Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council

Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council - Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 8, 2023, 7:00 P.M. Called to Order: 7:02 p.m. Members Present: Councillor Alice Merkl, Wendy Meigs, Dennis Colbert, Nina Cohen, Amy McKeehan, Richard Lindeman, Gabriel Ciociola, Hope Staff Present: Chris Sicuranza (Office of the Mayor), Ilene Simmons (City Clerk) Approval of January 11, 2022, minutes: Approved Special Guests: Chris Sicuranza Introduced Ilene Simmons, who discussed the Special Preliminary Election being held on March 28th, 2023 and how neighborhoods could participate by mail and other related semantics to special election for the mayoral race. Neighborhood Association Updates:  Salem Common: 1st Muster on April 22nd – notification for neighbors, request for repainting and work in area of Commons beforehand. DPS follow-up to indicate status.  Dennis – Electronic waste notice  Chestnut Street: no updates.  Barnes/Clark/Wyman: sand barrels missing from two streets; illegal dumping of a cabinet on Barnes Road; cement trucks leaving Tropical Products site still leaving debris on Highland Avenue.  Bridge Street Neck: new cinderblock wall at 11 Northey Street obstructing access to neighbor at 15 Northey Street.  Historic Derby Street: reorganized with new leadership.  Federal Street: eager for return of the speed cushions; flooding on Bridge Street during the last king tide; concerns about the proposed ADU ordinance changes; grateful for the free COVID tests; the Hot Chocolate in the Square event is being held on a date TBD depending on weather. City Updates:  Happy International Women’s Day, special proclamation today.  Salem Acting Mayor Robert McCarthy announced today that spring street sweeping will begin on Salem’s entrance corridors on Tuesday, March 21 through March 30 and continue into residential neighborhoods beginning on Monday, April 3 and running through May 5.  Salem Film Fest 2023 is occurring March 23 to April 2 in person and virtual, salem film fest.com   The city will be hosting a planning seminar. Your feedback is needed! Join a public forum on Phase II renovation plans for Salem Willows on March 14 at 6:30. Its about Trees! and access, and pedestrian circulation, and resilience, and Trees!, From the pier to the historic entrance gate, it's time to tackle phase II. Public forum for the ongoing Open Space and Recreation Plan update on January 24th at 6:30pm. Join online at https://publicinput.com/salemosrp. There’s also a survey there that will be open through March 22nd.  SalemRecycles’ Free Book Swap returns to the Community Life Center at 401 Bridge Street on Saturday, March 18 from 10:00am-1:00pm! Swapping isn't necessary -- you may donate, take away, or both.  The Salem Meet & Eat is a community meal program that the City partners on with the nonprofit Root. It occurs the 2nd Weds of the month at the Saltonstall School and the 4th Thurs at the Community Life Center.  CodeRED hiccups / snow emergency information at salem.com/snow  Bomb hoax Dennis – electronic waste Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 7:00 p.m. Adjourned: 7:49 p.m.