Situational Awareness Statement: ISO New England Electricity Conservation Request

With ongoing high temperatures, ISO New England is forecasting New England’s electricity usage to reach near record-breaking levels throughout the week. Although power system resources are currently adequate, supplies are likely to become tight. As a precautionary step, ISO New England is requesting voluntary electricity conversation. ISO New England suggests several ways to reduce electricity consumption and advises that these measures be taken consistent with one’s health and safety:

• Raise air conditioning thermostats by a few degrees if health permits. A suggested temperature range is between 74°F–78°F

• Turn off unneeded lights and appliances

• Turn off unnecessary office equipment

• Shut off air conditioners when leaving home for extended periods of time

• Defer laundry and other chores requiring electricity until the early morning or late evening hours

Salem Intermodal Station Improvements: Parking Lot Closing July 20

On Saturday, July 20, 2013, the parking lot at Salem Station will be closed to allow the MBTA’s contractor to begin work on construction of the new Salem Intermodal Station and Garage Improvements. The contractor, Consigli Construction, will begin preparing the site for construction that day.

The MBTA has been working closely with the City of Salem to ensure that many current services can remain on site during construction. Services that will remain on site will include MBTA Commuter Rail service, MBTA bus service, the current accessible parking spaces, “The Ride” pick-up and drop-off and the current bicycle storage racks. The station kiss n' ride will be relocated at two locations off the current site. The first will be Bridge Street on the ramp to Route 114 in front of the existing pedestrian ramp and stairs to the station below. The second will be in the westbound lane of Bridge Street, just before the existing entrance to the station. Pedestrians will be able to access the station at the current locations and will be directed on the site along pedestrian paths to the platforms. Taxis will be relocated to the first block on Washington Street, with a space for spillover onto Federal Street. Automobile parking will be moved off site to make room for construction.

Those of you who live outside of Salem, please consider a variety of other travel options, including driving to and parking at other stations (Lynn Garage, Montserrat Station in Beverly, Swampscott Station, North Beverly Station and Wonderland in Revere). Other options include taking the Salem to Boston Fast Ferry or riding the 459 bus from Salem Depot to Downtown Crossing. A full list of alternatives with details on cost and access is available at www.BuildingSalem.com. You can also visit the MBTA’s website to sign up for “T Alerts” for the Newburyport/Rockport line.

The MBTA bus stop at the station will be relocated in the next few weeks to the City of Salem lot adjacent to the station. Bus 465, which currently stops on Washington Street between Federal and Bridge Streets, will move one block east, in front of Tabernacle Church.

The City of Salem is completing construction of a parking lot on Bridge Street (known as the Universal Steel site). The City anticipates that parking will be available at this site in mid-August. Notices will be posted when the lot is open. Currently the City of Salem is providing 30 parking spaces available at the Alpha Auto Sales lot, adjacent to the Universal Steel lot on Bridge Street.

While the project will pose some inconvenience to customers, the end result will be a new high-level platform; sheltered waiting areas; bicycle, pedestrian, and bus areas; and a parking garage. Input from the City and many of you, who attended planning meetings, has contributed to a successful process. The MBTA and the City of Salem ask for your patience as they work through the parking lot closure. Updates will be posted on the Building Salem site and the MBTA’s website. Please take care to follow signs directing you around the construction. The MBTA will meet with the community this fall to report on their progress and check in with you as the construction advances.

Electronic Waste Drop-Off

Do you have an old air conditioner, computer, TV monitor or other hard-to-get rid of appliance? Instead of clogging up our dumpster, why not recycle them? Starting July 1, 2013 Salem Residents can drop off the following items FREE of charge, the last Saturday of the month at the Department of Public Services, 5 Jefferson Avenue, from 8am until noon.

PARKING DISRUPTION AT RILEY PLAZA, SATURDAY JUNE 29TH

An urgent message for residents of 24 Norman Street who usually park in Riley Plaza.
This Saturday, June 29th , between approximately 10:00 AM and noon Riley Plaza will be used as a staging area for the annual North Shore Pride parade.
The police will make every effort to allow access to parking for those cars with permits. However, there is sure to be some unavoidable disruption.

Salem Celebrates the 4th

Salem celebrates Independence-Day at Derby Wharf, Salem Maritime Area.
Photo courtesy of Essex National Heritage Commission.

