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2005-05-10 SRA Special Meeting MinutesSRA Minutes May 10, 2005 Page 1 of 5 MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING OF THE SALEM REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD ON MAY 10, 2005 A Special Meeting of the Salem Redevelopment Authority (SRA) Board was held in the third floor conference room at the City Hall Annex, 120 Washington Street, on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 6:00pm. Chairman Michael Brennan called the meeting to order and on roll call, the following members were present: Russell Vickers, Christine Sullivan, Michael Connelly, and Conrad Baldini. Lynn Duncan, Executive Director, and Debra Tucker, Clerk, were also present. Lappin Park – Proposed TV Land Statue Mr. Vickers announced that Chairman Brennan was called away on a business meeting and that he, as the Vice Chairman, would serve as Chairman for the Special Meeting. Mr. Vickers stated that the Special Meeting was called in order to consider the recommendations of the Design Review Board regarding the design changes to Lappin Park. He added that this was a Special Meeting and not a Public Hearing, but that he would allocate time for public comment. Mr. Vickers asked Mr. Pellizzi to address the SRA and the public and give an update on the park redesign. Mr. Pellizzi said that this was TV Land’s 10th visit to Salem as part of their Landmarks Program, which commemorates and honors shows from people’s collective memory. He reviewed past TV Land projects, which include Ralph Kramden at the New York Port Authority, Mary Tyler Moore in Minneapolis, Andy Griffith in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Bob Newhart in Chicago. The Bewitched statue in Salem would be the fifth statue. Studio EIC of Brooklyn, NY has made the statues. Mr. Pellizzi added that they have done other prestigious work including presidential likenesses. The statue will be paid for by TV Land as well as the redesign of Lappin Park. Mr. Pellizzi then showed the plans for the park. He explained that they would open up the park by removing the brick wall, adding more grass, installing benches, re-landscaping, and repaving. There will be concentric gray concrete circles in the ground and the statue will be placed in the center with a plaque. Lights will be installed at the base to light the statue. Mr. Pellizzi stated that more detailed grading plans were previously submitted. Mr. Vickers said that the SRA had reviewed the initial recommendations by the Design Review Board. Revised plans were then submitted to the DRB, who recommended approval of the final design with conditions that the specifications for the lighting and benches be reviewed when finalized. Mr. Vickers said that the Lappin Family had submitted a letter from Bob Lappin to Ms. Duncan and that concurrence was granted. The Lappins wrote that they were proud and grateful and thought it an honor to have their name on this gem of a park. Mr. Vickers said that they were deeply supportive. Mr. Vickers then opened the meeting to questions from the public. Salem’s State Representative John Keenan addressed the board and said that he thought that the statue would be good public relations for the City. He added that he is a descendant of Rebecca Nurse. Mr. Keenan said that he was the proud captain of the Salem High Witches football team and wrestling team. He noted that the Salem News and the Salem Police Department cruisers both display the symbol of a witch. He noted that his shirt also had a witch logo on it as well. He is proud to represent Salem and feels that Salem stands for tolerance and diversity. Representative Keenan said that he had seen the original presentation and that he SRA Minutes May 10, 2005 Page 2 of 5 was not offended by it. He added that Salem should be most proud of the Witch Memorial as well as the Salem Award for social justice and did not believe that people will come to Salem just to see the statue. Mr. Vickers asked the public to raise their hands, stand when chosen, and identify themselves at the microphone. Councilor at Large Tom Furey of 21 Barstow St. said that he is a lifelong resident who has traveled and found that Salem is known as the Witch City. He thought that people should lighten up and let Salem have fun. This was one part of history in the 21st century. He noted the statue of Mayor Curley at Fanueil Hall in Boston. He said that Salem should have Samantha and that it was whimsical and that it made Salem even more famous and noted that the Lappin family was in favor. Betty Nichols added that two of her aunts, Mary and Sarah Hood, were accused of witchcraft. She noted that on May 1st the First Church of Salem celebrated their anniversary and added that the Pastor sent a letter objecting to the location of the statue, not the statue itself. Ms. Nichols added that the TV show had nothing to do with Salem. She asked why the statue could not be put in Riley Plaza. Bill Burns stated that his wife was related to Rebecca Nurse as well. He said that the statue is not whimsical. He referred to the Holocaust and the 20 people hung in Salem. He added that Samantha does not belong in Salem. Don Liebert stated that the TV show has nothing to do with Salem and that Salem has enough kitsch. He thought that we shouldn’t remove witch symbols, but that we didn’t need more. He said that it isn’t appropriate and that Salem should show some class and dignity and say no thanks even though Salem makes money off of the witch connection. Jeff Bellen of 396 Essex St. said that Salem is an