Salemtown Neighbors Neighborhood Association Meeting Minutes
July 30, 2018
Meeting was called to order at 605pm by Lindsey Cox (SNNA president). A list of the members and guests in attendance will be maintained on record.
1.Community Reports
a.Officer Forsythe- Community Liaison Officer Metro Nashville PD
(Officer Forsythe brought some crime statistics to the meeting, but there were questions regarding some of the specifics, so they will not be reproduced here.) She stated that she had not personally responded to any thefts from a motor vehicle during her shifts over the summer, but has noticed an increase in the number of requests to check on the homeless. She encouraged neighbors to be aware of people that may be sleeping on vacant lots either out in the open or in tents. Although neighbors may feel that they are helping by allowing folks to camp on their property, these temporary settlements can increase drug activity in the area. If you are a property owner you can keep trees and bushes trimmed, and file a Trespass Waiver with Metro PD. A Trespass Waiver allows Metro PD to remove trespassers from your property without calling you for consent.
Officer Forsythe also mentioned that often abandoned vehicles were stolen from somewhere else. So, if you see a vehicle that appears to have been abandoned report it to Codes.
Lindsey Cox mentioned that Salemtown and Germantown are sponsoring the annual Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday August 7 in Morgan Park (near the fountain) starting at 6pm. There will be free Ben and Jerry’s ice cream for all who attend.
b.Donnie Kraft- Representative for the Germantown/Salemtown Crime Task Force
The task force is still working on raising money for the lighting survey for Germantown and Salemtown.
c.Councilman Freddie O’Connell
There was a police shooting in our district in August. Freddie was able to go to the scene and has been in contact with Metro regarding the investigation. There are now new North Community Engagement Officers that have been installed under the Community Coordinators. However, Freddie has been unable to make meaningful contact with them at this point.
Q: What is going on at the Ferr School?
A: The Ferr School on the 1600 block of 5th Ave North has been awarded a grant to increase the safetly of the children that use their facility. That means that there will be new fencing installed, and the playground will be moved closer to the building. In addition the property on the same block of fourth may be transferred to MDHA and redeveloped.
The new swing set was installed at Morgan Park. This cost approximately $10K. Freddie is looking into the possible formation of a “Friends of Germantown/Salemtown” group to help fundraise for improvements and amenities for the neighborhood.
2.Committee Reports:
a.Neighbors to Neighbors (Social Outreach): The annual school supply drive will wrap up by August 7 (Night Out Against Crime). You can still donate cash, Venmo or supplies until then.
Salemtown will be sponsoring Trunk or Treat again this year for the kids at the Nashville Rescue Mission. More information to come.
b.Social Committee:
The Chili Cook Off is scheduled for September 29th.
We are currently working on gauging interest in a Salemtown Halloween Block Party, and what form that party should take.
The Christmas party will be held on December 8th.
3. Updates from Board Members
a.President: Lindsey stated that the monthly SNNA meetings will continue through the rest of 2018. She is planning on inviting a guest to each meeting to discuss a topic of interest to neighbors, such as owners of local businesses, developers, representatives from Metro Government departments. Contact her if you have a guest suggestion. In 2019 she said that we will move to quarterly meetings.
New “No Littering” signs have been installed on 7th near the rescue mission, however Metro Public Works is not able/willing to install trash receptacles because they do not have the manpower to collect them.
b.Treasurer: Brad Snider reported that SNNA has ~$4000 in the checking account. There have been 32 paid memberships in 2018, 15 of which were new memberships. There were 41 paid memberships last year.
The meeting was adjourned at 703 pm.
July 30, 2018
Meeting was called to order at 605pm by Lindsey Cox (SNNA president). A list of the members and guests in attendance will be maintained on record.
1.Community Reports
a.Officer Forsythe- Community Liaison Officer Metro Nashville PD
(Officer Forsythe brought some crime statistics to the meeting, but there were questions regarding some of the specifics, so they will not be reproduced here.) She stated that she had not personally responded to any thefts from a motor vehicle during her shifts over the summer, but has noticed an increase in the number of requests to check on the homeless. She encouraged neighbors to be aware of people that may be sleeping on vacant lots either out in the open or in tents. Although neighbors may feel that they are helping by allowing folks to camp on their property, these temporary settlements can increase drug activity in the area. If you are a property owner you can keep trees and bushes trimmed, and file a Trespass Waiver with Metro PD. A Trespass Waiver allows Metro PD to remove trespassers from your property without calling you for consent.
Officer Forsythe also mentioned that often abandoned vehicles were stolen from somewhere else. So, if you see a vehicle that appears to have been abandoned report it to Codes.
Lindsey Cox mentioned that Salemtown and Germantown are sponsoring the annual Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday August 7 in Morgan Park (near the fountain) starting at 6pm. There will be free Ben and Jerry’s ice cream for all who attend.
b.Donnie Kraft- Representative for the Germantown/Salemtown Crime Task Force
The task force is still working on raising money for the lighting survey for Germantown and Salemtown.
c.Councilman Freddie O’Connell
There was a police shooting in our district in August. Freddie was able to go to the scene and has been in contact with Metro regarding the investigation. There are now new North Community Engagement Officers that have been installed under the Community Coordinators. However, Freddie has been unable to make meaningful contact with them at this point.
Q: What is going on at the Ferr School?
A: The Ferr School on the 1600 block of 5th Ave North has been awarded a grant to increase the safetly of the children that use their facility. That means that there will be new fencing installed, and the playground will be moved closer to the building. In addition the property on the same block of fourth may be transferred to MDHA and redeveloped.
The new swing set was installed at Morgan Park. This cost approximately $10K. Freddie is looking into the possible formation of a “Friends of Germantown/Salemtown” group to help fundraise for improvements and amenities for the neighborhood.
2.Committee Reports:
a.Neighbors to Neighbors (Social Outreach): The annual school supply drive will wrap up by August 7 (Night Out Against Crime). You can still donate cash, Venmo or supplies until then.
Salemtown will be sponsoring Trunk or Treat again this year for the kids at the Nashville Rescue Mission. More information to come.
b.Social Committee:
The Chili Cook Off is scheduled for September 29th.
We are currently working on gauging interest in a Salemtown Halloween Block Party, and what form that party should take.
The Christmas party will be held on December 8th.
3. Updates from Board Members
a.President: Lindsey stated that the monthly SNNA meetings will continue through the rest of 2018. She is planning on inviting a guest to each meeting to discuss a topic of interest to neighbors, such as owners of local businesses, developers, representatives from Metro Government departments. Contact her if you have a guest suggestion. In 2019 she said that we will move to quarterly meetings.
New “No Littering” signs have been installed on 7th near the rescue mission, however Metro Public Works is not able/willing to install trash receptacles because they do not have the manpower to collect them.
b.Treasurer: Brad Snider reported that SNNA has ~$4000 in the checking account. There have been 32 paid memberships in 2018, 15 of which were new memberships. There were 41 paid memberships last year.
The meeting was adjourned at 703 pm.
