Gov. Baker Calls Out Four Salem Councilors For Stalling Housing

SALEM, MA — Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker used Salem as an example of why he's pushing to change state rules requiring a two-thirds majority approval by local legislative bodies to approve housing projects.

Baker called Salem the type of city where "we most want to see new housing projects," but those projects have been thwarted over the past several years by four of the city's 11 city councilors. The Swampscott Republican called Mayor Kim Driscoll "my good friend" who has gotten "thwarted" when she presents housing initiatives to council.

"She inevitably gets a 7-4 vote. I think a 7-4 vote should be enough to move a housing project forward, and I think most people agree with that," Baker said Friday. "In many cases, a small groups of people will get to say no to projects a majority of people in the community, and a majority of their representatives, support."

Baker, who has been pushing for approval of projects by simple majority to help fight the state's skyrocketing housing costs, made his comments as he introduced several initiatives to increase affordable housing in the state.

Ward 4 City Councilor Tim Flynn, who is one of the four councilors Baker mentioned, said Baker had overstepped.

"In my opinion he should have at least set up a meeting or spoke to us to find out our reasoning regarding where we stand on an issue," Flynn said in a Facebook post Wednesday, which included a video clip of Baker making his comments. "I believe we deserve the common courtesy."

Baker's comments came hours after Thursday's city council meeting, where two housing initiatives were sent back to committee after failing to get the required 8-3 majority.

Dave Copeland covers Salem and other North Shore communities for Patch. He can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).