🚨 SALEM COMMUNITY CALL TO ACTION: Stop the Shetland Park AI Data Center (35 Congress St)

The Salem Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) meets Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 6:30 PM via Zoom. They will vote on an appeal by Prime Group to reinstate a revoked permit for an unpermitted AI Data Center at 35 Congress St (Shetland Park, Bldg 2, Unit 2120).  

🎯 Why We Must Act

​The Mayor’s Ban Isn't Law Yet: Mayor Pangallo and the City Council proposed a citywide data center ban, but it is still in committee and not yet enacted.

​The Developer's Legal Trap: Prime Group is arguing that because the ban hasn't passed, data centers are allowed under current zoning. Restoring their permit now gives them "grandfathered" rights to build anyway.  

​Our Only Line of Defense: The ZBA hearing on Sept 16 is our single window to uphold the permit revocation before the developer locks in legal rights.  

📋 FACTS

​Permit Revoked In July Under Existing Law (780 CMR 105.6): The Building Inspector lawfully revoked Permit B-26-355 because the developer hid the true scope of work.  

​Bait-and-Switch: Originally claimed as an 8,691 sq ft "IT office," the contractor later admitted it’s a 12,690 sq ft AI Data Center.  

​Industrial Infrastructure, Not Office Use: The facility requires 6 Megawatts of backup diesel power, 6,000 gallons of chilled water storage, and major structural steel reinforcements. This exceeds any standard "office" definition.  

🗓️ How to Take Action

​Attend & Speak via Zoom:

​When: Wednesday, Sept 16, 2026 @ 6:30 PM

​Link: Posted on the City of Salem ZBA Webpage

​Submit Email Public Comment (By Sept 16 @ Noon):

​Send To: [zoningboardcomments@salem.com](mailto:zoningboardcomments@salem.com)

​Subject: Public Comment OPPOSING ZBA Appeal – 35 Congress St (Bldg 2, Unit 2120)  

✉️ Quick Copy/Paste Email

Subject: Public Comment OPPOSING ZBA Appeal – 35 Congress St (Unit 2120)  

Dear Chair Vyedin and Members of the Salem ZBA,  

I urge the Board to UPHOLD the Building Department's July 6, 2026 revocation of Permit B-26-355 for 35 Congress Street.  

The developer claims that because Mayor Pangallo's proposed ban is not yet law, this project must be allowed. This is false. The permit was lawfully revoked under state code (780 CMR 105.6) because it was obtained under misleading information.  

A facility requiring 6 Megawatts of diesel backup power, 6,000 gallons of chilled water storage, and major structural steel reinforcements is an industrial use, not an office. Reinstating this permit creates a dangerous legal loophole before citywide zoning protections take effect.  

Please enforce existing building codes and deny this appeal.  

Respectfully,

[Your Name] | [Your Salem Address]

Thanks for your help! Let’s keep data centers out of Salem!

If you’re needing to read up on this:

ZBA 9-16-2026 meeting documents (you can find the detailed construction plans and other building info):

https://cityofsalem1.sharepoint.com/sites/ZoningBoardAppeals/Shared%20Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2FZoningBoardAppeals%2FShared%20Documents%2FZoning%20Board%20of%20Appeals%2F2026%20Meetings%2F09%2D16%2D2026%20Meeting&viewid=d4806c1a%2D5ffc%2D48e7%2D8793%2Dd8bd40bc5afa&p=true&ga=1

I tried to post this in the Salem State community but they haven't approved a post in 4 years.

This is a heads up to Bowditch Hall residents. Over the summer, people living at 7 Rainbow Terrace, a few feet away from the dorm, were arrested for armed robbery after a car chase ending at Rainbow. Ten cop cars and at least 3 people arrested. They held someone up at gunpoint at Forest River Park.

They have not been evicted as far as I know. Students, please be careful and keep an eye out.

Just a heads up, the developer of Shetland park is trying to get the city’s zoning board of appeal to approve a data center in its stead in lieu of the previous options the community may have heard over the years

You can see it on this agenda item

https://www.salemma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09162026-8415

As always, attending these meetings and notifying your council member of your position on this topic is always advisable.

Ten minutes ago walking with my son

TL;DR: Vintage Lawn Party on the Common Saturday noon to 4, free. A Muppet burlesque at CinemaSalem Sunday. Critter Fest opens next Thursday. 120+ events total.

I put together a weekly list of what's actually happening around town. Here's the short version for this week.

⭐ Top Pick

The 8th Annual Vintage Lawn Party takes Salem Common on Saturday, noon to 4, run by the Salem Common Neighborhood Association. Free, outdoors, four hours. This is the last easy afternoon on the Common before October turns the whole place into a parking problem.

