City Council

About the Council

Salem’s City Council is the city’s 11-member legislative body, made up of four Councillors at Large (elected citywide) and seven Ward Councillors (each representing a specific ward). The Council passes ordinances, approves the city budget, and can override mayoral vetoes with a two-thirds vote. Members serve two-year terms. The Council President, currently Alice Rose Merkl, is elected annually by the Council from its own membership.

• Councillors at Large (4): Represent all Salem residents citywide, Merkl, Davis, Hapworth, Prosniewski
• Ward Councillors (7): Turowski (W1), Smith (W2), Sydoriak (W3), Flynn (W4), King (W5), Holappa (W6), Varela (W7)
• Veto override: The Council may override a mayoral veto with a two-thirds (8 of 11) vote
• Meetings: Regular sessions monthly on Thursdays, City Hall, 93 Washington Street. Agendas at salemma.gov/AgendaCenter

Council Members

Contact your representative by phone or email, or attend a Council meeting. Ward boundaries are available at salemma.gov.

Meetings & How to Participate

• Regular meetings: Monthly on Thursdays, City Hall Chambers, 93 Washington Street. Check salemma.gov/City-Council for current schedule.
• Subcommittees: Administration & Finance, Community & Economic Development, Government Services, Ordinances/Licenses/Legal Affairs, and Public Health, Safety & Environment. Open to the public.
• Public comment: Residents may address the Council during the public comment period at any regular meeting. Sign in early.
• Watch online: Meetings are livestreamed and archived on the City of Salem YouTube channel.
• Agendas & minutes: salemma.gov/AgendaCenter