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4-28-15 Minutes
Salem Beautification Committee
Meeting Minutes
4/28/15

In attendance: Marc Berube, Lisa Lyons, Ellen Talkowsky, Sandi Power, Sam Fiore, Judith Wolfe, Mary Ellen Halliwell, Bev Moustakis, Barbara Sirois.
Guests: Tim Jenkins, Councillor Legault

Meeting Start at 7:05 pm

1.  Approval of Minutes - 3/24/2015 Meeting

DISCUSSION:

  • A question was posed as to whether there are any comments/changes on the minutes being submitted by Sandi Power for the 3/24/15 meeting?
  • There were no comments or changes.
MOTION:

Motion made to approve minutes from 3/24/2015 meeting, seconded and all in favor. Minutes approved as received.

2.  Clean Salem, Green Salem  

DISCUSSION:

  • Lisa reviewed our plans for Saturday, May 2nd.  Our base for the BCOM clean up will be Lafayette Park and group to meet at 8:15 am.
  • Sandi suggested for BCOM to give volunteers trash bags to pick up drains and trash up Lafayette Street and to Riley Plaza. Sandi will bring the garbage bags.
Flyer distribution up Lafayette Street on 4/29/15.
Ellen will get supplies for pizza lunch.
Sam will get gloves for volunteers.
Steve’s Market will donate bananas.
Flying Saucer will donate pizza.
Volunteer sign up sheet on the BCOM table.
Signage will be created to thank sponsors.
Councillor Legault reported that neighborhood groups will be at the train station and Furlong Park. Invitations have been sent to Keep Salem Clean email list to participate in the clean up.  CLG has funds to plant flowers in front of the council on aging on Broad Street.  Will also provide mulch for this planting area. Will be looking for 5 – 6 other projects to do this summer.
  • Ellen reported that she has participation response from 5 – 6 groups.  Counselor Heather Famico will have a group for clean up in Ward 2. Phil Blackwell and group will clean the service island. Collins Middle School will have 30 kids to participate. Salem Sound will be doing a beach.  Other city clean ups are going happening with other city groups on dates other than May 2nd.
  • Our BCOM table to be ready on the Common at 7:45 am.
  • Any questions beyond tonight please contact Lisa.
3.  Plant Sale

DISCUSSION:
  • Decided to have one-day plant sale on Saturday, May 16.
  • 9 am to 1 pm.
  • Darlene to supply flowers throughout the day as needed.
  • Marcia needs help repotting for plants for sale. Marcia recorded volunteers.
  • Coffee Time to supply coffee and pastries for the BCOM group.
  • Ellen has signage for costs of plants to be sold, all laminated.
  • Sandi has different colored Popsicle sticks with prices on them for plants to be sold.
  • Ellen suggested a meeting the week prior to 5/16 to discuss last minute details. Ellen will coordinate.
  • BCOM to be ready and set up at 7:30 am on the Common.
  • John from Darlene’s can deliver balloons along with the flowers.
  • Sign-up for the window box competition will be available on the BCOM table.
  • Raffle update: Marc Berube will donate a $25 Gift Certificate to Darlene’s for the raffle.
Set up crew: Marc, Lisa, Bev, Sam, Judith, Barbara.
Break down crew: MaryEllen and anyone hanging out at the end of the day.
Flyers: Ellen will update and email to the group.
  • Bring scarves on this day for the Ladies of Salem for the city’s June Art Project.
4. Traffic Islands

DISCUSSION:

  • The regular volunteer group has been out to clean up all gardens at Riley Plaza, The Chimney Co. island, Loring Square Island, and the small garden in the back of the Loring Square bus stop.  Riley Plaza gardens will get another visit this Friday.  
  • Updates to the MOU and transmittal letter for 2015 are in the works.  They will hopefully be sent out this Friday or on Monday.  Who can assist with the mailing? Volunteers recording by Sandy.
  • Regarding the decision to provide maintenance to downtown traffic islands, downtown sponsors ServePro, BLC, and Lafayette Park sponsor Gorilla have been contacted about re-enlisting and signing on to maintenance at $75.  Gorilla is on board, BLC had already opted out of the program, and ServePro has not yet responded.  Already subscribed are HMA, The Chimney Co. and all garden sponsors at Riley Plaza, Verizon on Canal  
5. Mill Street Island Project

DISCUSSION:
  • Marc reviewed the project plan steps from last meeting.
  • Ellen and Marc presented the project plan, cost estimates, Tom’s recommendations and next steps.  
The project estimate of $2500 was reviewed with the group.  Costs include: mulch, pea stones, loam, flowers, labor for the DPW workers and Police detail as well as the parts to restore the water connection for the drip system.  
The group approved the plan, design and budget.
Some BCOM Members will visit Northeast Nursery the week of 5/4/15 to select the plants for the pots as well as the peastones.
  • Potential project start dates are 5/16/15 or 5/31/15.  Tom will determine the actual start date for the work on the island due to scheduling and availability of the DPW crew and the materials.
MOTION:

A motion was made to spend/create a PO for this BCOM project, not to exceed $2500 for labor, supplies and plants. The motion was seconded and all in favor.

6. Lady of Salem

DISCUSSION:
  • Figurehead repair- 2 Ladies being remounted to backboards.~ Boys&Girls Club Lady under review. Cost TBD.
  • Revise placement on Essex Street Pedestrian Mall.  Relocate 3 figureheads from Derby St. to Pedestrian Mall. Provide Ellen with location map before 5/22.
  • June Art Festival Launch: Install May 25-29 OR June 1-4...set Date w/DPW and team.
  • June Art Fest. textile inspired theme will feature Ladies adorned with: knitted/crocheted scarves.
  • Contacted Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets regarding Lady of Salem participation.
  • Next Lady of Salem meeting TBD the weeks of 5/12 or 5/19.  Will discuss Art Festival and summer events.
  • ~Ordered Lady of Salem “travelling” Figurehead.
MOTION:
Motion to not exceed $200 for repairs of broken Ladies of Salem, seconded and all in favor

7. Old/New Business

DISCUSSION:
  • Deborah Greel, leading a planting design team for Artists Row, has asked the BCOM to help contribute funds for the project. Request was in the range of $200 – 400.  BCOM needs to decide how much we’ll contribute in support of their project.  The group decided on donating $150 for the project.
  • Tom O’Shea is working with a sheet metal fabricator to see if something can be designed to cover the electrical/utility box cover on the Home Deport Island.  Sandi will be investigating another option in Peabody where they may be able to make a cover for the box.
  • Please bring books and magazines for the Plant Sale to be included in the raffle basket.
  • BCOM group members need to volunteer for Meeting Minutes Taking open dates for the remainder of the year.
  • New business: Sandi discussed the potential need for a PO for approximately $200 (for Thompson’s) to purchase mulch for Islands. Will discuss further and decide at a later date.
MOTION:
Motion to contribute $150 in support of the Artist Row request for their planting project, was seconded and all in favor, with the condition that we receive plan for some PR for the contribution.

Concluding comments by Tim Jenkins re: the amount of alcohol nip bottles that contribute to the ongoing litter problem in Salem.

Respectfully submitted,

Marc Berube