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Salem Sate University Advisory Board Minutes July 19, 2010
Salem state college neighborhood advisory committee
July 19, 2010 – Minutes
Attendees:      Beth Bower, Maureen Fry, Jack Hoar, Marcia Lambert, Kathy Neville, Joseph O’Keefe, James Rose Jason Silva, Andrew Soll and John Walsh

Absent: Julie Goutzos, Robert McCarthy, and John Ronan

Other:  Karen Cady, Dave Coleman, Michael & Stephanie Eugenio, Mary-Lou Gauthier, Leif Lamoray, Dana Lothrop and Susan Morneau

UNIVERSITY STATUS
  • The bill to change the name of the State College System to State University System has been passed by the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Senate. The bill now sits with the Governor who has 10 days to sign it. If it is signed by the Governor, the name Salem State University will go into effect in 90 days.
MARSH HALL (NEW RESIDENCE HALL) UPDATES
  • Construction Update (provided by Leif Lamoray, Leftfield Inc. Project Manager):
  • There is a slight delay in the completion of the Marsh Hall project. The contractors are working diligently to have the building substantially complete by the end of July
  • Noise Update
  • Neighbors reported that the noise from the rooftop units was worse over the past weekend. They questioned why the unit is open on the neighborhood side. There is a gap in the screening. They are concerned this will be worse when the leaves drop in the fall and winter.
  • The college will look into screening the gap and other solutions to mitigate the noise.
  • There will be an open house at Marsh Hall on Wednesday, August 25 at 6 pm. Tours of the facility will be available.
HVAC SYSTEM AT BUILDING 1 UPDATE
  • The noise attenuation equipment has just been installed on the cooling tower.
  • The Eugenios reported that there has been some improvement in the noise, but they would like someone to look into the levels of noise that bounce off the building. They are hearing more noise on their deck and second floor than at ground level.  They agreed to monitor the effectiveness of the latest efforts over a longer period of time to assess their effectiveness.
LIBRARY/ LEARNING COMMONS UPDATE
  • Lee Kennedy Co. was selected by the Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) as the construction manager for the demolition of the old library building and for construction of the new library/learning commons. Work will begin in the fall of this year.
  • Salem State College and (DCAM) invite you to an informational meeting regarding the demolition of the old library building on Lafayette Street. The meeting will be on Monday, July 26, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in room 106B of the Enterprise Center located on Central Campus at 121 Loring Avenue.~
BASEBALL FIELD
  • The college received a call on Saturday, July 10, regarding cars parked across from homes on Lincoln Avenue.
  • Most residents on that street are not interested in resident sticker parking.
  • Councilor O’Keefe will contact the neighbor who called to explain the situation.
ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATES
  • Thirteen new groundwater observation wells near the perimeter of Building One and along the boundary of the adjacent bike path will be installed in the coming week. The college will keep the committee updated on the results of testing done on the Central Campus.
OFF-CAMPUS ISSUES
  • Susan Morneau came to the meeting to discuss issues with 8 Charles Street. She shared a list of her complaints and a list of concerns from neighboring homeowners on Charles Street. They included:
  • Yelling in the middle of the streets very late at night, causing the family to wake up startled
  • Racing cars up and down the street
  • Illegally parking
  • Blocking driveways
  • Throwing firecrackers out windows
  • Public drinking and leaving bottles on lawns and on the street
  • Lawn lights have gone missing
  • People urinating on neighboring lawns
  • Playing lacrosse in the street and hitting cars and others with the ball
  • The front of the house is always trashed
  • People were caught looking in car windows
  • Fighting in the middle of the street
  • Smashing beer bottles in the street/public drinking
  • Parties until 3 am
  • Members of the committee asked if the renters are in violation of zoning. No more than three unrelated individuals can occupy the same dwelling.
  • Councilor O’Keefe noted that there may be an egress issue for the third floor if it is occupied.
  • Jason Silva spoke with the Community Impact Unit (CIU) and requests that neighbors call when things happen.
  • In 2009 only five calls were received regarding this property and only three for 2010 as of March 19.
  • On March 29, 2010, the landlord was issued a “keeper of a disorderly house” letter, and he responded.
  • Inspectors will be sent regarding the run-down condition of the residence, including from the fire and health departments.
  • Beth Bower noted the college process when Student Life is notified of complaints received by the CIU. She will also speak with the Athletic Director and the Lacrosse Coach.
  • John Walsh noted that similar issues were happening at 99 Broadway.  The solution there was to call the city police every time there was a problem.  Eventually, the problems were eliminated.
  • Councilor O’Keefe also suggested that neighbors call Councilor Ronan regarding these issues.
MEETING SCHEDULE
  • The next meeting will take place on Monday, September 20, at 6:00 p.m. in the Enterprise Center Training Room B located on Central Campus at 121 Loring Avenue.