City of Salem to begin “CFL Swap” program:

Residents can exchange incandescent bulbs for energy and money-saving Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs on Monday and Thursday afternoons during the month of January

The City of Salem is launching a “CFL Swap” program to encourage residents to exchange their old, inefficient incandescent bulbs for energy-efficient Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFL).   Efficient lighting decreases utility costs and reduces environmental impact. For each incandescent bulb that is exchanged for a CFL, a consumer can save an average of $8 - $11 a year in electric costs. CFLs also have a much longer service life than incandescents, greatly reducing bulb replacement frequency.

Beginning on January 5th, residents can exchange their bulbs from 1 – 4 PM on Monday afternoons, or 4 – 7 PM on Thursdays at the Salem Department of Planning and Community Development on the third floor of City Hall Annex at 120 Washington Street.
Residents are eligible to exchange up to six incandescent bulbs of any wattage for any combination of 60, 75 or 100 watt CFL equivalents (outdoor lighting not included). Participants must bring in an equal number of old incandescent bulbs to exchange for the new ones.
The program will run throughout the month of January.   A limited quantity of bulbs is available and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.  Participants are encouraged to call ahead to ensure product availability.

The CFL Swap program will also include door-to-door bulb exchanges beginning in January 2012 in a few Salem neighborhoods selected at random. The program is one element of a more comprehensive home energy and water conservation program that includes conservation workshops for residents and home energy auditing and efficiency retrofit services.   Details of those programs will be announced at a later date.

Under a new federal law set to begin taking effect in 2012, inefficient lighting technologies, like conventional incandescent bulbs, will be phased out in favor of more efficient technologies (like halogen and LED, in addition to CFLs). The law is designed to improve energy efficiency while reducing the nation’s carbon emissions. Conventional 100 watt incandescent bulbs will be no longer be supplied in consumer retail channels beginning this year, while conventional 75 watt bulbs will be phased out in 2013, and 60 and 40 watt in 2014. Through the swap program, Salem residents can get a head start on replacing their incandescent bulbs and begin saving energy and money right away, while taking an immediate step to reduce their carbon footprint.

For more information, contact Paul Marquis, City of Salem Energy and Sustainability Manager, at pmarquis@salem.com, or the Department of Planning and Community Development at 978-619-5685.

TRASH AND RECYCLING PICKUP ON SCHEDULE DURING THE WEEKS OF DECEMBER 26TH AND JANUARY 2ND

Please be advised that the Christmas and New Year weekend holidays will not affect the curbside trash and recycling pickups.

Trash and recycling pickup will occur on your normally scheduled trash date during the weeks of December 26-30, 2011 and January 2-6, 2012.  Please put out your trash and recyclables on your normally scheduled weekly trash day.

City-wide curbside Christmas tree pickup will take place during the week of January 9th - 13th.  However, you may leave your Christmas tree curbside beginning on January 3rd for pickup or bring your tree down to Dead Horse Beach for the City's 9th Annual Christmas Tree Bonfire scheduled for January 6, 2012 at 6:30pm.

Have a happy and safe holiday season.

Public Hearing on Downtown Renewal Plan

The City Council will conduct a Public Hearing on Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, Salem City Hall, 93 Washington St., to consider approval of an updated, consolidated and revised Urban Renewal Plan for the City of Salem, titled Salem Downtown Renewal Plan, in accordance with 760 CMR 12.00 Urban Renewal Regulations, Section 12.03 (2) Major Plan Changes. The Salem Downtown Renewal Plan seeks to preserve and enhance key areas of Salem’s downtown, promoting revitalization opportunities and economic development while protecting historic resources.

Theft in the Building

If you have passed by the mailboxes in the front lobby recently you may have noticed the notes above.

The note says; " Attention: Your Mail is not safe. I received a package from Amazon which was opened and stolen by someone in the building (24 Norman Street). I saw the package near the mailboxes but was unable to pick it up because I was running out the door. When I returned, I found the opened package lying nearby and the contents gone. besides the fact that opening someone else's mail is a Federal offense, it is also STEALING. Mail that is someone else's property should not be opened and STOLEN.

This will be reported to Markwood Management and the U.S. Postal Service. If you have information about this crime, please notify Markwood Management at 781-639-4080."

Apparently we have a thief or thieves who either live in the building, or have regular access to the building. The intended recipient of the stolen package discovered the theft and posted the note you see above on the bulletin board, which was followed by several others, also reporting thefts of mail and other items left in the hallways.
This might be a good time to remind people about building security. Do not prop doors open for any reason. Do not let people into the building you do not know. Do not reveal the front door security code to non-residents. And watch for and report any suspicious person or activity immediately. (For example, someone examining packages that are not addressed to them).
This is an especially unfortunate development with Christmas coming up. For people who work all day, and cannot be here to take delivery of their packages in person. be aware that until the culprit is identified, any package left unattended in the front lobby may be at risk.
Not feeling secure in the building where you live is a very troublesome matter and will not be tolerated.
If you are the thief, or know who they are, realize that when you are caught, you will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Help the Homeless This Holiday Season 2011

NORTHSHORE SHELTERS are in need of assistance with everyday toiletries. You can help.

