City of Salem Offers Free Parking December 24 and 31

In order to encourage residents to shop local and support Salem’s small businesses this holiday season, Mayor Kim Driscoll has announced that parking in all City-owned locations in Salem will be free on Wednesday, December 24.

Then, on Wednesday December 31, metered spaces and City-owned surface lots will also be free after 4:00 p.m. and the Museum Place and South Harbor parking garages will be free after 7:00 p.m., in order to help encourage residents and visitors to come ring in the New Year in downtown Salem.

“I hope everyone doing their last minute holiday shopping will keep our local small retailers and shops in mind,” said Mayor Driscoll. “To make it just a bit easier for all of you late shoppers, the City will not be charging for parking on December 24th. Now you don’t have an excuse!”

The City of Salem and Salem Main Streets have also once again partnered to host “LAUNCH! New Year’s Eve Salem” at Old Town Hall in Derby Square from 4:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. on New Year’s Eve night. This free and family-friendly party will include music by The Dejas, New Year’s Eve related activities and crafts for kids of all ages, and will end with an early countdown and balloon drop at 7:00 p.m.

Electric Rates Are Going Up. What to do?

If you are a National Grid customer, you may have received a notice  informing you that your electric rates are going to be raised by as much as 37% next month. That is 37¢ on every dollar you spend. So a $100 electric bill will now be a $137 electric bill. Coming hard on the teeth of another brutally long and cold winter seems akin to kicking someone when they are down. What can you do? Turn down the thermostat, switch to energy efficient bulbs and appliances, sure, but many of us have already done that, in fact that is one of the reasons that National Grid is raising it's rates. People are using less energy, but the power company "needs" to make the same amount of money, therefore: higher rates. So what to do? Suck it up and pay the higher rates...or look into supplementing our energy with solar power?
The possibility of placing solar panels on the roof of 24 Norman Street is an idea that has been discussed. It is unlikely that we could generate enough power to supply the entire building, but it might be enough to keep our ever-spiraling electric bills down to a manageable level.
Here is an article about how one couple in a Chicago condominium went solar. http://www.motherearthliving.com/mother-earth-living/how-to-go-solar-condo.aspx#axzz3K1C34V4e

The main hindrances to going solar are expense, and maintenance. There are several government-sponsored incentive programs for going solar, as well as a solar initiative here in Salem.
This article is the best in explaining the incentives.
http://brightstarsolar.net/2011/02/solar-power-for-condominiums/

The first big question is: do we qualify? The second is: if not, does anyone in the building want to spend the money to have solar panels installed? Would it be economically feasible?
Like many other initiatives proposed for our building, if there is no interest, we will continue to maintain the status quo, however we would love to know your thoughts.

City of Salem Launches Snow Emergency Central Webpage & Call for Shovelers

The City of Salem has once again launched the Snow Emergency Central webpage on Salem.com – a comprehensive online directory for information related to snow emergencies and winter storms in Salem.
The webpage http://www.salem.com/Pages/snow/index can be accessed directly by clicking on the Snow Emergency Central icon located in the upper right hand corner of the Salem.com homepage.

Snow Emergency Central provides information on the following snow emergency and winter storm related resources:

• Current Snow Emergency Details
• Snow Emergency CodeRed Alert System Sign-Ups
• List of Snow Emergency Parking Locations (full lot listing and interactive map)
• 2014-2015 Snow Emergency Downloadable Brochure
• Salem Snow Shoveling Assistance Program (for elderly, infirm, or disabled residents)
• Salem Snow Shoveling Brigade
• SeeClickFix Winter Service Requests
• Snow Emergency Frequently Asked Questions
• Snow Rules and Regulations (for shoveling, plowing, and clearing of sidewalks, driveways, hydrants and catch basins)
• Winter Sand Acquisition

The City of Salem will also be working to try to clear snow from downtown crosswalks in a timely fashion this winter season. To that end, the City is seeking individuals interested in signing up for compensated work shoveling these critical pedestrian access points.
Those interested in signing up should visit the Salem Human Resources Office, 120 Washington Street, 4th floor, and bring a photo ID. The office is open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon.

City ordinances require all private property owners to remove snow and ice from their own bordering sidewalks within six hours after the snow stops falling or the City’s blue snow emergency lights are turned off, whichever time is later. If the snow stops falling and the emergency lights are turned off in the nighttime, the snow must be removed by noon the following day. Failure to do can result in fines from $25 to $100. While the City makes every effort to clear its pedestrian ways as soon feasible after a storm, it is important for property owners to clear their own sidewalks, as well. This will help prevent children, the elderly, and the general public from having to walk in the street.

The City of Salem also offers a Snow Shoveling Assistance Program to help elderly and infirmed residents connect with available shovelers in their neighborhood. Details about the program are available at http://www.salem.com/Pages/SalemMA_DPW/snowprogram.
The City of Salem has once again launched the Snow Emergency Central webpage on Salem.com – a comprehensive online directory for information related to snow emergencies and winter storms in Salem.

The webpage  http://www.salem.com/Pages/snow/index

ROOF REPAIR NOTICE

In an effort to stop some minor roof leaks before they turn into a major problem, roof repairs will be commencing this week (November 24-26th) or next (December 1-5), depending on weather.
The repairs are expected to take 2-3 days.
There will be some disruption during the repairs. Trucks in the driveway, ladders on the building and noise, particularly noticeable on the third floor. The construction vehicles may affect your ability to use the side parking area and access to that side of the building. It may also mean that we may miss trash pickup for the week. If you have any questions please contact Markwood Management, Telephone (781) 639-4080 , Facsimile (781) 639-0228, e-mail: markwoodmgt@hotmail.com.

Clothing and Textile Recycling Drive–Saturday November 22, 2014!

