2021-12-22 Meeting MinutesCity of Salem Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board or Committee: Design Review Board – Regular Meeting
Date and Time: Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 6:00 pm
Meeting Location: Remote Participation via Zoom
DRB Members Present: Chair Paul Durand, David Jaquith, Glenn Kennedy,
Catherine Miller, Marc Perras
DRB Members Absent: Helen Sides, J. Michael Sullivan
Others Present: Kate Newhall-Smith
Recorder: Colleen Brewster
Chair Paul Durand calls the meeting to order at 6:00PM. Roll call was taken.
Signs in the Urban Renewal Area
1. There are no sign applications to review.
Projects in the Urban Renewal Area
1. 302A and 302B Essex Street: Small Project Review – Replacement of three doors
Liz Frazier of Witch City Wicks, also representing Sarah Jane Kurpeski of Moon Baby
Salon, were present to discuss the project.
Frazier stated that they are seeking approval to upgrade the two storefronts after both
businesses were broken into, Moon Baby Salon at the end of November and Witch City
Wicks two weeks later. The existing doors are residential style wood doors with glass
lites and the thief was able to break the glass and reach in and open the door from the
inside. Their customers sometimes have difficulty operating them, so they reviewed
commercial entrances on their side of Essex Street which are all commercial style doors.
This change will help differentiate them from the actual residential doors, reduce heat
loss, and provide better security. No signage is proposed at this time, except for
perhaps adding their addresses to either the door or transom.
Chair Durand noted that tempered or laminated safety glass for security would be safer.
Frazier replied that she would consult with the supplier. Perras stated that he was in
favor of the door, asked if the doors will open out, and requested the storefront window
material. Frazier replied that the window is painted wood and the doors will open out.
Miller asked which of the three proposed doors belong to her business. Frazier replied,
the far right only, the two doors to the left belong to Moon Baby, and the residential door
to the right leads to the residential units at the upper floors. Miller stated that she was in
favor of the doors and noted that proposed signage would need to be reviewed and
approved by DRB.
Public Comment:
No one in the assembly wished to speak.
Miller: Motion to approve as submitted. Seconded by: Perras.
Roll Call: Kennedy, Miller, Perras, Durand in favor. Passes 4-0.
City of Salem Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Jaquith joined the meeting.
New / Old Business
1. Approval of Minutes:
a. November 18, 2021
Miller requested that her specific comments/suggestion regarding proposed plantings
at the Harmony Grove site be added to the meeting minutes.
Miller: Motion to approve the meeting minutes from November 18, 2021, with Miller’s
edits. Seconded by: Kennedy.
Roll Call: Kennedy, Jaquith, Miller, Perras, Durand in favor. Passes 5-0.
2. DRB Meeting: Discussion of Remove, Hybrid, and In-Person Meetings
Newhall-Smith asked how the Board wished to handle the January through March
meetings, since in April all city boards will return to in-person meetings. Chair Durand
suggested the meetings remain remote due to Covid concerns. The board agreed.
Miller: Motion to remain remote until April. Seconded by; Jaquith
Roll Call: Jaquith, Kennedy, Miller, Perras, Durand. Passes 5-0.
3. 2022 Meeting Schedule
Newhall-Smith stated that the meetings will continue to be the fourth Wednesday of each
month, and they may need to adjust the meeting schedule in December of 2022, during
Christmas holiday.
4. Staff Updates, if any:
Applicant Concerns
Miller asked if applicants could return to the Board to say that they completed their
proposed work as approved, since numerous applicants aren’t following the approval as
directed. Chair Durand replied that the Building Department provides enforcement on
violations. Newhall-Smith added that they enforce larger concerns only and nothing is in
place to inspect completed Board work. She suggested a list of applicants be sent to
her so she can reach out to the Building Department. Miller noted 25 Lynde Street’s use
of textured Hardi Board siding where smooth is the preferred finish and the painting of
steel elements at Brix various shades of green which wasn’t an approved color.
Newhall-Smith noted that her research into Brix determined that nothing that can be
done at this time, there wasn’t much oversight when it came to colors, the renderings
weren’t conclusive and showed various “dark colors” throughout the review of the
project, and the associated documents don’t specifically state those proposed colors.
Perras suggested that at the very least, the lighter green be painted to match the darker
color tones for consistency.
City of Salem Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Miller noted that the new Eastern Bank included the bank name in their “Enter and Exit”
signs and Ginger Seafood installed a frosted film at their windows without approval.
Perras noted that City Smoke Shop added window signage that weren’t approved.
Newhall-Smith replied that the SRA approved the Smoke Shop signage without referring
it to the DRB. She requested all additional application concerns be sent to her.
Courthouses and Crescent Lot
Newhall-Smith stated that the city signed a P&S with Winn for the crescent lot, and they
also signed a MOU with the state for the Court buildings. The Secretary sent a letter
stating that they don’t want to relocate the Registry of Deeds to the courthouse so they
will remain at Shetland Park.
Covid-19
Newhall-Smith stated that residents can pick up one free Covid-19 test each from City
Hall Annex.
Adjournment
Perras: Motion to adjourn. Seconded by: Miller.
Roll Call: Jaquith, Kennedy, Miller, Perras, Durand. Passes 5-0.
Meeting is adjourned at 6:30PM.
Know your rights under the Open Meeting Law M.G.L. c. 30A §18-25 and City
Ordinance Sections 2-028 through 2-203