City of Salem
Youth Commission
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
6:00 pm
In Attendance: Peter Baglioni, James Lister, Donna Condon, Susan Kelly, Deb Amaral, Steve Harris, Mary Margaret Fanning, James Labbe, Shane Rodriguez, Ann Marie Tanzella, Jodi Goldenberg, Jason Silva, Tom Watkins
Jason began the meeting by introducing himself and stating that the Youth Commission and their initiatives will be a priority of the Mayor for the coming years. The rest of the group followed in introducing themselves.
Jason stated that the reason for creating the Youth Commission was to get representatives from many of the City’s youth organizations together to collaborate with each other and make sure all are on the same page. Also, the Youth Commission will be charged with exploring and creating new programs/events for the City of Salem’s youth population (i.e. teens who loiter in the downtown area).
Peter had stated that the Police Department expects that there will be a large amount of teens that will be hanging out in the downtown area this coming summer. Efforts were made last year to move them but once you move them from one spot they quickly go somewhere else. Peter said they typically hang out in the late afternoon and the Police Department would just like to have an idea as to where these kids are at all times.
Jason also made mention of the graffiti problem in the City of Salem. Peter had mentioned that there have 10 arrests in the last month of kids spraying graffiti. Most of the kids were from Marblehead. Peter also stated that the Police Department makes every effort to photograph and document all graffiti in the City.
Deb raised the idea of creating a calendar, which listed all current youth activities/events/programs which listed the time, date, place, etc. of the event. The group liked the idea.
Shane had raised the idea of starting a Child Safety Day in Salem. He had previously worked to organize such an event in the City of Fitchburg and said it was well attended. Deb had mentioned that the City of Lynn has a Healthy Kids Day and that the Salem YMCA will be hosting such an event on April 14th. Shane, Deb and Ann Marie said they would work together to explore the creation of a Child Safety Day in Salem.
It was then stated that the two short-term goals for the Youth Commission would be to create a calendar of events and work on having as Child Safety Day (a possible location for this event could be the Salem Common).
Peter had mentioned that it is hard to get the word out to everyone in the City about certain events and activities. Ann Marie said that it should be a big part of the mission of the Youth Commission to advocate and educate the public about what the group is doing.
It was mentioned that the Salem Police are currently working on the Shannon Grant, which would help to provide jobs to teens for the coming months.
There was discussion amongst the group as to whom else they would like to have as part of the Youth Commission. The following people were mentioned:
· Kim Lawrence from the Salem Juvenile Court
· A representative from the Point Community (possibly Lucy Corchado)
· A representative from the Schools (possibly Julie Doherty or Mary Manning)
· A student representative from the High School
· A representative from the Park & Rec. Department
· A representative from the Department of Social Services
Ann Marie will work on drafting a Mission Statement for the group and other group members will work on compiling a list of youth activities/events/programs that can be incorporated into one master calendar.
The next meeting of the Youth Commission was scheduled for April 17th, 2007 at 6 pm and will be held in the 3rd Floor Conference Room at 120 Washington Street.
Meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm.
Minutes recorded by Tom Watkins
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