Ward 6 Newsletter
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Ward 6 Newsletter May 12, 2006
CLEAN SWEEP DAY POSTPONED TO MAY 20
The City of Salem's Clean Sweep Day, scheduled for Saturday, May 13th, has
been postponed due to inclement weather. It will be held on Saturday, May
20th, starting at 8:30 pm. All participants are then invited to the Mayor’s
Clean Sweep pizza party to be held on the Common at noon.
Ward 6 Councilor Paul Prevey indicated that all volunteers for the clean-up
will meet around 8:30am at Mack Park, at which point areas in the Ward
needing clean-up will be identified and volunteers assigned. It’s
important that we have as many people as possible for the clean-up. Spread
the word and ask your neighbors, relatives and friends to join in keeping
North Salem a clean and beautiful place to live!
* * * * * * * *
VEHICLE PARK STICKERS & FOREST RIVER POOL PASSES, SATURDAY MAY 13
Salem Residents: Stickers and passes may be purchased on Saturday, May 13,
from 8:00am to noon at the Council on Aging building at 5 Broad Street.
They're also available during business hours Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm,
and Thursday evenings until 7:00pm.
The vehicle park stickers are for entrance to Winter Island, Forest River
Park and McCabe Marina for 2006-2007. The fee is $20; you must bring in your
license and registration. We will place the sticker on your car. For a
second car in your household, you must bring in the registration.
Forest River pool pass fees are $5 for an adult, $4 children and seniors.
The fee to renew a pass is $3 (you must bring in a pass from the last 3
years).
* * * * * * * *
ZBA HEARING ON 28 GOODHUE: NOTE POSSIBLE RESCHEDULING!
Joseph Correnti, the attorney representing the developers of 28 Goodhue
Street, told Councilor Prevey at last night’s Council meeting that he
will
be asking for another continuance from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA).
The development at 28 Goodhue Street had been scheduled for public hearing
in the May 17 meeting. Councilor Prevey will confirm next week that there
has been in fact another continuance—so stay tuned: he will let us know
if
there is a last-minute reversal of that decision. Hearings start at 6:30
pm at 120 Washington Street.
This development is the first test of the NRCC Mixed-Use District zoning
provisions. The zoning permits by right one unit for every 3,500 sq. ft. of
lot area -- in this case, about 24 units. Adding a "bonus" of one
unit for
every affordable unit planned will increase the number of allowed units to
about 27, as developers are proposing that 10% of the units be affordable
housing.
The developers’ current proposal of 44 units (40 at market rate, 4
affordable) is 83% higher than the number of units allowed by right for a
parcel this size. With a 10% bonus for affordable units, the proposed number
is 63% higher than the zoning allows. Hence the need to go before the ZBA to
request a variance.
In a public meeting at the Bates School on April 24th, attorney Joseph
Correnti and the architects representing the developers met with Ward 6
residents to present the plans and answer questions.
Participants raised density-related issues such as traffic congestion and
safety, and the 120-space parking lot that would be required for a structure
of this magnitude. Some expressed concern over the scale of the building,
wondering whether it would harmonize with the nearby residential area or
look incongruous.
Other questions were raised with respect to floodplain and filled tidelands
development, brownfields cleanup, historic considerations, and whether or
not the Salem housing market could support yet another condominium complex
of the proposed scale.
All NRCC Mixed-Use District residents are encouraged to attend this hearing,
since all decisions on this development (and processes used to reach those
decisions) are potentially precedent-setting for the rest of the
District—throughout Ward 6.
* * * * * * * *
ALLIANCE OF SALEM NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, SATURDAY, MAY 20
The next meeting is Saturday, May 20th, 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at the Community
Room, Beverly Cooperative Bank (corner of Derby and Lafayette Sts.).
Alliance Meetings are open to the public and will run less than 2 hours.
Please park on the street at a 2-hour meter or in the parking lot behind the
firehouse.
Reminder: Parking meters are now in effect on Saturdays.
