Bicycling & Shared Path Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes Salem Bicycling Advisory Committee Wednesday, May 5, 2021 | 6:30 p.m. Remote Meeting Members Present: Eric Papetti (Chair), Michael Williamson, Connor Ryan, Alex Maranto, Josh Gillis, Matt Caruso, Michael Jaros, Colleen Downie, John Wathne Members Absent: Jayne O’Leary, Kylie Sullivan Also Present: Tom Devine, Senior Planner Call Meeting to Order Papetti called the meeting to order. Devine describes the remote meeting format and procedure for providing public comment. Public Comment Papetti opened the meeting to public comment and there were none. Staff Update Devine provided the following updates on projects of interest to the Committee that are going through local permitting: • The North Shore Community Development Coalition’s proposed redevelopment of the corner of Derby and Lafayette Streets is scheduled to be before the Planning Board at its June 3 meeting. • The proposed ambulance facility at North and Franklin Streets is scheduled to return to the Planning Board on May 20. This project and the North Street improvement project have led to increased interest in improving bike and pedestrian connections across the North River in this area. As a result, the City has prepared a grant application to fund a study of this matter. • The mixed-use redevelopment at 53 Mason Street is no longer being proposed. Instead, an increase in truck activity at the site is proposed. Devine’s best understanding is that, unlike the mixed-use development, this project will not trigger a Chapter 91 Waterways license that would require construction of a multiuse path segment along the river. • There will be an update at the May 12 meeting of the Salem Redevelopment Authority regarding the proposed redevelopment of the Federal Street courthouses and City’s crescent lot at the MBTA station. Devine provided the following additional updates: 1  • The Cities of Salem and Peabody are making multiple funding requests to advance the design of the Harmony Grove multiuse path. Congressman Moulton included design money for the project in a larger proposed earmark for design of gaps in the Border to Boston trail network. And the two cities are preparing a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant application to not only further the path design, but to evaluate flooding and erosion in the corridor and identify the climate adaptation strategies. • The North Street improvement project’s implementation is likely to be delayed due to upcoming National Grid gas main work. The Traffic & Parking Commission and City Council will also have to consider changes to parking rules to enable the project. BlueBikes Bike Share Program Devine reports that the City and BlueBikes are working to finalize their contract. All remaining docks from the former Zagster bike share program have been removed. Meeting Minutes Wathne motions to approve the January 6, 2021 minutes, Caruso seconds, and all vote in favor. Adjournment Caruso motions to adjourn at 7:04 p.m., Wathne seconds, and all vote in favor. Approved by the Bicycling Advisory Committee on November 4, 2021. 2