No speaker at our July Board meeting but Jenna Ide of City to join our August Board meeting.

• Jenna to discuss possibility of flower beds being installed around the Bandstand.

June Preservation Partners meeting.  Erin provided update.

NIAC meeting held on July 8th^hwith Jenn covering.  Minutes distributed.

City Updates & Other Activities from Non-City Entities Impacting Common:

• Outdoor dining configurations to remain in place through November 1.
• Non-City consultant Halvorson preparing Common “Conditions” vs “Master Plan”.
  • Status: Commissioners seek input when plan delivered to City.
• Non-City consultant Davey Group doing Common tree inventory.
  • Status: Tree Commission & City Arborist have requested review of findings & recommendations. 
• Non-City consultant Irrigation Consulting planning to examine irrigation.
  • Status: needed.

National Park Services:  Possibly expanding boundaries & name of current Salem Maritime Park.  Waiting for details to be shared.  No change.

Common Fence Restoration.  Sections by Hawthorne and Washington Square East restored & reinstalled by DeAngelis.   Status: Complete.  Other sections to be undertaken in 2021.

Bandstand Restoration.  This project started on schedule the week of March 16th.

-Phase 1 completed including excavation, new concrete surfaces, new drainage & landscaping as well as bulkhead enhancements.

-Protective fence removed & fully reopening happened on July 1^st.  Looks great!

-Request for new painted plywood prior to windows install in Phase 2. Status: Open.

-Phase 2 if funded will occur in fall of 2021.  Status: Open.

 

Common Committee Report

• Per Jenn, there is some concern about the new bulkhead/hatchway at the Bandstand as it does not sit flat on the base.  The contractor needs to be contacted.
• There is also a problem with the basketball court as the paint is beginning to come up.
• The two benches opposite the Bandstand were removed.
  • Update:  These benches have now been returned to their original positions.
• The decorated bench is still a problem as a lot of litter is left behind.
  • Update: Jenn discussed this with Ray on the 13^th.  City cleaned up & the person responsible talked to.

Common Illumination.  Milo, as member of Historic Commission, in discussion with Patti (Preservation) about all aspects: lighting, lanterns & eventually lampposts.  Historic Commission to pursue involvement with non-City consultant Lumen Lighting on their study and hold public hearings on new lantern types and other decisions. Status: unchanged.

No SmokingSigns.  Current ordinance prohibits smoking within 50 feet of Playground, BB court & Bandstand.  Per DPS, 3 signs are on order for Common, Bandstand & by Arch.   Status: Sign vendor advises signs will arrive in August.

Playground.  New accessible equipment now added & underlying surfaces upgraded.  Remaining issue is blacktop by BB court.  Status: Playground & BB court now open

Maintenance:

• Crosswalk painting on all Common crosswalks requested from DPS.  Status: Targeting July.
• Request for stop sign at WSE/Andrew intersection to Councilor Madore. Awaiting response.
• New crosswalk over Essex Street from WSE requested.
• Great job by City on overall clean up before ceremony honoring fallen officer.
• Regular maintenance needed as SCNA volunteers can’t keep up with the amount of litter.

Thanks to Jenn for raising this issue with Ray – we will discuss with Ray on July 13^th.

Homeless on Common.  This has become an issue again.  Someone recently set up a tent on the Common & also left a shopping cart which were removed.  CIU part of SPD contacted.

After a lengthy discussion about holding events, it was felt that all should be put on hold during the pandemic.  Nothing appears to be feasible until there is a vaccine and life is back to somewhat normal. There will be a loss of significant revenue by not having the Kid Fest over two weekends in October however, we will not have concerts or other events to fund.  We are holding out hope that the Holiday Concert in December might occur.

Marketing.  Board in favor of offering e-commerce on our website in the form of t-shirts, etc. Milo designed SCNA t-shirts.  Status: Milo requested to activate function on website.

Membership Updates.  37 memberships in total which includes 10 families & 4 businesses. Jane to invite new residents of soon to complete K of C development to become members.

Newsletter. Suggestions for next NL:  Fence & Bandstand; Arch update including City & PEM perspective; Lynn profile; Playground sign; crosswalk painting; memorial on Common; etc.