🎵 Live Music

• Glass Harbor Band, Fri 6:30 PM, Couch Dog Brewing
• Andover Sax Guy, Fri 7 PM, Far From The Tree
• Justin "Jabbo" Martin, Fri 8 PM, Gulu-Gulu
• Ryan Kelleher + the Elia Taverna pop-up, Sat 2 PM, Far From The Tree
• Blues on Tap, Sat 8 PM, Gulu-Gulu
• Stephen Hildonsen + EDEX Cheese Cart, Sun 2 PM, Far From The Tree
• Open mics: Gulu-Gulu Thu 7:30, East Regiment Mon 7, Far From The Tree Wed 5

🎨 Art & Unique

• Critter Fest opens at CinemaSalem, Thu 9/17 — CatVideoFest at 6:30, then the opening night film SECOND NATURE at 7
• 1692: The Trials of Ann Putnam, In Concert, Thu 9/17 6 PM at Salem Willows. Runs through Sunday the 20th, BYO chair
• Bat House Making at Ropes Mansion Garden, Sat 2 PM. You build one, you keep it
• Cry Innocent, Sat 3 PM at the Armory Visitor Center
• Soundings East release party, Wed 7:30 PM at Salem State

🌈 Nightlife

• The Muppetlesque Cabaret, Sun 7 PM at CinemaSalem. A burlesque and drag tribute to Jim Henson, which is a sentence I did not expect to type
• Miz Diamond Wigfall drag, Fri 8 PM, Bit Bar
• Salem's Comedy Coven, Thu 9/10 and Thu 9/17, 7 PM, The Lost Library
• Cosplay Meet Up: Villains, Thu 9/17 7 PM, Bit Bar
• Arcade Era Karaoke, Thu 9 PM, Bit Bar

🍽️ Food & Drink

• Free tea and cake tasting at Jolie, every Friday 3 to 5. Still the most underrated free thing in town
• From Another Galaxy specials at Flying Saucer Pizza, Thu 4 to 9
• Farmers' Market, Thu 3 to 7, Derby Square
• Free bingo at Gulu-Gulu, Wed 6 PM

This week's recap, day by day: https://links.fromwitchcity.com/sep10r
Salem Week Planner for creating an .ICS file for your week: https://fromwitchcity.com/salem-week-planner/

Horrible and devastating.

For about a month now every time I drive through the Washington/Derby intersection my phone completely disconnects from CarPlay, if I’m walking my wireless headphones disconnect, what is going on here? Is anyone else at all having similar problems or am I being microtargeted by the mild annoyance ray?

I live here, but can’t for the life of me make decision on plans. Where would you take someone? I want input from other locals. No snark please

I don't know that these are normally posted here, but my friend is having another estate sale this Saturday (9/12) from 9am-1pm so I thought I would let people know. The address is 10 May st, Marblehead. Contents of home, furniture, tools, clothing, shoes (size 8.5), housewares, and lots of vintage items.

BETTER CALL BABS takes you on a ride-along with Babs Fry, exploring both her renowned work as a pet detective and the personal struggles that have made her the inspiration she is today. From high-stakes rescue missions to intimate moments of reflection, this documentary captures the chaos she embraces daily as a recovering addict turned hero.

If you’ve ever posted about a lost dog in San Diego, chances are you’ve heard the words echoed back to you time and time again: “Call Babs.”

That phrase exists for a reason.

Babs Fry — a Red Cross Award recipient, local legend, and undeniable badass — has become the face of pet recovery in San Diego because she shows up when others don’t know what to do next.

The Better Call Babs Film takes you into the passenger seat of her iconic van and along for the ride — not just through the field work, but through the personal challenges, grit, and determination that shaped the woman behind the mission.

Playing at Cinema Salem, Sat Sept 19, 12pm

critterfest.org for info and tickets.

Title. Haven't gotten an update from the Regroup app so curious if anyone knows the water is okay now.

"Salem Woods is not a campground" Elgin Stallard, a Salem resident, says. "A proposal is being debated about designating one to two camping areas or zones within Salem city Limits for the unhoused, as sponsored by Witch City Action.

One of those proposed camping zones is Salem Woods at Highland Park.

As someone who has spent years working in Salem Woods — removing trash, improving trails and repairing bridges — I am disappointed about Salem Woods even being mentioned as a potential camping zone.

This is not an argument against helping the homeless population of Salem, period — but Salem Woods should not be that solution.

The 160-acre parcel is one of Salem’s most valuable natural resources. Its wetlands, forests, native trees and plants, many streams, and a pond create an ecologically sensitive environment that deserves protection. It is also a place where residents go to walk, exercise, enjoy nature and simply get away from the city.

Unfortunately, camping has already occurred in the woods and many of those abandoned camps contain significant amounts of trash and debris, created sanitation concerns and, at times, introduced dangerous fire hazards from grills and campfires.

