January 27 2026 Minutes

Members Present: Buddy Edinger, Kyle Davis, Siobhan Doherty, Wendy Meigs, Julie Curtis*,

Bethanne Cornell, Debbie Everett, Justin Bates, Alice Ovsey, Breanne MacFarland, Mike

Furlong, John Beccia, Jim Thorpon, Liz Bradt, Bart Hoskins, Arthur Powell*

Guests: Mayor Dominick Pangallo, Dr. Steven Zrike, Nate Bryant, Rick Jones

Recorder: Di Yates

* denotes State Committee Members

Call to order at 6pm

Chair Opening – Liz opened the meeting by introducing the guest speakers to speak on behalf

of the Salem High School Building Project

Approval of Previous Minutes from November 18 2025: Approved

Treasurer: Skipped this month

Guest Presentations by Mayor Pangallo, Dr. Stephen Zrike, Nate, and Rick

● SHS is an energy monster

● 25% of the City of Salem's energy cost is SHS

● Heating and Cooling does not work well

● Leaks and parts of roof blows off

● risks accreditation

● 16 acres of land that is usable

● Ground floor of new SHS will be public accessible for events

● goal is net zero for energy using geo-thermal wells (under Horace Mann playing fields)

and solar panels from roof top and parking lot panels

● sees the new SHS as a public asset with performing arts and athletic facilities and can

be a potential revenue generator

● Will have the same number of parking spaces ~380

● Separate project will be to relocate the Salem Diner up to the campus

Budget

● Reality is that construction costs 1,000/sq ft

● Brought cost down by maintaining grade configuration, 9-12 and decision to go with

"new construction"

● Renovation costs twice as much as new construction plus disruption to students

● MSBA (state tax) will reimburse 680/sq ft, 208 million (46%-48$ of total cost)

Property Taxes

● Use of Debt Exclusion as a temporary property tax increase approved by Voters that

allows a municipality to exceed its Proposition 2 1/2 levy limit specifically to pay debt

service on projects like school buildings or infrastructure

● The median increase of residential property tax is forecast around 727/yr. If the Debt

Exclusion does not pass, Salem re-enters the MSBA Pipeline or funds themselves in

which the cost median property tax will increase to 909/yr

● Calculate your estimated tax bill:

https://sites.google.com/salemk12.org/shs-building-committee/salem-high-school-

property-tax-impact?authuser=0

Business Meeting

Approved new Salem Dems member to Ward 6, Beth Ann Cornell, a Salem School

Committee Member

Approved new Salem Dems member to Ward 1 Chair, Buddy Edinger

Recognition of Lydia King as Ward 5 City Council Member

John Beccia entering as a candidate for State Rep against Seth Moulton

MOTION to adjourn made at 7:22pm

Seconded: by everyone

Discussion: none

Outcome: Adjourned