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Salem state college neighborhood
advisory committee
October 20, 2008 – Minutes
Attendees: Beth Bower, Lee Brossoit, Jack Hoar, Marcia Lambert, Adria Leach, Joseph O’Keefe, James Rose, Jason Silva, Andy Soll, and John Walsh
Absent: Fran Carson, Robert McCarthy, and Matt Veno
Other: None
UPDATES
Parking Ordinances
- Loring Avenue & Lafayette Street Designations
- Last Wednesday, Mayor Driscoll approved parking ordinances that will designate the parking zone on Loring Avenue between the Linden Street crosswalk and the existing handicapped parking spaces just before the Horace Mann and Administration parking lots on Salem State’s North Campus to 2-hour parking between 6 AM and 6 PM, Monday through Friday. The Mayor also approved the designation of the parking on the west side of Lafayette Street between Loring Avenue and College Drive to 2-hour parking between 6 AM and 6 PM, Monday through Friday. The existing handicapped parking spaces (yellow curb) in front of the Mainstage Theater and existing service zone (also a yellow curb) in front of Meier Hall remain unchanged.
- Signs have been ordered and will need to be mounted on posts that will be installed by the City in previously determined locations along both Loring Avenue and Lafayette Street.
- The first two parking spaces on the college-side of Loring Avenue, between Linden Street and the right-turn-only lane at Lafayette Street, will be eliminated to ease traffic back-ups and afford a better view of crossing pedestrians. It was suggested that lane lines be painted where Loring Avenue meets Lafayette Street to alert drivers that it is officially two lanes.
- Parking ordinances will be enforced by City parking attendants and the Salem Police Department. Attendants have the ability to electronically “chalk” and keep track of vehicles parked in these locations. Tickets for those violating the 2-hour ordinance will be $15.
- Ballfield/Tennis Court Parking signs have been posted on Central Campus. There are roughly 45 spaces with this designation. The spaces are also available for commuter students, but the class and competition schedules are such that overlap should not be an issue.
- Progress is ongoing. The college is working with Councillor Veno to remedy concerns.
- A process is being established to allow out-of-state students who rent apartments in Salem to obtain resident-parking stickers without having a Massachusetts registration. It was agreed that Beth Bower would provide the City with the appropriate standard college documentations that would prove student status.
Bike Path
- Bollards have been ordered and are on their way to campus. Installers are standing by to put them in place as soon as they arrive.
- The college has been working with neighbors on the final planting plan along the bike path, screening the baseball field. This plan will be put into place in the spring.
Former Weir Property
- The fence around the former Weir property, with the exception of the fence along the Salem Diner, has been removed. Neighbors noted that this makes a big difference and is a good start to the beautification of this area. Further information the clean-up of this area was requested, and the removal of the Weir signs was suggested.
Public Meetings
- Former Weir Property: Monday, November 3 at 7:00 p.m. in Enterprise Center Training Room B
- This presentation will provide guidelines for the future development of this property. There is no definitive plan for development at this time.
- New Residence Hall: Wednesday, November 12 at 7:00 p.m. in Enterprise Center Training Room B
- Meeting Notices
- The college will alert neighbors to the above meetings and the next SSCNAC meeting through a mailing. The current mailing list contains 1,295 addresses.
NEW BUSINESS
Traffic Signal
- Sequence along Loring Avenue
- The traffic signals along Loring Avenue are still not in sync. The college and the City have already reached out to the Massachusetts Highway Department and are awaiting a response. Both will try to contact the MHD again.
South Salem Neighborhood Association Concerns (Conveyed by Jim Rose)
- Bike Path/Service & Loading Area
- There is shared concern that the service and loading area will bring noise, smell and other trash related nuisance for the neighbors along Raymond Road and people using the bike path. It is suggested that the service area be relocated to a location more internal to the campus (away from the neighbors and the bike path). If there are no other options for relocating the loading/service area, members feel the College should fully enclose the loading dock and dumpster area. By enclosing the facility the noise, smells and loose trash problems will not disturb the Raymond Road residents or impact the use of the bike path.
College Response: There are currently two loading docks: the Central Campus residence hall has an internal loading dock and the academic building has an external loading dock. To date, there has been no complain regarding a smell or refuse issue. The new plan is for an interior loading dock in the new residence hall, similar in the one that exists in the current residence hall on Central Campus. The only issue that has arisen thus far is noise. The college has changed the delivery and pick up schedule of the trucks so that they are within noise ordinance restrictions. There is also a divide on how to screen neighbors and the bike path from Central Campus facilities and activity. Neighbors have generally taken the opinion that a wall or large divider of some sort would be best to screen noise and
light from their property. Bike path users are concerned with user safety and tend to take the opposite opinion, seeking a screening that is less obstructive. Screening for this area is still under discussion.
- It is also suggested that more proactive communications and outreach on the part of the college. Members would like to see the college set up a mechanism for transparent communication and collaboration. A link to a website where Salem community members can go for information on the college and to post comments/suggestions is recommended.
- College Response: The college website is undergoing an overhaul scheduled to go live in February. The External Affairs/Community Outreach page is one of the first scheduled to be posted. This page is currently in the works, but will include meeting announcements, community alerts, and a link for comments. The college will also have a community email list where neighbors may submit their email addresses for college e-notifications.
Geotechnical Borings
- Wednesday, October 22 through Thursday, October 30 between 8 a.m. & 5 p.m.
- The Massachusetts State College Building Authority will have a subcontractor performing geotechnical borings on Central Campus as part of the New Residence Hall project starting Wed. October 22, weekdays, through Thursday October 30th between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
- Any issues or complaint during the work involving this subcontractor should be directed immediately to Salem State Campus Police at 978-542-6111 .
Haunted Happenings At Salem State
- The Student Government Association is holding its annual Haunted Happenings event this Sunday, October 26 from 1pm until 4pm. It will be held in the Ellison Campus Center on North Campus. This event is free to all Salem children and children of all members of the Salem State community. The activities of this event will be geared towards children ages five through ten, and will include (but are not limited to) face painting, temporary tattoos, donut eating contests, musical chairs, pumpkin decorating and a haunted house. A moon bounce, cotton candy, and assorted candy will also be available.
MEETING SCHEDULE
The next meeting of the SSCNAC will take place on Monday, November 17 at 5:30 in the Enterprise Center Training Room B located on Central Campus at 121 Loring Avenue.
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