Salem Beautification Committee
Meeting February 25, 2014
Minutes
Present: Chairperson Barbara Swartz, Sam Fiori, Mary Ellen Halliwell, Lisa Lyons, Sandra Power via Skype, Barbara Sirois, Judith Wolfe, Absent: Marcia Lambert, Bev Moustakis, Ellen Talkowsky
Meeting was called to order at 7:05 P.M.
1. Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held February 25, 2014, were approved as written.
2. South Salem traffic improvement project: City Engineer David Knowlton reported that Canal Street is the focus of three City projects. Improvement and repair of the drain pipes associated with the Street has been completed. Mitigation of flooding problems is in progress. He then introduced to representatives from the AECOM firm which has been contracted to landscape the two traffic islands located on Canal Street. One island at Mill Street and the other at the junction of Jefferson Ave., Loring Ave. and Canal Streets. The goals, methodology, plantings, schedule and financing were addressed in detail and questions were answered. The O’Keefe memorial is to be relocated and there will be in ground irrigation.
3. Volunteer Sub-Committee: The creation of a new sub-committee chaired by a Beautification Committee member that would be responsible for getting and working with volunteers was discussed. Current ongoing enlistment and other volunteer recruitment activities were described. Members were asked to consider the proposal for consideration in a future meeting.
4. March Public Relations Campaign: Creation of Flyers, “Save the Date Cards,” notices in the Salem Patch, were among the many ideas considered. Further, meetings with various civic organizations together with invitations plus incentives to join in Committee activities that are designed to benefit the city were suggested.
5. Traffic Islands: It was reported that the first contacts with Traffic Island project participants will be made in late March.
6. Clean Salem, Green Salem: The event will take place on May 3rd. and will be based on the Salem Common together with the Recycling Committee event. NIAC will be contacted and encouraged to create local interest and activity in accomplishing the “clean up” goals of the event.
7. Miscellaneous:
a. The Committee’s role in the city’s Banner Project is to be explored.
b. The timing and location of the plants to be hung on the Pedestrian Mall is to be determined.
c. An update on the status of the “Lady of Salem” project was given. The Scarlet Letter Press company will sponsor a “Lady.” The $500.00 fee will be paid for by providing “in kind” printing for the Committee at standard printing cost rates. A written agreement is being developed. A motion requesting that the “Lady of Salem” project be included on all Committee meeting agendas was presented and unanimously adopted.
A Motion to adjourn was proposed and allowed. The meeting adjourned at 8:46 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Judith Wolfe
Next Meeting: March 25, 2014 at 7:00 P.M.
Chairperson: Barbara Swartz
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