Skip Navigation
This table is used for column layout.
May 18, 2009
Salem state college neighborhood
advisory committee
May 18, 2009 – Minutes


Attendees:      Beth Bower, Lee Brossoit, Jack Hoar, Marcia Lambert, James Rose, Jason Silva, Andrew Soll, and John Walsh

Absent:         Fran Carson, Robert McCarthy, Joseph O’Keefe, and Matt Veno

Other:          Mary Lou Gauthier, and Leif Lamoray

RESIDENCE HALL UPDATE
  • Construction Update (provided by Leif Lamoray, Leftfield Inc. Project Manager):
  • Construction is on schedule; Project is still on track to be completed on time despite the weather
  • Crane is erected with second crane to go up on Tuesday May 19, 2009 in the morning
  • Steel erection scheduled for mid to late June
  • Steel work thru August – Cranes Leave in July
  • Detailing – Setting welding and decking end of August
  • Concrete  placement scheduled for third week of June
  • Concerns
  • Mrs. Gauthier noted that the steel workers started at 6:00 a.m. on Monday May 18, 2009. Mr. Lamoray noted that he will look into this.
  • Mrs. Gauthier noted that there are only 10 weekends to enjoy in summer months and questioned if work had to take place on Saturdays. She added that she would prefer that the contractor work later on weekdays rather than on weekends. Mr. Lamoray will recommend the contractors work later during the week when it would prevent Saturday work.
  • Mrs. Gauthier noted that one night there was a water main break and bull dozers were out there at night and northwest wind blew and covered their yards/porches with dirt. Mr. Lamoray said the dirt is still being used, and he will get the dirt covered.
LIBRARY
  • Andy Soll updated SSCNAC on the status of the new library project.
  • The new library will convert its 40 % conventional shelving to 80% compact shelving. This will take place in 15 – 25 years and to make this building more adaptable.
  • Beth Bower stated that the contents of the old Library will be in storage at the Weir property.
  • Funding for the new library was included in the last legislative sessions’ Higher Education Bond Bill. The state, through a spending plan, decides which state projects will be released for bonding. The plan has not been released. The estimated cost is not defined. Demolition of the present library will be designed after funding is secured.
  • Jason Silva noted a presentation was done at the last meeting and was very informative a handout was passed out of the presentation to all.
MEIER DRIVE TRUCK TRAFFIC
  • Meier Drive deliveries occur early in the morning because of traffic and parking issues. The college has been working with the food service vendors to adjust the schedule.  There is very high pedestrian traffic in this area which causes safety concerns for the truck drivers.
  • The committee reviewed a proposal to change the parking in front of the Mainstage Theatre on college side of Lafayette Street to a loading zone to allow trucks to deliver later in the day without live parking on the neighborhood side of the street.
  • Andy Soll passed out a map of loading zone concept (attached).
  • The proposed concept labels the area in front of Mainstage as a loading zone for 24 hours per day/7 days week.  
  • Handicap spots would be relocated up to the crosswalk toward Loring Avenue.
  • The college bus stop will not change.
  • Four regular parking spaces will be lost.
BASEBALL FIELD  
  • Beth Bower noted that the buses delivering teams have all gone to Central Campus this year.
  • Beth Bower noted that they had Student Ambassadors stand on Monroe Road and inform ball field visitors about the available parking on central campus.  The ambassadors were asked to complete forms following each game to determine who, if anyone, was parking on Munroe Road during the game.  It was determined that primarily residents of Salem were parking on Munroe Rd.
  • Beth Bower noted that Salem High School games have started for this season. Salem State has made an effort to avoid the repeat of last year’s problems regarding parking by providing the Salem High coach with the following prior to the start of the season:
  • Letters for the parents of the Salem High team
  • Letters to the visiting teams
  • Mrs. Gauthier asked if the parking was zone B. Jason Silva noted that there is no resident sticker parking on Munroe Road.
NEW BUSINESS
  • Civic Engagement at Salem State
  • Beth Bower noted that the president of Salem State talked about the college being a center for civic engagement in her inaugural speech.
  • A survey was done  - 217 responded  - 70% who responded were already volunteers.
  • 1/3 responded were from Salem.
  • They have had a couple service days in which students and staff:
  • Painting benches @ Salem Willows Park
  • Cleaned up Essex Street Mall in downtown Salem
  • Volunteered at to different Shelters
  • Volunteered at Plummer home for Boys
  • Lee noted that is a good fit for both the City and the college.
  • Many students participate in civic engagement activities during high school, so they expect it when they go to Salem State College.
  • Jim Rose noted that there is a whole new meaning to community service.
  • FORMER WEIR PROPERTY REPORT
  • Reports are done. Advisory board to get a hard copy
MEETING SCHEDULE
The next meeting of the SSCNAC will take place on Monday, June 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Enterprise Center Training Room B located on Central Campus at 121 Loring Avenue.