Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council

Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council - Meeting Minutes Wednesday, June 10, 2020, 7:00 P.M. Called to Order: 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Anne Sterling (North Street Northfields), Christy Evans (Mack Park), Dennis Colbert (Barnes/Clark/Wyman), Dennis Maroney (Salem Common), Barbara Mann (Greater Endicott Street), Barbara Mank (Downtown), Laurie Albury (Willows), Mira Riggin (Historic Derby Street), Nina Cohen (Chestnut Street), Flora Tonthat (Bridge Street Neck), Lucy Corchado (Point) Staff Present: Dominick Pangallo (Office of Mayor Driscoll) Approval of May 13, 2020 minutes: Approved Neighborhood Association Updates:  NSNF: Looking for COVID-safe neighborhood program and event ideas.  MPNA: 53 Mason Street project neighborhood meeting held 6/10. Good police presence at Mack Park. Speeding issues on Tremont Street.  B/C/W: Overlook Acres project is in permitting, some questions about the inclusion of a public playground space. MassDOT has started ADA improvements to intersections along Highland Avenue.  SCNA: Clean-up 6/13. Bandstand phase 1 is done and fence segments returning 6/15. Arborist put in three new trees. Handicapped play equipment installed in playground. No smoking signs going up in July. Summer concerts cancelled, hoping to do movies in late summer. Homeless sleeping on benches at night. Plans for July 4 th reading of Declaration of Independence, probably on Facebook Live.  WNA: Worked with Police and Parks to resolve issues with Willows visitors in first week of reopening. Still some trash issues and people not wearing masks.  HDSNA: Sidewalk work begins on Derby Street later this week, still underway on Essex Street. Derby Street project has public info meeting next Wednesday, 6pm, at the Gables parking lot. Crosswalks are fading on Essex Street and bench at Swiniuch Park is broken.  DNA: Happy with the new trees downtown, but would like to see more. Speeding issues at Derby/Lafayette. Homeless sleeping in bank drive-through at the intersection. Missing bricks/broken concrete, stickers on posts. Concerned about closure of Cinema Salem. Charter Street sidewalk extension not being heavily used.  CSA: Proposal being shared to close street to through-traffic on certain hours/days, others prefer two-way bike lanes to slow speeding. Glad to see more trees being planted.  BSNNA: The Bridge/Winter intersection changes are good and working. Would like to see compost sites broadened.  PNA: Saturday COVID-19 testing event at the On Point Center 9am-noon. Issues with fireworks increasing (reported by other neighborhoods, as well).  GESNA: Neighborhood is looking nice. Fireworks issues, too. Ongoing rat problem due to dumpsters at Lifebridge (better now), House of Pizza (OK, but requires continual monitoring), and 11-13 High Street (very problematic, needs to be bigger or picked up  more often); Health Department baiting sewers and homeowners doing the same on their properties. City Updates:  Businesses are starting to reopen – please maintain physical distance, wash/sanitize hands, and keep face covering on.  Outdoor seating for dining is being expanded over the coming few days. In some places, it will entail taking up roadway space.  City offices (City Hall and Annex) and Library reopens for curbside checkout June 15th.  E-waste recycling event a SHS parking lot Saturday June 27th from 8:00 a.m. to noon.  Farmers Market resumes tomorrow and runs Thursdays, 3-7pm, Bentley School parking lot, 25 Memorial Drive through October 15th.  Charter Street Cemetery closed to the public for the next roughly six months.  National Grid returning to the Willows neighborhood toward the end of this week to carry out sidewalk restoration where they had done gas work previously. New gas main work beginning shortly on Ord Street and Butler Street.  There will be a free distribution of face masks for residents throughout the month of June, thanks to the efforts of the members of Highrock Church. Distribution will take place in the City parking lot located at 297 Bridge Street on Sundays June 14, June 21, and June 28 noon to 2pm and on Wednesday, June 17 5-7pm. Next Meeting: Wednesday, July 8, 7pm Adjourned: 8:10 p.m.