Salem State University Neighborhood Advisory Committee

Salem State University Neighborhood Advisory Committee September 7, 2016 – Minutes Attendees: Chairman Dominick Pangallo, Adria Leach, Ben Szalewicz, Richard Riggs, Marcia Lambert, Dana Lothrop, Jack Hoar, Polly Wilbert, Councillor Steve Dibble, Councillor Josh Turiel Absent: Guests: 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Approval of August 3, 2016 Minutes • Approved 3. Construction Updates A. Sophia Gordon Center for the Creative & Performing Arts - Ben Szalewicz, SSU • Main stage, sprinkler system, electrical & HVAC are almost complete. • Working on dry wall. • Plan to start painting basement level in a few weeks. • Working on the new outdoor ramp. • On schedule to finish project by the end of the year. • Questions/Comments • Adria advised that there had been some concrete chipping done during second shift hours, which has been completed. They are going to be begin installing the new balcony railing which needs to be done during second shift. She does not anticipate any neighborhood impact with this work. • Chairman Pangallo asked about the screens that are being installed in the lobby. Ben advised that there will be one screen installed in the lobby and it is provisioned to have another screen put up. The screen that is going to be installed will be on the left near the box office. The other screen will be on the elevator wall. As of now the second screen has not been purchased. • Jack stated he is concerned about the screen distracting drivers who are heading towards Marblehead. • Marcia asked about the signage for the theater. Ben advised it has not changes since the plans were presented. • Councillor Dibble asked if there is a date when the sidewalks will be installed. Ben advised looking at December. B. O’Keefe Center rink replacement – Ben Szalewicz, SSU • The new rink bed has been poured. • On schedule to have ice made for the beginning of October in anticipation of first hockey practice. C. 287 Lafayette Street – Ben Szalewicz, SSU • Neighbors are waiting on the mockup of the design. 4. Old Business A. Garage Update – Ben Szalewicz, SSU • Baffles for the lights should be in this month. • Garage was 93% full today (9/7/16)  • Questions/Comments • Councillor Dibble asked who is allowed to park in the garage? Adria advised commuter students & Peabody hall resident students (which only account for approximately 10 students) • Dana asked if the new lights that will be going down college drive are solar powered. Ben advised that they are solar powered. • Councillor Dibble asked what happens when the garage is at 100% capacity. Captain Riggs advised the sign on the garage will say full. • Neighbor asked if the lights on the top two floors could be turned off when not being occupied. Adria will look into for next meeting. • Neighbor asked if the garage was open to everyone on the first day of school & how they access it. Adria advised that they have to use a clipper card to open the gate. • Neighbor asked how the parking at O’Keefe was on the first day. Captain Riggs advised there was ample parking at O’Keefe. • Adria asked Chairman Pangallo if the ticketing in the neighborhoods has started yet. Chairman Pangallo will follow up on this. He will also look into if there is a civilian parking enforcement officer that will be doing the ticketing, as done previously. B. North Campus precinct study – Ben Szalewicz, SSU • Will be ready to discuss at the next meeting. • Scheduling interviews with staff & students now that school is back in session. • Neighborhood group meetings will be starting soon. C. Neighborhood disturbances • Marcia commented that the music on the soccer field is extremely loud, and worse than last year. Adria will follow up. • Marcia wanted to commend the campus police for their response to her call about an abandoned black bag she came across. It turned out to be a bag of shingles. She appreciated the work of the campus police on the matter. • Adria advised that Polly & Dana have created a brochure for students living off campus. The brochure is a guide on living in Salem; how to be part of Salem life, how to rent an apartment, etc. It also mentions how students should behave while living in the neighborhoods and what the consequences are for disruptive behavior. The brochure is currently with the SSU marketing department to make it printable and marketable for students. • Jack asked how his neighborhood should handle when students are using their private neighborhood park (Osgood Park). Adria advised that would be a city police issue. • Chairman Pangallo handed out a document titled “Neighborhood Disturbances Protocol” • Questions/Comments • Neighbor commended the students & SSU on a successful student service day. • Adria informed the group the study group is meeting with the Sasaki team on September 20. They will present in October, meet again in November (with the group) & present again in December. 5. New Business A. Introduction of Carla Tharp, Dean of Students • Shared her background:  Brings more than 13 years of experience to the position, most recently serving as associate vice president for student life & development at Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, New Jersey. She has previously held positions in student affairs at Wagner College, Susquehanna University and Seton Hall University. • Focused on communication with the community. • She will be sending a letter out to students living off campus educating them on how to be good neighbors, and that they are expected to follow the code of conduct. B. Distribution of neighborhood members • Chairman Pangallo reviewed the document of Advisory Committee membership. He requested that members review the document for the next meeting and will vote or suggest changes at the next meeting. • Councillor Dibble suggested a document be created of the positions for both committee and university members who should be on the board by title, not by name. • Polly suggested there should be 3 people as representatives from each neighborhood. • Councillor Dibble advised he would like at least 2 from Ward 7. • Chairman Pangallo advised that this is an advisory committee. Members can ask an alternate to come and that alternate does not need to be the same each time. C. Other Business – Questions & Comments • Councillor Turiel stated he has not heard of any issues at 287 Lafayette. He advised he has asked for parking enforcement to go through the neighborhoods and ticket. He also requested more signage to go up at Forest River to enforce parking is only with a Salem Resident sticker. • Polly asked what the student parking sticker cost this year and Councillor Dibble asked for the resident cost as well. Captain Riggs advised; $125 for commuter & $400 for resident. • Councillor Dibble asked for suggestions on how to handle the issue of students parking along Loring Avenue. He said SSU has offered to paint the curb yellow off every driveway for four feet but he is concerned how that will look when the cars are not lined up and down the street. A neighbor suggested that Loring become resident only parking. Councillor Dibble advised they do not want to make it resident only because then the students will just go to different streets (Station, Sumner, Moffat) and then those would need to become resident only. He stated there needs to be a solution on campus for this issue. • Carla stated they would like to start changing behaviors to get students and faculty to walk around campus instead of driving. • Councillor Dibble asked for input from the neighbors attending the meeting on painting the curbs vs going to resident parking – the neighbors were split on the decision. • Polly suggested taking a survey for students parking on Loring Ave and asking if they have parking stickers. The survey would determine if students are parking there because its closer to classes or because they are trying to avoid paying for a sticker. • Chairman Pangallo stated this conversation should be continued at the South Salem Neighborhood meeting.  • Councillor Dibble thanked the University for their support and offer to paint the curbs yellow. • Councillor Dibble advised that the bump out project is almost complete. He shared the neighbors are very happy, and thanked SSU for putting up the fence so quickly. Councillor Dibble shared that he has observed the crossing patterns and noticed the students are walking to the cross walk but the staff are not. Adria advised they will address it with the staff. • Councillor Turiel commended the bump out project. • Adria asked about the flashing beacon light. Councillor Dibble stated they have been ordered and should be installed soon. • A neighbor asked for extra enforcement to come to the area to help with traffic and crossing until people are used to the new pattern. Councillor Dibble advised he would call the Salem Police and ask. He asked Captain Riggs if the campus police could help. Captain Riggs advised because it is a city street the SPD would have to do it. 6. Next meeting: Wednesday, October 5, 7:00pm Enterprise Center