* * * * * * * *
SALEM MARKETPLACE DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS
Public meeting to be held Monday, May 22nd, time TBA.
This will be the first of two public meetings. Details to follow.
Committee meetings, held 8:30 – 10:00 a.m., are open to auditing
but not participation by the public.
Dates: May 17
May 31
June 14
June 28
All meetings are held on the 3rd floor at 120 Washington St.
* * * * * * * * *
NEWS FROM COUNCILOR PREVEY AND SALEM CITY COUNCIL
After Mayor Driscoll's request for a bond to purchase the ferry, the Council
unanimously approved the 3.2M bond to purchase the ferry. Of that amount,
the Commonwealth is funding 75% of it and the remaining 25% will be assumed
by the ferry operator in the form of loan payments. The ferry's return to
Salem represents a new opportunity for tourists, businesses and residents
alike.
It was with great pleasure that Patricia Donahue of Dearborn Lane was
unanimously confirmed by the Council after Mayor Driscoll nominated her as a
member of the Council on Aging. In addition to myself, several other
councilors rose and spoke in support of Pat's appointment. The consensus
was that the Council on Aging will benefit tremendously from Pat's
experience, passion, hard work and dedication. We are honored to have you
serve our City--Congratulations!
It has come to the Council's attention that National Grid has been
experiencing unreasonably long delays in completing work around the City.
It seems that long after the Council has approved petitions to do work
within the city, National Grid has failed to complete the work, and in some
instances, prevented people from moving into newly built/renovated
residences. If anyone has a problem with National Grid failing to do work
in a timely, reasonable manner after the City Council has approved their
petition to do work, please notify me at 978.745.0955 or pcprey@aol.com.
* * * * * * * * *
INPUT SOUGHT BY MAYOR DRISCOLL ON "RED LIGHT CAMERAS"
Do you have an opinion about whether or not Salem should undertake a pilot
program installing red light cameras at traffic signals? The program would
involve allowing a vendor to install cameras at a half dozen troubling
intersections (as identified by the Police Dept and others).
There is no up-front cost to the City, as the companies install the cameras
for free. They receive a percentage of the ticket revenue or a monthly flat
fee. The City benefits in terms of public safety from increased enforcement,
and in terms of finances from increased traffic ticket revenues.
A public forum, in which one or both potential vendors present the concept,
may be scheduled through the Alliance of Salem Neighborhood Associations if
there is enough interest. If you'd be interested in attending such a forum,
please reply to this e-mail.
* * * * * * * *
SPRING BOOT CAMP, MAY 22 – JUNE 22
Adults looking for a new challenge and unique experience while having fun:
KICK START your fitness routine this spring with the Salem Recreation Boot
Camp, a 5-week, 4 day a week conditioning program that covers all aspects of
a well rounded fitness program (full-body strength, cardiovascular
endurance, flexibility and nutrition) in the great outdoors. Each day we
will utilize functional exercises while focusing on CORE STRENGTH, BALANCE
and STABILITY. Testing will occur on the first day (1-minute push-up,
1-minute sit-up and a run/walk test) and the last day to track your
progress. Results are 100% guaranteed.
Time: 6-7 am (Mon-Thurs) or 6:30-7:30pm (Mon/Wed.)
Location: Salem Common, Salem, MA
Cost: $110 ($75 for evening class)
Contact: Brandi Dion at: bnsfitness@yahoo.com or 978.740.0788
* * * * * * * *
AFFORDABLE UNIT FOR SALE; OPEN HOUSE MAY 21
Salem Harbor CDC has an affordable 2 BR condo unit available for sale to an
eligible buyer. The unit is at 10 Porter St. in Salem. The $145,000 price
will make it affordable to a buyer earning less than 80% of median. It is
located near downtown Salem, less than a mile from the train station and
close to stores and services.
Come see the property at the OPEN HOUSE on Sunday, May 21, 1 to 3 pm.
