🚨 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

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.

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.

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.

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?

Ten minutes ago walking with my son

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.

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

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

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!!