On Saturday, November 22nd, SalemRecycles will host  the fourth annual textile recycling drive at Riley Plaza  parking lot from 8 am - 3 pm.  The parking lot is directly across from the Salem Post Office at 2 Margin Street.  Just look for a big Goodwill truck.  So just drive in and drop off your textiles.  You will be helped by a group of enthusiastic SalemRecycles volunteers.

What can you recycle?  Clothing, sneakers, shoes, boots, slippers, belts, ties, purses, pillows, bedding (comforters, sheets, blankets), table linens, stuffed animals and draperies/curtains. Items can be in almost any condition.  Moth-eaten, torn, and stained fabrics are reusable. However, they must be clean and dry to be accepted.

What is not allowed?  NO carpets, NO rugs, NO bric-a-brac, NO oil rags, and absolutely NO wet or mildewed items.

24 Norman Street residents take note that this event may affect parking access to some parts of Riley Plaza.

Questions?  Please call - 978-619-5679 or go to: www.salem.com/recycling or greensalem.com/events.

Winter Market Around the Bend: Returns to Artists’ Row

This winter the Salem Farmers’ Market returns to its previous indoor location at Artists’ Row -- adjacent to Derby Square’s Old Town Hall where the Winter Market has been hosted the past few years. The Winter Market commences on the 13th of November with five weeks of operation: Thursdays November 13th, 20th and December 4th, 11th, and 18th.  The Market runs from 3-7 pm, one hour longer than last year’s Winter Market. 

“The Winter Market is a fantastic opportunity to support local farms and artisans through the holiday season,” states Kylie Sullivan, manager of Salem Main Streets and organizer of the market. “We’re very excited to showcase so many farmers’ market favorites as well as some new vendors in this unique space.”

A diversity of local vendors will be present at the Winter Market with a weekly rotation of booths and goods.  Patrons can expect to find an assortment of foods and artisan crafts including but not limited to dried fruit and nuts, oatmeal crisps, hard cider, chowder, upcycled clothing, jewelry, gluten/dairy free baked goods, wreaths, berries, handmade soaps, spices, honey, pickles, wool crafts, gourmet ravioli, candles, cheeses, eggs, and various produce. 

The Salem Farmers’ Market and Winter Market are organized by Salem Main Streets with assistance from Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, and the City of Salem, Mass in Motion Salem, Salem Chamber of Commerce, and numerous volunteers. For further information regarding current vendors and Winter Market updates, refer to the Market’s website, Facebook, and Twitter pages, or contact Kylie Sullivan directly. 

Kylie Sullivan                                         
Manager, Salem Main Streets                            
265 Essex Street                                       
Salem, MA 01970
978/744-0004 x15
kylie@salemmainstreets.org

salemfarmersmarket.org
facebook.com/SalemMAFarmersMarket
twitter.com/salemfarmmarket

Post-Halloween Survey

Did you enjoy this year's Halloween festivities? Did you hate them? Would you like to have a say on what the plans are for next year? 
In order to help Salem officials plan, prepare, and set goals for October 2015, all Salem residents are invited to complete a brief survey regarding their opinions of Haunted Happenings and Halloween 2014. The survey will be online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HauntedHappenings2014 until noon on Friday, November 21.

 City of Salem
93 Washington Street
Salem, Massachusetts 01970
(978) 745-9595
www.salem.com

Using the DUMPSTER

With 39 units, 24 Norman Street frequently has people moving in and moving out of the building. Generally when people move out, they are responsible and take all their stuff with them, occasionally though, we have what you see in the photo above: people discarding their unwanted furniture items either in or next to the dumpster.
The mattress in the image above was discarded by someone who recently moved out, (or bought a new mattress). This is a good time to remind residents that the dumpster is for non-recyclable trash and garbage ONLY.  It is NOT meant for mattresses, large pieces of furniture, construction materials, toxic waste or household chemicals.
We pay for weekly trash pickup, but the condo association has to pay extra for the removal of large items such as this. What is worse; the careless placement of this mattress would have prevented the trash company from emptying the dumpster if Markwood had not noticed the item and called the company ahead of time to arrange for removal.
This has happened on more than one occasion with dressers, chairs, bookcases and mattresses. It is the tenants responsibility for making arrangements to dispose of their large personal items, not Markwood Management's. Do not fill the dumpster with it, and do not leave it to sit outside. A good rule of thumb is; if it takes two people to lift it, it probably shouldn't be going into the dumpster.
If you are linked to one of these discarded items, (or your tenant is), you will be fined to cover the expense of removal.

Coming to Salem for Halloween?

Residents of 24 Norman Street may already be in Salem, however if you are new to Salem and the building, must travel out of or into Salem, or you have friends coming to visit on Halloween, you may find this information helpful. Also, be aware that the side parking lot will be chained and locked Halloween to prevent unauthorized parking.

Here are 5 Things you need to know.

1. Seek alternate routes. Do not drive to Salem on October 31st. Take the commuter rail or the Salem Ferry. The last trains leave Salem for Boston at around 11 PM.
2. Say something. If you see anything suspicious report it to the police by texting SalemTip  to 67283, or calling 978-744-1212, or going to any of the bright orange Salem Police tents around downtown.
3. Be safe. Leave costume weapons at home. Public intoxication will not be tolerated. Fines triple in October. Follow all police directions
4. Be respectful. Be sensitive to our downtown residents, as well as visitors. Fines for parking in resident-only zones triple in October.
5. Be patient. Road closures and detours are numerous on October 31st and may change depending on circumstances. If you must drive expect major delays.

www.salem.com
www.hauntedhappenings.com

Shut the Door!

The recent spate of rainy weather reminds me that it's that time of year again...when we start getting a lot more rain, wind and snow, and things are generally a bit damper than in the summer. That means that the front and back doors, which are old, and wooden, tend to swell up and not close properly.
There isn't much that can be done about preventing this unless we replace the wooden doors with metal ones, so please take an extra few seconds to make sure that the front and the back doors are closed securely behind you when you go in or out of the building.
They may seem like they are closed, but if you don't hear that "click" of the lock, it is still open and could provide access for people who do not live in the building...including drunken Halloween revelers and other undesirable non-residents. A little diligence now could head of a lot of potential issues down the road. Thanks!

