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Salem Sate College Advisory Board Minutes 9/26/2011
Salem State University Neighborhood Advisory Committee
September 26, 2011 – Minutes



Attendees:      Beth Bower, Jason Doviak, Maureen Fry, Jack Hoar, Marcia Lambert, Joseph O’Keefe, John Ronan, Jason Silva, and Andrew Soll

Absent: Jim Rose, Robert McCarthy, and John Walsh

Guests: Joe Berry (Lee Kennedy Co., Inc.); Michael Lambert (Division of Capital Asset Management); Karen Cady (Salem State University); David Coleman, Margaret Crowdis, Michael Eugenio, Dana Lothrop, and Richard Smith

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
  • Library/Learning Commons
  • Phase 1 demolition is complete and the subcontractor is off-site.
  • Blasting will continue on and off for two more weeks but will finish earlier than expected.
  • Jack Hoar and Dana Lothrop expressed that the blasting can be felt in their homes.
  • Reinforcing steel will be installed for the concrete placements.
  • Concrete placements.
  • The first of three major concrete foundation pours is scheduled for Saturday, October 8 starting at 3 a.m. Based on the concrete supplier’s trucking schedule, this is the earliest evening start time as allowed under the Federal Department of Transportation (FDOT) regulations.
  • The trucking for the pours will take approximately 6-8 hours, depending on the size of the pour.
  • The historically large volume of traffic in Salem during the weekdays and Saturdays in October support the overnight pour.
  • Concrete pours are continuous processes that are constrained by a 90 minute window for placement of the concrete after it is mixed at the plant.
  • A concrete truck carries approximately 10 cubic yards of concrete. Depending on the size of the pour, truck trips could number between 110 and 180.
  • The anticipated truck routes to the site will include Meier Drive and College Drive (from both the Lafayette Street and the Loring Avenue egresses). All truck routes are being coordinated with Salem Police.
  • Following the pour, the finishing of the placement can take up to an additional 8 to 10 hours.
  • Anticipated noise for the work may come from trucks, pumping equipment, and power trowels. The contractor intends to limit truck back-up to the construction site.
  • Comments/Concerns from SSUNAC
  • The city, through Jason Silva and Maureen Fry, expressed concern about the impact on Rainbow Terrace residents, particularly noise and lighting. The university made a commitment to work with the Salem Housing Authority to notify tenants in both English and Spanish.
  • Councillor O’Keefe questioned if the Salem Police Department approved this schedule. – Joe Berry stated that the police had suggested an overnight schedule, starting at 8 p.m. He added that due to FDOT regulations, this schedule was not possible. Mr. Berry stated that he had been trying to contact the Salem Police regarding the timing when he learned 8 pm did not work. He has not connected with Salem Police but will keep trying.
  • The city, through Jason Silva and Counillor O’Keefe, questioned what other options were explored for these placements.  Mr. Berry responded that DCAM and the contractor looked at all possible days and times, traffic patterns, changing the vendor, adding drivers from another area, and changing suppliers.
  • Jack Hoar questioned the amount of trucks per pour.  Mr. Berry responded that the first pour is approximately 1,200 cubic yards of concrete and would take around 120 truckloads to complete; the second is approximately 1,600 cubic yards and would take around 160 truckloads; and the third is approximately 2,000 cubic yards and would take around 200 truckloads.
  • Comments/Concerns from neighbors
  • David Coleman expressed concern about continued Saturday work on construction projects. He stated that he believes the contractor did a poor job scheduling this work from a neighborhood perspective.
  • Dana Lothrop questioned how many trucks and lights will be on site.  Joe Berry responded that there will approximately 20 trucks arriving to the site per hour and that an estimated 4 light towers will be used on site.
  • Solar Photovoltaic Panels on the O’Keefe Center
  • DCAM project funded through ARRA Funding and Clean Renewable Energy Bond
  • 704 solar panels will be installed on the roof of the O’Keefe Center
  • In preparation for these panels, the existing roof over the Multipurpose and Twohig Gymnasiums will be replaced.
  • Work is underway and will be conducted from the back of the O’Keefe Center near Broadway.
  • Existing roof will be removed and then replaced with a high efficiency roof before installing the photovoltaic panels.
  • The roof replacement work is underway and scheduled to be complete by the end of October. Some Saturday work may be necessary.
OFF-CAMPUS PARKING UPDATE
  • The university and the city have been working together to address challenges around off-campus parking.
  • Beth Bower reported that the university was a few days away from an agreement with the Salem Police Department that allows university police officers to write tickets for streets abutting campus. Salem Police Chief Tucker and Chief St. Pierre, interim chief at the university, will finalize the details this week.
  • Richard Smith questioned why there isn’t resident parking near his home and why there is no parking from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Naples Road. – Councillor O’Keefe noted that this issue has been evaluated and Lt. Precszewski would not approve a change.
