Imagine Salem Issues Progress Report

Initiative offers vision for Salem in 2026 on its 400th birthday

One year after it launched, the Imagine Salem community visioning initiative has released a progress report outlining the key findings and themes from a year’s worth of public workshops, surveys, focus groups, and more. Imagine Salem seeks to bring together people, organizations, and businesses from across Salem to have a conversation about what they want the community to look like in 2026, the year that Salem celebrates its 400th birthday.

The dialogue was framed around housing, jobs, and transportation with themes of equity and inclusiveness woven throughout the topics. The vision statement will serve as a guide for future decisions: “In 2026 we are a sustainable and livable city where we celebrate our diverse histories and where people of all backgrounds and means participate and thrive.”

“I want to thank everyone who joined the Imagine Salem conversation over the last year,” said Mayor Kim Driscoll. “We learned so much and are definitely excited to share the findings with everyone. I encourage all Salem residents to check out the progress report with details about the findings and ideas on how we can bring to life the suggestions from the report. Please reach out with your comments and ideas. The work is far from done as this conversation will continue onward into developing specific goals and action items to achieve those goals.”

Read the report at www.imaginesalem.org. To sign up for future updates or send in your comments on the progress report, contact Imagine Salem at imaginesalem@salem.com.

Riley Plaza Parking Issue

A message from Markwood Management:

Good afternoon all,

Arthur Sargent, owner of Unit 308 at 24 Norman and a Salem City Councilman, called let us know about an issue that will no doubt put pressure on available parking in Riley Plaza.

The parking commission put forth a proposal at the last city council meeting to provide valet service to the Riley Plaza lot.  The issue will not come up for council vote for a while, but Arthur wanted to be sure that we were aware of it.  The council posts its meeting minutes on salem.com, if the issue is discussed in the minutes Arthur will be able to let you know when they are posted.

Please be aware that this proposal may have a very real effect on the availability of parking in Riley Plaza.

SalemRecycles' Free Book Swap

Saturday, September 16 at 10 AM - 1 PM
At the Salem Council on Aging
5 Broad St, Salem, Massachusetts 01970

It's that time of year again! The Fall Book Swap is on Saturday, September 16 at the Senior Center, 5 Broad Street, Salem, MA. "Swapping" isn't necessary -- feel free to drop off, take away, or both!

BOOKS, CDs & DVDs, VCR TAPES, GREETING CARDS.
Thank you for donating only clean, dry, mildew-free items.
All leftover material will be donated or recycled.

REUSABLE BAG SWAP.
Have excess reusable / cloth bags at home? Bring them to the Swap for others to take as needed.

NO EARLY DROP OFFS.
Drop off times are:
• Friday, September 15, 4:00pm - 7:00pm
• Saturday, September 16, 9:00am - noon (swap starts 10AM)

For more info or to volunteer, contact Julie Rose at jrose@salem.com or (978) 619-5679.

Planning Board Meeting about Proposed Development at 120 Washington Street

Residents of 24 Norman Street, be aware (if you have not already received notice from the City of Salem Planning Board) that there will be a public hearing on Thurday, June 1, 2017 at 7:00 PM in room 313, third floor at 120 Washington Street to review plans to convert the 3rd and 4th floor offices at 120 Washington Street, currently occupied by the city, into (14) residential units and construct a common roof deck on the 2nd floor. The potential impact of this for 24 Norman Street residents is possible sound issues for the back and north side of the building, and especially on available area parking. The 120 Washington Street building has no parking of it's own and no mention has been made of where these (14) residents are going to be parking. Will the city make a deal to sell/lease more spaces in the already crowded Riley Plaza? With the leasing of space in Riley Plaza to the Merchant Hotel, another (2) hotels being built on Essex and Washington Streets and the loss of (8) spaces to tour-bus parking, parking availability promised to be a hot issue in the coming year or so.  If you can, please attend the meeting to find out the details of what is being proposed and to rasie any concerns you may have. This may be your only opportunity to be heard.