Salem Announces Planned Street Closures for the month of October

It's that time of year again! If you have lived in Salem or at 24 Norman Street for more than a year, you already know how crazy things like traffic, crowds and parking can get from now until November. To help you plan, here are the City of Salem's announced road closures and detours planned for events in 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.
 
·         October 2: Haunted Happenings Parade starts at 6:00 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. Log onto www.salem.com for more detailed information.

 ·         October 4 and 5: 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 4 through Sunday October 5 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 18: Salem YMCA Witch City 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 19: 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 25: 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 or www.salem.com. 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).

Free Book Swap Saturday September 20

Unload your old books and help yourself to new ones at a Free Book Swap! This is the eleventh book swap sponsored by SalemRecycles, the City of Salem’s Recycling Committee. The event will take place at the Senior Center at 5 Broad Street on Saturday September 20 from 10am – 1pm.

The book swap is a great way to recycle any of your unwanted books, greeting cards; and commercial CDs, DVDs and videos. Take home a whole new selection of commercial media items, cards and even some bestselling books.  All books are accepted—even text books. No swap is needed--you can donate materials, take materials, or both!  Drop off will be held Friday, September 19, from 5:30-7 pm, or just bring your books between 9:45 am and noon on Saturday.

Back by Popular Demand: SalemRecyclesBook Swap!

When:                   Saturday September 20, 10 am until 1 pm

**Please no book dealers or more than two bags per swapper before noon**

Where:                  City of Salem Senior Center

                             5 Broad Street

Why:                    To promote re-use and recycling of books, greeting cards and other commercial media items (CD’s, DVD’s and videos).

Drop-Off:             Friday, September 19, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm at the Senior Center at 5 Broad Street, or Saturday September 15, during book swap hours. Volunteers will be available to help.

Bring your excess books, greeting cards, and commercial CDs, DVDs and videos.  Items will be loosely categorized to help you in your hunt for free entertainment. All ‘unswapped’ items will be reused or recycled.

SalemRecycles is the City’s volunteer recycling committee which works to increase recycling and encourage positive recycling practices through educational outreach and special events.  Through the last eleven Book Swaps, SalemRecycles has hosted over 3,700 participants; recycled an estimated 40,000; books, and avoided almost 20 tons of landfill disposal.  For more information about SalemRecycles or the Book Swap, please call (978)-619-5679 or visit www.salem.com/recycling or GreenSalem.com.  Like SalemRecycles on Face book.

New Front Door Handle

Residents of 24 Norman Street may notice a new door handle on the front door this week.
On Wednesday, Trustee Anna Zabierek had the inside front door knob come off in her hand. No one could exit the building from the front door because of this, and the only way out of the building was the back entrance. Anna contacted Markwood Management and Secure Lock and Safe was at the property by 8:30 Thursday morning. We were very fortunate that this happened with a trustee present. This might be a good time to remind people that if you experience a maintenance emergency like this, to please call the Markwood Management emergency line (781-669-4080) immediately. You do not need to check with one of the trustees first or have them call for you, you can call directly. Markwood is very good about getting back to you within minutes of calling and leaving a message. Residents who use their key for entry may also notice that although your keys still work, since it is a new lock, the action may be a bit stiff. The code entry system is not affected by this change.

The 32 Annual Antique and Classic Boat Festival

photo by Anne Campbell

For those of you who live at 24 Norman Street who are not away this weekend and are looking for an activity in Salem, consider attending the 32 Annual Antique and Classic Boat Festival

32nd Antique and Classic Boat Festival3

August 23-24, 2014. This as a rare chance to see vintage motor yachts and sailboats, tour vessels, meet skippers and crews and vote for your favorite boats! A crafts market, artists, old-time band music, children's activities. The Blessing of the Fleet and more! Live music throughout the weekend. The show goes on rain or shine!
Saturday from 11am-5pm; Sunday from 10am-3pm at the Brewer Hawthorne Cove Marina, 10 White Street, Salem. Admission: $5, Free for children under 12. Visit the website here: boatfestival.org

32nd Antique and Classic Boat Festival

32nd Antique and Classic Boat Festival

Get a Key

The front entry access panel was replaced and re-programmed this week. It turns out that it was a nearby lightning strike that caused an electrical surge that overloaded and burned out part of the entry system. We were extremely lucky that the main part of the code entry system continued to work, but it underlines a potential issue. One of the things that was so surprising about the panel failure was how few tenants in the building actually have a key to the front door of the building. If the electronic entry panel fails for any reason (lightning strike, power failure, vandalism) you may not be able to gain access the building. For this reason, Markwood Management strongly advises that you have an entry key in your possession; obtain one from your landlord, or Markwood Management as soon as possible.
The front entry panel is meant as a convenience, but not as a total replacement for keyed entry, and in the case of a total power failure, it will not work. For security purposes we prefer that you have a key available to use in such emergencies. This may also reduce the incidence of people propping the door open because they do not have a key.  So again, if you do not have a key to the front and back door, get one as soon as possible.

53rd Salem Heritage Days Begins August 1st

Salem, MA – Mayor Kim Driscoll today announced this year’s Heritage Days schedule of events, which begin on Friday, August 1st and continue through Sunday, August 10th.

“Heritage Days has been a long standing tradition in Salem and this year we have ten days of fun-filled events,” said Mayor Driscoll. “With almost forty different activities to choose from, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Come join us as we celebrate Salem being such a great place to live, work, and visit.”

To put everyone in a festive mood, this year’s Heritage Days kick-off event is a concert on the Common with music by the Civil Disturbance Jazz Band. This local area band will play a selection of jazz and show tunes. The concert is sponsored by the Salem Common Neighborhood Association.

