notes from Salem Public Meeting of Dec 16

Beginning- I was 20 minutes late, missing a part of the presentation given by the proponents for Lowe's and Wal-mart.

An elevation study was in discussion, of the placement of deciduous Maple trees.  A 15 ft tall stone wall was proposed to be on the south side of Lowe's, which was said to shield the abutting homes from the noise and sight of trucks.  A member of the Salem Planning Board expressed concern about the asthetic of the stone wall, asking for the wall "to look like greenery, as if natural landscape was there".  (Funny to take it away, to only want to put it back?)

In the topic of traffic, the proponents were not prepared to answer these issues again.  Filling the void, there was bus-stop talk, cart storage and shelter (stuff unimportant to many, compared to the whole issue of loosing the resources in this area, and degrading nearby areas).

Comments from the public:
Tom Demakis, a Lynn lawyer and abutter, mentioned if this project is approved then it will be a "legally flawed project" because the Salem zoning code mentions that projects shall "protect the welfare and privacy of an abutter", by which this project does not.

A Salem woman who is a board member of the abutting Salem condominums, was there to voice concerns for this community.  Concerns were mostly of noise from delivery trucks.

Debra Walsh, Lynn resident, former Council member, reminded everyone that the running trucks will include frozen food, as Wal-mart wishes to create a food shopping center as part of the expansion.  She also reminded the board that the Salem Zoning Board of Appeals rejected a clinic on Highland Ave for traffic issues of proposing 600 car trips a day, yet the problems with this project is of no concern (with 6,000 car trips per day, and 17,000 trips on a Saturday... c'mon.)

Dan, a Fay Estate resident commented there was no resolution for traffic, as this is a problem.

A union rep spoke, on how "good the proponents are listening".  He supports the project.

Leslie Courtemanche, a Fay Estate resident reminded the board, back in a Salem Public Meeting in 2008, it was mentioned to not have this project on Swampscott Rd, because there would be at least 500 signatures in opposition there... but putting this project here doesn't give much care for all those opposed now?  (What a shame!)

Norm Cole, a Lynn resident asked if the 'development' will include plans for 'developing' the back of the site in the future.  Corretti the proponents lawyer answered- "can't answer that"...that is Camp Lion's.

Kathy, a Fay Estate resident asked - "How many trucks per day" for Lowe's and Walmart will travel the site.  Answer:  "Don't know".  (My answer:  check out wakeupwalmart.com for facts on Walmart's trucks alone.)

Kathy, a Lynn resident asked - "How will natural streams be redirected?"  Trees are need to absorb the water runoff.  How will the excess runoff be controlled?

A union person spoke on how good the proponents are 'mitigating'.  Says- "This project is in a good location... up on the hill & out of the way"  (really?  out of the way, up on the hill in view?  out of the way of what?)

Tiffany, a Lynn resident asked "what is the emergency response time for fire and ambulance" around the site.

I asked two questions.  "What will the surface of the stone wall be?"  Although it will lower sound from the store to the south abutter, the stone wall will be placed perpendicular to a highway... therefore bring concern for reverberating traffic noise off the wall and tunnel effect from the airspace, which will likely have noise travel further towards the back where there is a quiet neighborhood of homes on the edge of the remaining woods.    Secondly, "what is the volume of earth to be blasted?"  The blasting will occur over an enormous area, and there has been no discussion on the issue.  The large amount of blasting needed may cause fatigue in stress on nearby homes, and could possibly fracture the bedrock...where we do not know where the springs to Spring Pond are running from.  Blasting will occur on the ledge of the both sides of Wal-mart, and Lowe's will blow off the hill top.   Answer:   The ledge around Wal-mart's site will be blasted 45 ft deep, and the ledge on Lowe's site will be blasted 25 ft deep.  The volume is undetermined.

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Meeting (hearing), continued to January 6th, same time, same place.

peace