Features:
- Garage, with one additional offstreet parking space
- Large 19’ x 12’ Eat-in Kitchen
- Four rooms and 830 sf of living space
- Five closets, plus additional storage space
- Wood floors
- Outdoor porch
The buyer must meet these conditions:
1) Either a first time homebuyer, or not have owned home within 3 years,
2) May use this as primary residence only,
3) Must meet income restrictions for household size, and
4) May not resell unit except under certain restrictions.
For a listing sheet call Nina Cohen at Salem Harbor CDC, 978.825.4016.
Ward 6 Newsletter April 24, 2006
***REMINDER: Northfields Neighborhood meeting on MONDAY, APRIL 24, at 6:30
pm at the Bates School. Top item on the agenda: The development at 28
Goodhue Street.
* * * * * * *
WALK FOR HAWC, SUNDAY, APRIL 30
FROM CITY HALL: Below please find an invitation to join Kim at the Walk for
HAWC. Some of the highlights of the event are: Ms. Massachusetts will be
leading the Walk for HAWC and after the walk you can enjoy performances by
Mamadou, In the Makin and Bai Chai dance groups of Lynn, and sandwiches
courtesy of Kelly's Roast Beef. And of course, Kim as the Honorary Chair
Person. Kim really hopes you can make it!
Mayor Kimberley Driscoll Honorary Chair Person for the Walk for HAWC, would
like you to join her team, "Mayors Striders", and participate in the
14th
Annual Walk for HAWC!
DATE: Sunday, April 30, 2006
TIME: Registration begins at 11:00 a.m., The WALK begins at 12 noon
PLACE: The 5 mile walk begins and ends at Old Town Hall
TEAM: "Mayors Striders" Team # 9
RSVP: To Jason by responding to this email or by calling 978-745-9595
ext. 203
The walk is more fun as a team . . . encourage your family, friends,
neighbors, and colleagues to join us. Kids are welcome! Please let us know
if you are interested and we will send you some information. We thank you
in advance for your participation!MASSACHUSETTS INNOVATION/CREATIVE ECONOMY
CONFERENCE, WEDNESDAY, MAY 3
The Massachusetts Innovation/Creative Economy Conference will be held in
Salem on Wednesday, May 3. Speakers include Lt. Gov. Healey, Professor
Edward Glaeser from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, State Reps.
Bosley and Turkington. To find out more information on the speakers,
conference agenda and registration, go to www.creativeeconomy.us.HIKE TO MT.
MONADNOCK, JAFFREY, NH, MAY 6
The Salem Park & Rec. Hiking Club will be hosting a hike to Mt. Monadnock,
Jaffrey, NH, on May 6th. Everyone will gather and depart from Mack Park at
7:15 am. The cost is $8 per person (also $3 for parking). Must RSVP to
Brandi Dion at 978.204.8588 (bring water, lunch and layers of clothing).OPERATION
CLEAN SWEEPS, SATURDAY, MAY 13
Many thanks to Mary Ellen Sullivan for her suggestion: “One area that
REALLY
needs attention is the walkway behind HMA (under the North St Bridge) that
hundreds of people use everyday as a shortcut to the train station or
downtown.”
Ward Councilor Paul Prevey makes this suggestion: “I've noticed that the
Mason Street edge of Mack Park from Tremont Street down to the intersection
of Mason/Grove/Harmony Grove is often littered with trash. Some of it is
private property, but most is Mack Park trash that is accumulating in the
brush.”
These are both excellent ideas, BUT -- neither will get done during
Operation Clean Sweeps without volunteers to recruit neighbors and
coordinate the clean-up. Interested? Or have other sites to suggest? Just
reply to this e-mail.SAVE THE DATE: MAYOR'S CUP GOLF TOURNAMENT, SATURDAY, JUNE
10
The 3rd Annual Park & Rec Mayor's Cup Golf Tournament will take place on
Saturday, June 10th at Olde Salem Greens Gold Course. All proceeds from the
tournament will go to the golf course and the Salem Youth Basketball
program. Fee is $400 per foursome - includes golf cart, catered meal and
gift. Contact Park & Rec. office at 5 Broad St. or call 978.744.0180.WHAT'S
YOUR HOME'S VALUE? HOW HAS IT CHANGED?
