Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, January 9, 2013
7:00 p.m.
120 Washington Street, 3rd Floor
Members Present: Lucy Corchado, Linda Haley, Dorothy Hayes, Pat Liberti, Leslie Limon, Barbara Mann, Perry McIntosh, Rose Mary O’Connor, Jerry Smith
Staff Present: Jason Silva, Kristian Hoysradt (Mayor’s Office)
Salem Police Department K-9 Unit Visit: NIAC was visited by Salem Police Officer Steve Salvo and the newest addition to the Salem PD, Turbo. The K-9 Unit will be used for tracking, crowd control, patrolling, apprehending criminals and searching for drugs.
Mayor’s Chief Aide: This will be Jason Silva’s final NIAC meeting. He will leave on February 9th to become the new Executive Director of the Salem YMCA. He enjoyed working with NIAC throughout the years and is sure to keep in touch with everyone through the Y. Mayor Driscoll has yet to fill the position.
Salem Finance Director: Long-time Salem Finance Director Rich Viscay has moved on to become CFO of the City of Everett. The position has been posted and Richard’s last day will be on January 18th.
DPW Director: The city is still in the midst of the interview process, but they have identified several finalists and hope to fill the position soon.
Salem Boards & Commissions: The Mayor’s Office is looking to fill vacant positions on various Boards & Commissions. Please direct anyone interested in serving to the Mayor’s Office for an application.
2014 Capital Improvement Projects: The Mayor’s Office has asked NIAC members to submit any neighborhood priority proposals over $25,000 before February.
Bertram Field Renovation: The City received a $400K PARC Grant from the State to help with the cost for a new synthetic field to be laid at Bertram Field. The track may also be replaced during this renovation. The School Committee will take this issue up during the first week of February.
Halloween 2012: The city earned $293K in revenue which was better than 2011 – the vast majority due to parking and licensing fees.
Power Plant Update: Mayor Driscoll is putting together a stakeholders group who will help advise the development and transition of the site from a coal-powered plant, to natural gas.
Senior Center Development: Mayor Driscoll is looking to revive the Senior Center Development proposal this year now that the problem with financing has been worked out with the developer. This initially prevented the project’s fruition in 2009.
Trash Barrels: NIAC has requested that numerous trash barrels removed for the winter, be replaced. The Mayor’s Office will contact DPW to see if this is possible, but they are strongly opposed to winter usage due to increased household garbage dumps.
Universal Steel Site: This site will be paved and ready for parking just about the time the MBTA closes the Salem station parking lot to begin garage construction. The Mayor’s Office will keep NIAC notified of upcoming public hearings.
NIAC Requests: Jerry Smith has requested a yield sign installed at Brown and Washington Street. Dorothy Hayes has requested a sensor placed at the Essex/North Street traffic lights. The Mayor’s Office will work on these requests.
NIAC Meeting Agenda Additions: Approval of minutes, public introduction and public comment. Kristian will add these to the next NIAC agenda.
Adjournment: 8:05 p.m.
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