Drop off goods at the:

SALEM POLICE DEPARTMENT
95 MARGIN ST.
SALEM, MA 01970

SAT. NOVEMBER 19th 
9AM-1PM
and
SUN. NOVEMBER 20th 
9AM-1PM

ITEMS NEEDED:
Shampoo
Conditioner
Liquid Soap/Body Lotion
Toothpaste/Toothbrushes/Floss
Hand Sanitizer
Baby Powder/Baby Wipes/Diapers (all sizes)
Deodorant/Body Spay
Tampons/Maxi Pads
Disposable Razors

ORGANIZED BY: Salem Police Community Impact Unit

AREA SHELTERS: Lifebridge, The Inn Between, Action, Lynn Shelter Association, River House and HAWC

Halloween Street Closings Will Affect Norman Street

Road Closures and No Parking Posted Tow Zones
Friday, October 28, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011

Road Closures

The only planned road closings for Friday, Saturday and Sunday are Washington Street, between Church Street and Bridge Street, and Federal Street, from Washington Street to North Street, during the times the Radio 92.9 entertainment stage is operational (Friday at 6:00pm, Saturday & Sunday @ 4:00pm).

However, crowd size and public safety will dictate the need for closing any streets in the downtown area during the weekend.

Posted No Parking Tow Zones

Washington Street from Lynde Street to Bridge Street.  This section of the street which is across from District Court will be a Posted No Parking Tow Zone area on Thursday, October 27 beginning at 3:00pm.
Federal Street - both sides from Washington Street to Superior Court.
Norman Street - both sides from Washington Street to Holyoke Square.
Saturday, October 29 – Devil's Chase Road Race

On Saturday morning beginning at 8:00am this road race will start at Salem Willows and proceed through Memorial Drive, the Common, Derby Street, Fort Avenue, Winter Island and the Willows neighborhood.  During the race there will be some traffic diversion along the route.  For a course map, log onto bnsfitness.com

Road Closures and Posted No Parking Tow Zones
Monday, October 31, 2011
Road Closures
The following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic at approximately 5:00pm on October 31st:
Washington Street closed from New Derby to Bridge Street.
Essex Street from Barton Square to Union Street
Derby Street from Lafayette Street to Congress Street
Brown Street closed at New Liberty Street.   Second backup closure at Howard Street
Lafayette Street closed from Derby to Front Street
Hawthorne Blvd closed from Derby Street to Essex Street
Washington Sq. West closed from Essex to Brown Street
Washington Sq. South closed
Washington Sq. North closed from Brown to Winter St
Winter Street at Bridge Street closed to inbound traffic
Williams Street at Bridge Street
Congress Street closed at South Harbor Garage, traffic detoured to Wharf Street out to Derby Street. Derby Street inbound traffic detoured to Little Hawthorne Blvd., right on Essex Street (Traffic direction reversed Little Hawthorne Blvd.)
Lafayette St and New Derby Street remain open to traffic to and from Riley Plaza.

No Parking Posted Tow Zones beginning at Noon
        Franklin Street – both sides from North Street to Orchard Street

No Parking Posted Tow Zones beginning at 5:00pm
Lafayette Street both sides Front to Derby Street.
Public parking lot along Front Street. Public parking spaces located on Central Street in front of old police station.
Essex Street from Barton Sq. to Hawthorne Blvd.
Derby Street both sides between Congress and Lafayette Street
Hawthorne Blvd. both sides.
Front Street. Central Street.
Washington Street from New Derby to Bridge Street both sides.
Washington Sq. North, South, and West both sides.
Federal Street both sides from Washington to Superior Ct.
Norman Street from Washington to Crombie Street.
Fireworks traffic control plan 10:00pm – October 31st
Bridge Street closes to traffic between the westerly ramps and the Bypass Road.
Incoming Bridge St northbound traffic detoured up westerly ramps to east west North Street directions. The Bypass Road inbound traffic from Beverly is diverted back to Bridge St and back to Beverly. Incoming south bound traffic from Bridge Street is diverted to the Bypass Road and back to Beverly.
Beverly sign board before Bridge warns drivers that Salem is absolutely closed to thru traffic from 10pm until 1130 pm. Route 1A, Rt 114, and Route 107 no access from Beverly. Vehicles directed to Kernwood Bridge.

Franklin Street closed.

Announcing SALEM SPINS Bike Sharing Program!

Need free transportation? Your search is over!

A new bicycle sharing program, provided by the City of Salem and Salem State University, will open near the Hawthorne Hotel and at the Salem State Central Campus on Monday, September 26th.

How does Salem Spins work?

For the downtown hub, located at the intersection of Essex Street and Hawthorne Boulevard, you simply need to visit the front desk at the Hawthorne Hotel, where you’ll be supplied
with a key to unlock one of the bicycles. Although there is no charge to borrow a bike, you will need to show a credit card and valid ID for security purposes. It’s an easy transaction,
and an easy and unique way to explore historic Salem…and it's FREE!

A second hub, limited to use by Salem State students and faculty, is located at the Salem State Campus Police Station. A Clipper Card is required for use of the bicycles there.

Salem Spins will be offered from September through November and will re-open after the winter season in March (schedules are weather permitting and the program is active only
during daylight hours).

Program underwriters and sponsors include the Green Communities Division of the MA Department of Energy Resources, the Hawthorne Hotel, and Salem Cycle.

For more information, please contact Paul Marquis, the City of Salem Energy and Sustainability Manager, at pmarquis@salem.com, or 978.619.5693