Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council

Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council - Meeting Minutes Wednesday, October 12, 2022, 7:00 P.M. Called to Order: 7:04 p.m. Members Present: Margaret Crosby, Nina Cohen, Dennis Colbert, Barbara Mann, Flora Tonthat, Lisa Peterson, Gabriel Ciociola, Ellie Rounds Bloom, Hope Carpenter Staff Present: Dominick Pangallo (Office of Mayor Driscoll) Approval of September 14, 2022, minutes: Approved Special Guests: Kate Fox (Destination Salem) and Chief Lucas Miller (Salem Police Department) spoke about the plans for Haunted Happenings, marketing, events taking place this month, the new Destination Salem information center, and public safety planning for Halloween. They took questions from members about traffic and parking and special programs for the month. Neighborhood Association Updates:  Historic Derby Street: Monitoring progress of the offshore wind terminal project, Crowley purchase of land completed last week.  Chestnut Street: Been holding family events at Chestnut Street Park and Hamilton Hall more recently, including Saturday morning events being organized by Hamilton Hall. Plug for Cinema Salem!  Barnes/Clark/Wyman: Issues with traffic signal timing at Traders Way, Barnes Road, and Old Village Drive, especially bad since the state repaving project. Trucks leaving the Tropical Products site not being washed down and leave debris on Highland Avenue.  Greater Endicott Street: Maintenance hole cover on Endicott Street not set right. Coyotes seen along Pratt Street and increased rat numbers on Pratt, Endicott, and Winthrop.  Broad Street Park: Block party in September was a success. Paving needed on Broad Street from Jackson Street to Flint Street.  Common: Hoping for addition of speed humps on Washington Square. Working to get a Little Free Library on the Common. Last few weeks brought the Food Truck Festival, Hocus Pocus 2 and movie screenings, and marketplace; Kids Fun Fest is up next. Holiday party 12/18 at Bridge at 211. State funds secured to complete the Washington Arch carvings, working with the City to access and complete the project.  North Street Northfields: Group is looking for a co-chair. Restriping work is underway along North Street. Concerns about impacts to the neighborhood from traffic due to the planned bridge closures in Beverly, especially Kernwood.  Bridge Street Neck: Northey Street needs paving. Curtis Park design process starting, but concerns remain about status of Gonyea Park improvements. Looking for a meeting location. Traffic speeding concerns around the curve near the bridge and two problem properties to report to the City for action. City Updates:   Salem residents can ride Bluebikes for free in October. To get your code to ride for free, contact Transportation Planner Brendan Linard at blinard@salem.com.  The Board of Health is still providing free rapid COVID tests to anyone who lives or works in Salem. Up to three boxes of tests per person are available as long as supplies last, at 98 Washington Street, 3 rd floor during City business hours.  As a reminder, you can dial 3-1-1 from any phone in Salem and, during City business hours, you’ll be connected to a live operator who can answer questions about City services and programs, take reports about issues or requests for City services, and more.  Textile recycling drive takes place in Riley Plaza on November 19 th from 8am to 1pm. You can also schedule a free curbside pick-up of your textile recycling by visiting www.helpsy.co/pickup Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 9, 2022, 7:00 p.m. Adjourned: 7:58 p.m.