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.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Salem Farmer's Market 2013


















Prepare yourself for fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, honey, live lobsters, artisan breads, pastries, local cheeses and meat, as well as live music every Thursday from 3-7. The 2013 Salem Farmer's Market starts June 13th and runs through till October 24th. Held in Derby Square on Front Street, right by the Old Town Hall. For more information visit salemfarmersmarket.org


Saturday, May 25, 2013

Rain and the Doors

With all the rainy weather we've been having this week, just a reminder that when it rains, both the front and back wooden doors swell and will sometimes not close all the way on their own. When you go in or out please take a moment to make sure that the door is fully closed and latched. Not much sense in trying to have a secure building if people go around leaving the doors open. Thanks!

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Salem Commuter Rail Drill!

The MBTA is looking for volunteers from the public to participate in a Salem Commuter Rail Drill!

Sunday morning, June 2nd, 2013 the MBTA, MBCR, and City of Salem will be conducting a joint commuter rail emergency evacuation drill in Salem. For added realism, we are looking for volunteers to act in the role of passengers during a simulated Halloween incident. Costumes are encouraged but optional.

This is a great opportunity for residents of Salem to support public safety efforts in their community. Volunteers will experience first-hand a train evacuation coordinated by first responders inside a tunnel. Food will be served, all volunteers will receive a participation certificate and participation counts as four credit hours for EMTs.
To register or learn more, please visit
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/17I7bODcPD-d02KfkTFyyYepdnmV9zxnHrS0lTec-2Mg/viewform

Please contact Ed Gincauskis MassDOT Emergency Management Coordinatorwith any questions,
 E-Mail: edward.w.gincauskis@state.ma.us   Office: 617-222-3941

*More information regarding this drill will be posted on www.salem.com next week. 
The information in this posting is just to recruit volunteers.

Friday, April 26, 2013

STREET SWEEPING BEGINS APRIL 29TH

STREET SWEEPING BEGINS ON SALEM'S ENTRANCE CORRIDORS ON  APRIL 29TH
Residential Streets To Be Swept May 13-24

It's that time of year again...

        Mayor Kimberley Driscoll today announced that the City of Salem’s Street Sweeping Program will begin on Monday, April 29th on Salem's entrance corridors. Then, beginning on May 13th, sweepers will start cleaning residential streets in neighborhoods.

"After a winter of record breaking snow amounts, street sweepers are a welcome sight. We are committed to cleaning this city street by street starting on April 29th,” stated Mayor Driscoll.

The first Entrance Corridor sweep will begin on Monday, April 29th and continue through May 10th. Residents should consult the 'No Parking/Tow Zone' signs posted along each of these entrance corridors that notify drivers of what day parking restrictions are in effect. As in the past, entrance corridor sweeping schedules alternate between the odd and even sides of the street so residents are able to alternate parking their cars on the opposite side of the street during scheduled sweeping days. Parking is prohibited from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. on scheduled sweep days.  This year the City will be sweeping Entrance Corridors three times throughout the spring, summer and fall (see schedule on salem.com for more details). 

Beginning Monday, May 13th and running through May 24th residential neighborhood street 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 am to 5:00 pm. 

John Tomasz, Director of Public Services, stated, "In order for the sweepers to do their job, I would like to ask all residents to pay attention to the no parking signs posted for street sweeping and to remove your cars from the street on your designated sweeping day," John Tomasz, Director of Public Services, stated. "Our goal is to clean the streets, not to tow cars, so please park accordingly during scheduled street sweeping days."

City streets will be broken down into two zones. Streets in Zone One will be swept during the week of May 13 – 17 and streets in Zone Two will be swept during the week of May 20 – 24 (see schedule on salem.com for more details).  Residents will be able to use entrance corridor streets (Boston St., Bridge St., Essex St. [from Boston St. to Washington St.], Lafayette St. [from Dow St. to Marblehead line], Loring Ave., and North St.) as alternative parking areas on the day of their neighborhood sweep. Once a street is swept, residents will be able to move their vehicles back onto their street. 

Sweep days are the next day after the regularly scheduled trash day.  To find a specific street sweeping date, locate what zone the street is in on the 2013 Residential Street Sweeping Schedule, and match it with the calendar.  Monday sweep schedules are for the preceding Friday's trash day.  For example, if you live on Atlantic Street, which has a Friday trash pickup, are located in Zone One both sides of the street will be swept on Monday, May 13. For a detailed schedule, log onto the Department of Public Works page on the “Departments” site at www.salem.com, pick one up at City Hall or the Salem Public Library, or call the DPS office at 978-744-3302. 

