Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council

Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council - Meeting Minutes Wednesday, December 21, 2022, 7:00 P.M. Called to Order: 7:05 p.m. Members Present: Wendy Meigs, Dennis Colbert, Lucy Corchado Staff Present: Dominick Pangallo (Office of Mayor Driscoll) Approval of November 9, 2022, minutes: Approved Special Guests: Mayor Driscoll joined to thank NIAC members for their work with her over the years and wish them a happy holiday season. Mike Lilley of the Salem Pantry shared a presentation about the Pantry’s work, who they serve, their new storefront space being built out in the Point, and how people can get involved and volunteer, or access their services. He took questions from the members about new facility and about work the Pantry does to support Salem public school families. Neighborhood Association Updates:  Barnes/Clark/Wyman: Tropical Products has completed their rock crushing as per their permit. Neighborhood is hoping sand barrels can be returned to the same locations as they had been in the past before bad weather arrives.  Point: Met with the Crowley offshore wind terminal team in November. Shetland Park community meeting took place at the Salem Academy gym. Advocating for the neighborhood traffic calming program to expand the temporary speed bumps to include Salem Street next year.  Historic Derby Street: Pretty quiet month. The offshore wind project is moving through permitting and the association is keeping tabs on that. The new National Park Service superintendent starts in January and will be invited to a future meeting to introduce herself. City Updates:  The City issued a reminder about rules regarding parking during a snow emergency and snow removal. All the important information for residents can be found at www.salemma.gov/snow.  The City has directed a half million of our ARPA funds to boost the heating assistance program for income-qualifying Salem residents. To find out if you qualify and apply, please call NSCAP at 978-548- 5706.  Salem residents may purchase official Orange Overflow trash bags for $1 per bag for any holiday overflow. Each household may purchase up to 5 bags, through January 6, 2023, during regular City office hours at the Collector’s Office (93 Washington Street), the Community Life Center (401 Bridge Street), and the Department of Public Services (5 Jefferson Avenue).  The Community Preservation Committee is now accepting eligibility applications for the next round of CPA grants. Interested applicants can find information and links to apply at www.salemma.gov/community-preservation-committee. The deadline to apply is January 3rd.   The annual Christmas Tree bonfire takes place at Dead Horse Beach on January 6 th at 6pm, with a rain date of January 7th. You can bring your tree, leave it at the beach after January 2 nd, or put it out curbside the week of January 2nd. Curbside tree pick-up will also take place the week of January 9 th.  The Curative PCR COVID testing site in Riley Plaza will close at the end of the year. The City is still distributing free rapid test kits – five boxes per person – for residents and for people who live in Salem. These can be picked up at the Health Department at City Hall Annex or at the Community Life Center during City business hours. The wastewater surveillance testing at SESD will continue through the entirety of 2023. Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 11, 2023, 7:00 p.m. Adjourned: 7:38 p.m.