Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council

Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council - Meeting Minutes Wednesday, December 9, 2020, 7:00 P.M. Called to Order: 7:03 p.m. Members Present: Dennis Colbert, Margaret Crosby, Cynthia Jerzylo, Laurie Albury, Flora Tonthat, Anne Sterling, Barbara Mann, Denise Regan, Richard Lindeman, Gabriel Ciocola, Nina Cohen Staff Present: Dominick Pangallo (Office of Mayor Driscoll) Approval of November 18, 2020 minutes: Approved Neighborhood Association Updates:  Northfields: North Street traffic study is complete. Monitoring plans at the former HMA location.  Common: Common holiday decorating is done. Backdrops have been installed, hoping they can be removed without issue when the event is over. The new Common signage is up, but it seems smaller than preferred. Association has endorsed the signature parks initiative. Reports of speeding around the Common. Washington Arch restoration ongoing, waiting on next phase of brick pad at base.  Greater Endicott Street: Leaves accumulated at High Street Park.  Willows: Monitoring housing studies going on at Larkin Lane. Thanks to the DPW for deploying the sandbags at the beach locations.  Broad Street: Concern about the pedestrian crossing at Broad Street and Jackson Street as school begins to return at Collins.  Barnes/Clark/Wyman: Need for DPW to put out sand barrels before snow arrives.  Bridge Street Neck: Leaves accumulating at Curtis Park. New crossing at Cross Street and Saunders Street needs to be corrected due to curb lip. Some activity on the New Market site.  Historic Derby Street: Elections held and new officers installed. Neighborhood happy with the new sidewalks and the new off-street paths. Some questions about whether part of the Blaney Street lot could be designated for resident parking only.  Chestnut Street: Endorses the signature parks initiative. Also following the North Street traffic study plan with interest.  Federal Street: Historic Salem Inc’s Christmas in Salem holiday house tour is online this year: 10 homes, including the Plummer Home, for $25. Eight neighbors are serving on the association’s new Traffic Calming Task Force and have already conducted a traffic sign audit along Federal Street. City Updates:  SCAN testing at CLC, appointment times for next week’s testing are now available at www.salem.com/scan. Residents only, appointments required, do not arrive more than 30 minutes before your time block.   Stay Local Salem campaign in partnership with Destination Salem, Main Streets, and the Chamber. All residents receiving a postcard that they can get stamped at participating Salem businesses when they shop (including online). Fill up the card and you’re entered into a drawing for a Salem Staycation prize.  Small Business Loan Fund: $5,000 to $100,0000 available to qualifying businesses. Details are at mccinvest.org/salem.  Annual Menorah Lighting will be done live online this year. Saturday December 12 th at 7pm. Follow along at @NSJewish on Facebook or via Zoom using the link in the announcement at www.salem.com/news. Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 13, 2021, 7:00 p.m. Adjourned: 7:40 p.m.