Beautification Committee

Salem Beautification Committee Minutes July 9, 2019 (note: no meeting in August - no quorum) Attendees: Ty Hapworth, Sam Fiore, Stephanie Hagyard, Lisa Lyons, Sandi Power. Absent Giulia Bellofatto, Mary Ellen Halliwell, Bill Doane The Committee briefly reviewed recent events with details and finances about the Plant Sale, held on May 9th, 2019 to be discussed at the next meeting. May 12, 2019 Meeting Minutes were not approved. A brief review of traffic island happenings took place. It was identified that only a few sponsor signs had been placed on the islands. The park on Derby Street across from Salem Seaport Hotel is looking very good. There will be some pruning of bushes on the Washington Street strip across from Front Street for better pedestrian visibility at the crosswalk. It was emphasized that a lot of the work involves more cleaning up of trash and sweeping debris off the streets for curb appeal. Volunteers are concentrating their efforts on downtown areas. A conversation about having convenient parking for the volunteers working at the traffic island locations took place. Currently, it is an involved and inefficient process for volunteers to have to go to the parking garage, obtain temporary/day parking permit, and then drive to a clean-up site and park. Lisa will work with the Mayor's office to see if there's a more efficient accommodation for volunteers. Giovanni Alabiso (Salem Historic Tours) was a guest at the meeting and wanted to discuss opportunities for improvement at the dirt patches on upper Central Street. There are 9-10 businesses, including Trolley, Pamplemouse, Modern Millie who would participate in upkeep. Ideas included: planting shrubs (honey cypress and bonsai shrub) and bulbs, constructing a raised garden bed or a framed box containing recurring perennials, having an anchor securely placed in one of the locations, put lights in the tree, install a rowboat and fill with plants. The Beautification Committee plans to help decorate for Haunted Happenings, like last year, with hay bales and Mums. Janis Manning and Charlene Bailey, valued traffic island volunteers, were present at the meeting and made signification contributions to the conversation with Giovanni. They had very insightful and constructive ideas for future Beautification efforts. Both are kind enough to draft their ideas for distribution to the Committee and for future consideration. It was decided and voted on that the Salem Beautification Committee would not hold a window box competition this year or hold a traffic island awards ceremony. Lisa will contact the Garden Club to let them know. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Lyons Salem Beautification Committee Chairperson Points for your List Bailey <baileyrc@comcast.net> Mon, Jul 15, 11:45 AM to me, Sandi, Janis Hi Lisa, I believe that you wanted points for your list by today. The following are points that I believe I said last Tuesday night, but to be sure: 1. Old Town Hall ...... flower boxes/planters. Just sent that to you under a separate email. 2. Parking Permits for the Volunteers . . . thank you for looking into this. 3. Cleanup of the downtown area . . . the special city machine used to clean up the sidewalks, the gutters, etc. Also, over at Riley plaza, the inner brick circle under all the flags needs that machine cleaning there. It almost seems like each morning very early there should be a ‘clean sweep’ of downtown ...... also, let’s not forget around Lafayette Park and Lafayette Street from the Park through to Derby St. 4. Irrigation on the gardens that are set up downtown ..... first ones that come to mind are the Hosta Gardens on Washington Street. 5. When new green/flower areas are created in Salem when roads are being realigned, who sees that the planning for and maintaining of those plantings take place. (I am very concerned about Loring Square (corner of Jefferson and Canal Streets) – very nice plantings and layout; I am not sure that they are getting watered or being maintained.) I am thinking that should all be part of the original plan. Another area that comes under this same thought is the Bike Path, new sidewalk and fencing along Canal Street (from Dominos to Vet.’s Office) – street already has litter, weeds growing, trash etc. I mention the lower Lafayette St. and new Bike Path project because they seem to attach to downtown. Yes, Lisa, enough for today ....... if you send me your text phone no., I shall send you the photos I took of the debris by the Old Town Hall last Tuesday night. Thanks for all that you do. Charlene Bailey ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Janis <majam318@aol.com> Date: Mon, Jul 15, 2019 at 10:54 AM Subject: Beautification Committee To: <smallplanet.lisal@gmail.com> Hi Lisa, We all have our best interests in trying to make Salem look its 'best'. As a team, we can do so much more but only with the cooperation of the City. The downtown (tourist) area should be the main focus. Considering the lack of volunteers, I think we should devote our time to the most visible areas of the city. But in order to do so, we need to spend more time being creative with our plantings - NOT cleanup. We spend so much time picking up trash/cigarettes butts and sweeping instead of maintaining the islands. How do we address this issue? I have asked for relocation/addition of cigarette bins and/or trash cans at busy crosswalks as a possible solution (especially in front of the Post Office). As requested, I have included some ideas with pictures for inspiration or to identity problem areas, like planters along Essex Street. Installing new trees requires maintenance while the existing trees throughout Salem need serious pruning. There should be an evaluation of sidewalks and benches throughout the city. Use pictures to highlight areas to be addressed like, Old Town Hall - weeds and trash in a highly attended area (Farmer's Market, etc.). So many more.... Other thoughts for discussion include: Plantings: - pyramid (vertical gardening) - boxwoods as borders - succulents - rock garden Sculptures/Planters: - peace symbol (Salem = Peace) - recycled materials - mosaic tiles - boat planters (for businesses) - old pocketbooks - origami (Japanese garden) - old CD's hanging in trees - old musical instruments; small bridges Lighting: - solar, string, laser Fundraisers: - scarecrow contest by residents/business displayed on poles. (see IMG_3991) - sell boat planters - sell an official Salem Broom. An idea that I thought could give the Committee more recognition while enlisting the residents and businesses to help keep Salem clean. Be 'fun'ctional as a broom with a witchy design, for example, a gnarly handle (see IMG_3683) Don't laugh but I think 'fake grass' could be an option for certain areas of the City that are neglected or used in a playful manner. Thanks again for addressing our concerns. It can work out if we work together. Sincerely, Janis Manning