Salem City Council Backs Rent Control Option Resolution After Lengthy Debate

SALEM, MA — The Salem City Council supported in a split vote a call for a local option on rent control measures after a statewide ballot initiative ticketed for this fall was struck down by the state's Supreme Judicial Court last month.

The resolution backed the local legislative delegation's push for an alternative option for cities and towns to institute rent control amid the greater housing crisis following the SJC's ruling not to allow it on the statewide ballot.

While the ultimate vote was strong in support of the resolution, the debate consisted of three hours over two Council committee and full Council meetings this week as those opposed to the resolution argued that the full weight of the Council's recommendation should not be carried in a resolution where not all Councilors strongly agree.

Those who voted against the resolution argued that rent control may be only one piece of a greater housing initiative. But an amendment to the resolution to that effect was voted down.

"This resolution is just a simple message to the state Senate that we would like to have Salem have a say in our rent control — simple as that," said City Councilor Conrad Prosniewski, who supported the resolution. "Salem makes the choice — simple as that.

"There is an old saying that too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the soup. Well, we've got too many cooks with too many ingredients right now, and it's coming out real lousy. ... We are sending a message that Salem would like to choose rent control."

City Councilor Kyle Davis called the debate "fantastic" and said the extended discussion — both for and against the resolution — was an indication that "housing is the most important issue in the city to folks."

But City Councilor Erin Turowski said Council resolutions should be passed on issues where the Councilor is united and, perhaps, unanimously supportive.

"I don't think it's fair to assign a resolution to a controversial topic and put words in people's mouths," she said, "saying that we have strong support for something when there have been many people coming forward saying that we don't have strong support for it.

"I think overlooking those voices is wrong."

In the end, the resolution is merely a position statement from the Council that provides the city with no standing to enact rent control — only a preference that it should have the option to do so through the state.

"This is a really important topic to people in Salem," City Councilor Lydia King said. "You can vote whichever way you want. But I am happy we had a conversation as a community.

"That is the most important thing that matters is that the community is involved."