Salem Conservation Commission Votes 6-0 to Buy 10 Acres on Arlington Pond

SALEM -- June 17, 2026, Salem Conservation Commission unanimously approves $516,529 purchase of 10 acres bordering the city's drinking water supply. The six-member commission voted 6-0 at its June 17 special meeting to acquire seven undeveloped lots at 41 to 46 Norwood Road and 2 to 3 Overlook Circle, just off Arlington Pond, which serves as Salem's primary reservoir. Commission Chair Georgia Brust said the parcels, covering just over 10 acres with more than a quarter mile of shoreline, will be deed-restricted to conservation use only, with no taxpayer general fund money involved. Town staff member Creighton Brubaker noted the acquisition aligns with the city's 2025 master plan and follows City Council approval of the deal on June 15, as required by state law. Resident Roger Duhamel called it "definitely worth the money," while neighbor Mike Piccini sought assurances against large-scale parking or recreational development; Brust said no such plans exist at this time.