Salem State University Neighborhood Advisory Committee

Salem State University Neighborhood Advisory Committee July 6, 2016 – Minutes Attendees: Richard Riggs, Marcia Lambert, Councillor Josh Turiel (acting Chairman), Ben Szalewicz, Dana Lothrop, Polly Wilbert, Councilllor Steve Dibble Absent: Chairman Dominick Pangallo, Adria Leach, Jack Hoar, Marcia Lambert Guests: Councillor Tom Furey Signed-In Guests: 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Approval of June 1, 2016 Minutes • Approved 3. Construction Updates A. Sophia Gordon Center for the Creative & Performing Arts, (Elizabeth from Daniel O’Connell Construction) • The curtain wall is mostly complete. • Waiting for a few windows on the second floor. • National Grid work has been completed with no reported impact on neighbors. • Concrete trucks will be arriving in the coming weeks and months. • Work will be resuming on Saturdays. • Second floor has received signoff from the building inspector. • Elevator will be delivered next week – large milestone for the project. • Per the request of members at the last meeting, reflective tape has been added to the jersey barriers. o Questions/Comments • Jack asked if the project is still on target for November. – Although there have been small delays the theater will be open for use for students in Spring 2017. • Councillor Dibble asked when the sidewalk would be opened back up to the public. – Elizabeth advised late October early November. Per the building inspector it needs to remain closed until the project is almost complete. • Polly requested to be careful if dust is created during digging and tossing of the concrete. Referenced that the rink folks have been very careful and have been covering their dumpsters. She added they were doing a great job & it is appreciated. B. O’Keefe Center rink replacement – Ben Szalewicz • Work is ongoing with a lot of demo inside. • Cleaning out existing mechanical equipment. • Work is continuing on the slab. • Still on schedule for a fall completion. o Questions/Comments • Councillor Turiel commented the footprint of the work is not as large as he had expected. • Councillor Dibble commented that the university has honored the neighbors’ requests throughout the project.  • Councilor Dibble requested to get the number of parking spots that are assigned to dorm students for his meeting with the residence on Loring Avenue. Ben advised he’d look into that information. C. 287 Lafayette Street – Ben Szalewicz • David has had conversations with the neighbors that have gone well. They have a screening option that goes onto the equipment. • Councillor Turiel added that he has been involved in the discussions with the neighbors and they are happy with the option that has been chosen. 4. Old Business A. Garage Update – Ben Szalewicz • Baffles have been installed on the backside of the garage (South East corner, facing Raymond Ave). Adria and a few other people will meet with the neighbors and look at them to see if the baffles will resolve their concerns. • Going to try to limit cars going to the second floor by adding a barrier. The goal of this is to reduce the amount of times the sensors are triggered to turn on the lights. o Councillor Dibble commented this was a suggestion from a neighbor and he appreciates SSU giving it a try. B. North Campus precinct study – Ben Szalewicz • Adria is working on a memo to create another group of committee members to participate in this study. • Councillor Turiel asked if there is any feedback right now. Ben advised right now they are in the data gathering stage, next big meeting is in August. Councillor Turiel asked for timeframe on study – Ben advised, still on schedule for December. • Councillor Dibble requested that they have two meetings before the final study to allow enough time for public comment. C. Neighborhood disturbances • Captain Riggs advised there was one at 67 Loring Ave that had nothing to do with university. • Councillor Turiel advised there was a lot of trash left out during move out. He suggested that as part of orientation, off campus students are told how to get rid of large items. • Polly is working on developing an informational brochure for students who are living off campus. o Questions/Comments A neighbor requested that the dumpsters are not emptied before 7am. They have been coming around 6:40-6:45. • Ben commented it is an ongoing issue and will be looking into adding contract language potentially adding fines, if they break time regulation. He believes there is a lot that can be done with the contract to solve the problem. He also added it would not interfere with campus operations if they came later. A neighbor suggested a reverse call to students about the trash at the end of the year, and also holding the landlords accountable for the trash that is left. • Councillor Turiel advised a lot of times that they do not know who the landlords are. They are trying to work on resolving that issue on the city side and having landlord registry.  • Every Saturday Councillor Dibble has been walking with the neighbors on different streets. There is not enough parking at central campus so students are parking on Loring Ave. He will be walking the campus to see what can be done on campus to help neighbors (i.e.; adding more trash receptacles, taking care of the debris that is being left). • Bike path will be much safer by mid-August, getting rid of the middle cross walk. • A neighbor advised that because of the bump out on Raymond Road, people are swinging way out to the wrong side of Raymond Road, seems if you put the bump out too far on Raymond Road, people may be swinging into traffic coming the other way. Councillor Dibble advised there will be two properly stripped lanes, to go straight or take a left. White Dove to the university will be repaved. Councillor Dibble does not believe the construction project will have an impact to traffic during the project, but the safety will be much better. • Polly suggested that a sign be added to encourage people to use the crosswalk. Dibble advised that this has been discussed. • A neighbor asked if there has been any further discussion on adding a crossing guard to Raymond Road. Councillor Dibble advised the university has declined to add the crossing guard. o Councillor Dibble requested to have a detail for the first week after the construction is complete. Captain Riggs advised that it is a city street and it would need to be discussed with the SPD. 5. New Business • None - adjourned 6. Next meeting: Wednesday, August 3, 7:00pm Enterprise Center