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 400th 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."
Please email all announcements to be added to The Spoke to SalemRotaryClub@yahoo.com by noon on Wednesday. Also, feel free to contact any of the committee members listed below.
Committee Chairperson and Editor: Dave Wescott
Committee Members: Julie Arrison, Gerrit Bradley,Scott Grover, Rick Jakious, and Patty Pace
Photographer: Trip Mason