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Salem State University Neighborhood Advisory Committee Minutes 9/18/2013
Salem State University Neighborhood Advisory Committee
September 18, 2013 – Minutes
6:00pm - SSU Central Campus - Enterprise Center Training Room B

Attendees:      Jack Hoar, Marcia Lambert, Adria Leach, Dana Lothrop, Dominick Pangallo, Richard Riggs, and Jim Rose

Absent:         Maureen Call, Robert McCarthy, Shawn Newton, Joseph O’Keefe, and Josh Turiel

Guests:         Edward Adelman, Dan Ocasio, Janet Chrisos (MSCBA), Leif Lamoray, Jim Rogers (Leftfield Inc.), Doug Johnston, Kevin Bergeron (RAWN Associates), & Beth Bower, Jim Glynn, Jim Stoll (Salem State University)

CITY ANNOUNCEMENT
  • Shooting at 106 Linden Street – Dominick Pangallo
  • This is a City of Salem Police investigation and an arrest was made. Two additional suspects were identified as having involvement.
  • No Salem State students were involved in the incident or the party that spawned the incident.
COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENT
  • Salem State University Police Captain named to SSUNAC
  • Captain Richard Riggs of the Salem State University Campus Police will take the place of Associate Director of Athletics Jason Doviak on the SSUNAC. He was formerly the Deputy Chief in South Windsor, CT and brings 34 years of experience to campus.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
  • Library/Learning Commons Update – Adria Leach
  • The Library and Learning Commons is open to the public. The SSUNAC will combine meetings with the SSNA on November 19, 2013 and will host the meeting in the new Library and Learning Commons. There will be tours of the building from 6 – 7 pm, followed by the meeting at 7 pm on the ground floor.
  • The contractor has finished drilling wells for the new geothermal units in the quad area in front of the building. The installation of the units will be complete in mid-October.
  • Phase II Deconstruction – Adria Leach
  • The deconstruction is on schedule, and the building is being deconstructed from the top down.
  • The demolition is anticipated to be complete by the end of November.
  • Fitness & Recreation Center Addition – Leif Lamoray
  • The building is substantially enclosed.
  • The contractor continues with interior finishes, landscaping and rooftop equipment.
ISSUES IN PROGRESS
  • Neighborhood Disturbances
  • Captain Riggs reported that the university police partnered with the Salem Police Community Impact Unit last weekend to perform plain clothes patrols. Directed patrols took place in the Forest River Park area and 5-6 students were identified and received enforcement action.
  • Disturbances were reported to the university on Gardner Street.
  • Upcoming Projects
  • 2015 Residence Hall – Edward Adelman
  • Provided a history of the Massachusetts State College Building Authority (MSCBA) and its purpose in the planning, design and construction of revenue generating facilities, including residence halls, dining facilities, recreation space, and parking structures, at state university campuses. MSCBA issues bonds that are paid through the collection of student fees.
  • Mr. Adelman introduced Kevin Bergeron and Doug Johnston from William Rawn Associates to present the scope of the new residence hall. They used a model of Central Campus to depict the location and size of the new building in relation to other campus buildings and abutting properties. A good portion of the HVAC equipment will be located inside the building with only some rooftop equipment.
  • The footprint of the new building will overlap with the existing Campus Police building. Campus Police will be moved into the first floor of the former interim library in Building One on Central Campus.
  • Underground utilities will need to be relocated prior to the start of construction. Neighbors may have received a letter regarding a Conservation Commission hearing for this work.
  • Questions/Comments
  • No one was happy to see the building near the edge of the street in the last presentation. Happy that it is pushed back with more green space in front.
  • Who owns the land? – All land is owned by the Salem State College Assistance Corporation.
  • What will happen to curb cuts and parking? – Curb cuts will remain the same. Surface parking in the front portion of Central Campus will be gone.
  • Will the building have double-paned windows to reduce noise? – The architects will look into this.
  • How far away is the building from the street? – 45-50 feet
  • What are the next steps? – Design of the building.
  • What happens to the displaced parking? – The first step will be to locate satellite parking and shuttle people to campus. The second step will be to demolish the blue buildings at the Weir property and create a temporary surface lot. Long term plans for Weir will revisit the Sasaki plan.
  • What will the building material be? – Not determined but will draw from surrounding buildings.
  • Is there a LEED goal? – Yes, Silver
  • Will there be an increase in traffic up and down Loring Avenue from this new building? – There is no increase in student enrollment. The students who will live in this building are already here.
  • Parking Garage – Edward Adelman
  • MSCBA is in the process of selecting a designer and contractor for the parking garage. Once hired, the designer and contractor will engage traffic consultants to study the options and the impacts. More information on this project should be available in January/February.
  • Comments/Questions
  • Wasn’t the university considering a parking garage on the Weir Property? – That parking garage, if built, was for the buildings and businesses located on the Weir Property.
  • Has the O’Keefe lot been discussed as an option? – The selected designer and contractor will look at the sites noted in previous meetings but may also inform if other options are more plausible.
  • Tobacco Free Campus
  • Mr. Pangallo reported that the city will be posting “No Smoking” signs on the bike path.
  • A member reported that the amount of cigarette butts on the bike path have not been as many as in years past.
DEFERRED ITEMS
  • Alumni Field Lights
  • Crossing at Former Weir Property and Central Campus
  • Mainstage Theatre Renovation
MEETING SCHEDULE
  • The next meeting of the SSUNAC will be held on Wednesday, October 16, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. in the Enterprise Center Training Room B located on Central Campus at 121 Loring Avenue.