Services available at Salem City Hall To Go kiosk

Armed with only a laptop, a mobile internet hotspot device, a tent and a table, Salem Finance Director Sarah Stanton and her colleagues are bringing a wide range of City Hall services to public events in the city through the new Salem City Hall To Go kiosk.

“We’re trying to offer anything and everything: yard waste permits, parking permits, tax bills, paying bills, voter registration … everything that we offer in our City Hall offices,” Stanton said. “So far it’s mostly a lot of questions, like, ‘When’s the pickup for old computers?’ or ‘What do I do with my old couch?’”

Stanton has a friend who works for Boston Mayor Martin Walsh, who launched the Boston City Hall To Go mobile van three years ago. With Salem hosting a farmers market and many other citywide events, Stanton thought it would be a good idea to bring to Salem – albeit on a smaller scale than the region’s largest city.

Stanton contacted James Sullivan, Boston’s intergovernmental affairs director, to learn more and figure out what kind of staffing and resources would be needed to launch Salem’s version, which rolled out last month.

Unlike Boston’s food truck-style van, Salem simply sets a table under a tent at events, with Stanton’s Finance Department laptop and a mobile hotspot device from the city’s IT Department.

“So far the most expensive thing is buying the tent – I think around $2,000,” she said. “The police chief (Mary Butler) and I split the cost because we’re going to be using it with the [Police Department’s] Community Impact Unit.”

Stanton and a volunteer from various city departments typically staff the kiosk at the Salem Farmers Market every Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m.

Stanton said the kiosk has provided an opportunity to learn more about city services herself. “I now know all the e-waste days or yard waste days!” she chuckled. The effort has improved camaraderie among City Hall employees as well.

“Everyone has a greater appreciation for what everyone else is doing,” she said. “I think everyone in government feels like they’re doing good work.”

Stanton said the idea builds off the City Hall open houses, which gather key departments in one room, including those from the City Hall Annex, so they are all available to residents who visit the open house.

The next step for City Hall To Go, naturally, is a vehicle for the program like Boston has, Stanton said.

“The Council on Aging is getting sick of me because I’m stalking them about their old van,” she said with a laugh.