Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council

Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, June 13, 2018 7:00 P.M. City Hall Annex, 98 Washington Street Called to Order: 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Anne Sterling & Meg Riccardi (Northfields), Barbara Mann (Greater Endicott Street), Norman LaPointe (South Salem), Nina Cohen (Chestnut Street), Lori Stewart (Barnes/Clark/Wyman), Wendy Meigs (Historic Derby Street), Flora Tonthat (Bridge Street Neck), Jodie Salasny (Downtown), Patti Morsillo (Broad Street Park), and Lucy Corchado (Point) Guests: Emily Ullman, Salem Public Schools; Tom Daniel, Director of Planning & Community Development Staff Present: Dominick Pangallo (Office of Mayor Driscoll) Approval of May 9, 2018 Meeting minutes: Approved Public Comment: Pat Gozemba of Salem Alliance for the Environment (SAFE) gave a presentation on the prevalence of natural gas leaks in Salem and their effect on public health and on trees. She offered to have SAFE and the technical specialists they’ve been working with on the issue come to neighborhood association meetings to share their presentation and findings specific to the neighborhood. Guest: Emily Ullman, Director of Extended Learning for Salem Public Schools, spoke about the Our Salem, Our Kids movement and explained how it came about. The goal of the effort is to support Salem kids social and emotional health, in addition to helping them achieve academic and career success. The initiative is guided by a Children’s Cabinet co-chaired by Mayor Driscoll and Superintendent Ruiz and made up of representatives of numerous community organizations and agencies that work with Salem children. The initiative consists of (a) a community internship program at Salem High School, (b) the City Connects system and network of school-based specialists working to develop individualized profiles for every student focusing on their specific needs, (c) enhancing out-of-school opportunities for kids and also access to those opportunities, both in regards to cost and transportation, (d) mapping early education providers in Salem and coordinating their work to align with SPS, and (e) a series of community trainings through the Mass Mentoring Partnership on youth/adult relationships, with a particular focus on cultural and emotional/trauma sensitivity and support. The program is funded by United Way, the Nellie Mae Foundation, the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and North Shore Medical Center. Neighborhood Association Updates: • Point: The July 4th party may not take place this year. WalkBoston conducted a Walk Audit of the pedestrian infrastructure on several streets in the Point; the report will be delivered to the City soon and can serve as a basis for future repairs/improvements. • Chestnut: Finalizing the plans for a crossing at Chestnut and Pickering.  • Historic Derby Street: Preparing and excited for July 4th celebrations. Neighborhood is eager for the resumption and completion of the sidewalk work and Derby Street repaving that began last construction season. Looking for update on when Swiniuch Park water fountain will be installed. • South Salem: McCourt is no longer issuing the two-week look-ahead updates on the Canal Street Roadway Improvement Project, would like to see those re-started. The contractors bent the guard rail near the animal hospital on Canal; will it be replaced as part of the project and can it have reflective tape or markings added? • Greater Endicott Street: Met with the new Broad Street Park Neighborhood Association recently. Saw some initial activity for the flex posts at Endicott and Margin, hoping those go in soon. Two “No Parking Here to Corner” signs were taken down from Endicott and should go back up, facing the right way. Still neighbor questions and concerns about the sober home on Mt. Vernon Street; will distribute the City’s FAQ on the topic. Had questions about the recent opportunity zone designation of two City census tracts. • Bridge Street Neck: Asked for any update on the Ward 2 Social Club site, but there is nothing new from the City on it. The Winter/Bridge intersection is still hazardous to pedestrians, despite the rapid flashing beacons and barrels. Vehicle routinely parking on sidewalk at corner of Hubon and Bridge. Problem property at 134 Bridge: the dumpster was overflowing, but now is gone, however there’s still trash and debris on the ground where it was. Scheduling a Neighborhood Associations Pickleball Tournament in August at Collins Cove, asked if Park & Rec has racquets they can borrow. • Northfields: Second in-person meeting is June 14 at the Salvation Army. The association is planning a July 4th event at Furlong Park, no details ready to announce yet, though. • Barnes/Clark/Wyman: June 18 the association will hold a meeting with Mennino Construction, who is building the subdivision at the end of Clark. A midsummer block party/yard sale is in the works, date TBD. The CinemaWorld property fence has fallen onto the sidewalk, needs to be moved. Asked about status of the First/Swampscott rotary. Reported the traffic signal timing at Highland/Barnes seems to be malfunctioning. • Broad Street Playground: Concern about loss of snow emergency parking once 5 Broad Street is sold. In talks with proposed marijuana dispensary on Jefferson Avenue about use of their lot during snow. Question about height of the rapid flashing pedestrian beacons at Loring and Lafayette on the bike trail. • Downtown: Good turnout for first meeting, second meeting will be next Tuesday at Turners with Salem PD CIU. Concerns about the noise levels at late night establishments, most recently the roof deck at Hotel Salem. Early morning trash pick-ups, before 7am, have also been disruptive. City Updates: • On June 26, 7pm, there will be a Short-Term Rentals ordinance meeting at City Hall Annex to hear public input. A proposed draft of the ordinance is online at www.salem.com/rentals at the bottom of the page. If you’re not able to attend in person, you can send public comment to mayor@salem.com. • We have posted a FAQ on sober homes at https://www.salem.com/mayors- office/news/soberaddiction-recovery-homes-salem-frequently-asked-questions. • Mass in Motion’s Salem Community Food Assessment presentation of findings and recommendations will take place July 16, 7:00 p.m., City Hall Annex, 98 Washington Street; the Assessment itself is now available at https://www.salem.com/mass-motion-salem.  • The City has received a $345,000 state grant to begin engineering work on relocating a sewer pipe located in Salem Harbor just off of Willow Avenue pipe relocation. More at https://www.salem.com/mayors-office/news/city-salem-receives-climate-change-adaptation-grant. • Two large scale road projects will be holding neighborhood meetings at dates TBD this summer. The first is for the Boston Street corridor project, which is not quite at 25% design and will still need to go through the typically lengthy state TIP (Transportation Improvement Program) process. The section is the Essex Street complete streets project, which is anticipated to be going out to bid this summer so construction can begin in FY2019. • CLC update: we are still looking at a public opening in the first half of September; the precise date will be announced shortly. The construction work is all proceeding on schedule and we are preparing the procurement for furnishings and for the movers. The SRA has begun their discussion on the surplus and sale of the old senior center at 5 Broad Street. • The Winter Island hangar & Barracks RFI is now posted at www.salem.com/bids. If you know of any group or individual that may be interested in proposing a plan for these buildings, please send them the link for the RFI. An updated buildings condition assessment will be carried out this summer, as well. • Several of the trees around Old Town Hall have died and are slated to be removed soon. The City’s arborist and tree superintendent have selected replacements, which will likely be planted during the fall planting season. • Salem’s July 4th event on Derby Wharf could use a few extra helping hands in Kid’s Space. Two 1-hour shifts are available, from 5:00pm to 6:00pm and from 6:00pm to 7:00pm in the game area, at the coloring station, and at the face painting tent (simple designs—you don't have to be an artist!). All volunteers get VIP seating tickets. Please contact Ellen Talkowsky at 978-619-5676 or etalkowsky@salem.com if you are interested. Next Meeting: Wednesday, July 11, 2018, 7pm, 98 Washington Street Adjourned: 8:55 p.m.