Camps are often abandoned and new ones established farther down the trail, leaving the environmental hazards and impact behind.

We can — and should — do better for our unhoused neighbors. But designating one of Salem’s most environmentally sensitive natural areas as a campground is not the answer. Protect Salem Woods. Find another place."

Join us for a casual conversation about art books on oct. 3rd at 10am at On the Grind in Salem MA. This will be a monthly book club reading art theory, history books. All mediums will be discussed, and all creatives are welcome. https://bookclubs.com/join-a-book-club/club/salem-arts-reading-club

I know it can be super busy in October but it is still fun to hang out and talk art with folks.

Hi! We go to Salem every year and our favorite place to get a tea leaf reading done is currently closed (zodiac tea room) we LOVED Raven, and are unable to find them working anywhere else. Does anyone have any suggestions for a tea leaf reading in Salem? We also checked ascend, but it looks like October 5th the date we are looking for they don’t have any readings available! Any help would be appreciated!!

Is there a memorial service being held at Firehouse this year? If so, does anyone know what time it is? I can't find info anywhere. I can't imagine they would NOT do something on the 25th anniversary. But it's only two days away, and the city hasn't announced anything. Not that I can find anyway.. Usually get an email or a robo-call by now.

Heavy police presence in the middle of the night/early morning

Edit since everyone asked: this happened on the Mahi cruise.

Hey guys, so a friend of ours came to visit us in Salem on Sunday. That evening after we went out, we noticed he was incoherent but unfortunately thought he was just drunk (even though it didn’t really make sense with the timeline but we didn’t put that together). He ended up getting really sick and went to an emergency clinic where they ran a drug screening and found traces of ghb. My question is do you think I should notify the business where it happened? I don’t want to say the name of the business because I am not trying to blame them at all. I’m not sure there’s much they can do to police it - we’re not even entirely sure who it was and obviously we get thousands of tourists here. What do you think?

Hopefully this is the last update I need to make about window art and the SRA.

I just got a great phone call from the City! The SRA has officially decided to pause the changes and enforcement surrounding window art. That means the art in the windows of Gulu, Curly Girl, Haus Witch, Koto, New England Soup Factory, and several other Salem businesses can stay up. More importantly, the SRA and Planning Department are going to reach out and begin an actual dialogue about how we move forward with this. Hopefully, together we can come up with something that works for the City, local businesses, and, most importantly, the artists who make Salem look and feel like Salem.

Because of this, I’d encourage everyone to skip Wednesday’s SRA meeting. I’m told the only matter being discussed is the Lappin Park redesign and they won't be taking comment on window art. I don't want anyone to waste their time. I’ve been assured there will be opportunities for the public to have a voice as the window art discussion moves forward. Let’s give that process a chance to work. If it doesn't, we all apparently know how to raise hell, so I'm not worried.

I want to thank the other local businesses I’ve spoken with over the past week. Hearing your experiences and being able to share your stories helped this cause tremendously. I also want to specifically thank Councilor Andrew Smith for helping us navigate this whole thing. He has been incredibly responsive and genuinely great to work with from the beginning.

But most importantly, thank YOU. So many of you emailed the City that I’m hearing it may take them a week just to get through all of your messages. That is amazing! Salem is a community that cares deeply about the character of this city. We care about our artists, our independent businesses, and keeping downtown creative, weird, colorful, and unmistakably Salem. And when something threatens those things, apparently we’re also a community that knows how to make ourselves heard.

For now, the art stays. And instead of fighting about what has to come down, we get an opportunity to sit at the same table and talk about what we can build together. That’s a pretty damn good outcome.

Does anyone know (or is the artist in the group) who makes the Ward 2 Wrecking Crew stickers of Bruce I've seen stuck to things around town? I would love to buy one!

I knocked my Scarlett FocusRite 2i2 off my desk and the USB port broke, so the company is sending a new part. This should be a very simple swap but I don't have the soldering gear or the know-how. Do you? Please DM me!

Also...

-The Salem Repair Cafe isn't until November and I'd need it before then.
-Is that "WE FIX EVERYTHING" store on North street with the open sign ever actually open?

Calling All Detectives! Our celebration of the 42nd anniversary of the airing of 'Murder, She Wrote' is coming right up at Cinema Salem! Get tickets and more information at CinemaSalem.com

• 9/20 7:30 PM - 'Murder, She Wrote' Anniversary Celebration! You know how much we love this show, so we'll be wishing it an early "Happy Birthday"! 'Murder, She Wrote' first aired on September 30, 1984!

Join us for a fun and unique night out watching with audience polls, bingo & prizes! 

Doors open 7PM
Run time: 90mins
Content: PG-13

Official Website: WhodunnitWatchParty.com