Also new for the first weekend of Heritage Days is the Bridgin G.A.P.S. concert at the Salem Willows. The goal of Bridgin G.A.P.S is to provide a festive, entertaining, and educational platform for the local community to gather and celebrate in a safe and positive environment while connecting with community resources. Performances range from local and non-local recording artists, live bands, dance groups, poets, and other performance styles along with guest speakers from various non-profit and charitable organizations.

All of the favorites are also packed into the schedule: join Mayor Driscoll on a tour of three of Salem's hot dining spots during the Mayor's Night Out Restaurant Sampler; Tour-A-Truck; Salem’s Best Pizza Contest; the Salem Community Concert Band; the Ice Scream Bowl; Kids Night on the Common; the Essex Street Fair; and the 13th Annual Phillips House Antique Car Meet are just a few of the events back for this year’s Heritage Days.

During Heritage Week there are also four activities just for Salem Seniors: an ice cream social, a barbecue, a wellness fair, and a dinner dance.

Also, just for Salem residents, there are many free admissions to our local museums and attractions, such as the Peabody Essex Museum, the Salem Witch Museum, the Salem Trolley, the Witch House, and Pioneer Village, and the Salem Ferry will offer a 20% discount plus $5 off a ferry ride. Another new special Salem resident event being hosted by the Salem YMCA is the ‘Forest River Pool Red, White and Blue Blowout’: it’s July 4th in August at the Forest River Pool. Wear your red, white and blue to the Forest River Pool on August 6th from 6pm to 8pm and participate in themed games and activities.

As part of the celebration, the City of Salem will double the merchant one-hour validation stamps at both garages, so spend a little bit longer enjoying downtown (some restrictions do apply).

 CLICK HERE FOR SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Entry Panel Malfunction

There was an electrical surge in the entry panel this week, which shorted out some features. As a result the buzz-in function that allows guests to call you from the panel and for you to buzz them in from your phone is not currently working. Markwood Management is aware of the situation and has called a repair person, but it is unclear weather the current unit can be fixed, or if the entire assembly needs to be replaced. It might take several weeks to order and install a new unit.  In the meantime you can still use the panel with your access code to gain access to the building. Thank you for your patience while Markwood sorts this out.

Salem Celebrates July 4th!

Mayor Kimberley Driscoll is pleased to announce that Salem will hold its Independence Day celebration at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site on Derby Wharf on Friday, July 4th.

“There is no better place to be than Salem on the 4th,” Mayor Driscoll stated. “We have consistently put together one of the most spectacular live concerts and fireworks extravaganzas anywhere in Massachusetts.” American Profile magazine has ranked Salem as one of the ten best places in America to celebrate July 4th.

“Salem is fortunate to have such a generous business community that continues to support this celebration,” Mayor Driscoll commented. “I’d like to express a special thank you to Footprint Power - Salem Harbor Station and to Salem Five, along with Aggregate Industries, Tache Real Estate, Market Basket, Eastern Bank, and KV Associates.”

Free children's activities begin at 4:00 p.m. with the opening of the Kids' Space, where young ones can play games and get their faces painted, all thanks to the generosity of the Gathering, the MeetingHouse Church and the First Universalist Society of Salem. Food tents on site also open at 4:00 p.m. with hot dogs, French fries, fried dough, kettle corn, and other fair favorites.

Live entertainment on the Main Stage begins at 5:00 p.m. with the Pocket Money Orchestra. Come down early to hear this amazing young funk group from Salem, featuring energetic original music by Brian Cogger (trumpet), Seth Bailin (tenor and baritone sax), Aidan Scrimgeour (piano), Ben Siwak (bass), Derek Hayden (drums), and Danny Dugan (percussion). The band's repertoire includes a wide range of musical styles, influenced by groups like Booker T and the MG's, Charles Mingus, and early Santana. The Pocket Money Orchestra has a growing presence on the North Shore music scene and plays regularly at local venues. They are also slated to play at this year's Salem Jazz and Soul Festival.

Opening Ceremonies begin at 7:15 p.m. when Mayor Driscoll and other local dignitaries will lead a parade down the wharf accompanied by the Salem Veterans Honor Guard and Salem Boy Scout troops. The National Anthem will be sung by Grace Bigus, Sam Bigus, Danielle Lovasco, Chloe Panico, Jacob Pini, Mariella Robinson, Delaney Sprague, and Aly Yanishevsky from the YMCA of the North Shore Glee Club. The YMCA of the North Shore Glee Club is an a cappella group for children ages 12-18 directed by YMCA Music Director Samantha Gambaccini. These students work as a team to create and sing a wide variety of repertoire from classic to contemporary. The popularity of this ensemble has grown exponentially since its creation in the fall of 2013.

Immediately following opening ceremonies Maestro Dirk Hillyer and his orchestra will offer a Pops experience you will never forget. This year soloist Jean Danton joins the orchestra with musical selections from Sondheim. Her singing has been described as “stunning,” ”outstanding,” “wonderfully controlled and full-voiced,” and “stylishly stellar.” Her artistry has led to acclaimed performances throughout the United States in oratorio, opera, recitals, and as a soloist with symphony orchestras. She is a favorite soloist with Pops orchestras including the Boston Pops Orchestra with Keith Lockhart and Bruce Hangen, North Shore Music Theatre, North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra, and New England Light Opera.

At 9:15 p.m., Salem ends its Independence Day celebration with a fireworks extravaganza, accompanied by the Hillyer Festival Orchestra playing the 1812 Overture and other patriotic music throughout the entire fireworks display.

Part of the allure of this celebration is its setting. The first National Historic Site in the National Park System, Salem Maritime National Historic Site consists of nine acres of waterfront land and houses a dozen historic structures. These include the Custom House, where famed author Nathaniel Hawthorne worked, and Derby Wharf, which was used by America's first millionaire, Salem merchant Elias Hasket Derby. With historic Salem Harbor, including hundreds of boats moored and the replica of a 1700's sailing vessel, the Friendship, as a backdrop, Independence Day in Salem is filled with the history that helped make American the free nation it is today.

