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.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

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.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

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.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

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