Salem Harbor Port Authority

MEETING MINUTES: November 7, 2024 A public meeting of the Salem Harbor Port Authority was convened at 5:00 pm via Zoom web conference. Members present: Kathy Winn (Chair), Fred Atkins, Mayor Pangallo, and Captain Fred Ryan, Councilor Cindy Jerzylo Others Present: Capt. Bill McHugh – Harbormaster, Daniel Collins – Planning Department Call to Order Ms. Winn called the meeting to order at 5:00pm. Capt. McHugh outlined the format for the meeting, indicating that members of the public may provide comments during the period of the meeting designated for public comment. Salem High School CTE / CTI Presentation Mario Sousa, Salem High School Career and Technical Education Director, was present. Mr. Sousa summarized the purpose of the program which is bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry needs, preparing students for careers in high-demand sectors. Salem High School offers a variety of programs including automotive service technologies, building and property management, carpentry, culinary arts, early education and care, electrical, graphic arts and visual communications, medical assisting, and programming and web development. Examples provided included connecting automotive to marine technologies, construction to green technologies, and culinary arts to sustainable farming. Mr. Sousa discussed the efforts to expand green technology training at the high school, which includes a MassCEC grant to establish a dedicated training facility focused on green technologies. This will provide new learning opportunities for wind, solar, and geothermal industries and it supports Massachusetts’ efforts to support a green energy workforce. Mr. Sousa noted that Crowley has been a partner and sits on their advisory board. He said some of the classes have started. The grant will allow them to solidify the curriculum and build a facility with training equipment at the high school to support more students. He discussed the expansion of automotive work to marine services and said they have several outboard motors and boats for the students to become familiar with. He said the program’s goal is to enable students to gain an entry level job at one of the small businesses in Salem. He said there are over 90 students engaged in internships right now. Mayor Pangallo inquired as to whether there will be additional internships through the grant, and Mr. Sousa said there would be. He expects that internships/continuing education will be available for adults as well. Captain McHugh offered boating experiences to Mr. Sousa and outboards that could be used by students. He added that there is a huge opportunity for marine mechanics right now, and that the work that Mr. Sousa is doing is helping to facilitate these opportunities. Mr. Sousa said they are engaging with Roxbury Community College, Briston-Plymouth Community College, UMass Amherst, and MA Maritime Academy. There are also some colleges in Louisiana and Texas. There are roughly 40 students in the program now and he hopes that it will expand. The meeting was opened for public comment. Councilor Jeff Cohen, 12 Hancock Street, Ward 5 Councilor, expressed strong support for the program, and talked about how much solar and wind have expanded job opportunities. He is interested in being able to tie the history of Salem with good employment opportunities which can be very lucrative. Councilor Conrad Prosniewski expressed support for the program and highlighting the work that is being done. He said it is an opportunity for Salem students to have a head start with this industry with not just the wind industry, but also the marine industry. Salem was built on its marine heritage. Captain McHugh said he may be able to offer opportunities through his office and the Salem ferry. Staff/Authority Update Harbormaster Report Captain McHugh reported there is now have the OPM on board and a design team has been selected. Staff is working with the OPM to coordinate the fee proposal to avoid duplicative budgets. Captain McHugh reported that the Ferry carried just under 84,000 passengers this season, which is a record year. He said it may be time to start looking at a capital improvement plan for the ferry to perform a midlife or find another boat. The Bowditch is an efficient boat that everyone likes, but it would be beneficial to have a boat with the capacity to carry 200-250 passengers instead of 149. Captain McHugh will also look at bids for work on the pile coatings. The Landing hosted a celebration. Captain McHugh noted that DHC submitted a request to use the Bowditch out of Lynn for the month of November as a back-up. He said they are still waiting on a couple of deep-water permits, which he expects any day. The Willows Pier is complete and came out very well. The ribbon cutting will be December 2nd. The Kernwood accessibility project is underway. Councilor Jerzylo reported that she has had some complaints about the picnic tables near the ferry, that they were in disrepair. Captain McHugh said he would look into repair or replacement. Mayor Pangallo asked if there were any financial impacts on the City for Lynn’s use of the ferry. Captain McHugh said that Lynn would pay Salem if they used the boat. Public Comment The meeting was opened for public comment. Erika Conklin noted that her daughter is in the marine service program as Salem High School. She is currently on a trip to Key West, learning the sails and star navigation, which has been a wonderful opportunity for her. She worked for the Harbormaster this summer as a pump out girl, and she is hoping to continue her maritime education in college. She feels it would be helpful if Salem High School could offer the Coast Guard certification. Approval of Minutes Captain Ryan made a motion, seconded Mayor Pangallo, to approve the October 10, 2024 Salem Port Authority meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously. Adjournment Captain Ryan made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pangallo, to adjourn the meeting at 5:55pm. The motion passed unanimously. The Salem Harbor Port Authority approved these minutes at the meeting held December 5, 2024. Career & Technical Education Mario Sousa CTE Director Msousa@salemk12.org Tel: 617-642-4193  Salem High School Career Technical Education (CTE) Purpose: Our CTE and CTI programs are designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry needs, preparing students for rewarding careers in high-demand sectors. ● Programs Offered: ○ *Automotive Service Technologies ○ Electrical ○ *Building and Property Management ○ Graphic Arts and Visual ○ Carpentry Communications ○ Culinary Arts ○ Medical Assisting ○ Early Education and Care ○ Programming and Web Development Preparing students for the future by aligning education with real-world industry demands.  Salem High School Career Technical Education (CTE) Connecting Programs to In-Demand Industries Automotive to Marine Service Technologies: ● Expanding skills in diagnostics and repair from land vehicles to marine engines, ensuring students are versatile and job-ready for both automotive and marine industries. Construction Cluster to Sustainable Practices and Green Technology: ● Integrating sustainability into construction through renewable energy technologies like solar, wind, and energy-efficient building materials, preparing students for green technology careers. Culinary Arts to Sustainable Farming with Freight Farms: ● Training students in sustainable farming techniques and local food sourcing, bridging culinary arts with hands-on, eco-friendly agriculture skills. Building strong career pathways by aligning our programs with emerging industry trends and sustainable practices.  Salem High School Career Technical Education (CTE) Expanding Green Technology Training at Salem High School MassCEC Grant Awarded Salem High School received the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) grant to establish a dedicated training facility focused on green technologies. New Learning Opportunities The facility will offer hands-on training in renewable energy systems such as solar, wind, and geothermal, preparing students for careers in sustainable industries. Supporting Clean Energy Workforce This initiative aligns with Massachusetts' commitment to clean energy, fostering a skilled workforce ready to contribute to the growing demand in sustainable fields. Building the future of sustainable careers with hands-on green technology training.