WHERE DO 2025 CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES STAND ON PRESERVATION?
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HSI Mission and New Development
Historic Salem, Inc.’s mission states that “new development complements the historic nature of the city.” How would you interpret this principle, and how would you put it into practice as an elected official? Please also share whether you see value in this approach for Salem’s future.
Historic Salem, Inc.’s mission states that “new development complements the historic nature of the city.” How would you interpret this principle, and how would you put it into practice as an elected official? Please also share whether you see value in this approach for Salem’s future.
I interpret this mission statement to indicate that Historic Salem, Inc. promotes both the new and
the old. To simply preserve what we have is not adequate. As Salem grows and shifts, so do we
have changing needs. Historic preservation is essential. As a historian of early America, historic
preservation is a critical tool for education.
the old. To simply preserve what we have is not adequate. As Salem grows and shifts, so do we
have changing needs. Historic preservation is essential. As a historian of early America, historic
preservation is a critical tool for education.
Historic Preservation Priority
Do you believe preserving Salem’s historic buildings, streetscapes, and neighborhoods should be a top priority for the City, equal to other major areas such as housing, public safety, and infrastructure? (Yes/No — brief rationale.)
Do you believe preserving Salem’s historic buildings, streetscapes, and neighborhoods should be a top priority for the City, equal to other major areas such as housing, public safety, and infrastructure? (Yes/No — brief rationale.)
Yes, historic preservation must be a part of every conversation we have as nearly all major areas
of concern intersect with it. As I specified above, historic preservation is a critical tool for
education, learning, and advancement. Space and architecture hold power. Walking through the
Jonathan Corwin house or the Crowninshield-Bentley house shapes how we understand the lives
of those who lived before us. As a historian, these kinds of experiential spaces are essential to
maintain.
of concern intersect with it. As I specified above, historic preservation is a critical tool for
education, learning, and advancement. Space and architecture hold power. Walking through the
Jonathan Corwin house or the Crowninshield-Bentley house shapes how we understand the lives
of those who lived before us. As a historian, these kinds of experiential spaces are essential to
maintain.
Top Preservation Issue & Action
What is the single most pressing preservation issue in Salem right now, and what specific action would you take in your first year?
What is the single most pressing preservation issue in Salem right now, and what specific action would you take in your first year?
Historic District Oversight
Do you support maintaining or expanding Salem’s historic districts and the Salem Historical Commission’s oversight to ensure changes meet preservation standards? (Yes/No — brief rationale.)
Do you support maintaining or expanding Salem’s historic districts and the Salem Historical Commission’s oversight to ensure changes meet preservation standards? (Yes/No — brief rationale.)
Yes, I support maintaining Salem’s historic districts and the Salem Historical Commission’s
oversight. I have not considered expanding Salem’s historic districts. I would be open to hearing
Historic Salem, Inc. and the Salem Historical Commission’s opinions on expanding historic
districts and what that would mean for our historic city.
oversight. I have not considered expanding Salem’s historic districts. I would be open to hearing
Historic Salem, Inc. and the Salem Historical Commission’s opinions on expanding historic
districts and what that would mean for our historic city.
Funding for Preservation
State law requires that at least 10% of CPA funds each year go toward historic resources. In Salem, more than this minimum has typically been allocated. Would you support continuing — or expanding — this level of funding for preservation projects, either through CPA allocations or the City’s capital budget? (Yes/No — please explain.)
State law requires that at least 10% of CPA funds each year go toward historic resources. In Salem, more than this minimum has typically been allocated. Would you support continuing — or expanding — this level of funding for preservation projects, either through CPA allocations or the City’s capital budget? (Yes/No — please explain.)
I absolutely support maintaining this allocation at a minimum. I will advocate for expanding this
support. Historic preservation is a priority for me that I don’t see as conflicting with our other
priorities. When it comes to fiscal allocations, we must support the incredible assets our city has.
support. Historic preservation is a priority for me that I don’t see as conflicting with our other
priorities. When it comes to fiscal allocations, we must support the incredible assets our city has.
Monitoring and Protecting Development
Would you support the creation of additional 40R “Smart Growth Overlay Districts” in Salem, similar to the already approved Margin/High/Endicott Street and Salem State South Campus districts, and the Shetland Park district currently under review? (Yes/No — please explain.)
Would you support the creation of additional 40R “Smart Growth Overlay Districts” in Salem, similar to the already approved Margin/High/Endicott Street and Salem State South Campus districts, and the Shetland Park district currently under review? (Yes/No — please explain.)
While I tend to support the creation of 40R Smart Growth Overlay Districts, I only support them
in limited, specific, and well defined places. These districts must be well thought through and
solicit the input of neighborhood and community members.
in limited, specific, and well defined places. These districts must be well thought through and
solicit the input of neighborhood and community members.
Historic Streetscapes
In Salem’s historic districts, how should the City balance pedestrian safety with preservation of historic streetscapes when installing or replacing bollards and similar fixtures? (Please explain and outline the design/placement criteria you would use.)
Regarding the newly installed bollards at the Ropes Mansion, which option best reflects your position? Retain as installed, Replace with a design more visually compatible with the historic setting, Modify placement/quantity while keeping the current design, or Other (Select one and explain.)
In historic districts and other important historic areas, how would you prioritize sidewalk materials? As a policy preference, do you favor brick over concrete or asphalt? (Yes/No — brief rationale.)
In Salem’s historic districts, how should the City balance pedestrian safety with preservation of historic streetscapes when installing or replacing bollards and similar fixtures? (Please explain and outline the design/placement criteria you would use.)