For more information check www.salem.com or call Salem City Hall at 978-745-9595, ext. 5676.

For information regarding our mobility impaired/wheelchair seating section, please call 978-745-9595, ext. 5676.



Other Independence Day Events in Salem

Friday, July 4
Join Mayor Driscoll on Salem Common at 9:00 a.m. for the reading of the Declaration of Independence. The special program begins with the Star Spangled Banner, sung by members of the YMCA of the North Shore Glee Club. The Declaration of Independence will be read by Dann Anthony Maurno, a Salem resident and actor who has appeared onstage in a variety of area venues, including the Salem Theatre Company. An author, his short story "Something Real Fine" won a Salem Literary Festival award for best fiction. Musical selections will be performed by Robert Kendall on keyboard and Salem resident John Howard will lead the audience in singing America the Beautiful. Coffee will be provided by the Salem Common Neighborhood Association through the generosity of Starbucks.

Saturday, July 5
At noon on Saturday the United States Air Force Heritage Band, the Blue Aces, will perform a free concert at the Salem Willows Shell. The Blue Aces take great pride in their specialized, high-energy performances that feature a wide variety of American popular music styles. The group performs annually for thousands of military and civilian audience members, in settings ranging from small official dinners to large festival events. Drawing from broad musical and cultural backgrounds, the members of the Blue Aces combine their tremendous musical talent with their passion for the finest in entertainment. They effectively share the Air Force story with audiences throughout the Northeastern, Mid-Atlantic, and Carolina regions of the U.S. This exciting ensemble has performed for our nation’s highest military and civilian dignitaries, including local and state officials, U.S. Congressmen, Foreign Air Force Chiefs and Foreign government officials, the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Secretary of the Air Force, and the President of the United States. The Blue Aces take great pride in their ongoing musical support for the morale and welfare of our airmen and our joint-combined forces deployed across the globe. This is a special event for our residents and we are honored to have them perform as part of Salem’s 4th of July holiday weekend.



July 4th is the perfect day to spend in Salem, Massachusetts. Start off bright and early at Salem Common for the reading of the Declaration of Independence, spend the rest of the morning and early afternoon visiting the City’s numerous historic sites and attractions, dine at one of dozens of remarkable restaurants, and end your day at historic Derby Wharf for all of the festivities. Then stop by Salem Willows on Saturday at noon for the free concert by the Air Force Heritage Band. There’s no better place to celebrate Independence Day than in historic Salem!

Railing Vandalism?

Several weeks ago the wooden railing on the second floor staircase was damaged by what looked like scraping it with a set of keys, knife or other sharp object.It left deep gouges in the wood, and was rough to the touch. Since several people have moved in and out of the building recently it was assumed that the marks may have been the result of dragging some kind of furniture up the stairs. Markwood Management paid to have it sanded and refinished. No sooner was that done than someone scratched it up again. The fact that it is in the same place (out of view of the surveillance cameras) and in the same way, makes it look like it was done deliberately. One has to wonder why. There is a very short list of individuals who have ongoing issues with Markwood Management.  Everyone has frustrations from time to time, but taking them out on the building is not going to resolve anything. It's just going to make things worse, and if the person doing it gets caught they will be on the losing side of some serious legal ramifications.

Now a scratched railing may not seem like a big deal, but the fact that someone feels it is OK to destroy community property is an indicator of a much more serious problem. We had someone smash a window in the back stairwell this winter under similarly mysterious circumstances.
If you see anyone vandalizing the building please notifying Markwood immediately.

If the person(s) doing this reads this blog post, please consider communicating with Markwood Management with some other method than vandalism. Try talking directly to Markwood Management or the trustees. Post your grievance on the blog comments. These are meant to be communication tools and not just a one-way outlet.

If you are so pissed-off that you actually think vandalizing property is a good alternative to open communication, please get professional help. Seriously. You need it.

North Shore Concert Band Summer Concert Series

Tuesday, June 24 at 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Robert F. Hayes Bandstand at Salem Willows Park

The North Shore Concert Band will begin its Summer Concert Series at the Robert F. Hayes Bandstand at Salem Willows Park next Tuesday, June 24, 2014.  The concerts will be performed from 7 to 9 P.M., for six consecutive Tuesdays.  In the event of rain, the concerts will be performed on Thursday of the same week.  This year's concert series will feature Broadway Salute; patriotic; music of the silver screen; youth concert; an all-American music concert; and a Celtic concert.  The North Shore Concert Band is conducted by David Benjamin and managed by Gordon Bowman who can be reached at 978-531-9339 or gbbjcb@verizon.net.

Parking and Road Closures For this Weekend

Two events this coming weekend may impact your parking and travel plans if you live at 24 Norman Street. If you regularly park in Riley Plaza, this will affect you.

North Shore Pride Parade – Saturday, June 21, 2014

On Saturday, June 21st at noon time the NS Pride Parade will begin at the Riley Plaza Parking Lot.  The parade will exit the lot taking a right onto Margin St., a right at Norman Street onto New Derby Street to Derby Street, then take a left onto Hawthorne Boulevard and into the Salem Common. 

At 11:45 am the parade route streets will be closed and will re-open immediately after the parade (approximately 1:00 p.m.) 

No Parking Postings
Please be aware that the Riley Plaza parking lot will be closed to vehicles on Saturday morning beginning at 9:00 a.m. All vehicles must be removed from the parking lot.

No parking tow zones from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. will be posted on Margin Street between Gedney & Norman Streets.

No parking tow zones beginning at 9:00 a.m. will be posted on Washington Square South and East around the Common.

Traffic delays are expected and motorists should seek alternate routes during this time.

