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Salem state University neighborhood
advisory committee
July 18, 2011 – Minutes
Attendees: Beth Bower, Jason Doviak, Maureen Fry, Jack Hoar, Joseph O’Keefe, Jason Silva, and Andrew Soll
Absent: Marcia Lambert, Robert McCarthy, John Ronan, James Rose, and John Walsh
Guests: Joe Berry (Lee Kennedy Co., Inc.); Stan Cahill (Salem State University); Gary Hebert (Fay, Spofford & Thorndike); Michael Lambert (Division of Capital Asset Management); Leif Lamoray (Leftfield Inc.); Christopher Pennie (Lee Kennedy Co., Inc.)
ISSUES IN PROGRESS
- Marsh Hall Rooftop Equipment
- Leif Lamoray relayed information on corrections that were made to equipment that included adjusting the sequencing, fan speeds, and ramp up/down duration of the roof top units.
- David Coleman stated that he has noticed improvements, but the large unit is still making noise.
- Mary Lou Gauthier stated that she hasn’t noticed any differences. She was not hearing the same high pitch as Mr. Coleman. She is hearing the same noise that is heard in the courtyard, and it has an echo.
- Mr. Lamoray will investigate this noise and will report back at the next meeting.
- Councillor O’Keefe asked how long Mr. Lamoray will be involved with this project. Mr. Lamoray noted that the Massachusetts State College Building Authority is committed to working with the university and the neighborhood on the issue, and he will be involved until there is a resolution.
- HVAC System at Central Campus Classroom Building Update
- Andrew Soll reported that the data center move from Central Campus to the Stanley Building at the former Weir property is complete. Two of the three DX Units that cooled the former data center are off, with the third being shut down this week. Mr. Soll and Beth Bower met with the Eugenios this morning and will continue to work with them on improvements to the cooling tower.
RAYMOND ROAD TRAFFIC STUDY UPDATE
- Fay, Spafford and Thorndike (FST) performed a study of pedestrian and vehicular traffic at the Raymond Road/Loring Avenue intersection. The study also examined the intersections of Loring Avenue at Broadway and Raymond Road and the intersections of Lafayette Street at Loring Avenue, West Avenue and Raymond Road. The university is sharing the cost of the study with the city. David Knowlton, city engineer, managed the study.
- Gary Hebert of FST presented the findings of this study at the May 16, SSUNAC meeting. The presentation covered:
- The functional classifications of the area studied.
- Existing conditions of the four study areas.
- Recorded vehicle volumes of the area studied.
- Recorded pedestrian volumes of the area studied.
- Accident statistics in the area studied.
- Options for adjustments to the area without traffic calming.
- Options for adjustments to the area with traffic calming.
- Mr. Hebert stated that based on the comments from attendees at that meeting and the information contained in the study, FST recommends the following two-phase strategy with five sub-tasks for addressing the pedestrian/vehicle conflicts at the Raymond Road/Loring Avenue intersection.
- Phase I – Recommended Immediate Action Plan
- Install Raymond Road at Loring Avenue sight line and crosswalk enhancements
- Install new pavement markings to create sight line enhancements, possibly supplemented with corner parking restriction signs, if needed for enforcement.
- Maintain hedge trimming to a level not exceeding 3.5’ at the corners of the Raymond Road and Lafayette Street crossing improvements.
- Phase II – Recommended Short Term Action Plan
- Install Lafayette Street at Loring Avenue signal safety and operations enhancements; consider operational test of Raymond Road partial closure option.
3. Design and construct Lafayette/Loring signal enhancements to improve operations and safety.
4. Test Raymond Road partial closure option if strong support for such a test is obtained from the city, emergency providers, and direct abutters.
- Design and install Raymond Road partial closure only if test proves to be successful.
- Committee Member Comments/Questions:
- Councillor O’Keefe questioned if a bump-out could be installed at the end of Raymond Road to discourage people from parking on the corner. – Mr. Hebert recommended that the city start with paint and signs to mark the area before a bump-out is installed.
- Councillor O’Keefe asked about the timing changes for the lights at the Lafayette Street and Loring Avenue intersection, particularly if time could be given to vehicles exiting West Street to take a left onto Lafayette Street. – Mr. Hebert noted that changes need to be based on patterns and that notification and signal timing would need to accommodate traffic from all directions.
- Jack Hoar asked if FST will be involved in reporting the impact on traffic if any changes are made to the timing of the lights at the intersection of Loring Avenue and Lafayette Street. – Mr. Hebert responded that ideally the signals would be actuated by actual traffic instead of a timed cycle as it is now. The system in place now is not bad during peak hours but would need to be changed to serve off-peak times. Fixing the timing and installing the loop to detect traffic would cost roughly $25,000. A new signal would be a lot more.
- Neighborhood Comments/Questions:
- Ray Curran asked how the city will get neighborhood input on FST’s recommendations before any steps are implemented.
