Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council

Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council - Meeting Minutes Wednesday, December 8, 2021, 7:00 P.M. Called to Order: 7:03 p.m. Members Present: Dick Lindeman, Margaret Crosby, Barbara Mann, Dennis Colbert, Ellie Bloom, Cynthia Jerzylo, Gabriel Ciociola, Flora Tonthat, Nina Cohen Staff Present: Dominick Pangallo (Office of Mayor Driscoll) Approval of November 10, 2021 minutes: Approved Special Guest: Police Chief Lucas Miller gave a post-Haunted Happenings summary reviewing his impressions about how October went this year and possible changes he’d look to make for next year. He touched on the large nature of the crowds, traffic and parking challenges, and noise complaints. Minimal arrests or incidents, though not zero. State and other local law enforcement assets and other resources were a big help, as were the satellite parking lots and some new equipment. Next year he’d like to revise the traffic management plan as a top priority. Members asked about coordination with the Harbormaster, if there were reports of paid parking on public property, use of mounted officers, need for pedestrian crossing officer at Washington and Essex more through the month, coyotes, October resident parking in North Salem, car break-ins, and porch package thieves. Traffic and Parking Director David Kucharsky provided an update on the City’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program. There are currently about 20 applications in process with the department, most going through the initial data collection phase, but a few further along. He discussed the program’s process and criteria for selection, and highlighted forthcoming installations planned for Proctor Street, Bridge Street/Winter Street intersection, Fort Avenue, Mall Street, Columbus Avenue, Broad Street, Valley Street, and Federal Street, and discussed the difference between temporary and permanent elements. Members asked about Bridge Street speeding, LED lights on crosswalk signs, crosswalk lighting, right on red/pedestrian conflicts, a radar speed response sign on Fort Avenue, a request for speed cushions on Washington Square East, and how the new Norman Street/Summer Street roundabout has been functioning. Neighborhood Association Updates: Federal Street: Tree at Beckford and Federal Street is being removed and there may be a way to fold that work into a traffic calming installation. Willows: The Salem Housing Authority is holding a public informational meeting on December 16 th at 5:30pm regarding Leefort Terrace. No December meeting for the association. Barnes/Clark/Wyman: Tropical Products project may require blasting and rock crushing, so there is a degree of concern from neighbors about the level of disruption, given their experience with the Woodlands subdivision project. The project at Highland Avenue and Clark Avenue may also require blasting. Northfields: No December meeting, but there will be a lecture in January about the Burnham-Manning family. Common: Traffic/Accessibility: Waiting to hear back from Traffic Dept after 9/10 meeting: Hoping that: Playground/WSN crosswalks plan will happen including reflective paint. Rubber speed bumps will be in place around Common & on side streets. Rerouting 1A via legislative action to Wash St/Bridge St Ext. Common & Neighborhood Issues: Swing & Surface Repairs: 2 new holes found - following up with DPS. Hawthorne Baluster: Broken for some time now – needs repair. Common Leaf Cleanup. Completed. Raised Benches: Removed from WSN side of Common. Jersey Barriers: Removed from around Common. Upcoming Enhancements on Common: ADA Benches: SHC approved 4 new benches & relocation of others. Date? Fence Restoration: 16 WSN sections reinstall complete. Lighting: SHC has requested fixtures/bulbs similarity Electrician. Date? Arch: Brick pad w/rose inlay, irrigation & sign install now underway. Haunted Happenings on Common: Thanks to Chief Miller & team on safety, ticketing & towing enforcement. Overall refresh of Lawn including possible path expansion needed. Immediate repairs still needed on tire ruts. SCNA Events Common Decorating and Tree Lighting on November 28 th Big success thanks to volunteers & City tree setup crew. Holiday Concert at The Bridge@211 December 19th from 3 to 5 Benefits Salem Food Pantry & The Bridge@211. Winter Brunch at Hawthorne on February 13 th from 11 to 2 Speakers: Councilors Alice Merkl & Caroline Watson-Felt. Visit salemcommon.org/events Chestnut Street: Hamilton Hall dance 12/18. The HSI Christmas Walk was a success, though turnout was a bit lighter than normal. Bridge Street: Interested in tree plantings, possibly Century Tree, at Gonyea Park. City Updates:  Saturday December 18th Stop the Spread testing at Salem High School will be 1-6pm due to the E-waste event, which is that morning from 8am-noon. STS testing has been extended to March 31 st.  In other trash talk: the City now has Terracycle recycling bins at the Annex for a wide variety of materials that aren’t normally recyclable curbside, and will be once again offering discounted $1 trash overflow bags for the holiday season. Visit salem.com/news for details about both. Also, the 2022 curbside collection calendar is now available; it’s being mailed out in bills but can also be found online at salem.com/recycling.  Three exciting open space updates: there will be a community “sneak peek” at the new Forest River Park outdoor recreation facilities on December 18 th 10:30am-12:30pm, free and open to all. The second sculpture garden along the Harbor Connector Path is now open and there will be an artists meet and greet on Friday December 10th at 10AM at Beattie Park. Lastly, there’s a new website with all kinds of information about the Pioneer Village signature park project, now online at salem.com/pioneervillage.  Lastly, the Salem Housing Authority and Beacon Communities will host a free online workshop to share details and collect feedback about the future of Leefort Terrace. It takes place December 16 th from 5:30- 7:30pm. Details can be found at www.leefortterrace.com. Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 12, 2022, 7:00 p.m. Adjourned: 8:07 p.m.