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Salem Sate College Advisory Board Minutes 12/19/2011
Salem State University Neighborhood Advisory Committee
December 19, 2011 – Minutes


Attendees:      Beth Bower, Jason Doviak, Jack Hoar, Marcia Lambert, Jason Silva, Andrew Soll, and John Walsh

Absent: Maureen Fry, Jim Rose, Robert McCarthy, Joseph O’Keefe, and John Ronan

Guests: Joe Berry (Lee Kennedy Co., Inc.); Michael Lambert (Division of Capital Asset Management)

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
  • Library/Learning Commons
  • Steel erection is in process and will continue for the next few months. Steel will arrive every day or two, with two to three trucks per morning. Details and flaggers will be used for deliveries as necessary.  Deliveries will not occur before 7:00 am.
  • Jason Silva requested feedback about the concrete placements.
  • Joe Berry reported that all three major concrete foundation pours were completed with no issues.
  • The university reported that they had received no complaints from neighbors during the pours and stated that in the October meeting Councillor O’Keefe, Councillor Ronan, and Maureen Fry reported that they received no complaints related to the completed pours.  Jack Hoar reported he had observed one of the pours and thought it was very well organized and efficient.
  • Solar Photovoltaic Panels on the O’Keefe Center
  • The roof replacement is complete, and the solar panel installation is underway and will be completed in the near future.
  • More panels have been added to the project than originally planned, resulting in more energy savings.
  • The lawn will be restored in the spring.
ISSUES IN PROGRESS
  • HVAC System at Central Campus Classroom Building Update
  • Improvements to the units were made, and the Eugenios have reported that the sound has improved. This item will be deferred to a spring meeting when the units are again running at their full level.
  • O’Keefe Center Fitness & Recreation Center Addition
  • The university’s Board of Trustees approved the project at its November 30 meeting.
  • The design of the project is underway.
  • Test borings for the foundation and rain run off have been completed.
  • John Walsh questioned if the borings could have caused rat movement. – Andrew Soll responded that boring work wouldn’t cause rat movement.
  • The bonds to finance the project are lined up to sell in the beginning of the new year, and early construction packages will go out to bid in early March. Construction is scheduled to begin in June of 2012.
  • Neighborhood Disturbances
  • Beth Bower reported that there have been instances when activity increases, and the university is continuing to work with the Salem Police Community Impact Unit (CIU) and following up with students through the Student Life office.
  • It was noted that there was an article in the Salem Patch about a party on Naples Road.
  • Ms. Bower reported that the consequences for students involved in off-campus disturbances progress with the number and magnitude of the offenses. She added that the CIU is being more aggressive about disorderly house notification, and that a landlord on Hazel Street is in the process of evicting some problem tenants.
  • Marcia Lambert requested an update on the Alumni Field Lights.
  • Ms. Bower reported that from late October to the end of November the lights were not on past 10:15 p.m. according to the usage statements from the lighting company. She added that the president is aware of the situation and that the university is in conversation to address the issue by the start of the spring seasons in March of 2012.
  • Jason Doviak reported that the demand for field usage by varsity teams is higher in the fall than the spring which causes intramural usage to run later.
  • Ms. Lambert added that neighbors are concerned with the lights running later than 10:30 p.m. on weeknights.
  • Ms. Bower stated that the university would bring an answer back to the committee at the February meeting.
  • John Walsh reported that the new trash barrel on Broadway has helped decrease debris in the neighborhood.
  • Off-Campus Parking Update
  • The university has reported that it hasn’t received any additional complaints since the last two meetings. They will stay on top of this issue and report any changes.
  • It was noted that MBTA officials were ticketing cars parked on Loring Avenue near the Salem Diner.
  • Tobacco Free Campus
  • Smoking-related complaints are down but still present.
  • Ms. Lambert stated that people are still smoking on the bike path and that she saw cigars with plastic tips scattered over the bike path yesterday between the classroom building and Marsh Hall.
  • Raymond Road Traffic Study
  • Jason Silva reported that the city is working to schedule a meeting by the end of January with Raymond Road residents to discuss the options presented in the study.
NEW BUSINESS
  • Meeting Time Change – Chair Silva stated that he will have a conflict with the SSUNAC regular meeting time as of January 2012. The board discussed possible dates and times and agreed to reschedule all meetings to the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Enterprise Center on Central Campus.
DEFERRED ITEMS
  • Dunkin Donuts Window Treatment Meier Hall
MEETING SCHEDULE
  • The next meeting will be on Wednesday, January 18, at 6:00 p.m. in the Enterprise Center Training Room B located on Central Campus at 121 Loring Avenue.