Salem homeowners might want to visit www.zillow.com to check their home's
market value -- and how it's changed in the past 4 months. You can also view
information on recent home sales to get a general sense of the housing
market in Salem.NEW WARD 6 NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP WEB PAGE
David Hart, the Web wizard behind Salemcitizens.org, writes: “I created
a
Ward 6 Neighborhood Group web page and mounted the first issue on it."
http://salemcitizens.org/neighborgroups/ward6/ward6.html
Thank you so much, David – what a great way for the neighborhoods to stay
in
touch.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Want to contribute your ideas for the content of the Web page?
Have news items for this e-mail newsletter?
Want to subscribe to (or unsubscribe from) this list?
Just reply to this e-mail message.
Ward 6 Newsletter April 17, 2006
This is Issue #1 of what is hoped to be a regular update on news from City
Hall, plus what’s happening with NRCC development. If anyone has a Ward
6
neighborhood news item to share, send an e-mail to Leslie Limon at
limon.leslie@verizon.net.
28 GOODHUE STREET DEVELOPMENT
On April 6th the Salem Planning Board unanimously agreed to grant the
Special Permit allowing developers to build a four-story structure of
primarily high-priced condominiums.
A few affordable units and first-floor commercial/retail spaces are also
included for this Blubber Hollow property, which lies within the NRCC
Neighborhood Mixed Use District.
In May, the developer will appear before the Zoning Board of Appeals to
request approval of their proposed number of 44 residential units. This is
roughly double that which is allowed by right in the NRCC Neighborhood Mixed
Use District.
On Monday, April 24, at 6:30 pm at the Bates School, attorney Joseph
Correnti, representing the developers, will meet with residents of
Northfields, Federal Street, and Gallows Hill to review the plans and answer
questions about density issues such as traffic planning, public safety, and
utilities infrastructure.
This is the first development in the NRCC to come before the City. What
happens here will signal to future developers how strongly residents intend
to monitor their proposed developments.
Without strong neighborhood monitoring, the tendency will be to seek Special
Permits and Variances that will erode the intent of the NRCC Master Plan.
This is not the precedent we should be setting. So everyone is encouraged
to attend.
ANNUAL OPERATION CLEAN SWEEPS, SATURDAY, MAY 13
Mayor Driscoll invites all neighborhood organizations to participate in
Salem's annual Operation Clean Sweeps scheduled for Saturday, May 13th.
Volunteers are asked to meet at the designated clean-up site at 8:30 a.m.,
then join other neighborhood groups at the Common for a pizza party at 12:00
noon.
***TO SUGGEST SPECIFIC SITES in the Northfields/Ward 6 area for clean-up, or
to volunteer to coordinate a site clean-up, please send an e-mail message to
Leslie Limon at limon.leslie@verizon.net this week.
***
NEWS FROM CITY HALL, APRIL 5
The City of Salem has begun pedestrian and handicap access improvements at
the intersection of Derby & Congress Streets.
The improvements include relocating pedestrian crosswalks that will have ADA
approved handicap ramps, construction of a median strip along New Derby
Street for pedestrian safety and some street resurfacing work. Work is
expected to take approximately one month, depending on the weather.
Of course, this project is happening because of the support and hard work
not only of Mayor Driscoll, but of Ward 1 Councillor Lucy Corchardo, who has
supported and advocated for these improvements for quite some time. As you
know, Mayor Driscoll also campaigned on the pledge to make improvements on
this dangerous intersection. This is a step in the right direction.
For more information you may contact the Department of Public Services
Office at (978)-745-9595 x 321.
**PLEASE NOTE: THIS ISSUE HAS ALSO BEEN SENT TO MEMBERS
OF FEDERAL
STREET-WARD 2 AND GALLOWS HILL-WARD 4 ASSOCIATIONS WHO HAVE BEEN ACTIVE IN
DISCUSSIONS ABOUT 28 GOODHUE.