Salem Beautification Committee
Meeting February 24, 2015
Minutes
Present: Chairperson Barbara Swartz, Sam Fiore, Marcia Lambert, Lisa Lyons, Sandra Power, Barbara Sirois, Judith Wolfe, Ellen Talkowsky
Absent: Marc Berube, Mary Ellen Halliwell, Bev Moustakis
Visitors: None
Meeting was called to order at 7:09 P.M.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Minutes of the Meeting held on November 17, 2014 were accepted, accommodating one grammatical edit from Sandi about the date of the hanging of the wreaths in November.
Motioned by Sandi, second by Marcia.
2. REMINDERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
New Salem Beautification Appointment: Marc Berube was formally appointed to SBC in January 2015.
SBC Recording Secretary: Judith Wolfe recognized for her eight years serving as recording secretary for the group.
3. NEW RECORDING SECRETARY: Discussion. Open Meeting Law requires minutes be taken. No volunteers identified to take Judith’s place. Idea1/BarbSwartz: rotating secretary – each SBC member takes minutes for one meeting during the year. Idea2/Sandi: reach out to the community for a volunteer- – discussion included: potential difficulty finding a person to volunteer, question about whether a scribe can take notes and not be on the SBC, idea requires further investigation, MOTION to withdraw Idea2 from Judith. This idea will be revisited at March meeting and Ellen will find out if the scribe has to be a committee member.
In the meantime, a rotating volunteer scribe will be in effect. Ellen will create format based on Agenda and include space for topic, discussion. Subcommittees Traffic Island and Lady of Salem will provide rotating scribe with outline of their talking points to facilitate concise note taking.
Motioned by Sandi, second Marcia.
4. UPCOMING EVENTS 2015:
CLEAN SWEEPS: Set a date (MAY 2nd) to coincide with recycling event. Discussion: Raindate and possible dedication cleanup locations (Lappan park, Essex Street, Riley Plaza, Willows, Lafayette Park, Hawthorne Blvd, Salem Common, Ferry area (is still under construction), Train Station, up and down North Street, Front and Charter Streets). Ellen suggested a different type of project to consider, painting benches/other. Reminder about available resources for Clean Sweeps include: Shaws, Bill Legault, Salem State University group. (If we did North Street, we’d want to involve businesses, encourage a more community effort; flyers were distributed to Lafayette Street businesses in 2014. We would have to keep in mind having kids on a busy street/North Street if the student groups
were to help us out).
Location for Clean Sweeps will be decided at March meeting. Members with suggestions should send to Barb Swartz.
Motion approved for May 2nd date and May 3rd rain date.
PLANT SALE: Motioned by Sandi, second Sam. Set a date(s) MAY 16th from 9:00 – 1:00 and MAY 17th from 9:00 – noon (Motion – Judith, second Sandi and Marcia).
Discussion: selling indoor plants this year? Yes!
5. TRAFFIC ISLANDS
No traffic island report, no map at this meeting. Resume planning March 2015.
Forming a Traffic Island Subcommittee
Consider an up to 4-person subcommittee to assist Sandi Power with the coordination of Traffic Islands and volunteers and identify other islands that may need attention in 2015. Discussion: Sam and Barb Sirois committed to Home Depot island and finding support for that island. Possibly have a ‘co-chair/SBC rep’ for Sandi and not a subcommittee. Sandi will give a list of traffic islands being maintained by her and her volunteers. Sandi suggested pursuing fees from Gorilla, ServePro, BHC Painting as they did not maintain their islands in 2014. Sandi has a spreadsheet that identifies business, island, and volunteer for maintenance.
No subcommittee decision at this time.
6. AGENDA 3 – BRAINSTORMING NEW IDEAS 2015
Sam – New Electrical Box for 2015. Status. Ellen will check in with Tom at a later time after snow removal project winds down.
New project for 2015 Mill Street Island – decided in fall of 2014. Questions remain re: how the City will help, water, what are next steps. Encouraged to think BIG! What do we want this site to look like.
What are other areas in the City that can use beautification? Members encouraged to bring ideas to March meeting.
Motion to adjourn 8:40 p.m. Sandi, second Sam.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Lyons
Next Meeting: March 23, 2015 at 7:00 P.M
Chairperson: Barbara Swartz
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