Salem State University Neighborhood Advisory Committee

Salem State University Neighborhood Advisory Committee August 3, 2016 – Minutes Attendees: Chairman Dominick Pangallo, Adria Leach, Ben Szalewicz, Richard Riggs, Marcia Lambert, Dana Lothrop, Jack Hoar, Liz Vago (sitting for Polly Wilbert) Absent: Councillor Steve Dibble, Councillor Josh Turiel, Polly Wilbert Guests: Mark Swingle 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Approval of July 6, 2016 Minutes • Approved, as amended 3. Construction Updates A. Sophia Gordon Center for the Creative & Performing Arts, (Mark Swingle, DCAM) • Curtain wall is all the way up, just need to add some trim pieces. • All windows on the second floor are in. • National Grid will be adding permanent power next week. o No impact to neighbors expected • Saturday work is expected to take place on most weekends. • Elevator construction is underway. • Interior work is ongoing. o Building walls o Painting second floor o HVAC installation o Plumbing is mostly complete, tiling to begin soon o Constructing the seating Steel will be delivered for this portion • A lot of exterior work will be going on in next couple of months o Courtyard work to begin • Questions/Comments • Jack asked if there had been any changes to the sign. Adria advised the final design had been previously presented to the committee and no changes have occurred. • Jack asked about nighttime lighting, specifically in regards to the room with floor to ceiling windows & if there could potentially be cocktail parties in there. o Ben commented that there are black out shades for the windows. It is a rehearsal room and could be used as a practice theater. Also that there could be cocktail receptions in the room, as it is a multi-functional room. He also stated if no one is using that room, then the lights will not be on. • Liz asked if the exterior work will be completed in August. Mark advised it will go through the fall. • Jack asked for an update on the large TV screens that were going to be in the lobby, and asked if they would be visible from the street. Ben advised that there is power in the wall to allow for a screen. It is on the left wall (if you are facing the theater). Jack expressed concern of the placement of the screen and how it may impact traffic. Adria stated she will look into the screen placement and provide an answer.  • Dana advised the jersey barrier at the old entrance has been removed. He requested that the jersey barrier or cones be put back up. He stated this is a big safety concern. B. O’Keefe Center rink replacement – Ben Szalewicz • Project is on schedule. • All the old concrete has been dug out. o Should be ready to start pouring slab by the end of the month. • Plan is to have the ice back up by early October. • Questions/Comments o Dana asked how many parking spaces will be lost. Ben advised as of right now, they are hoping for none. Ben also stated the fence needs to be gone for when students come back for the fall. C. 287 Lafayette Street – Ben Szalewicz • Ben stated he received an email update from David with another sketch of the design. He commented everything is going forward and David is working with the neighbors. • Questions/Comments o Marcia asked if anything has been changed with the signs. Adria advised the sign post has been painted as requested by the historical committee. 4. Old Business A. Garage Update – Ben Szalewicz • The baffles were well received. 40 more have been ordered and are about six weeks out. • Fire hydrant is being replaced as part of the original project plan. • Questions/Comments o Chairman Pangallo asked if the baffles will be here & installed for when students arrive back. Ben does not think they will be here in time, but very close. B. North Campus precinct study – Ben Szalewicz • Another meeting took place with the designers. They will be attending the October and December meetings. • Adria is working with the mayor on getting a neighborhood group together to advice on the project. o Adria will send out a voting poll to determine the best meeting date. o Chairman Pangallo stated all resident committee members will be invited to join the group. • Questions/Comments o Liz asked what area (how far down Lafayette & Loring) is being looked at for the study. Ben advised the North Campus area is the focus of the study. Ben stated Sasaki has created a map of the area that will be studied and it is posted on the construction blog. C. Neighborhood disturbances • None • Questions/Comments o Chairman Pangallo asked when students move in. Adria advised Labor Day weekend. As an incentive for students to move in early, on September 2nd SSU will have a service day. One of the ideas is to have  a South Salem Neighborhood clean-up day. Adria and Chairman Pangallo will discuss details off line. • Adria informed the group that Shawn Newton has moved on to Assistant Dean at Suffolk. o Carla Tharp is the new Dean of Students at SSU and will introduce herself at the September meeting. • Jack asked about the bump out project and the removal of an existing crosswalk. o Chairman Pangallo will check with the engineer about the timing of the crosswalk being removed. • Liz asked the request for a crossing guard be revisited even for the short term while people get used to the new cross walk pattern. 5. New Business A. Rotation and distribution of neighborhood members • Discussion postponed until fall B. Weekly litter clean – up • SSU’s facilities team will begin picking up litter one day per week on neighborhood streets. • Ben talked about the need to help contain the litter from students. Ben presented a map of which streets would be on patrol for the litter clean up. (map is on construction blog) Chairman Pangallo asked when this would start. Ben advised when school starts in the fall. • Liz asked if there are clearly placed recycling and trash receptacles around. Ben advised the older parts of campus only have a trash can but the new facilities have trash and recycling. He stated they are looking to go to one stream recycling. • Dana asked if Raymond Road is in the plan for litter pick- up. Ben advised it is not right now, but added the bike path is. 6. Next meeting: Wednesday, September 7, 7:00pm Enterprise Center