  • Announcement with the details will be made when an agreement is reached. {Note: Announcement made on Wednesday, September 28, 2011}
ISSUES IN PROGRESS
  • Marsh Hall Rooftop Equipment
  • Adria Leach reported that Leif Lamoray informed the university that the contractor has added additional sound attenuation equipment to an exhaust unit on the Marsh Hall roof. Their initial observations are that this has been a positive improvement compared to previous noise levels.  Mr. Coleman confirmed that the noise is better from his home.
  • HVAC System at Central Campus Classroom Building Update
  • Andrew Soll reported that he is working with the mechanical shop to address Mr. Eugenio’s concern around the venting of the Classroom Building. He confirmed that the DX units are off and the cooling tower will shut down in mid October.
  • Dana Lothrop questioned if the cooling tower needs to be the same size if the IT Department has moved.  Mr. Soll responded that the size of the cooling tower is for the entire building. The IT Department had a separate cooling system in the DX units, which have been decommissioned. He also stated that the sound attenuation equipment added to the cooling tower makes it appear larger than it really is.
  • David Coleman questioned if neighborhood impact on a larger scale is considered when planning new projects. – Beth Bower stated that she and Mr. Soll have discussed how to do this in the design stage of new projects.
  • Counillor O’Keefe asked if there was sound testing completed for the cooling tower. Mr. Soll responded that the tests came back within the allowed range above ambient noise and was shared with the Eugenios.
  • Raymond Road Traffic Study Update
  • Jason Silva reported a letter would go out to Raymond Road and Raymond Avenue residents to schedule a meeting to discuss recommendations from the Raymond Road Traffic Study report. He will also include the Salem Housing Authority and Rainbow Terrace in this meeting.
  • Councillor O’Keefe stated that the bump outs at the intersection of Raymond Road and Loring Avenue have been painted and seem to help.  Mr. Coleman stated that the visibility is better in this area.
SALEM STATE COMMUNITY DAY
  • On Saturday, October 1 from 1 to 4 pm, President Patricia Maguire Meservey and Executive Vice President Stanley Cahill invite all Salem residents to an open house at Salem State University. A schedule of events was distributed to attendees. More information and updates are available at www.salemstate.edu/communityoh.
TOBACCO FREE CAMPUS
  • Beth Bower stated that Salem State University became a tobacco-free campus on September 1, 2011.
  • The policy applies to all properties owned or leased by the university and all university leased or owned vehicles. The university has not provided a place for employees, students, and visitors to smoke, as this does not support the campus’s goal to create a healthier environment on-campus and in Salem.
  • The university has asked students and employees to help maintain a positive relationship with neighbors. Salem State has no jurisdiction over the use of city-owned streets, sidewalks and right-of-ways. The university does maintain the cleanliness of sidewalks directly surrounding the campus and has stepped up its vigilance during the implementation of this policy.
  • Since the implementation of the tobacco-free campus policy, we have heard concerns from our neighbors in two areas: employees and students walking into adjacent neighborhoods to smoke and students congregating and smoking on the Salem Bike Path, especially in the evening. The university will continue to educate its employees and students regarding “good neighbor” behavior relative to smoking, including not congregating directly adjacent to neighbor’s properties or disposing of smoking materials on private properties, sidewalks or streets. Campus police, with concurrence from the Salem Bike Path coordinator, will monitor the Salem Bike Path and disperse any students congregating there.
  • Neighbors stated that they have noticed more smoking activity on the city bike path behind Central Campus. Beth Bower reinforced that neighbors should to continue to email comments and concerns regarding this policy.
DEFERRED ITEMS
  • Dunkin Donuts Window Treatment Meier Hall
NEW BUSINESS
  • Marcia Lambert stated that there have been issues on Charles Street from Wednesdays through Saturdays between 12 and 3 a.m. Students are walking down the street, tossing beer cans on the front lawn and talking loudly. She also expressed concern about the lights on alumni field being on late at night.  Jason Doviak from the Athletics Department stated that he would check the intramural schedule, but that lights should be off 15 minutes after the last scheduled event ends.
  • Councillor Ronan mentioned a meeting about unruly rental properties held the week prior with residents from Hazel and Laurel Streets, Salem Police and the university.
  • Margaret Crowdis expressed concerns with Horace Mann buses having difficulty picking up students, the exit at 123 Loring Avenue, and the timing of the lights on Loring Avenue. Counillor O’Keefe suggested that Ms. Crowdis contact MDOT regarding the lights, as she has done successfully in the past.
MEETING SCHEDULE
  • The next meeting will be on Monday, October 17, at 6:00 p.m. in the Enterprise Center Training Room B located on Central Campus at 121 Loring Avenue.