” The change also adds companion animal to the list of the ordinance’s defined terms and would be defined as “any animal that is kept by an individual for the purpose of companionship or support.”
This comes in the wake of a case of a dangerous dog within city limits, which Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey and Health Commissioner Alanna Hughes have previously discussed at length in the Salem Board of Health’s September and August meetings. In the September meeting Dickey explained that the dog in question had entered a resident’s garage while at large and “destroyed their cat,” and that officers “couldn’t do anything about it” due to the ordinance language specifying dogs.
Council also approved a resolution adopting and approving amendments to the rules and regulation of the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) effective Jan. 2, 2024, for use as the city’s income tax rules and regulations during any period which the city has contracted with RITA for the administration of municipal income tax. Councilman Steve Faber questioned the nature and reason for the proposed changes and City Law Director Brooke Zellers explained that the state had changed the requirements for municipal income tax, which prompted RITA to adjust their policies in accordance with the change, and that this resolution was to ensure the city’s policies were up to date and matched the new guidelines.
Other financial matters approved included a resolution authorizing Dickey to apply for and accept financial assistance if awarded from the Salem Community Foundation in the amount of $70,845 for the purpose of purchasing a 2024 Dodge Durango to replace a current K-9 vehicle used by the Salem Police Department. Councilman Evan Newman questioned if there were any plans to upcycle or re-purpose the vehicle that is proposed to be replaced, and City Service Safety Director Joe Cappuzzello said that he had spoken with Police Chief J.T. Panezott and the potential to redeploy the vehicle elsewhere within the city’s fleet such as for housing or zoning was being evaluated, but that if doing so was unviable the vehicle could be sold.
Other action included the re-appointment of Board of Health President Pro-Tempore Judy Sicilia, and long -erving Board Member Newt McKnight to the Salem City Board of Health; the re-appointment of Rick Lutsch to the Board of Housing Appeals, and John Panezott to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
During her report Dickey encouraged residents to visit the walkway the city has installed on State Street between Sugar Tree Alley and State. Dickey said that the project was nearly complete and that the walkway had been widened, with stamped concrete patterned to resemble brick, pillars to match the stadium and wrought iron fencing expected to arrive on Friday. Dickey said the walkway also featured lamp posts which were already “decorated and lit for Christmas,” and that the city would be lighting the trees in the nearby municipal lot for Christmas. Dickey also said that the Salem High School art club had agreed to paint a large cursive “Salem” and other decorative greenery and mural elements on the lot’s dividing wall in the spring. Dickey said all of these renovations, paid for with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, were part of the city’s ongoing efforts to promote use of municipal parking. Dickey noted that doing so was especially important because in that area of State Street there is no street parking and local businesses in the area have said their customers have difficulty parking to come to their business.
Dickey also said that the city had been interviewing for positions within the city that would need to be filled soon including health commissioner, housing inspector and housing clerk.
Dickey also wished all residents a happy Thanksgiving, noting she hoped they “got some relaxation and time with family or loved ones.”
These sentiments were echoed by each member of council during pleasure of council, who all wished residents a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
City Council President Sara Baronzzi also reminded residents that the city’s annual Christmas Parade will be held at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 30. This year’s parade route will begin at the high school and proceed to Lincoln Avenue, continuing to State Street, then Ellsworth Avenue, concluding on Second Street. Following the parade, the public is invited to city hall to enjoy the annual city tree lighting with Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey, holiday music by Salem High School Encore Show Choir and a meet and greet with Santa Claus.
Cappuzzello said that this year after the tree lighting Santa Claus will be in council chambers so children could sit on Santa’s lap and get their photo taken with him.
City council will meet next at 7 p.m. Dec. 5.
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