Spoke 6-18-19 (Jun 18, 2019)

50-50 RAFFLE

Pot Size: $125.00

Tim Clarke and a Chamber member had the tickets, but there were no winners.

CALENDAR RAFFLE

SOLD BY: Bill Henning

SOLD TO: Sid Suzi

VISITING ROTARIANS AND GUESTS

This was a combined meeting with the Salem Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Kim Driscoll and several others were guests.

FINES AND RECOGNITIONS

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CLUB BUSINESS

Kathie Strout will be taking a leave of absence to care for her grandchildren this summer.

Rotary will be sponsoring four children for the City of Salem summer program.

Laurie Fullerton of Brookhouse Home was welcomed as a new member.

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BIRTHDAYS

Happy June birthday to:

Patrick Langmaid - June 9th

Francesco Sabelli - June 10th

SPEAKER OF THE WEEK

Mayor Kim Driscoll spoke to both Rotarians and the Chamber of Commerce on the state of the city. She discussed a how important a shared vision is among all stakeholders. She covered housing, transportation, infrastructure, education, and Salem’s 400^th anniversary in 2026.

A few tidbits from Mayor Driscoll:

City Mission Statement

To provide open, honest, and pro-active services effectively and efficiently, focusing on the needs of today, with a vision for the future.

HOUSING

Two bedroom rents went up 65% in the last nine and a half months.
New construction needed, there was a major slowdown in early 2000s.
Smart growth with walkable, interconnected community is trending.
The community collaborators are her "housing warriors."
Looking to make rules around affordable housing and accessory dwelling more relevant to the housing needs of the city and its residents and developers.
RFPs are out for former courthouses.
75% increase in hotel rooms in city over the last two years.

TRANSPORTATION

Boston Street is the next major road slated for work. The city must put forth a design plan before the state will release funds.
Highland Avenue is seen as a big future growth corridor.
In talks with electric scooter firms for a pilot. In Brookline, 21% of scooter rides were taken in lieu of a car trip.
1% of the marijuana tax will go toward transportation.
Looking into community sponsored car-sharing similar to Zipcar and an intra-city shuttle.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Possible swap of Pioneer Village with Camp Naumkeag.
Forest River Pool renovation complicated by the fact that the bathhouse is a historic building, but plans are looking good.
Bertram field upgrades.
$2.5M for roads/sidewalks and $1.8M for water/sewer in FY20.

EDUCATION

Town must do better in finding and providing the right leadership moving forward.
Ten years ago 40% of residents with children in school were satisfied, one year ago 70% were satisfied, and this year that measure "plummeted."

NEXT WEEK'S SPEAKER