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.

Friday, May 22, 2015

2015 Memorial Day Events in Salem



Salem Veterans Council's Memorial Weekend Events

Sunday May 24

10:15- Wreath laying ceremony at the Veterans Section of St. Mary's cemetery off of North Street
10:45- Following wreath laying there will be a navel cannon salute to those lost at sea at Winter Island
11:45- Memorial Day Mass at St. John's on St. Peter Street
1:00- Collation at the Polish League of American Veterans (PLAV) club on Daniels Street. All are welcome to attend.

Memorial Day-Monday May 25

10:30- Parade departs from Commercial Street. Free troley ride for any veteran unable to march.

11:00- Memorial Day ceremony at Green Lawn cemetery. Guest speaker is USMC LtCol Michael Hunter.
12:30- Collation at the VFW, 95 Derby Street. All are welcome to attend. Call 978-745-0883 if there are ay questions.



Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Waste Management to Take Over Salem Trash and Recycling Collection June 1

























Good news for anyone who was completely frustrated by Northside Carting's unresponsiveness to the trash pick-up situation this February. (They basically didn't make any pick-ups at our building for the entire month).

Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll today announced that the City will be transitioning to a new curbside trash and recycling collection contractor effective June 1. As of that date the City’s trash, recycling, and yard waste collection will be conducted by Waste Management.
“Waste Management will be assigned the existing contract for a period of one month, as we work to negotiate and finalize a new multi-year contract with the company to officially commence July 1,” said Mayor Driscoll. “Over the last several months the existing contractor’s performance has significantly deteriorated and become a growing source of frustration for our residents and our City staff. Several weeks ago we began the process of legally separating ourselves from them and transitioning to a new vendor. I am pleased to announce that the new vendor, Waste Management, will be starting June 1.”
Between now and June 1st, residents who experience a missed trash or recycling pick-up should report it by calling 978-619-5673 or reporting it via www.seeclickfix.com/Salem_MA. The daily list of missed collections will be sent to Elite Waste Disposal, who is being contracted by the City to supplement the current contractor, Northside Carting, and help collect missed pick-ups. Elite will work to address the missed pick-up within 48 hours.

City officials are negotiating a new contract with Waste Management that will be submitted to the City Council before the end of the current fiscal year on June 30. That new contract will commence July 1 and additional details about it will be released once they are finalized. More information about the new collection contractor and any applicable changes to the City’s trash and recycling regulations will be posted at www.salem.com/recycling and sent via the City’s News & Announcements city-wide email list (http://salem.com/subscriber).

About Waste Management
Waste Management (www.wm.com) is the largest environmental solutions provider in North America, serving more than 20 million customers in the U.S. and Canada. As part of our strategy, we are committed to developing new waste solutions that can help communities and organizations achieve their green goals, including zero waste. With the largest network of recycling facilities, transfer stations and landfills in the industry, our entire business can adapt to meet the needs of every distinct customer group. In 2012, we worked with over 100 Fortune 500 companies and helped over 150 different communities become greener.

FAQs regarding Salem’s trash and recycling pick-up effective June 1, 2015

Why did the contractor change?
Northside Carting was unable to provide appropriate service for Salem residents; the City negotiated with Waste Management WM to take over the contract effective June 1, 2015. A new 10 year contract is currently being negotiated to start July 1.

How do I report a missed trash or recycling pick-up after June 1st?

You can still report these issues on SeeClickFix (www.seeclickfix.com/salem_ma) or call Waste
Management customer service at 800-972-4545.

Can I still bring my materials to the Transfer Station at 12 Swampscott Road?
Yes, Salem residents with a valid Salem driver's license and a non-commercial vehicle registered in Salem, are able to drop off up to 50 lbs. of non-hazardous materials free, over 50 lbs. of non-hazardous materials $0.06/lb, $5 minimum, white goods free), and yard waste in paper bags or loose (free). Please note: Contractors or non-residents - $150.00/ton, $50.00 minimum charge.

