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Aaron Shamshoyan
Candidates for the Board of Selectmen
all agree the tax rate needs to be kept
affordable for residents, but that is where the
commonalties end.
During the recent Chamber of Commerce-
sponsored candidate forum, the three hopefuls
laid out their ideas for the towns future.
Incumbents Michael Lyons and Stephen
Campbell, along with challenger Michael
Petrilli, all have different opinions on the
proposed high school renovation.
Petrilli, a 39-year Salem resident, felt a
regional school could be a solution to the
dilapidated building. He suggested a regional
school, covering Pelham and possibly other
towns, could lower costs of providing an
improved learning environment for high
school students. We must also look at other
options, he added.
Campbell called the proposed $75 million
high school renovation too expensive,
fearing it would delay needed town capital
projects. He voted against the proposal as
the selectmens representative to the budget
committee.
Lyons urged support for the renovation.
The time is now to get that done, he said,
adding it was the most important building in
town to renovate. Lyons also noted the actual
renovation cost to residents to be about $64
million due to state grants.
Selectmen voted during budget season not
to take a stance on the school renovation
project.
Candidates also weighted in their priorities
for town infrastructure projects specic to
buildings.
Lyons felt the police department needed to
be addressed. I think the police station is the
highest priority, he said. Weve got to do
something very soon.
Petrilli felt a public safety complex could be
a solution to aging police and re departments.
He suggested the high school facility could be
converted to a public safety complex if a new
regional school were to be built elsewhere.
Campbell said the operating budget needed
to be reviewed before capital projects could
move forward. I think the real problem is
money, he said, adding efciencies needed to
be found and reviewing personnel costs.
Candidates were asked their opinions on
Town Manager Keith Hickey and how well he
was doing in the position.
Petrelli felt Hickey lacked in communication
with the board. Basically, I would assess that
it can be much better, he said. Petrilli added
Hickey should be more transparent with the
board.
Campbell said he couldnt specically
discuss a review of Hickey as it would violate
privacy laws, but said conicts have arisen.
Everybody has disagreements, he said.
Sometime he does a good job and sometimes
I disagree with him.
Lyons felt Hickey t the position well,
adding he was glad to see some stability in the
ofce. Mr. Hickey walks a delicate line with
a split board, he said.
Giving closing statements, Campbell said he
was a scal conservative, seeking to keep taxes
affordable. Salem has always been a blue
collar town, he said. I like diversity.
Lyons, a member of the road stabilization
committee, said he hoped to continue
improving Salems failing road system and
that all remaining main roads in town would
be paved within three years. I dont want to
leave that job undone, he said.
Petrilli considered Salem to be at a
crossroads. I need to represent you, he said.
Accountability and responsibility is what I run
on.
The three candidates are running for two,
three-year positions on the board.
But selectmens candidates werent the only
ones being questioned, with budget committee
members being asked to share their plans if
elected.
Selectmen, Budget Committee
Candidates Face Off Before Election
Incumbent Barry Pietrantonio,
Candidate for Budget Committee
Incumbent Stephen Campbell,
Candidate for Selectman
Incumbent Michael Lyons, Candidate for Selectman
Michael Petrilli, Candidate for Selectman
Shannon Bettencourt,
Candidate for Budget Committee
Selectmen Approve
Video Surveillance
Changes
by S. Aaron Shamshoyan
Better resolution security video recording at state
park-and-ride facilities could assist law enforcement
during investigations and protect local residents, and
Salem selectmen will now support the proposal.
Mark Sanborn, Director of Government Relations
for Concord Coach Lines, operating as Boston Express
in Salem, asked the board Monday to reconsider their
previous vote opposing House Bill 1250.
Sanborn said the bill would allow for current
surveillance equipment installed at state park-and-
ride facilities to record at a much higher resolution,
providing accurate face detection and legibility of
vehicle license plates.
The equipment is there, Sanborn explained,
noting a low-resolution recording was currently being
used.
The bill would also limit the time recordings could
be maintained. If approved, les would be deleted
24 days after acquisition. Currently no limit exists on
how long the video can be stored.
Sanborn said cars are permitted to be parked in
the facility for 21 consecutive days, and the proposal
would allow three additional days for the video to be
maintained.
Selectman Patrick Hargreaves raised concerns over
the availability of recordings to the public, saying
a husband could obtain footage to stalk his wife
through the right-to-know law.
Sanborn explained that that scenario was already
possible. That can already happen, what youre
describing, he told Hargreaves.
But Sanborn said it was important to support the
proposal for the safety of residents and employees.
Concord Coach Lines also operates in Maine where
higher resolution cameras have been approved.
Sanborn said his company has worked with state
and local authorities to track theft, drug sales and
trafcking, among other crimes.
Selectman Stephen Campbell feared the availability
of video through a right-to-know request. Anybody
could put in a request, he said, adding he would like
to hear from residents against the proposal.
Campbell was also concerned law enforcement
would have to le paperwork with the state to obtain
footage during an investigation. It may not be well
thought out, he said. Im not for something that
may not work.
Chairman Everett McBride praised the proposal,
saying it would increase protection for locals. I want
to protect the public to the extent that is humanly
possible, he said. If someones doing something
wrong there, then they should be caught.
Selectman Michael Lyons said he had previously
voted against the bill as not enough time had been
given for a thorough conclusion to be made.
The proposal would affect the exit two park-and-
ride site off of Interstate 93 in Salem, along with eight
other locations throughout the state.
Sanborn said live feeds from the system would only
be available onsite and at a single remote facility.
Selectmen approved the proposal, 3-2, with
Selectman James Keller and Campbell in opposition.
Salem is the last of several communities affected by
the bill to approve it.
If approved by state lawmakers, the system
changes would take effect 60 days after passage.
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