For more information regarding the NS Pride Event log onto: http://northshorepride.org/

 


 


24th Annual North Shore Cancer Walk 
– Sunday, June 22, 2014

On Sunday, June 22nd the North Shore Cancer WALK will begin at Salem Willows Park, down Memorial Drive onto Essex Street around the Salem Common onto the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall onto Lafayette Street to Salem State University’s O’Keefe Center and back along Lafayette Street to Derby Street onto Fort Avenue back to the Salem Willows.

Please be aware that there will be street closures on portions of these roads from approximately 8am until 9:30am.

Traffic delays are expected and motorists should seek alternate routes during this time.

For more information regarding the Cancer Walk log onto: http://northshorecancerwalk.org/

Salem Farmers Market Opens Tomorrow!

Thursday, June 12th, 3:00 - 7:00 p.m., Derby Square

The sixth season of the Salem Main Streets Farmers Market will officially open this Thursday, June 12th with an even bigger and better market. With over 30 vendors, the market will be held at Derby Square on Front Street in Salem, MA every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. from June 12th through October 23rd. 

Opening day will set the tone for the largely volunteer-run market that, over the next five months, gives residents and tourists alike the opportunity to buy farm-fresh produce, seafood, baked goods, cheeses, meat, and a variety of other goods. Every week the market will offer demonstrations and live music.

“The market has truly become a destination for the community – it’s a gathering place as well as an opportunity to get fresh, local produce and other goods,"   Salem Main Streets Manager Kylie Sullivan said, adding that the 2013 market season brought an attendance of well over 40,000. “With the great range of vendors that we have, there’s something for everyone at to our farmers’ market.” 

At the heart of the market are eight major farms who will attend this year: Clark Farm, Gibney Gardens, Maitland Mountain Farm, Grant Family Farm, Heaven’s Harvest Certified Organic Farm, Long Hill Orchard, Wally's Vegetables, and the newest addition, Connors Farm. They are complemented by an array of specialty foods, bakery products, spices, and non-food vendors.

Exciting new additions to the market include local businesses Melita Fiore (pastries), Far From The Tree (craft hard cider), Jodi Bee Bakes (baked goods, including gluten & dairy free treats), and Day Of The Dog (homemade pet treats). Other new vendors are Auntie Elsie’s Oatmeal Crisps (oatmeal specialty cookies), Stillman’s at the Turkey Farm (various meats), and Red Antler Apothecary (household & personal cleaning and care products).
       
As in previous years the farmers market will continue to take EBT through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. 

The market is made possible through the leadership of Salem Main Streets and the Farmers’ Market Committee, as well as the generous contributions of numerous volunteers.  For more information please contact Salem Main Streets Manager Kylie via email at kylie@salemmainstreets.org. To get the latest updates about the farmers’ market, visit our website at www.salemfarmersmarket.org, or follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/SalemMAFarmersMarket or on Twitter (@salemfarmersmarket).

HYDRANT FLOW TEST !!!

RESIDENTS & BUSINESS OWNERS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

The outer area that may be affected -
Federal Street – Beckford Street to St Peter Street
St Peter Street- Federal to Brown
Brown to Washington Sq West
Washington Square and Hawthorne Blvd- (commons) to Derby Street
Derby Street / New Derby Street – Hawthorne Blvd to Washington Street
Norman Street, Riley Plaza,
High Street to Broad Street and across Pickering St, Hamilton and Beckford St to Federal Street
And encompassed areas

This notice is to inform you that hydrant flow tests will be conducted in the following test site areas on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 beginning at 10:30 p.m.  –Test Sites: 16 Summer Street and 150 Washington Street

You may experience a loss of water or some discoloration during this time. 
Do not turn your hot water on!
Let your cold water run until water clears.  Also, do not do laundry until your water runs clear.  If you have any questions, please call 978-744-3302.

2014 Salem Memorial Day Weekend Events

Sunday, May 25

10:30- Wreath laying ceremony at the Veterans Section of St. Mary's cemetery off of North Street.

11:30- Mass at St. John's on St. Peter Street.

12:30- (Approx.) after Mass at Winter Island, there will be a Naval cannon salute to those lost at sea.

1:00- (Approx.) Collation at the Polish League of American Veterans (PLAV) club on Daniels Street. All are welcome to attend.

Monday, May 26

10:00- Free trolley ride from the VFW to Commercial Street for any veteran who is unable to walk.

10:15- All marching organizations will marshal on Commercial Street.

10:30- Parade departs from Commercial Street.

11:00- Memorial Day ceremony at Green Lawn cemetery. Guest speaker is Captain Timothy Ready USMC/USNR.

12:30- (Approx.) Collation at the VFW, 95 Derby Street. All are welcome to attend.

Call 978.745.0883 if there are any questions.

Whether you are staying in Salem or travelling, have a safe weekend! At some point, please pay your respects to those that made the ultimate sacrifice for us.

New Washer and Dryer

A new Maytag washer and dryer were installed last week. This should help alleviate some of the laundry congestion.

April 22 – April 25, 2014 - ENTRANCE CORRIDOR SWEEPING

This year's street sweeping schedule is below. The proposed dates are from April 22 through April 25, 2014. The sweeping will take place between 5:00 A.M. and 7:00 A.M.

Please remember to REMOVE YOUR VEHICLES FROM THE ODD SIDE OF THE STREET so they will not be ticketed and/or towed.

For more information regarding street sweeping, please contact the Department of Public Services at  978-744-3302.

PLEASE NOTE: Certain weather conditions preclude the use of street sweepers: During moderate to heavy rainfall or extreme cold temperatures, sweepers will not be able to operate. Please check  WWW.SALEM.COM for weather-related cancellations.