Regarding the newly installed bollards at the Ropes Mansion, which option best reflects your position? Retain as installed, Replace with a design more visually compatible with the historic setting, Modify placement/quantity while keeping the current design, or Other (Select one and explain.)
In historic districts and other important historic areas, how would you prioritize sidewalk materials? As a policy preference, do you favor brick over concrete or asphalt? (Yes/No — brief rationale.)
Bollards have been in use for basic traffic management since at least the late 17th century. As
such, bollards in and of themselves are in no way out of place on Salem’s historic streets.
Making sure our designs match historic bollard designs is essential and does not impact
pedestrian safety.
Honestly, I don’t feel strongly about the bollards either positively or negatively. I don’t really
have a position on it. The bollards are significantly larger and there are far more of them than I
expected.
Brick is often thought of as inaccessible. However, this is not the case. Well maintained brick is
fully accessible. I support brick whenever feasible. As we balance pedestrian safety, many
sidewalks are expanding. This poses an opportunity for mixed-material sidewalks that integrate
concrete or asphalt alongside brick in some cases.
such, bollards in and of themselves are in no way out of place on Salem’s historic streets.
Making sure our designs match historic bollard designs is essential and does not impact
pedestrian safety.
Honestly, I don’t feel strongly about the bollards either positively or negatively. I don’t really
have a position on it. The bollards are significantly larger and there are far more of them than I
expected.
Brick is often thought of as inaccessible. However, this is not the case. Well maintained brick is
fully accessible. I support brick whenever feasible. As we balance pedestrian safety, many
sidewalks are expanding. This poses an opportunity for mixed-material sidewalks that integrate
concrete or asphalt alongside brick in some cases.
Shetland Park Redevelopment
What is your position on the current Shetland Park redevelopment proposal, particularly regarding its impact on Salem’s historic waterfront and surrounding neighborhoods? How do you think Salem can balance new development with preserving our city's historic character?
What is your position on the current Shetland Park redevelopment proposal, particularly regarding its impact on Salem’s historic waterfront and surrounding neighborhoods? How do you think Salem can balance new development with preserving our city's historic character?
It is too early to fully support or oppose the Shetland Park redevelopment proposal. I am highly
skeptical. I think we need to have much more community feedback and involvement before
supporting the project. Maintaining Salem’s historic character is essential. As a historian, I
deeply value living in a beautifully historic city.
skeptical. I think we need to have much more community feedback and involvement before
supporting the project. Maintaining Salem’s historic character is essential. As a historian, I
deeply value living in a beautifully historic city.
Crescent Lot Development
The city sought out a developer to preserve and rehabilitate the courthouses on Federal Street. To make it more attractive to developers, the city added the crescent lot for commercial development. Winn Development, the winning bidder, is now asking to separate the two projects so they can develop the Crescent Lot independently, without being required to complete the courthouse preservation first. Do you support this change in prioritization? How would you approach holding developers accountable with respect to historic preservation? (Yes/No — please explain.)
The city sought out a developer to preserve and rehabilitate the courthouses on Federal Street. To make it more attractive to developers, the city added the crescent lot for commercial development. Winn Development, the winning bidder, is now asking to separate the two projects so they can develop the Crescent Lot independently, without being required to complete the courthouse preservation first. Do you support this change in prioritization? How would you approach holding developers accountable with respect to historic preservation? (Yes/No — please explain.)
I have not followed this project closely enough to give a simple yes or no. I do not want to see
the courthouse preservation be deprioritized. Developers must be held accountable for the
commitments they make. As a City Councillor, I commit to working with the Mayor’s office to
ensure all developers uphold their commitments to historic preservation to the fullest extent
possible. Preservation of our historic structures only benefits our city and we must live into that.
the courthouse preservation be deprioritized. Developers must be held accountable for the
commitments they make. As a City Councillor, I commit to working with the Mayor’s office to
ensure all developers uphold their commitments to historic preservation to the fullest extent
possible. Preservation of our historic structures only benefits our city and we must live into that.
26 Winter Street
A request has been made to the ZBA to allow an inn at 26 Winter Street (the Joseph Story house), changing the use from residential to commercial. Do you support this change in use? Please explain the key factors behind your position and your view on the impacts this precedent could set for this historic neighborhood, including the impacts of lost trees and green space to make parking lots on these properties. (Yes/No — please explain.)
A request has been made to the ZBA to allow an inn at 26 Winter Street (the Joseph Story house), changing the use from residential to commercial. Do you support this change in use? Please explain the key factors behind your position and your view on the impacts this precedent could set for this historic neighborhood, including the impacts of lost trees and green space to make parking lots on these properties. (Yes/No — please explain.)
Allowing an Inn at 26 Winter Street is certainly not what I’d like. In the midst of a housing
crisis, I am not in favor of residential property being rezoned as commercial. I understand why it
could be an incredibly successful commercial venture as a National Historic Landmark in the
heart of downtown Salem, home of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Joseph Story, and
visited by President James Madison and the Marquis de Lafayette. I am not against commercial
ventures of this sort in Salem, however I would not support removing greenspace or trees to
make room for parking. Even if parking minimums were removed to permit this zoning change, I
am not supportive of transforming residential properties into commercial units.
crisis, I am not in favor of residential property being rezoned as commercial. I understand why it
could be an incredibly successful commercial venture as a National Historic Landmark in the
heart of downtown Salem, home of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Joseph Story, and
visited by President James Madison and the Marquis de Lafayette. I am not against commercial
ventures of this sort in Salem, however I would not support removing greenspace or trees to
make room for parking. Even if parking minimums were removed to permit this zoning change, I
am not supportive of transforming residential properties into commercial units.