Mayor Kimberley Driscoll is pleased to announce that there will be a full afternoon and evening of exciting entertainment at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site on Derby Wharf on Thursday, July 4th. This family-friendly celebration has proven to be one of Salem's signature events, drawing record breaking crowds year after year. 

"Last year Salem was recognized by American Profile, a national publication, as one of the top ten best places in America to celebrate the 4th and this year will be no different,” Mayor Driscoll stated. “Celebrating July 4th in Salem is as good as it gets. It's not just an amazing fireworks display, we have live entertainment from beginning to end, so come early and stay late."

Salem's residential and business community has come together to ensure that this first-class event continues, even in this difficult financial climate. Mayor Driscoll commented, "I am truly grateful that Salem's residents and businesses continue to generously support this annual 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, KV Associates, and Tavern in the Square. Without their generosity and our other many sponsors, this event would not be possible."

Live entertainment on the Main Stage begins at 4:00 p.m. with the band Britannica and continues at 5:30 p.m. with Julie Dougherty and Friends. Both Salem-based bands are local favorites and are a great way to put everyone in the holiday spirit.

Free children's activities begin at 4:00 p.m. with the opening of the Kids' Space, where young ones can play games, do crafts, and get their face painted, all thanks to the generosity of the Gathering, the MeetingHouse Church, the Salem Beautification Committee, and the Salem YMCA. Food tents open at 4:00 p.m., with plenty of hot dogs, french fries, fried dough, kettle corn, and other fair favorites.

Opening Ceremonies begin at 7:15 p.m. when Mayor Driscoll, Congressman John Tierney, and National Park Superintendent Michael Quijano-West – accompanied by the Salem Veterans Color Guard and Salem Boy Scout troops – will parade down the wharf to welcome the crowd.  Salem High School students Lydia Grasberger and Samantha Dupuis will lead the crowd in the singing of the National Anthem.  This year the venue, the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, celebrates its 75th Anniversary as the first historic site established by the National Park Service in 1938. 

Following the Opening Ceremonies there will be a two-hour 'POPS' concert performed by the 40-piece Hillyer Festival Orchestra (HFO). The HFO has become a widely acclaimed 'POPS' orchestra in the greater Boston area. This year's featured soloist, Rebecca Robbins, is currently performing on Broadway in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of The Opera at the Majestic Theatre. Dr. Dirk Hillyer, the orchestra's conductor, has selected songs from Rags and Candide to showcase Ms. Robbins lyric soprano voice.

Even intermission is jammed packed with live entertainment, with performers from the Marblehead Little Theatre's production of Spamalot taking to the Main Stage.

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. Historic Salem Harbor, with 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.

Reading of the Declaration of Independence - July 4 - 9:00AM - Salem Common
Also on July 4th, 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 Salem High School's award-winning a cappella group “Witch Pitch?”. This year the Declaration of Independence will be recited by Dann Anthony Maurno. Dann is 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 local singer Maureen Dalton ends the program with America the Beautiful.

July 4th is the perfect day to spend in historic 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 one of the most spectacular live concerts and fireworks extravaganzas anywhere in Massachusetts.

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.

Salem MBTA Station Parking Lot CLOSING

For those of you who commute into Boston or the surrounding communities from Salem, the MBTA Salem Station Parking Lot and the Salem City Parking Lot will be closing effective Saturday June 20, 2013 for construction of the Salem Station Improvements and Parking Garage.

Commuter parking is available at Lynn Garage, Montserrat Station in Beverly, Swampscott Station and North Beverly Station.

The City of Salem is completing construction of a parking lot on Bridge Street that is anticipated to be available in August 2013. Notices will be posted when this parking lot is available.

Handicap Accessible parking at Salem Station will remain open during construction.

MBTA customer service: 617-222-3200 or 800-392-6100 – TTY 617-222-5146

New BuildingSalem Website Is Now Live:

If you want to check out what is going on with building projects around the city,  Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll announced today that the BuildingSalem website – www.BuildingSalem.com – is now live.

BuildingSalem is a public information effort to streamline communications and address constituent concerns related to major construction projects in Salem, as the City prepares to undergo nearly $1.5 billion in public and private projects over the next few years.

The primary goal of BuildingSalem is to limit disruption to our neighborhoods and businesses to the greatest extent possible and facilitate better communication between project partners, residents, and City government.

The initiative is also on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/BuildingSalem and Twitter at @buildingsalem. The BuildingSalem direct line at City Hall is 978-619-5605.