- Jason Silva stated that a process was not defined, but the city would be open to suggestions.
- Mr. Curran stated that he believes that the homes affected by any partial closure should be presented the documentation explaining the recommendations and that the homeowners should have an opportunity to provide feedback before any changes are implemented.
- Mrs. Gauthier asked how emergency vehicles would gain access to homes on Raymond Road with a partial road closure. – Mr. Hebert responded that emergency vehicles would still have access, which would be noted on signage.
- Mrs. Gauthier asked how much it would cost to lower the speed limit on Raymond Road.
- Mr. Hebert reported that the majority of the vehicles driving on Raymond Road, particularly as a cut through, are already over the speed limit and that other initiatives could be taken to reduce speed, such as alternate-side parking and speed pillows.
- Councillor O’Keefe added that Lieutenant Preczewski will not allow any speed lower than 20 miles per hour for a public street per state law.
- Mr. Coleman stated that he realizes the one-way option may be unpopular, but he feels that the trade off is worth it, although he understands not everyone may feel that way. He would like to see more enforcement in the neighborhood and recommends that Lt. Preczewski attend the next meeting to be included in the discussion.
- A Raymond Road neighbor reported that police presence with radar guns alleviates some of the speed issues, but there needs to be more enforcement to make a lasting difference.
- Mr. Hebert stated that no one is wedded to any solution at this point and changes will not be made without appropriate approvals from emergency providers, the city, and the neighbors.
DUNKIN DONUTS WINDOW TREATMENT MEIER HALL
- Dr. Stan Cahill presented a plan to adjust the window treatments on the first floor of Meier Hall to address concerns he has received from over 100 students. When the kiosk was opened five years ago, an agreement was made that window treatments would be in place to prevent passersby from seeing Dunkin Donuts from the street, deterring them from illegally parking to get their morning coffee. The university has worked to fulfill this agreement, but, after running into a struggle with window shades being opened by patrons, the university painted the front windows black to ensure that no one could see in. This has addressed the neighborhood’s concerns, but the university is now receiving countless student complaints about not being able to see the shuttle bus through the windows of the lounge and about the cave-like environment created by the
painted windows. The university is seeking a compromise with the neighborhood.
- Dr. Cahill’s presentation showed four views of the Meier Hall lounge with the signage from Dunkin Donuts strategically placed so that it is not visible from Lafayette Street. After moving the signage out of view, the university would like to remove the paint from the windows to bring light into the lounge and allow student visibility of Lafayette Street, in particular the shuttle bus stop.
- Committee Member Comments/Questions:
- Councillor O’Keefe stated that no changes could be made to the license agreement without going before the licensing board.
- Neighborhood Comments/Questions:
- Dan Fountain stated that Dr. Nancy Harrington had explicitly stated in discussions around the development of the kiosk that it was strictly for Salem State’s use. He added that he sent the university a letter in 2007 regarding the window treatments and followed up again in 2009 when the shades were up more regularly. He was disappointed that the university was not self policing this issue. He was not aware that the windows were painted black, but has not had any subsequent concerns since that treatment was put in place and would like to maintain the current, complete opacity. He stated the issue is not just signage but seeing the whole kiosk. He added that even without signage, anyone passing could tell it is Dunkin Donuts.
- Mr. Soll noted that there are no treatments that he is aware of that allow you to see out but not in over a full 24-hour period.
- Jack Hoar reported that what he has heard from neighbors is that they would like to keep the status quo with regard to the window treatments. He believes the stipulation stated that the actual kiosk would need to be blocked from street view, not just the signage. He suggested that a 3 inch clear strip be cut into the black for students to be able to see the bus and a larger amount at the top of the windows to let light in but prevent anyone from seeing the kiosk.
- A neighbor from Naples Road recommended that a camera and video monitor be installed for students to see the shuttle bus from inside the building.
- Jeff Peras stated that the “No Parking” sign in front of his house is faded beyond recognition and needs to be replaced. He suggests that the university look for additional options for tinted windows, and agrees with the suggestion of a video monitor or an audio signal to notify students of the shuttle’s arrival. He also suggested that the university consider a partition that runs along the rope and stanchion in front of Dunkin Donuts that would block the view of the kiosk from Lafayette Street. He also asked if the kiosk could be moved somewhere else on campus.
- Councillor O’Keefe will look into Mr. Peras’ sign issue.
- Mr. Soll stated that the kiosk is located in Meier Hall because it is a major hub of academic activity for the university.
- Mr. Fountain reported that neighbors have told him that Dunkin Donut trucks have been unloading in front of the building on Lafayette Street.
- Brett Wingard expressed concern about the impact on the neighborhood if the public was made aware of the Dunkin Donuts in Meier Hall and would be hesitant to test any window treatments that may reveal that.