amalgam of many things, including architecture and maritime. He stated that he grew up with Bewitched and that here is a positive connection that puts a smile on his face. He does not take offense. He said that Salem is starved for money and that the park is not the most inviting. The park renovations would make the park more inviting. He acknowledged a motive for TV Land, but added that it is in fun spirit and they are using the best sculptors. Mike Allen of 15 Pope St and the Red Lion Smoke Shop said that as a businessman he thought that the statue would be a tourist draw to the corner of the two main downtown streets. He noted that there used to be a commercial building on the site. Jeff Barsnell, the Pastor of the First Church, of 7 West Ave. stated that there were no witches in Salem and that there were 19 people killed and 120 arrested. The old First Church across the street is a bar and would be free to put a statue inside. He said that it is a civic decision that the City is making for an area just 20 yards from the site of the witch trials. He said that that church must object to this site near the second meetinghouse of the First Church of Salem, which was the site of one of the worst crimes. John Carr agreed and said that it is important to keep in mind that a decision has already been made and that they were not there to discuss the statue. He said that they are there to discuss the park improvements and said that the citizens were not given any say. He added that they have not seen the statue. Mr. Carr said that there was no substantive connection for the statue. He thought that there had to be a better location and suggested Salem Willows Park and Pickering Wharf. Mr. Carr stated that Salem was making a bad statement. He felt it was inappropriate and in bad taste. Mr. Carr said that TV Land retains the rights of ownership and questioned that. Christian Day, co-host for the Salem Festival of the Dead, said that there were three concerns raised- commercial, religious, and social. He said that it was a little late to turn one’s back on the witchcraft thing and said that it was the goose that laid the golden egg. He thought that businesses could use some of the SRA Minutes May 10, 2005 Page 3 of 5 commercial value of it. It is only suddenly because of the statue that people are complaining but that no one complained when a bar opened in the building, which housed the First Church. Samantha is a friendly face and he said that he watched the show and can relate on a conscious level. Mr. Day thought that people will come to see the statue and that the statue may be the on thing that tips the scales to draw tourists here. Richard Sorrell, a trolley tour driver, said that the City is broken up into several areas and that the end of Essex St. is becoming very ‘Coney Island’. He said that there should be a more appropriate area for whimsy and suggested Salem Willows. Mr. Sorrell said that he is on a committee trying to raise money for a statue of Rebecca Nurse. The Elizabeth Montgomery statue is rubbing him the wrong way. Duncan Cox of 1 Webster St. said that he assumed that public monuments should be in the best interest of the City and felt that the statue was inappropriate since the only purpose is to generate tourist revenue. He does not like the idea at all. Michael Blatty said that he had mixed feelings but was generally in favor of the statue. He said that he had only lived in Salem for 16 years. He questioned who owned the statue and if the City would have the right to move the statue in the future. Mr. Blatty said that he felt that people would congregate and cross the street and had safety concerns. He suggested siting the statue further in the park. He said that he had a sense that the matter was railroaded in and was an insult even thought the intentions might have been good. Mr. Blatty added that he thought it was a slight against the people who care so passionately about the City. He thanked the people bringing the statue to the City as well as the people fighting to preserve history. Mr. Vickers asked Mr. Pellizzi about the title and transfer of the statue. Mr. Pellizzi said that the terms had been structured as the others in the past and were open to discussion. Mr. Pellizzi said that TV Land was happy to work with the City on the details of this gift to the City and that TV Land wanted people to embrace it. Mr. Burns suggested the Salem Willows Amusement Park where thousands of people go. Scott Lanes of 13 First St. and Laura Lanes Skin Care and his photo studio nearby said that there is a difference between a public monument and public art. He said that the statue is whimsy and would add a lot to downtown. He added that every piece of art is not going to be a monument. He thanked TV Land and thought the park was a great location and would draw people across Washington St. A member of the public said that she was sorry to think that the statue was a ‘done deal’ and that added insult to injury. She thought to add the statue to the downtown was terrible and that everyone is aiming everything to business. She felt that the businesses should try harder. Bob Murch said that the City should be tolerant. Jean Harrison referred to the publicity in the newspapers. She noted that Mr. Pelizzi had said that he didn’t want to site the statue in a sensitive location. She had received 2 emails from people in North Carolina who are descendents of Susannah Martin and that they were outraged. Ms. Harrison said that Salem has done a good job with whimsy and witches and that it had taken the City about 200 