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May 16, 2012
Salem State University Neighborhood Advisory Committee
May 16, 2012 – Minutes


Attendees:      David Coleman, Maureen Call, Jason Doviak, Jack Hoar, Marcia Lambert, Adria Leach, Joseph O’Keefe, Jim Rose, Jason Silva, Andrew Soll, Josh Turiel, and John Walsh

Absent: Beth Bower and Robert McCarthy

Guests: Joe Berry (Lee Kennedy Co., Inc.) and Leif Lamoray (Leftfield, Inc.)

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
  • Library/Learning Commons
  • The major focus of the project is on interior mechanicals and the exterior envelope, which should be completed by fall when the focus will switch to interior finishes. Work includes waterproofing, window installation, precast concrete installation, and interior electrical work.
  • Councillor O’Keefe requested a tour for the committee prior to the building’s opening. – The contractor reported that the earliest opportunity for a tour for the committee would be in spring/summer of 2013.
  • Phase II Demolition
  • The bid documents for the demolition of the rest of the existing library building will be posted by the end of May.
  • Start date for actual work is estimated to be mid-July at the earliest. The estimated time for the demolition of the remaining building from start to finish is 8 – 10 months.
  • Timing, means, and methods (including truck routes and police details) will be determined by the contractor once selected.
  • All updates on the demolition will be covered in regular SSUNAC meetings.
ISSUES IN PROGRESS
  • Fitness & Recreation Center Addition
  • Leif Lamoray reported the dimensions of the fitness center addition and surrounding points of reference that were requested at the April meeting:
  • Height of the building addition – 51’ 7”
  • Height of Alumni Field lights – 80’ to 83’
  • Height of existing building: Existing Hockey Rink Roof at Peak – 49’ 1”; Existing Apparatus Gym Parapet – 44’; Existing Pool/Gym Parapet – 46’
  • A committee member requested the height of the existing façade of the hockey rink, before the roof begins to slant back. This dimension will be reported at the June meeting.
  • Adria Leach noted that the design of the building is in the final stages and had been presented to the neighborhood in a special meeting in January.
  • The city questioned if anything could be done to address concerns of committee members who wished to soften the appearance of the entrance. Andrew Soll responded that consideration can be given to color and materials used, within limits. He added that there was some intent to draw attention to the entrance, giving the entire O’Keefe complex a more defined entryway. Other factors that dictated the design included cost and the height required for the second floor intramural gymnasium, which is already below NCAA regulation height and slightly below the recommended height for some recreational sports. The final design will be presented to the committee once it is complete.
  • A committee member asked if students were involved in the design process of this space. Jason Doviak responded that there was a student survey conducted that garnered more responses than any previous student survey. The majority of the respondents requested more recreational space and a larger fitness center. Mr. Soll mentioned that students had been involved in a day-long planning session that began the process, and a number of student groups had participated in focus group sessions during design.  The developing plans were presented at stages along the way to the Student Government Association, Residence Hall Association and other student groups for comment.
  • A committee member asked if the university is changing its philosophy of coordinating the appearance of new construction with the city of Salem and the neighborhood. Mr. Soll responded that the university has not changed this general philosophy and that architects involved in recent projects have taken great care in the study and incorporation where possible of existing architectural cues from within the city into the university’s new buildings.
  • Preliminary scheduling for the work is as follows:
  • Early bid packages for site preparation, footings, foundation, and structural steel will go out in the next five weeks.
  • Construction will mobilize in mid to late June.
  • Staging area for construction is not defined at this time but will be located in the O’Keefe Center parking lot, with minimal loss of student parking (approximately 35-40 spaces or fewer). Jason Doviak added that Campus Police conducted a parking survey over a two-week period after spring break and found that there are almost always open spaces for students in campus lots at various times of the day, especially in the O’Keefe Center lot.
  • Parking on campus is not permitted for construction workers.
  • Neighborhood Disturbances
  • Adria Leach reported that there were no new updates on disturbances from the university’s perspective.
  • Jason Silva reported that there were no new updates on disturbances from the city’s perspective.
  • David Coleman reported that there is consistent noise on the bike path at night between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., mostly traveling noise as groups walk down the path. It was asked if the bike path could be closed at night. Jason Silva said the city would look into this.
  • Alumni Field Lights
  • Adria Leach stated that the university will continue to review options for field use over the summer. Summer hours for the field were requested and will be reported back at the June meeting. Ms. Leach noted that all summer rentals for all athletic fields are posted on the Community Connections Neighborhood Update page on the university’s website.
NEW BUSINESS
  • Salem State University Commencement – Adria Leach noted that Salem State University will hold three commencement ceremonies: graduate commencement on Thursday, May 17 at 4 p.m., and two undergraduate commencements on Saturday, May 19 at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. All commencement ceremonies will take place in the Rockett Arena in the O’Keefe Center.
  • A committee member asked if the university had hired a new Chief of Campus Police. The university reported that Gene Labonte has accepted the position and will begin early this summer. Chief Labonte is an alumnus of Salem State University and is currently serving as Lieutenant Colonel of the Connecticut State Police, where he has served for 22 years in several capacities. The university will invite Chief Labonte to a future SSUNAC meeting once he is on campus.
DEFERRED ITEMS
  • Raymond Road Traffic Study; Dunkin Donuts Window Treatment Meier Hall; HVAC System at Building 1 Update; Off-Campus Parking Update; Tobacco Free Campus
MEETING SCHEDULE
  • The next meeting will be on Wednesday, June 20, at 6:00 p.m. in the Enterprise Center Training Room B located on Central Campus at 121 Loring Avenue.