City of Salem Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board or Committee: Redevelopment Authority, Regular Meeting
Date and Time: Wednesday May 13, 2015 at 6:00pm
Meeting Location: Third Floor Conference Room, 120 Washington Street
Members Present: Chairperson Robert Mitnik, Conrad Baldini, Robert Curran, Russell Vickers
Members Absent: Grace Harrington
Others Present: Executive Director and City Planner Lynn Duncan, Economic Development Planner Andrew Shapiro
Recorder: Jennifer Pennell
Chairperson Robert Mitnik calls the meeting to order. Roll call was taken.
Executive Director’s Report
Lynn Duncan opened by noting that she would be providing an update on Old Town Hall, which is now managed by the City, but had been previously managed for several years by Gordon College – a contract that the SRA had originally approved. Deborah Greel, who is also the Public Art Planner in the Department of Planning and Community Development, has been managing the building since July.
Duncan explained that Andrew Shapiro had written a grant application that was funded by the MA Cultural Facilities Fund at $20,000 for the restoration of the building’s windows. The City received the balance of funding from the CPA fund. The project was bid and bids came back extraordinarily high. The City was able to get a second infusion of funding from CPA to cover enough to complete all the second floor windows, and other windows that are most in need of repair (totaling 36 out of 66 windows).
Duncan continued by noting that contractors would begin work on this project in the coming week by removing the project windows and boarding them up. Additional funds to complete the entire project have been requested from the Capital Improvement Budget for fiscal year 2016. Ms. Duncan emphasized the importance of replacing at least the upper floor windows given the presence of the great hall and the opportunity to better accommodate more events that will generate revenue.
She continued by noting that “Cry Innocent” has separated itself from Gordon College and is operating as a 501c3. It has worked out a rental agreement with the City in order to continue to utilize Old Town Hall for performances and rehearsals. The Museum of Salem History, which operates seasonally on the ground level is also forming its own 501c3 and has separated from the College.
Ms. Duncan then moved on to an update regarding the request for proposals (RFP) for the former District Court property. She noted that the RFP has been out for a couple of months and that two amendments had been issued. The proposals are due June 17th, which is a week after the SRA’s June meeting. At the June meeting, the SRA should come up with a strategy around how to review those proposals. Duncan reminded the Board that the top two or three proposers for the Old Salem Jail project were interviewed by the SRA in a public forum; the Board could choose to do the same for this project.
Duncan then explained that more coordination with the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) is needed.
New/Old Business
- 288 Derby Street (Bambolina): Discussion and vote on proposed signage and installation of steel chimney and kitchen exhaust hood on roof.
Documents and Exhibitions:
- Color designs and renderings
- Architectural drawings and plans
Shapiro noted that the proposal is for one building sign to be located above the entrance. The 20 square foot signage would meet the City’s sign ordinance requirements. The proposed sign would be lit with existing lighting fixtures. Shapiro commented that the DRB recommended that the wording located under Bambolina should have more spacing between “hand crafted” and “wood fired pizza,” and that the applicant had complied with that request.
Shapiro noted that the proposal also includes the installation of a steel chimney and kitchen exhaust hood located on the roof of the building. This new element would rise 2’-0” above the existing roof line and align with the window. Shapiro commented that the chimney would not be visible from the street. Shapiro commented that the DRB requested that the chimney element be painted black. The applicant has agreed.
Duncan noted that the word pizza is hard to read. The sign doesn’t identify itself as a restaurant.
Baldini: Motion to approve as recommended by the DRB,
Seconded by Vickers. Passes 4-0.
- 186 Essex Street, Unit #2 (Village Silversmith): Discussion and vote on proposed building sign and A-Frame sign.
Shapiro noted that the proposal is for an awning sign to be located above the storefront. The proposed signage would consist of aluminum with a blue background and would comply with the city sign code. The proposal also includes an A-frame sign. Shapiro noted that the DRB felt comfortable with the A-frame sign’s location and the proposed black-framed chalkboard finish. Shapiro commented that the DRB has approved this proposal.
Curran: Motion to approve as recommended by the DRB,
Seconded by Baldini. Passes 4-0.
- 25 Front Street (Lobster Shanty): Discussion and vote on proposed installation of air-cooled fan unit.
Shapiro noted that the proposal includes the replacement of the existing water-cooled unit that services the refrigerator with a more sustainable air-cooled system. Shapiro commented that the applicant proposes the creation of a 7’-0” x 4’-0” wood platform to mount the unit to the roof. The platform would be painted to match the roof and located on the backside of the building. Shapiro noted that the DRB did approve this proposal.
Vickers questioned if the building inspector should review the proposal because the proposal would be punching a whole in the existing roof. The design might call for something a bit more substantial.
Shapiro agreed that he could consult the building inspector on this project prior to it being implemented.
Vickers: Motion to approve as recommended by the DRB subject to the Building Inspector’s approval,
Seconded by Baldini. Passes 4-0.
- Derby Square and Essex Street Pedestrian Mall: Discussion and vote on proposed Adirondack chairs and umbrellas.
Shapiro noted that the proposal is for the placement of 6 pre-painted pine Adirondack chairs to be located on the pedestrian mall behind the fountain. Shapiro commented that the DRB suggested 3 blue colored chairs and 3 green colored chairs. Shapiro noted that 6 buttercup colored umbrellas are also part of the proposal and to be located at Derby Square.
Duncan noted that she would like some additional umbrellas to be located at the town fountain as well. The Board generally agreed that they would be amendable to also including umbrellas at the Town Pump Fountain.
Vickers: Motion to approve as recommended by the DRB including an additional provision for umbrellas to be placed at Derby Square and the Town Pump Fountain,
Seconded by Curran. Passes 4-0.
Minutes
The minutes from the April 8, 2015 regular meeting were reviewed.
Vickers: Motion to approve as amended,
Seconded by Curran. Passes 4-0.
Adjournment
Baldini: Motion to adjourn, seconded by Vickers. Passes 4-0.
Meeting is adjourned at 6:42 pm.
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