Museum of Science Welcomes Salem Residents for Fourth Annual September Salem Days

This September, Salem residents will have the opportunity to transport themselves to the remote and beautiful Arctic, experience a rock-and-roll journey through space and time, stand before one of the world’s most complete Triceratops fossils, and much more, all free of charge, when the Museum of Science hosts September Salem Days. This program, generously funded by the Norman H. Read Trust, will allow Salem residents to explore more than 700 exhibits, four Planetarium shows, and three giant-screen films in the Mugar Omni Theater. This is the fourth year that the Norman H. Read Trust is providing this exclusive opportunity for Salem residents.

The Norman H. Read Trust will also subsidize two free MBTA train rides to and from North Station. The first train ride will take place on Saturday, September 15 and will be led by Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll and family. The second train ride, led by State Representative John Keenan and family, will be held on Saturday, September 22. Both train rides will depart from Salem and the offer is only valid for the 10:38 a.m. North Station bound trains on each day. Museum of Science staff and volunteers will accompany passengers on both train rides to provide interpretive and hands-on science activities during the rides. Museum of Science volunteers will guide train riders from North Station to the Museum of Science.7.

September Salem Days Program Information
The program includes free Exhibit Halls, Planetarium, and Omni Theater passes for all Salem families, individuals, and children. Passes have been mailed to each Salem household. Passes will admit up to four individuals. To obtain additional passes, residents can visit one of three distribution centers, which include Salem City Hall, Salem Public Library, and the Salem Parks and Recreation Department. Passes will also be distributed in classrooms at the Salem public schools. Exhibit Hall passes can be presented at the Museum entrance with a valid Massachusetts driver's license or identification card indicating Salem residence. Charles Hayden Planetarium and Mugar Omni Theater passes must be exchanged for a timed ticket with valid identification. Salem residents must obtain passes in the mail or from a distribution center prior to arriving at the Museum. The Museum of Science will be closed on Tuesday, September 4. The Charles Hayden Planetarium will be closed September 10 through September 14.

Throughout the month of September, the Charles Hayden Planetarium will show Ghosts of Jupiter: Music Experience, Undiscovered Worlds: The Search Beyond Our Sun, Explore the Universe: Live!, Dynamic Earth. The Mugar Omni Theater will show To The Arctic, Born to be Wild, and Dolphins. Exhibit Halls highlights include Colossal Fossil: Cliff T. Tops, Gordon Current Science & Technology Center presentations, design challenges, and much more. For more information the public can call 617-723-2500 or visit mos.org/salem.  

Free Train Ride Information:
Please join us for a FREE ride on the MBTA’s Commuter Rail from Salem to North Station in Boston on Saturday, September 15 or Saturday, September 22, 2012.

This offer is only valid for the 10:38 a.m. train from Salem to North Station. Once at North Station it is a short walk to the Museum of Science. Special Commuter Rail tickets will be distributed at the Salem Station between 9:45 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. prior to boarding the train; only those passengers who have passes to the Museum of Science and proof of Salem residency will be provided free round-trip tickets for the commuter rail. The return ticket will be valid for travel on any regularly scheduled train from North Station to Salem and must be used on that day only (departure schedule: 1:30, 2:15, 4:30, 5:30, 6:30, 8:30, 10:15, and 11:30 p.m.).

For more information visit: http://www.mos.org/events

Basics for Living at 24 Norman Street

We have a fair number of tenants renting or subletting units at 24 Norman Street, and therefore a pretty high turn-over rate, so it is sometimes beneficial to post some Norman Street basics.
As a trustee, I hear the complaints about building issues. Here are three common issues that come up again and again. If you pay attention to these issues and the solutions, you will avoid 99% of the difficulties associated with living in a compact, 39-unit building.

1. Excessive noise
This is the biggest complaint among owners and tenants in the building. The condo rules state no excessive noise between 9 pm and 9 am. That could mean anything from loud TVs and music to loud talking. Please note: Because of the age of the building and the way it was converted into condos, there is not much sound buffering between floors. In most cases, the ceiling of one unit directly abuts the floor of the unit above it. Sound carries very easily between units, more than you may be aware of, especially if you live on the 2nd or 3rd floor. Also, because of the layout of the lofts, most unit's sleeping areas are directly below the entry and bathroom of the unit above it. This also amplifies the effect.  
Solution: Be quiet between 9 pm and 9 am.
Curtail any loud activities. If you cannot avoid activity during that time, do your best to keep it as quiet as possible. People can hear you. If you are not quiet, and your neighbor lodges a complaint with Markwood Management, the owner of the unit may be fined until the situation is corrected.

2. Parking
This is the second biggest complaint from owners and tenants in the building. Besides griping about the restrictions and general lack of on-street parking, the next biggest issue is the misuse of the side drop-off area on the north-east side of the building. It is intended as a drop-off area for residents loading and unloading from their cars. It is not intended as an auxiliary parking lot, or as a personal work area. It is for short-term use. If you are parking your vehicle there for more than 30 minutes, you are abusing the privilege.
Solution: Don't park your vehicle in the side lot for more than 30 minutes
If you park there any longer than that, your vehicle may be towed at your expense.

3. Building Maintenance
Last, but not least, is building maintenance. This is a broad category which covers everything in the common areas of the building, the hallways, entryways, laundry room, roof, dumpsters, drop-off area and grounds and includes activities such as painting, landscaping, carpeting, cleaning.
Many complaints about maintenace have to do with the quality, appearance and even the smell of the property.
Some people have a tendency to treat anything outside of their individual unit as a kind of dumping ground for anything from shoes and unwanted household items to cigarette butts and trash. Random acts of vandalism have also been known to occur.
The common areas are just that, common areas, held in common trust by every owner in the building. We pay for its maintenance, which means when you abuse the common areas, you are taking money out of your neighbor's pocket. 
Solution: Don't use the common areas as your personal trash bin/smoking lounge/anger management tool.
Abuse of or vandalism of the common areas may mean fines and/or prosecution.

Courtesy, respect and consideration go a long way.

CITY OF SALEM TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO ESSEX STREET PEDESTRIAN MALL

The City of Salem is moving forward with making improvements to the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall.

The work consists of removing three landscaping beds in front of 197-201, 213, 215, and 226 Essex Street. These areas will be filled in with brick to match the existing pattern.

Mayor Kimberley Driscoll said, “The pedestrian mall is an important amenity downtown, and I’m pleased to move forward with this needed work. The project will make it safer for pedestrians and will increase visibility for businesses.”

In response to requests from merchants, the City adjusted the construction schedule so no work would occur during July or October. In addition, the City has minimized construction in August as much as possible. Construction will begin on Monday, August 20, 2012 and will end no later than Friday, September 28, 2012.

Design discussions focused on the next phase of improvements will be held this fall. Elements that may be included in the next phase are removing the fountain at Washington Street and redesigning the area, removing the kiosk and other landscaping beds, addressing the treatment of the cobblestone areas, proposing new street furniture, planting trees, and opportunities for public art.

People interested in receiving updates on the project can sign up for e-mail updates at www.salem.com under the “E-mail Subscriber” button.