Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council

Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council - Meeting Minutes Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 7:00 P.M. Called to Order: 7:05 p.m. Members Present: Mira Riggin (HDSNA), Anne Sterling (NSNF), Christy Evans (MPNA), Dennis Maroney (SCNA), Flora Tonthat (BSNNA), Barbara Mank (DNA), Laurie Albury (WNA), Barbara Mann & Bob Femino (GESNA), Dennis Colbert (BCWNA), Nina Cohen (CSA) Staff Present: Dominick Pangallo (Office of Mayor Driscoll) Approval of March 11, 2020 minutes: Approved Special Guests: Mayor Kim Driscoll and Health Agent David Greenbaum gave a presentation on the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic and the City’s response actions. In addition to sharing the public health conditions and case numbers, the presentation covered budget challenges and implications due to the economic crisis, plans for business recovery efforts, community testing, state and city reopening considerations, homeless and congregate living conditions, the challenges in reopening schools safely, and safe practices for the public to follow to slow the spread of the virus. They took questions from the members regarding large events such July 4th and Haunted Happenings, the enforcement of face covering requirements, how reopening/resurgence will be tracked and monitored, neighborhood block parties, school bus and transportation practices, and specific demographic or geographic details in the Salem case data. Neighborhood Association Updates:  Mack Park: Communicating with members while they can’t meet. Issues with speeding in the neighborhood. Mack Park food farm underway. Good feedback from members on the SPS and Pantry food distribution efforts.  Greater Endicott Street: Coyote warning signs have gone up in the neighborhood. High Street basketball court has been repaved.  North Street Northfields: Virtual Greenlawn lecture went well. Coyotes and foxes in the neighborhood.  Barnes/Clark/Wyman: Overlook Acres project at the Planning Board; Jefferson Apartments project has been withdrawn.  Salem Common: Looking to hold a clean-up event June 13th. Bandstand work wraps up in the next two weeks and the fence pieces missing will be restored and back this summer. Accessible playground equipment going in and the association is funding a no smoking sign near the playground area. Not clear about what will happen with their summer events.  Bridge Street Neck: Two new trees in Gonyea Park. Following Curtis Park CPA application.  Chestnut Street: Roundabout restriping next week. Reassessing summer movie plans.   Historic Derby Street: Essex Street sidewalks nearing completion. Derby Street bid is out. Also reporting speeding on Derby Street and in the area.  Willows: Traffic volume in the neighborhood is up. Concern about crowds at the Willows as the weather gets nicer.  Downtown: Lots of concern about closed businesses and their ability to survive and reopen. Also seeing more speeding. City Updates:  The 2020 resident survey is online through May 21 st at www.salem.com/mayor.  Rental assistance from the City for income-qualifying renters is available. Apply at www.salem.com/start.  Salem Together has signed up over 500 volunteers to deliver groceries, make well-being phone calls, and more. If you want to offer to volunteer, fill out the form at www.salem.com/offer. If you want to ask for help, fill out the form at www.salem.com/ask. Next Meeting: Wednesday, June 10, 7pm Adjourned: 8:15 p.m.