years to get over the witch trials. She noted that from 1870-1890, according to historian Richard Trask, the City began to use the witch logo. Ms. Harrison said that downtown Washington St. is fairly somber with the courts and city hall and that the statue makes no sense. It is the main boulevard of Salem and she thought that Salem should be a serious City since it has a serious long distinguished past. Ms. Harrison said that the only good thing about the Salem witch trials was that it ended the witch trials in this country. Terry Colgren of 19 Winter Island Road said that she has two businesses in Salem. She stated that the issue was not about the statue or the park. She said that she wanted to see the benches taken up because of the homeless. She added that things have to be balanced. She said that the people who live in Salem should SRA Minutes May 10, 2005 Page 4 of 5 shop in Salem and that all religions should be honored. Ms. Colgren stated that the building across the street is not a church anymore. She said that the main thoroughfare location is good for business. She added that it would be an issue for every site. It is a nice place and needs to be cleaned up and would be a benefit to the City. Betsy Burns of 22 Beckford St. asked why a defunct TV show would be commemorated. She also asked how meaningful it would be. She stated that she was opposed due to the many reasons already stated and added that it seemed a funny thing to commemorate. David Pelletier spoke of tourism in Salem and the month of October. He referred to the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen and said that although it is not a real figure, it is the most revered statue there. He said that people should ‘lighten up on the witch thing’. Mr. Pelletier noted that the tercentenary witch memorial was aimed at lofty academia. He also mentioned the Choate statue and its move. Mr. Pelletier said that the City of Lynn would say thank you if offered the statue. He said that the City is famous for witchcraft and spoke of museums and businesses based on the connection. Mr. Pelletier also noted that the Friendship is the fourth sailing ship in Salem. He said that the City has to have a mix to attract people. Mr. Pellizzi said that TV Land is spending approximately $75,000.00 in park renovations. David Pelletier mentioned the Conant statue renovation and suggested that TV Land contribute. Justine Curley said that she has been a historian for 19 years in Salem and is devoted to teaching. She said that the 1970’s episodes of Bewitched were more of a draw than the museums. People still refer to them. The Salem Police Department cruiser began using the witch logo after the show filmed here. A member of the public asked about seeing a picture of the statue. Mr. Pellizzi said that there have been many pictures. The park redesign has been reviewed. Mr. Vickers added that the SRA was shown the pictures. TV Land keeps photos of the statue out of the media until the unveiling. A member of the public said that Bewitched is a TV icon and not reality. She noted that a tragedy befell Elizabeth Montgomery herself when she died from cancer. She suggested a cancer screening awareness tie in and said that it would be nice to do something. Mr. Vickers stated to the audience that this was a Special Meeting not a Public Hearing and that notice was posted. The SRA felt that it would be appropriate although not required to hear public comment. He added that a lot of time has been spent on the park redesign. Ms. Duncan said that she had received calls on the matter. She referred to a Virginia call from a relative from Susannah Martin, who was opposed and was concerned that the innocent victims would be perceived as witches. Meg Twohy submitted a letter voicing concerns as well. Ms. Sullivan read her statement (see attached) to the public. Mr. Baldini moved to approve the Design Review Board recommendation for the Final Approval of the changes at Lappin Park. Mr. Connelly seconded the motion. Discussion: Christine Sullivan added as a condition that the issue of the statue’s ownership and the ability to relocate the statue be resolved. Mr. Vickers said that since the SRA signs the agreement they could do that as part of the Agreement. Ms. Duncan asked for clarification on the condition of ownership. Ms. Sullivan answered that the issue needs to be made perfectly clear. Mr. Vickers said that the SRA will make sure before they execute the agreement for the statue that the conditions regarding ownership and the ability to relocate the statue are clear. SRA Minutes May 10, 2005 Page 5 of 5 Ms. Duncan said that she assumed that the other communities and cities wanted TV Land to retain ownership because TV Land would be responsible for maintenance. Ms. Sullivan said that they could still require them to be responsible for maintenance even if they don’t own it. Mr. Pellizzi said that any agreement made would cover all of these issues. Mr. Baldini moved to accept the amendment to the motion. Mr. Connelly seconded the amendment, and the motion passed (4-0). Ms. Duncan announced that the next SRA meeting will be held on May 17, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. and the Old Salem Jail redevelopment project will be on the agenda. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mr. Connelly motioned to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Sullivan seconded the motion, and the motion passed (4-0). Meeting stands adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Debra Tucker Clerk (Please add Christine Sullivan’s comments.)