Christmas Tree Disposal-2017

Christmas is a time where homes are filled with love and holiday cheer. Unfortunately, it's also a time when homes are filled with things that will need to be disposed of, particularly your Christmas tree.
You have two options this year:

OPTION 1:
Curbside pickup
City-wide Christmas tree curbside collection will continue to take place January 9 -13, 2017. 
Please leave your tree curbside on the same day as your regularly scheduled trash day and Waste Management will pick up your tree. Trees should be on the curb bare, with no bags or decorations.
Since Christmas falls on a Sunday, trash pickup will operate on a regular schedule.

OPTION 2:
14th Annual Christmas Tree Bonfire
 The City’s 14th annual Christmas tree bonfire will be held at Dead Horse Beach on Memorial Drive on Friday, January 6, 2017 at 6:00 p.m., weather permitting. 
Waste Management trucks will be picking up trees curbside on the same day as your regularly scheduled trash day beginning January 2nd.  If you really want to make sure your tree is part of the bonfire, you can drop it off at the entrance to Dead Horse Beach after January 2nd or bring it to the bonfire on the 6th.

Please don't forget that all decorations and lights must be removed from your tree. 

In case of inclement weather (rain/snow/wind) the bonfire will be held on Saturday evening, January 7th at 6:00 p.m. Check www.salem.com for rescheduling information. 

Finally, DO NOT place your tree inside or next to the dumpster. 

Street Parking Changes

In preparation for the annual onslaught of Halloween tourism, Saturday morning the Salem DPW painted several new designated areas on both Holyoke and Norman streets that may greatly impact parking availability both during the month of October, and going forward into winter.
Although the only officially-designated place residents of 24 Norman Street are allowed to park is Riley Plaza, (with our hang tags) many tenants frequently park in the unmetered spaces along Norman Street, directly in front of our building or the shopping plaza next door, or on nearby Holyoke Street.  We recently lost a potential space to a badly-placed handicapped parking space in front of the building. Saturday we lost another one, the space directly in front of that space by the ramp, or "driveway" on the market side of the building. (see photo below)

We are also potentially losing all of our parking on the Verizon building side of Holyoke Street. The Salem DPW painted in two large spaces for tour buses to park on Holyoke.

Although tour buses and Verizon trucks have parked there in the past, this may indicate that a new, officially-posted "Tour Buses Only" area may be enforced with ticketing, or towing. Weather this will be only during the month of October, or permanently, remains to be seen.
There was no notification from the city to Markwood Management that any of these changes were taking place.
With the new Merchant hotel leasing parking space in Riley Plaza, two new hotels scheduled to open within the year (one on Essex Street, one on Washington Street) and the city seemingly favoring merchants and tourists over residents, parking scarcity is once again becoming critical issue. 

For now, just be aware of these changes and be careful to look for any new signs or posted regulations. We will post any new information we receive here on the blog.

IMPORTANT Recycling/Trash Changes

You may have noticed some new recycling bins in the side driveway.
A new and improved trash and recycling collection program will begin November 2, 2015.
Please read the following carefully. 

Remember — recycling is mandatory in Salem. 

New Recycling Collection Program
Beginning in November, recycling carts will be collected by an automated process in most neighborhoods. Special trucks with ‘arms’ will pick up your carts and deposit their contents into the truck.
NOTE: Recycling will be collected every other week in the blue 96-gallon cart instead of every week. The old bins will be going away DO NOT USE THE OLD BINS after November 2. Only supplied carts will be collected - trash barrels, blue recycling bins, or any other
receptacles will no longer be acceptable or collected.

Trash & Single Stream Recycling Collection
Salem is now offering ‘single stream’ recycling, which means that paper, plastic, glass bottles and cans may all be mixed together in your recycling cart. That is the good news. The bad news is that they will a lot pickier about what is in the bins. Pay careful attention to what items are allowed and what are not. There is a handy guide on the lid of each bin. If you are in doubt, put it in the dumpster. If you place disallowed items in the bins we run a strong risk of not having our recycling picked up, which besides being a pain in the neck, will be an additional expense for Markwood, and therefore for you.

