The 24 Norman Street Blog is written and privately maintained by resident George Courage. This blog is no longer endorsed or paid for by either Markwood Management, or Harvest Properties and the opinions, observations and recommendations expressed therein are those of the author alone. This blog welcomes constructive comments, opinions and feedback about anything and everything affecting the quality of life in, near and around 24 Norman Street and Salem, Massachusetts.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Dumpster Diving




















If you have lived at 24 Norman Street for a while, you will occasionally see homeless people from the local shelter going through the recycling bins looking for recyclable items. Although not condoned, and officially trespassing, Markwood generally overlooks this behavior as long as it is taking place during regular daylight working hours, and the people doing the scavenging don't disturb the peace or leave a mess. 
Dumpster-diving however, is another matter entirely. The dumpsters by definition are containers for garbage and other non-recyclable trash. This trash is often wet, dirty, smelly and frequently, dangerous. Broken glass, wood with nails, sharp pieces of metal, etc. Besides the fact, do you really want someone scavenging through your trash?
This presents serious potential liability for 24 Norman Street.
If you see anyone climbing into, on or around the dumpster, who is not an employee of Northside Carting, or a resident of 24 Norman Street, please call the police immediately.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Ladders Are Missing Again

























Markwood Management maintains two large, yellow-and-black, fiberglass stepladders at the bottom of the back stairwell, and a smaller wooden one for the use of the residents.
They can be used to access the high windows and ceilings of the units for cleaning, curtain installation, etc.  

They are both missing again. 
 
They are heavy and a bit difficult to move, so sometimes people are reluctant to return them to their storage area after using them. They also sometimes "wander" off the property.

If you have seen them outside of 24 Norman Street, please let Markwood Management know immediately, or if you have borrowed them or have them in your unit please return them to their storage space at the bottom of the back stairs as soon as possible.
Your condo fee helps pays for them, and they are for everyone to use.
Please be courteous.

Friday, September 20, 2013

The Driveway is Fixed!

























Good news for those of you who like to use the side parking lot for picking up and dropping off, (as well as those of you who like to park there like it's your own personal spot)!
Markwood Management recently completed repairs on the cobblestone entry ramp from the street as well as the large pothole that lay at the head of the driveway. Hopefully these will survive the winter!




Salem Announces Planned Street Closures for September and October


It's that time of year again! The City of Salem has announced the
 following road closures and detours planned for events in September and October.

All information below is subject to change. The Salem Police Department will close any street at any time if they determine that a public safety issue exists.

·         September 21: Wicked Salem Half Marathon starts at 7:00 a.m. at the Bentley School. No road closures are planned, however residents should anticipate traffic delays along: Memorial Drive, Essex Street, Route 1A, Route 114 including Hawthorne Boulevard, Derby Street, Lafayette Street, Fort Avenue, and Memorial Drive. There will be no parking tow zones set up on Memorial Drive, Victory Road, and Larkin Lane.

·         September 28: Gallows Hill road race starts at 5:30 p.m. at Gallows Hill Park. No road closures are planned, however residents should anticipate traffic delays on Witch Hill Road and Hillside Avenue.

·         October 3: Haunted Happenings Parade starts at 6:30 p.m. at Shetland Office Park on Congress Street. Residents should anticipate traffic delays on Route 114 and Route 1A. Route 1A from Derby Street to Brown Street will be closed to traffic from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Other road closures are Congress Street, Washington Street, Essex Street from Washington Street to Union Street, Central Street, Front Street, and Washington Square West, North, and South. There will be no parking tow zones along the entire parade route.

·         October 5 and 6:
Haunted Happenings BizBaz. There will be no parking at the meters along the portion of Essex Street between Hawthorne Boulevard and New Liberty Street beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday October 5 through Sunday October 6 at 9:00 p.m. This section of Essex Street will also be closed to through traffic from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

·         October 13: Witch Ride Motorcycle Ride. Route 114 and Route 1A will be impacted, but not closed to traffic, from Marblehead to New Derby Street. Route 1A, including Derby Street, will be closed to traffic between Lafayette Street and Congress Street. Congress Street will also be closed to traffic. Residents should anticipate road closures and traffic delays from noon to 3:00 p.m. There will be a no parking tow zone on Derby Street between Lafayette and Congress Street from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

·         October 20: Salem YMCA Haunted Happenings 5K road race starts at 9:00 a.m. at the Salem Willows. No road closures are planned, however residents should anticipate traffic delays along the following roadways: Memorial Drive, Essex Street, Route 1A, Route 114 including Hawthorne Boulevard, Derby Street, and Fort Avenue, ending at Restaurant Row.

·         October 26: Devil’s Chase road race starts at 8:00 a.m. at the Salem Willows soccer field on Fort Avenue. No road closures are planned, however residents should traffic delays until 10:30 a.m. on the following roadways: Fort Avenue, Derby Street, Szetela Lane, Webb Street, Andrews Street, Washington Square, Essex Street, Charter Street, Central Street, Derby Street, Winter Island Road, Columbus Avenue, Restaurant Row, and Memorial Drive. Several no parking tow zones will be posted on Memorial Drive, Victory Road, and Larkin Lane.

·         October 31: Halloween events will include multiple road closures and heavy traffic delays throughout Salem for the entire day and night. Residents should expect major traffic delays on Route 114 and Route 1A. Downtown streets will close to all traffic no later than 4:00 p.m. These road closures include: Essex Street at Crombie Street and Barton Square to Union Street, Washington Street from New Derby Street to Bridge Street, Federal Street from St. Peter’s Street to North Street, Washington Square North and West from Essex Street to Brown Street, Hawthorne Boulevard, Derby Street, Route 1A, Congress Street near Pickering Wharf, Charter Street, Central Street, Front Street, and Lafayette Street from New Derby Street to Front Street. Bridge Street at the Bypass Road will also close to all traffic between the westerly overpass ramps the Bypass Road from 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. for the closing fireworks.

For additional information, please contact the Traffic Division of the Salem Police Department at 978-744-0171 ext. 115 or online at www.salempd.net. Travel and parking information for Salem’s October Haunted Happenings festival is online at www.hauntedhappenings.org, with detailed parking information at www.parkinginsalem.com. Follow street closure and traffic alerts for October in Salem on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GetThruOctober (@getthruoctober).

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Don't Do This
























When placing cardboard into the paper recycling bins, remember to break down boxes, etc. as much as possible. Don't do what is pictured here. The lids of the containers must be able to close, so that when it rains or snows, the bins don't fill with water and turn the contents into a sodden mess. It also keeps this stuff from blowing around in the street. If the bin is already full, save the recycling for next week, or throw it in the dumpster. Thank you.