Loading the Dumpster

 We had a bit of a problem with the dumpster this last week. It looked like this:

As it often is, the dumpster was loaded to overflowing with trash, some of which fell or was left on the ground, and with the high winds we had this weekend, blew trash all over the parking area and down the street. Not good for community relations.
The funny thing is, the back of the dumpster was pretty much empty. This tells me that people would rather stuff the front of the dumpster to the point of overflowing or worse yet, leave their trash bags on the ground in front of the dumpster, than walk an extra 10 feet to place their trash in the back of the dumpster.
Maybe you are too short to reach the back of the dumpster, maybe you are scared of what might be back there, maybe you like the look of garbage strewn all over the property, maybe you just don't give a crap, who knows? However, if you are tall enough, and have enough upper-body strength to lift a (maybe) 5-pound plastic dumpster lid, would you please consider placing your trash in the back of the dumpster? I think everyone might appreciate it. Thank you.

LAUNDRY ISSUES: Dryer ist kaputt

The Maytag dryer that is closest to the back of the laundry has broken and is beyond repair. A new dryer has been ordered but it is going to take about 3 weeks to get delivery and installation done. This means that we are down to only (2) working dryers for 39 units. It doesn't take a genius to see that this might lead to some potential problems.

I bring this up because yesterday I was doing laundry when a young couple came in and expressed dismay that their load of laundry had been removed from one of the dryers and placed on the sorting table. Apparently it had also been mixed in with someone else's load of laundry. Although I could relate (I don't like it when people remove my clothes from either a washing machine or dryer in my absence) there is little point in getting upset if other tenants remove your clothes, especially if you do a load and then leave it sitting for several hours.
Since I had been down there earlier in the day to empty the machines of quarters, I knew that this particular couple had left their laundry sitting in the dryer for several hours. However, I would also be upset if I found my laundry mixed in with someone else's.
As much as possible you need to be "present" when you do your laundry. Do not leave the building to run errands, or take a trip. You need to be around. If for some unavoidable reason you have to leave and are delayed in getting back to the laundry, do not be surprised if your clothes have been moved. No one likes it when this happens to them, but with so many people in the building and only 3 washers and 2 working dryers, you're going to need to have some patience and consideration for other people. Everyone has to use these machines, and the longer you tie one up, the less chance there is for someone else to use it.

That being said, here is some basic laundry etiquette.
Here is a scale of acceptable to less-acceptable practices.

ACCEPTABLE
If a dryer has completed it's cycle and the clothes are completely dry, and have been sitting for more than half an hour, go ahead and remove them. Please place them as neatly as you can on the sorting table at the back of the laundry. Make sure not to drop them behind the dryers or on the floor. Do not fold them, (that is just creepy). If there are multiple dryers being used, do not assume that the clothes all belong to the same person, and do not mix or pile two loads on top of each other. Make sure you clean the lint filter before you put your clothes in.

LESS ACCEPTABLE
If the dryer has finished it's cycle and the laundry is still damp, allow some extra time for the person to
come and restart the cycle. If you wait an hour or more and they still haven't come, then remove them and place on the sorting table.

REALLY DISCOURAGED
Removing wet clothes from the washing machines is really not OK unless they have been sitting in a machine for more than 2-3 hours. It just makes a mess. If you are feeling particularly generous and are in a hurry to do a load of wash, you could place them in a dryer (if empty) and start the cycle for them.

Try to balance your need to get laundry done with imagining how you would feel if they were your clothes. Hopefully things can go back to normal once the new dryer is in place. Thanks!

Salem Residents Survey Online Through April 18

City seeks residents’ input and feedback on quality of life and city services

Mayor Kimberley Driscoll today announced the fifth annual Salem Residents Survey is now online. The survey will be available at www.salem.com/mayor until Friday April 18. A Spanish language version of the survey will also be posted at that website in the next several days.

All Salem residents are encouraged to visit the online survey and share their opinions on a range of issues facing the City of Salem and their view of City services.

“The 2014 survey marks the fifth year this data has been collected,” said Mayor Driscoll. “Hearing directly from residents allows us to improve service delivery and focus our public resources on those issues that are of most concern to the people of Salem. Having a number of years’ worth of data now also enables us to take a closer look at trends and changes that are taking place.”

The final data is compiled and included in the Mayor’s annual budget, issued in May. The information provides important performance and outcome measures, which have, in the past, contributed to the City of Salem being one of just a handful of Massachusetts communities to be awarded both a Certificate of Excellence and a Distinguished Budget Award from the Government Finance Officers Association.

Another Great Documentary Line-up on Tap for Salem Film Fest

If you are looking for something to do during the first week of March, check out the 7th annual all-documentary Salem Film Fest . Salem Film Fest will be held March 6 – March 13, 2014, in Salem, MA, with a strong line-up of 37 films from 14 different countries. Twenty-three of these films will be making their World, North American, US, East Coast, New England or Massachusetts premiere – the most “first looks” ever in the festival’s seven year history – including the World premiere of KASHEER, directed by Salem filmmaker Elayne McCabe who will be at the festival to present.

Spread out over eight days with film screenings at three different venues in downtown Salem, the festival will kick off at CinemaSalem with the New England premiere of A FRAGILE TRUST, which tells the shocking story of Jayson Blair, the most infamous serial plagiarist of our time, and how he unleashed the massive scandal that rocked The New York Times and the entire world of journalism. A Q&A with filmmaker Samantha Grant will follow. Other festival premieres include ELEKTRO MOSKVA, an “electromagnetic fairytale” showcasing Russia’s electronic music history; WEB, a thought-provoking film that explores the human and societal impact of global connectivity; POWERLESS, which examines the class battle over electricity in India; EVERYBODY STREET, about the lives and work of New York’s iconic street photographers; and RICH HILL, which recently won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. Filmmakers will be present for over half of this year’s screenings, providing audiences with a unique opportunity to learn more about the documentary filmmaking process.