- Dr. Cahill stated that the university will review the concerns of the neighborhood and will research additional options for window treatments. The university will come back to SSUNAC when they have a revised plan.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
- Library and Learning Commons Presentation by the Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM)
- Overview of the project schedule:
- Excavation, Foundations and Structural Steel Summer, Fall and Winter 2011
- Complete Structural Steel Frame Winter 2012
- Exterior Envelope Spring and Summer 2012
- Interiors and finishes Fall and Winter 2012
- Finishes and completion~ Winter, Spring and Summer 2013
- Landscaping Spring and Fall of 2013
- Building to open Fall 2013
- Preconstruction surveys were offered to homes within 400 feet of the demolition and 300 feet of the new construction. Roughly 30-40 homes were included in this offer, with 15-20 taking advantage of the opportunity. All requested surveys were completed before the start of the project.
- Simpson Gumpertz and Heger~was hired by DCAM to monitor vibrations during demolition and construction. Five monitors have been installed: 3 on campus, 1 in a home on Rainbow Terrace, and 1 in a home on Lafayette Street. The monitors are on 24/7 and keep a record of vibration activity.
- The monitors are set to send an alert when a vibration registers 0.2 inches/second or higher. This is 40 percent of the level at which the potential for damage exists, which is 0.5 inches/second.
- If a monitor registers 0.2 inches/second or higher, a notification is sent to SGH and Lee Kennedy. This has occurred on two occasions so far, both at the monitor in Rainbow Terrace. In both instances, there were no vibrations coming from the construction site, and the level of the vibration indicated that something was in direct contact with the machine. One reading occurred during off hours and the second occurred when there was no vibration-producing activity taking place on site.
- When an alert notification is sent, DCAM and Lee Kennedy will evaluate the situation to see what is causing the vibration and will cease any work that is causing excessive vibration. Lee Kennedy noted that when performing work that could cause vibration, they are on heightened alert with regard to the monitors and the work that is taking place.
- To date, the highest recorded vibration from the actual demolition and construction work is 0.04 inches/second compared to the alert threshold of 0.2.
- Questions/Comments
- Pamela Knight requested to be notified if the monitor in her home sends an alert. – Michael Lambert from DCAM stated that he would contact Ms. Knight directly in the event that her monitor registers 0.2 inches/second or higher.
- Ms. Knight asked if the transmission from the monitor causes any electrical interference. – Mr. Lambert stated that he would look into how the signal was transmitted and would report back at the next neighborhood meeting.
- Blasting will be implemented to remove ledge for the new building.
- Blasting will begin mid to late September and is expected to involve two small blasts per day for four weeks. The contractor is in the process of devising the blasting plan, which will be shared with the SSUNAC when it is complete.
- Questions/Comments
- Will blasting signs be flashing when blasting is taking place? – Lee Kennedy stated that notification methods will be included in the blasting contractor’s plan. It is unclear at this time how this will be done. The university will notify neighbors prior to the start of blasting through the email blast and the website.
- What is the distance around the blasting area for preconstruction surveys? – Massachusetts state code requires structures within 250 feet be given the option for surveys.
- Where will the blasting take place and how large will the blasting area be? – The blasting will take place behind Meier Hall in the footprint of the new library/learning commons, south of the former tennis courts. The overall volume of material to be removed is estimated at 1,800 cubic yards.
- The majority of the truck traffic entering and leaving the-site will use Meier Drive, as the former tennis court area will be used for laydown, deliveries and material storage. The contractor is working with the university to address safety and traffic concerns.
- Truck traffic will largely take place between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., although construction hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be no deliveries before 7 a.m. There was one vendor who violated this restriction, and it was put on notice.
- SSUNAC will be advised as the traffic plans progress.
- Dust Control – Measures enacted on site currently include a water truck that sprays the site as needed. The contractor has worked with the fire department to use a hydrant as a water source for dust management. A water truck will be added as the project progresses. Dust control has been going well through demolition.
- Pest Control – A plan is in place that includes monthly visits and review. Thus far, there has been very little activity. The plan will remain in place and be monitored as the project continues. Adjustments will be made if necessary.
- Storm Water – The contractor has been given a permit by the Environmental Protection Agency for their storm water pollution prevention plan. The plan will be maintained and monitored throughout the project.
- Councillor O’Keefe questioned when the rest of the existing library building will come down. – Michael Lambert replied that the end date for demolition will depend on funding. Beth Bower stated that it is the university’s and DCAM’s intention is to have the existing building down by the time the new building opens.
SALEM STATE COMMUNITY DAY
- The university is interested in hosting a day for the Salem community to visit campus and experience what’s happening at Salem State. The university looks to the committee and the neighbors for advice on what to have at this event. A brief questionnaire was sent out through the neighborhood email blast. It will be sent again, and a form will be placed on the university’s website to solicit input.
MEETING SCHEDULE
- The next meeting will be on Monday, August 15, at 6:00 p.m. in the Enterprise Center Training Room B located on Central Campus at 121 Loring Avenue.
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