To help get the word out, the City will use its CodeRed automated calling system. Also the street sweeping schedule will be posted on the News & Announcements page and Department of Public Works page on the City's website (www.salem.com).  Hard copies will be available at the DPW garage, Salem City Hall, and the Salem Public Library. To have a schedule sent by mail call the Public Services Department at 978-744-3302. Illuminated message boards will be placed throughout the city announcing street sweeping and temporary tow zone signs will be placed throughout designated sweeping areas.

        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.

One of the many ways the City will notify residents regarding street sweeping is through the CodeRED automated calling system, so this is a perfect time to register. Residents and businesses can add their telephone numbers, cellular phone numbers, and/or email addresses to the new CodeRED system. To register, residents and businesses can log onto the city's website www.salem.com and click on the  CodeRED Community Notification Enrollment' icon.

 It only takes a minute and will ensure notification of emergency and non-emergency messages from the City of Salem. 

Another method of communication used for street sweeping information is the City's email updates. Individuals can sign-up to receive a variety of notices by clicking the green ‘E-Mail Subscriber’  button on the left side of www.salem.com  and checking the News & Announcements category.

Residents are urged to register for both the CodeRED and www.salem.com E-Mail Subscriber systems, as the City uses each system independently.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

City of Salem 2013 Rabies Clinic

City of Salem 2013 Rabies Clinic
Sponsored by "VANS" Veterinary Association of the North Shore

For those of you at 24 Norman Street with cats, a 2013 Rabies Clinic will be held Wednesday, May 1st, 2013 from 4:00-6:00pm at the rear of the Salem Police Headquarters, 95 Margin Street.
The cost is $10 per animal cash or personal check only. 
Three year vaccinations will only be given if you bring previous RABIES VACCINATION CERTIFICATE (not receipts or tags) that prove up-to-date and previous vaccine status.   
All proceeds to benefit scholarship fund for veterinary students from the North Shore.                 
Dogs and cats, over the age of 12 weeks only, please.
All vaccinations will be good for one year without a valid Rabies vaccination certificate.
NOTE: CLINIC IS "RAIN OR SHINE".
Any questions call A.C.O. Donald Famico at 978-744-0171 x 121.
Please be careful when driving and walking about the Police Department as there is active cruiser traffic occurring. 

Click here for more information

Friday, March 29, 2013

2013-14 Parking Stickers























Salem Residents 
2013-14 Parking Stickers
Available April 1, 2013

For entrance to Winter Island Park, Forest River Park
And McCabe Marina & Recreation Area

Salem resident parking stickers can be purchase at:

Council on Aging
5 Broad Street, Salem
Monday-Friday 8am - 4pm
Thursday evenings until 7pm

Winter Island Park Office/Store
50 Winter Island Road, Salem
Beginning on Monday, May 6th, Monday-Friday 8 am - 4 pm
Beginning on Saturday, May 25th,   Saturday & Sunday 8 am - 4 pm

$20 for the 1st vehicle ($15 for seniors 60+ & veterans)
$5 for the 2nd vehicle registered to the same Salem address

To obtain your sticker, drive your vehicle to the COA or Winter Island Park Office/Store, show your license and registration, and we will place the sticker on the windshield of your vehicle. If you are requesting a 2nd sticker, bring a copy of the registration for that vehicle, a copy of the driver’s license for the person the vehicle is registered to (if for someone else in your household), and we will give you the 2nd sticker to take with you.

Please Note:  Yellow 2011-12 stickers are up for renewal. If you have a Red 2012-13 sticker on your vehicle, it is good through the 2013 season.


Thank you and enjoy all Salem Parks!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

POTHOLES














A note from the mayor regarding potholes:

Potholes: 1.A deep natural underground cavity formed by the erosion of rock. 2. A hole in the road caused by extreme weather or excessive use. 3. Another reason that Winter is way overrated (okay this one's my own thought)

Whichever way you define them, potholes are just another sign that Spring has arrived. As much as we like Spring, we don't like potholes and we're hoping you can help us fix/fill them by reporting trouble spots to Potholes@Salem.com. Make sure to include the exact address/location description, and contact name/number if possible. Photos are welcome too.

Our hardworking Department of Public Works personnel will be monitoring this account and assigning crews to fill in/repair pothole locations as we head into the start of Spring.

For any additional questions, you may contact the Salem DPW directly at (978) 744-3302.

Sincerely,

Mayor Kim Driscoll