NOTICE: DO NOT LEAVE LARGE ITEMS OUT BY THE DUMPSTER

To 24 Norman Street Residents:

Please do not leave large articles, furniture, rugs, electronics, etc.,  in the dumpster area.  Waste Management does not pick up these items when they empty the dumpster and we must send someone, at a cost to the Association, to remove and dispose of them.

Lifebridge in Salem may take some of these items.  There are many small, independent trash haulers in Salem who will take unwanted furniture for a reasonable fee.  In addition, Salem holds "EWaste" disposal days every three months at the High School.  With proof of Salem residency, electronics and household appliances may be disposed of for $10 per item.

We appreciate your cooperation in keeping the grounds clean and keeping costs down.

Thank you,
Markwood Management

As always, we ask that those of you who rent your units pass this information on to your tenants.

If this practice continues, Markwood may be forced to review security camera footage and fine those responsible.

Pets Policy Clarification

There are no dogs allowed in the building. This includes all dogs no matter how small they are. There is currently only one exception;  (1) small service dog is in the building by special permission of the management company and the board.  This is the only exception and was the result of a long process of medical documentation, review and approval by the board. The official policy for the building is that there are no pets allowed in the building. The management maintains this rule and right to control the presence of all pets especially if they can potentially become a noise or health issue. Thank you.

Fall Entrance Corridor Street Sweeping Schedule

Entrance corridor street sweeping will begin on Tuesday, September 1 and run through September 11.

Entrance corridor sweeping will take place between 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on the following dates.  New this year, we have stream-lined the sweeping of entrance corridors and re-aligned some of the days corridors will be swept, so please take an extra minute to review this fall schedule.  Each corridor will be swept over a period of two consecutive days which will alternate between the odd and even side of the streets.  Also, as we did last spring, City workers will be utilizing blowers to clear corridor sidewalks of debris prior to the street sweeping.

Each corridor will be posted with temporary ‘No Parking/Tow Zone’ signs and parking will be prohibited between the hours of 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Tuesday, September 1: Odd side of Boston Street and Essex Street (from Boston St. to North St.).
Wednesday, September 2: Even side of Boston Street and Essex Street (from Boston St. to North St.).

Thursday, September 3: Odd side of North Street.
Friday, September 4: Even side of North Street.

Tuesday, September 8: Odd side of Loring Avenue and Lafayette Street (from Derby St. to Marblehead line).
Wednesday, September 9: Even side of Loring Avenue and Lafayette Street (from Derby St. to Marblehead line).

Thursday, September 10: Odd side of Bridge Street.
Friday, September 11: Even side of Bridge Street.

Please be aware that 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

Residential neighborhood street sweeping will begin on September 14 and continue through October 9.  The residential schedule will be released shortly.


CLICK HERE FOR ENTRANCE CORRIDOR SWEEPING SCHEDULE

Salem residents get free pass to New England Aquarium all of September

With Salem schools not starting until Wednesday, September 9, summer is longer and more challenging for weary and cash-strapped parents and caregivers, continually looking for creative and entertaining ways to keep children busy for a few more days.

The New England Aquarium has just the remedy, exclusive to SALEM RESIDENTS ONLY: Free admission for the entire month of September. That is nearly a $100 savings for most families to see the Aquarium’s new exhibit on sea turtle rescue as well as penguins, fur seals, sea lions, harbor seals, sharks, sting rays, and thousands of more aquatic animals.

PROOF OF SALEM RESIDENCE - At the Aquarium’s box office, Salem residents need to show either their licenses, state identification cards, passports, or current mortgage, insurance, utility, or banking statements. Here is the link for more information: www.neaq.org/salem.  This offer is not available for phone or online orders, or for school or other group reservations. It may not be combined with other offers and is not valid on the New England Aquarium Whale Watch or in the Simons IMAX Theatre.

SALEM’S BENEFACTOR - Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll stated, "Salem is so fortunate to be the beneficiary of the Norman H. Read Trust, which focuses on funding science education and technology in our schools and for our children.~This September, Salem Days gives all of our residents the opportunity to explore marine science with free admission to the New England Aquarium."
Norman Read, who died in 1992 at age 100, made his fortune in the sciences of oil and natural gas in Texas and Alaska.~ Before he died, he created the trust as a means to enhance excellence in science education for all Salem residents.~Generations of his family were residents of Salem since colonial days.

OTHER FREE & LOW COST ACTIVITIES NEAR THE AQUARIUM – To build out a full, low cost day with kids in Boston beyond a free visit to the Aquarium, Salem residents might consider these other no or low cost entertainment options that are nearby. The Rose Kennedy Greenway in front of the Aquarium is now fully grown in, vibrant and exciting. Kids of all ages should wear their swim suits under their light summer clothing as they are welcome and encouraged to run through the unpredictable water jets of the Rings Fountain on the Greenway. Shrieks of excitement and laughter are guaranteed at no cost. Wander down the green path among the skyscrapers to see the widely acclaimed aerial sculpture that floats between the high rises. Hurry to see it as this ethereal, moving creation will come down in October before late autumn winds create havoc with it.
Stroll over to Quincy Market and check out their always amazing street performers. A bounty of cheap food options abound there, but if cash is really tight, pack a lunch and cross the Greenway to have a pleasant picnic on the wide lawns of Christopher Columbus Park overlooking sailboats tied up in the harbor. This park is truly one of Boston’s best kept secrets as it is tucked between the Long Wharf Marriott and the North End. The lawns are big enough for the kids to play with a ball or a Frisbee as adults get off their feet. Save your dessert for a gelato run as you explore Boston’s iconic Italian neighborhood.

