Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council

City of Salem, Massachusetts Mayor Dominick Pangallo Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council - Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 13, 2024, 7:00 P.M. Called to Order: 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Dennis Colbert, Lucy Corchado, Danielle Hanrahan, Tom Kusterer, Wendy Meigs, Louis Sirianni Staff Present: Lisa Peterson (Office of the Mayor) Special Guests: Stacy Kilb – City of Salem Sustainability Engagement Coordinator and Energy Coach Barbara Warren – Salem Sound Coastwatch Darlene Melis – Salem Tree Commission Approval of 2/14/24 Minutes (Dennis Colbert moves, Tom Kusterer Seconds): 5 – 0 – 1, minutes approved. Stacy Kilb, Sustainability Engagement Coordinator and Energy Coach, City of Salem Presentation: • Stacy is the City of Salem’s Energy Coach. She discussed the National Grid Energy Bill Review. Dynegy is the current supplier. Residents should recognize the name “Powerchoice” which all have the opportunity to “opt out” of (by law it is “opt out”), and there are three tiers to choose from. The City is on the last year of its contract. All should watch out for “third party suppliers” and know that Powerchoice will never come to your door or call you. You can visit EnergyswitchMA.gov to compare options. • The City is looking for people to do a heat pump training in the next year. • There is a document shredding and e-waste event on March 23rd at the Horace Mann School. • There are Energy Coach office hours coming up, including from 9:30-11:00am on the 4th Wednesday of the month at the CLC. Barbara Warren, Salem Sound Coastwatch Update: • Winter Island Park Pathway and Bank Restoration • There is a Salem Public Input Page with project updates • Looking at Coastal Erosion, and some paths have had to close (winter storms have washed away some due to erosion) • Residents can reach Barbara with questions at barbara.warren@salemsound.org. Darlene Melis, City of Salem Tree Commission Update: • The Commission is looking for places to plant Century Trees (see the Tree Commission webpage for more info). Neighborhood Association Updates: • Barnes Clark Wyman Neighborhood Association (Bill Colbert): They have been submitting requests on SeeClickFix and generally that has been working. They need lines painted on Highland Ave turning onto Clark. They also need brush cut back across from 26 Clark Street along Barnes road.  • Downtown Neighborhood Association (Tom Kusterer): He raised a question about the best way to report things like an oil slick in the river. • Historic Derby Street Neighborhood Association (Wendy Meigs): They are going to be holding a trivia night at Couch Dog Brewery on Monday, March 25 – details are on their neighborhood Facebook page. In her role with the Salem Film Fest, she has two tickets to the Film Fest per neighborhood to give away. She will be in touch with neighborhood chairs. • Essex Street Neighborhood Association (Louis Sirianni): This neighborhood association is kicking back off after a year and a half. They are planning block parties and discussing tours. • Federal Street Neighborhood Association (Danielle Hanrahan): They are planning their annual meeting. There has been flooding down on Bridge Street (this last time the ramp down from North was not blocked) – signage ahead of storms is important. The neighborhood is giving lots of feedback to the Traffic and Parking Department regarding traffic calming measures. • Point Neighborhood Association (Lucy Corchado); Janelle Rolke is coming to their next neighborhood meeting to speak with them (March 25). The neighborhood is generally concerned about the Shetland proposal. • [EMAILED NOTES – Unable to Attend]: o Chestnut Street Neighborhood Association (Nina Cohen): At February meeting, Andy Lippman re-elected as Chair (and a new slate of officers elected). Maintenance of Chestnut Street Park, a private garden for public use, is ongoing, and is a major responsibility of the street association. They will also work with the City to design permanent traffic calming measures similar to the bumps and planters that were installed on a temporary basis during the past 3 seasons, as they have been successful in reducing excessive speeds on the street. NIAC members are welcome to come by and tour the Phillips House, which is open to the public between Memorial Day and November 1, from Thursday through Sunday. It is a wonderful tour of a turn of the century mansion owned by prominent Salem families, with a history stretching back to the early 1800s. Visitors tend to mss the Phillips House and make a beeline for Essex Street to see the Hocus Pocus (Ropes) house. Phillips House, while not featured in a cult movie, is more interesting! Also, don’t believe everything overheard on walking tours. There’s a lot of misinformation. o Salem Common Neighborhood Association (Dennis Maroney): Dennis Maroney stepped down and Micah Hapworth is the new chair – hopefully they will be able to attend next month, there was a conflict for today’s meeting. City Updates: • February 28, the Mayor’s Office held the 2nd edition of the Mobile Mayor’s Office at Salem State University. • February 24, the City of Salem Human Rights Coalition held a community Black History Month event that included remarks from some community members, songs, poems and history lessons by a re-enactor portraying Charlotte Forten Grimke about why her legacy matters in Salem today. There was an interactive drum circle and talk by local artist Greg Coles, and art by students from several Salem Public Schools. • MassCEC, Crowley Wind Services and the City of Salem closed on the agreement for site improvements and transfer of ownership for the Salem Offshore Wind Terminal. The Community Benefits Agreement was also signed, which has some exciting benefits to the Salem Community with a value of nearly $9 Million dollars. Thanks to all who contributed to that process. • The City of Salem’s proposal to join the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities was accepted. This will help us ensure that Salem kids have access to nutritious meals in the Summer, reduce barriers to participation and involve community members in federal assistance programs and create environments that support healthier choices.  • The Scholarship and Education Committee’s 2024 Scholarship application is now available. Please help us spread the word to any Salem student planning to attend higher education for the first time this Fall. • Our office announced the selection committee from the inaugural Salem Poet Laureate. Interested residents will be able to apply to be the city’s first poet laureate anytime between April 1 and May 31 – watch the City’s website for details! Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 7:00 p.m. Adjourned.