Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council

Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 9, 2019 7:00 P.M. City Hall Annex, 98 Washington Street Called to Order: 7:00 p.m. Members Present: James Willis (PNA), Barbara Mank (DNA), Barbara Mann (GESNA), Christy Evans (MPNA), Flora Tonthat & Hope Carpenter (BSNNA), Andy Lyall & Cindy Jeryzlo (WNA), Wendy Meigs & Mira Riggin (HDSNA), Meg Riccardi (NFNSNA), Pat Liberti (W4/GHNA), Jim Kearney (HESNA) Staff Present: Dominick Pangallo (Office of Mayor Driscoll); David Kucharsky (Traffic & Parking Director) Approval of December 12, 2018 Meeting minutes: Approved Public Comment: None Special Guest: Traffic & Parking Director David Kucharsky introduced himself and briefly spoke about his professional background and his role as director of the Traffic & Parking Department for the City. He fielded a variety of neighborhood-specific questions and requests, including regarding speed limits, resident parking, traffic calming, and parking enforcement. A number of neighborhood associations also extended invitations for him to come speak with their association in the near future. Neighborhood Association Updates: • Historic Derby Street: Herbert Street sewer work seems to be done. The National Park Service site is closed due to the federal government shut down. Members attended the first meeting of the Salem Harbor Port Authority. • Ward 4/Gallows Hill: Thanks to the City for the construction of the new sidewalks on Valley Street. The association is hoping for updates on the remediation of the Gallows Hill Park field. • Willows: Concern about the sand from Dead Horse Beach being blown over the wall and into the roadway. The Columbus Avenue beach sand is accumulating near the seawall and neighbors are concerned it is contributing to seawater overtopping the wall. • Bridge Street Neck: Rumors that the Clipper Ship Inn might be closing or closed already; if so the neighborhood would like to be included on any potential reuses being discussed for the property. • Northfields North Street: Holiday luminaria event went well again this year. • Mack Park: Fire Chief Gerry Giunta spoke at the last meeting and it was very well attended. The neighborhood has been happy with the opening of ATG and how non-disruptive it ended up being. • Greater Endicott Street: Some break-ins around Thanksgiving, but it’s quieted down. Two problem properties in the neighborhood the association is hoping for action on, will send the details to Dominick.  • Downtown: Next meeting will be on the Salem real estate market. Still having issues with Kokeshi’s trash barrels being left on the sidewalk all week long. Front Street trees are only lit on one half of the street. • Point: Meetings are starting up again next month. Interest in seeing if the former HMLS playground equipment might be useable at Peabody Street Park. City Updates: • The Salem for All Ages initiative and North Shore Physicians Group kicks off a new lecture series with Myth Buster: Answers to the Most Common Questions About Diabetes on January 15, 2019, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Mayor Jean Levesque Community Life Center, 401 Bridge Street. The presentation is free and open to all. • Salem Veterans Office hosting regular informational coffee hours for veterans and their families. Next one is Tuesday, January 15, 10am at the CLC. • Public Hearing on CDBG/HOME will be held on Thursday, January 17, 2019 in the first-floor conference room at 98 Washington Street at 6:00 p.m. The purpose of this hearing is to give citizens the opportunity to comment on the housing and community development needs of Salem’s low to moderate income residents and on the types of activities that should be undertaken to meet these needs. • Salem Food for All, our food policy council, is holding a speaker series on food insecurity and food waste issues. The next speaker is from the Boston Area Gleaners (nonprofit that rescues surplus crops for people in need; harvests surplus produce from local forms and distributes it to hunger relief agencies). February 4, 7pm, City Hall Annex. Next Meeting: Wednesday, February 13, 2019, 7pm, 98 Washington Street Adjourned: 7:56 p.m.