TAKE THE SALEM FERRY - For a car-free adventure, Boston Harbor Cruises offers discounted tickets for Salem residents on the Fast Ferry that runs five crossings a day from Salem’s Blaney Street Pier into Boston’s Long Wharf North, adjacent to the Aquarium.          

Semi-Annual FREE Book Swap

GreenSalem.com is sponsoring another of their semi-annual book swaps at the Senior Center on Broad Street. (That is only 2 blocks from us) If you've never been to one, these swaps are busy and surprisingly fun.

The swap is September 19, 2015 from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
 
If you have a lot of items, they can be dropped off ahead of time on Friday, September 18th from 5-7 p.m and on Saturday, September 19th from 9:45 a.m.-12noon.

The book swap is a great way to recycle any of your unwanted books, greeting cards; and commercial CDs, DVDs and videos. Take home a whole new selection of items, cards and even some bestselling books. All books are accepted—even text books.
No swap is needed - you can donate materials, take materials, or both.

SalemRecycles is the City’s volunteer recycling committee which works to increase recycling and encourage positive recycling practices through educational outreach and special events. Through the last eleven Book Swaps, SalemRecycles has hosted over 4,200 participants; recycled an estimated 57,000 books, and avoided over 28 tons of landfill disposal.

For more information about SalemRecycles or the Book Swap, please call(978)-619-5679 or visit www.salem.com/recycling or GreenSalem.com. Like SalemRecycles on Facebook.
All left over materials will be donated or recycled.

54th Annual Salem Heritage Days Begins August 1st

Mayor Kimberley Driscoll today announced this year’s Heritage Days schedule of events which begin on Saturday, August 1st and continue through Sunday, August 9th. 

Mayor Driscoll stated, “Another week of fun filled activities are in store for this annual tradition.
I want to thank all the event managers that have worked so hard to bring almost forty different activities to choose from during Heritage Days this year.” 

Heritage Days kicks off this year with the 27th Annual Salem Maritime Festival at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site on Derby Wharf from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The 27th Salem Maritime Festival will host an exciting array of free family fun festivities, including free harbor cruises, traditional craft demonstrations, and children's activities. Come cruise, sail, paddle, and row through four centuries of Salem maritime history. Explore the Friendship of Salem and visiting vessels.  It doesn’t stop there folks, there are also three different events happening at the Willows on Saturday.  Be entertained by the Bridgin G.A.P.S. concert with performances ranging from local and non-local recording artists, live bands, dance groups, poets and other performance beginning at noon and running until 6:00 p.m. The Firemen’s Muster takes place at 12:30 p.m. where crews will compete to throw the longest stream of water with an antique hand pumped fire engine.  Clown Day will be also be happening from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. where clowns will be on hand all day to make balloon figures for your children, get their face painted and let them be entertained by a special performance at 2:30pm.

New this year is the City and the Salem Moose Family Center joining forces to combine Sunday’s August 2nd tour-a-truck event with Public Safety Day that usually happens in September.  Along with all of the kids’ big truck favorites, there will be some music and many new things to do and see.  The Ladies of the Moose will be donating 50 bike helmets to be fitted by the Salem Police Department (first come first serve).

Also new this year, something a bit different, Sail Salem will be hosting the 2015 Optimist New England Championship Sailing Regatta at Winter Island with over 400 young sailors from around the country. Although you may only catch a glimpse of the races from Waikiki Beach or the Willows Pier, the best view will be on spectator boats, so think about booking passage. (for rates and reservations go to Sea-Shuttle.com or www.MahiCruises.com. For more information about the Regatta go to www.sailsalem.org

Don’t worry, all your favorites are packed into the schedule:  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 14th Annual Phillips House Antique Car Meet to name a few.

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.

For our residents, Salem is the perfect place for your STAY-CATION.  Spend a day being a tourist and take advantage of the generosity of our tourist related business community. Many are free to Salem residents all year long like the Peabody Essex Museum, the Salem Witch Museum, the Salem Trolley (June-September), and the House of the Seven Gables.  The Witch House will be free to Salem residents during Heritage week and Pioneer Village will be free to residents on Saturday August 1st. The Salem Ferry always has discounts for residents and during Heritage Days the Sea Shuttle, Mahi Mahi Cruises and the Schooner Fame are offering discounts for residents.

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

Some Trash Etiquette

With several new people having moved into the building recently, we thought it might be a good idea to go over some basic dumpster etiquette.
When disposing of cardboard boxes in the recycling bins, please take them apart and break them down as much as possible. Please don't do this:

Also, when throwing your bags of trash into the dumpster, please make sure that they go INSIDE the dumpster. Do not throw them on top, beside or in front of the dumpster. The dumpster looked like this recently, even though there was plenty of room in the back half of the dumpster.

 We ended up with trash all over the surrounding area.

This is always an issue, but especially during the summer months, when stray trash attracts all kinds of vermin such as flies, rats and even fat squirrels. (As well as smelling and looking bad).

Another issue is the disposal of large furniture or other trash items . We recently had this to contend with this discarded toilet.

The dumpster is not intended for construction debris, or large furniture items. If an item doesn't fit in the dumpster, you need to make your own arrangements to dispose of it.
If you are having work done on your unit, you must make sure your plumber or carpenter will dispose of these kinds of items off-site.
The new trash disposal service is not required to take these kinds of items, and if you leave them we run the risk of not having our regular trash picked up.
If you place an item of this kind out by the dumpster, it requires Markwood to hire someone other than our regular trash service to dispose of it, which costs extra money. The more money we take from the operating budget, (i.e. your condo fee) to haul this crap away, the less we have for other expenses and repairs.

Your cooperation is much appreciated.