So to RECAP
• Use the 96-gallon blue cart with the green lid.
• Recycling will be collected every-other-week.
• No sorting is needed.
• DO NOT put recyclables in plastic bags.
• Containers that held food should be rinsed and FREE of FOOD DEBRIS.
 For example: no pizza boxes with grease of cheese on them.
Acceptable materials for curbside recycling include:

A more detailed list of materials that can be recycled will be distributed later this week to all 24 Norman Street residents. You can also obtain more information by visiting  www.Salem.com.
Thank you for your cooperation.

Your Input is Needed for the Salem Artists Row Public Forum

The City of Salem has hired The Cecil Group to coordinate a process to re-envision Artists’ Row, with a goal to spur revitalization of the space so that it can be a renewed focal point of Salem’s creative economy.  A plan for Artists’ Row will be developed and focus on design, uses and programming, and management and operations.  We would like to know your thoughts on how the City can address these critical issues to improve Artists’ Row in the short term and for years to come.

Earlier this week, the City held one of two public forums to gather input from the community on this issue.  Below is a link to the presentation that was shown at the meeting.  Below the presentation link is a link to an online survey that we kindly ask that you fill out and submit by noon on Friday, June 26th.  If you have any questions about this project you may contact Andrew Shapiro at ashapiro@salem.com or 978-619-5685.

Thank you in advance for providing your valuable feedback on this important project.
Artists’ Row Envisioned Presentation (Powerpoint)

Survey

Help the City Address Park, Recreation, and Open Space Needs

Residents are invited to complete a survey about Salem’s park, recreation, and open space needs. The City has hired Gale Associates to conduct a Recreational Facilities Needs Assessment & Master Plan and to update the City’s Open Space & Recreation Plan. These plans, based on input from the community, will help guide investment in Salem’s parks and open spaces.

English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/salemmpeng
Español: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/salemmpesp

This survey will be online until noon on Friday, April 10.

Please contact Tom Devine at the Department of Planning and Community Development at 978-619-5685 or tdevine@salem.com with any questions.

New Salem Police Chief

SALEM, MA – Acting Chief Mary Butler will be sworn in as Salem’s new Chief of Police in a formal ceremony at Salem’s historic Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square, on April 9th at 10:00 a.m. The event will be free and open to the public.

 Following brief remarks from City officials, including former Chief of Police Robert St. Pierre, former Chief of Police and current State Representative Paul Tucker, and Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, Chief Butler will take the oath of office and offer remarks.

Chief Butler was promoted from Lieutenant to Acting Captain in the Salem Police Department in 2014. In that capacity she was commanding officer of the department's special operations division, with oversight of the community impact unit, special response unit, traffic division, and records office. She has served with the Salem Police Department since 1987, where she has overseen patrol division and the community impact unit as a Lieutenant, served as public information officer and detective, and worked as administrative aide to former Chief St. Pierre. She has served as Acting Chief of the department since her appointment by Mayor Driscoll was announced in early March.

Salem's 12th Annual Christmas Tree Bonfire!

Join in the fun at Salem's 12th Annual Christmas Tree Bonfire
Friday, January 9, 6:00 p.m., Dead Horse Beach

SALEM, MA –  Mayor Kim Driscoll and the City of Salem’s Park & Recreation Department will hold the City’s 12th  annual Christmas tree bonfire at Dead Horse Beach on Memorial Drive on Friday, January 9, 2015 at 6:00 p.m., weather permitting.

“The Bonfire is one more great Salem tradition. I look forward to it every year,” said Mayor Driscoll.

Northside Carting trucks will be picking up trees curbside on the same day as your regularly scheduled trash day beginning January 5th.  If you really want to make sure your tree is part of the bonfire, you can drop it off at the entrance to Dead Horse Beach after January 2nd or bring it to the bonfire on the 10th.  Please don't forget to remove all decorations and lights from your tree.

In case of inclement weather (rain/snow/wind) the bonfire will be held on Saturday evening January 10th at 6:00 p.m.
Check www.salem.com for rescheduling information.

City-wide Christmas tree curbside collection will continue to take place January 12 -16, 2015.  Please leave your tree curbside on the same day as your regularly scheduled trash day and Northside Carting will pick up your tree.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.