Will the dumpster at my building change?
If your dumpster is part of the City contract and not privately contracted Waste Management will work with Northside Carting to change out the dumpsters as quickly as possible. In the meantime, your dumpster should be picked up on schedule.

Is there any change in how Salem recycles after June 1?
Not initially. For the first few months recycling collection will remain as is with a dual stream process
(separate paper and plastic/glass). Any changes to recycling regulations will be posted at
www.salem.com/recycling and announced via City-wide email (sign up at www.salem.com/subscriber).

Are there any changes to how my trash and recycling should be placed curbside after June 1?

For the first few months, trash and recycling regulations will remain the same: unlimited dual stream
recycling and 3 barrel/bag trash limit up to 35 gallons and weighing up to 50 lbs. per container per
household. One bulk item is allowed weekly, per household. Any changes to trash and recycling regulations will be posted at www.salem.com/recycling and announced via City-wide email.

How will I know why my material is left behind?
Waste Management will leave a sticker explaining the problem; also if you call their customer service office at 800-972-4545, they should be able to address the problem.

Friday, May 15, 2015

Equipment Vault Update

























If you live on the basement level of 24 Norman Street, or on the 7-11 side of the building, you may have noticed some activity in and around the electrical junction room (next to the laundry room), and the adjacent below-ground equipment "vault". 
Here is an official update dated April 23rd, from the Markwood office on the work being done at 24 Norman Street. 

 "As we have previously reported, Commtank is working in the building continuing the clean up.  All proper notifications and permits have been filed.  To date we have spent just under $6,000.

Today was the anticipated day to remove the transformers which have been evaluated and believe to be the source of the oil. Commtank has reported back today the transformers, which were thought to have been abandoned, do in fact have power to them.

With this information and information found by Carol Kenney (Markwood Management), of a possible easement with AT&T for access to this room, we felt it was necessary to immediately contact local Attorney Scott Grover.  We have asked Attorney Grover to interpret this recorded easement and advise the Board of further direction.

We will continue to update the Board as information is available."

-Kimberly Lord

It turns out that the easement has since passed from AT&T to National Grid. The condo trust attorney is on the case trying to sort out who is responsible for the clean-up.

Friday, May 1, 2015

Street Sweeping Schedule-MAY

Residential neighborhood street sweeping will take place May 4 through May 15.  Sweeping will take place on both sides of the street on the same day. Each neighborhood route will be posted with temporary ‘No Parking/Tow Zone’ signs and parking will be prohibited between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Neighborhood streets are broken down into two zones. Streets in Zone One will be swept during the week of Monday May 4 through Friday May 8. Zone Two streets will be swept the week of Monday May 11 through Friday May 15. Sweep days are usually the next day after the regularly scheduled trash day. To find a specific street sweeping date, locate what zone your street is in on the 2015 Residential Street Sweeping Schedule, and match it with the calendar. Monday sweep schedules are for the preceding Friday's trash day.

Resident cooperation is vital to the success of this program. In order for the sweepers to do the best job possible, residents are asked not to park their cars on the street during their designated sweeping day.

Residents will be able to use entrance corridor streets as alternative parking areas on the day of their neighborhood sweep. Entrance corridor streets are Boston St., Bridge St., Essex St. (from Boston St. to North/Summer St.), Lafayette St. (from Dow St. to Marblehead line), Loring Ave., and North St. Once a neighborhood street is swept, residents will be able to move their vehicles back onto their street.  Please remember that you must adhere to all current parking restrictions on these entrance corridors. All existing parking regulations on entrance corridors must be adhered to or your vehicle will be ticketed and/or towed. This includes resident only restrictions.

Certain weather conditions prohibit the use of the street sweepers: during moderate to heavy rainfall and extreme cold temperatures sweepers will not be able to operate. Weather cancellations will be posted on www.salem.com.


CLICK HERE FOR BLACK & WHITE ZONE CALENDAR
CLICK HERE FOR COLOR CODED CALENDAR