All film screenings will be preceded by our homegrown and wildly popular shorts Salem Sketches. Shot, edited and produced by festival organizers Joe Cultrera and Perry Hallinan and a mix of Salem Film Fest alumni filmmakers and filmmakers-in-residence, these short vignettes capture the heart and soul of Salem and bring to light some of the city’s hidden gems. “It seems we have discovered a way to add a touch of Salem to our lineup while also creating original content for the festival that was about the city. It’s something I don’t think any other film festival is doing,” says Cultrera. “I think it’s something that will organically grow each year as other filmmakers come here to show their work, enjoy the city and see these Salem Sketches. It’s becoming Salem Film Fest’s unofficial filmmaker-in-residence program.”

An exciting addition to the festival awards this year will be the presentation of The Michael Sullivan FRONTLINE Award for Journalism in a Documentary Film, a $1,000 cash prize that will be awarded to the filmmaker judged to have presented a tough, controversial story through engaging and fair minded investigative reportage. The award is in honor of the late Michael Sullivan, a guiding figure behind PBS’ FRONTLINE as well as a Salem Film Fest participant and supporter. FRONTLINE Executive Producer David Fanning will be on hand to present.

“We have a diverse group of films from all over the world screening at this year’s festival, yet there is something in each and every one of these films that anyone can relate to,” says program director Jeff Schmidt. “As one of America’s oldest port cities, there is something special about that notion of the stories from far off lands that were shared in the old trading days that we’ve been able to recapture with this festival that’s a lot of fun in today’s instant gratification via the Internet world.”

For more information about Salem Film Fest visit www.salemfilmfest.com, follow Salem Film Fest on Facebook (www.facebook.com/salemfilmfest) and Twitter (@_SalemFilmFest).

Reporting Potholes in Salem

As the warmer weather approaches and snow is melting, potholes become more apparent and prevalent on Salem’s roadways. The City’s Department of Public Services (DPS) is tasked with repairing these holes and maintains a regular protocol for doing so.

If you know of a pothole on a public roadway, please help the City keep our roads in good repair by reporting it directly to DPS by emailing: potholes@salem.com or calling 978-744-3302. When you email or call, be sure to include the exact address or a location description, along with a contact name and telephone number if possible. Feel free to send any photos, as well.

While reporting a pothole does not guarantee it will be immediately repaired that day, it will be added to the list for DPS crews to fix. DPS prioritizes potholes based on their severity and attempts to work in geographic clusters to maximize efficiency of resources.

Free Book Swap Saturday, March 15th

Those of you who have been dumping your books and other unwanted items in the laundry room, you may want to consider participating in this event!

On Saturday March 15th, SalemRecycles – the City of Salem’s Recycling Committee – will hold their eleventh free Book Swap. The event will take place at the Senior Center at 5 Broad Street from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The book swap is a great way to recycle unwanted books, greeting cards, and commercial CDs, DVDs and videos. Those attending can take home a whole new selection of commercial media items, cards, and even some bestselling books. All books are accepted—even text books and no swap is needed. Residents can donate materials, take materials, or both. Those wishing to donate materials may drop them off on Friday, March 14th, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., or bring them between 9:45 a.m. and noon on Saturday, March 15th.

When: Saturday March 15, 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

**Please no book dealers or more than two bags per swapper before noon**

Where: City of Salem Senior Center, 5 Broad Street

Why: To promote re-use and recycling of books, greeting cards, and other commercial media items (CD’s, DVD’s and videos).

Drop-Off: Friday, March 14, 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the Senior Center at 5 Broad Street, or Saturday March 15, from 9:45 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will be available to help.

Items will be loosely categorized and all ‘unswapped’ items will be reused or recycled.

SalemRecycles is the City’s volunteer Recycling Committee, which works to increase recycling and encourage positive recycling practices through educational outreach and special events. Through the last ten Book Swaps, SalemRecycles has hosted over 3,000 participants, recycled around 30,000 books, and avoided almost 16 tons of landfill disposal. For more information about SalemRecycles or the Book Swap, please call (978)-619-5679 or visit www.salem.com/recycling or GreenSalem.com. 
Like SalemRecycles on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SalemRecycles.

NO SMOKING REMINDER

 
( image courtesy of http://www.mydoorsign.com/)

In 2013, the Norman Street Condo Association, with the majority support of the building unit owners,  amended the master deed to create a smoke free building. This means that there is NO SMOKING allowed anywhere in the building, including inside the units. 
Violations of this amendment will result in fines, the same as would be incurred for the breaking of any other condo regulations. If you have questions, please contact Markwood Management at 781-639-4080 or e-mail them at markwoodmgt@hotmail.com.

Christmas Tree Update

Due to the heavy snow in early January, curbside Christmas tree pick-up for the weeks of January 6th and 13th is running behind schedule. If your tree is curbside, please leave it there. The City's contractor should have all trees picked up by Saturday, January 18th. You may also bring your tree any time to the lower field area at Gallows Hill Park on the corner of Mansell Parkway and Witch Hill Road.

Christmas Tree Disposal

Well it's that time of year again when people pack up their Christmas decorations and wrapping paper, and dispose of their Christmas trees. In past years you could take your tree to Dead Horse Beach in Salem for the Annual Christmas Tree Bonfire, but that event was recently cancelled because of the snow storm and record cold temperatures. This may leave you wondering what to do with your tree this year. As usual, some people resort to dragging it down the hallway and stairs and throwing it in the dumpster. This is not the preferred method as the trees take up so much space as to make it difficult to dispose of our regular trash.
Salem has scheduled curbside pick-up of Christmas trees as part of the regularly scheduled recycling pick-up, from Monday, January 6 2014, till Friday, January 17. Our regular trash/recycling day is Tuesday. Remove all decorations, tinsel, and lights from the tree and drag your it to the curb by the end of the driveway (do not block the driveway or the sidewalk) for Tuesday, January 7 , or missing that, Tuesday January 14, and the City of Salem will pick it up. If you miss those dates, leave the tree by the side of the dumpster rather than throwing it in the dumpster. If you have any questions, please contact Markwood Management. Thanks!