Salem Forms Taxpayer Relief Committee, Seeks Three Residents

SALEM — Salem is standing up a new Taxpayer Relief Committee and is asking three residents to volunteer for the panel, which will oversee the city's newly established Taxpayer Aid Fund under a recently passed state law.

TOWN HALL The city announced this week that it is forming a Taxpayer Relief Committee and needs three residents to serve on it. Created under state law, the committee will oversee Salem's newly established Taxpayer Aid Fund; the city has not yet detailed an application process.

The city is also collecting nominations for the Sam Zoll Civic Leadership Award, an annual honor for a Salem resident who strengthens the community through public service, volunteering or civic engagement — a nomination call Salem Patch also covered this week, reporting a nomination deadline of Aug. 14.

Separately, the Salem Fire Department is running a schedule of "Soak the Kids" events this week to help residents beat the summer heat, the city said.

COMMUNITY & ARTS The city is building toward Salem 400+ Heritage Days, with a Seaside Soirée cocktail fundraiser aboard the tall ship Pride of Baltimore II set for July 31 to benefit Salem400+ and Heritage Days programming. The celebration continues Aug. 1 with the Salem400+ Heritage Days Parade and Festival, part of the city's yearlong observance of its 400th anniversary alongside the nation's 250th.

ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS "Salem Awards 7 Scholarships With Waste Management Partnership" — Seven Salem students received city scholarships for essays on reducing solid waste, the result of a partnership between the city and a waste management program, per Salem Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem)

"Salem Willows To Host Annual Black Community Gathering" — The city says the annual community gathering returns to Salem Willows this Saturday, with parking and cleanup reminders posted for visitors, according to Salem Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem)

"Salem Seeks Nominations For Civic Leadership Award" — Salem Patch reports the city is accepting nominations through Aug. 14 for the award recognizing public service and civic engagement, a story the town's News Flash also covered today. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem)

COMING UP Salem Patch's events calendar shows a full week ahead, including the Beer Garden Music Series with Stroke of Luck on July 21, a Los Lobos show on July 22 and a Legend of Ozzy tribute concert on July 24, according to Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem)