1999-01-01CITY OF BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION:
DATE:
PLACE:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
MEMBERS ABSENT:
ALSO PRESENT:
RECORDER:
Norwood Pond Commission
December 1, 1999
Beverly City Hall
Chairman Don Martin, Vice-Chairman Nelland
Douglas, Brace Nardella Virginia McGlynn Tina
Cassidy, David Lang, Bill Frost, Keyin Burke
Todd Lampeft, Joyce McMahon, J. Michael Lawler
City Engineer Frank Killilea
Tina Cassidy
Chairman Martin calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and asks if there is any public
comment.
Pam Kampersoll, a member of the Norwood Pond Association, states that she was
concerned at the last meeting that members of the commission) were not expressing great..
concern about the condition ofthe dam. She distributes pictUres ofthe dam and
surrounding properties that were taken recently, and she notes what might be an
unprecedented increase in the level of the pond for this time of year. The photos show
flooding of adjacent properties and debris buildup against the dam.
Nardella asks if the pictures represent typical high water levels, and Kampersoll says no.
MeGlynn wonders if the dam once repaired could be used to control water levels of the
pond. Douglas states that the dam would likely fail under the pressure of a lot of water.
The quantity of water coming downstream if the dam failed could reach eight to ten feet.
He believes the commission should support the notion of reviewing and repairing the
dam for both safety reasons and its commitment to preserving Norwood Pond.
Kampersoll reiterates the Norwood Pond Association's offer to help do clean-up work'
around the dam. The3, are reluctant to undertake that xvork without at least some
guidance from the City's Department of Public Services.
Next, Martin asks the members if there are any corrections to the draf~ minutes of the
commission's November 5, 1999 meeting. Martin asks that the last paragraph on page
five be amended to read "...the City has no obligation to fix it.' There are no other
suggested changes.
Lang: motion to accept the minutes of the November 5, 1999 meeting ~vith the above
correction, seconded by MeGlynn All members in favor, motion carries.
Norwood Pond Commission minutes
December 1, 1999 meeting
Page two
Next, Martin states that the commission will consider will consider drafting and adopt
recommendations for the pond. He distributes a draft list of four recommendations to
facilitate discussion.
The first recommendation is to "recommend that the Mayor and City Council appropriate
funds to hire a consultant to conduct a Feasibility Study and Implementation Plan on
preserving Norwood Pond for passive and recreational uses." Lang expresses concern
about merely suggesting a "study." Killilea recommends that the study include
investigating all spillway control measure alternatives. Lang agrees with Killilea's
suggestion. Following abriefdiseussion, members agree to add the phrase"...and to
evaluate appropriate spillway control measures consistent with future recreational uses of
the pond."
The second recommendation concerns the repair of the dam at the pond. Following a
brief discussion, members agree that the second recommendation will be to recommend
that the Mayor and City Council take the necessary steps to repair the dam at Norwood
Pond immediately. '
The third proposed recommendation calls for the Council to draft a letter to the City' s
Open Space and Recreation Committee requesting that the dredging of Norwood Pond be
considered a high priority in the City's new Open Space and Recreation Plan. Following
discussion, the Commission qualifies that recommendation by including the phrase "...if
recomntended by the 'Feasibility Study and Implementation Plan on preserving Norwood
Pond..."
The fourth draft recommendation is to draft a letter to the Planning Board recommending
that it consider incorporating the State's s~orm:,,',~tcr :::aTa~eme,qt re_oula~ions,rBest
Management Practices into its subdivision rules and regula"tions, an~that the sit~ plan
review section of the zoning ordinance be amended to require the same provisions for all
new developments in the City.
Douglas states that given the sensitivity of the area around Norwood Pond, as noted in the
study conducted by Baystate Environmental Consultants, best n: anagement practices
should be implemented. Frost asks Cassidy if the site plan review ordinance is clear as to
which projects nmst undergo site plan review. Cassidv states that there are threshold
criteria for bofi~ new construction and additiop. s for each non-residential zoning district.
Following this discussion, members agree to adopt the rough recomme~:datioli~as drafted.
Lang: motion to accept the draft recommendations as amended this evening, seconded
by Douglas All members in favor, molion carries.
Norwood Pond Commission minutes
December 1, 1999 meeting
Page three
IV artin states that the recommendations will be revised in writing as discussed, and a
copy mailed to all members in the next several weeks.
Martin asks Kil lilea to update the members on the review process that will be followed
for the proposed overpass/interchange. Killilea says that HTSD will complete the
conceptual plan and conduct a public information meeting on it. The comments received
at the meeting will be considered and the concept plan amended as appropriate. The so-
called 25% design plan will be prepared and submitted to the Mass. Highway Department
with a variety of back-up material such as traffic count information and environmental
studies.
Douglas asks Killilea if he knows when the public information meeting will be held.
Killilea answers that the meeting will likely be held by February 15, 2000. Douglas
urges Killilea to suggest to HTSD that they have at least one alternative design to the
June 1999 plan.
Martin suggests that members consider attending the January public information meeting'
in lieu of a January commission meeting. Members concur.
Lang: motion to adjourn, seconded by Frost. All members in favor, motion carries.
(recommendations are attachment)
NORWOOD POND COMMISSION
Pond-related recommendations for consideration:
Recommend that Mayor and City Council appropriate funds to hire a consultant to
conduct a "Feasibility Study and Implementation Plan on Preserving Norwood
Pond" for passive and recreational uses and to evaluate appropriate spillway
control measures consistent with future recreational uses of the pond.
Recommend that Mayor and City Council take the necessary steps to repair the
dam at Norwood Pond immediately.
Draft letter to the City's Open Space and Recreation Commission requesting that
the dredging of Norwood Pond - if recommended by the "Feasibility Study and
Implementation Plan on Preserving Norwood Pond" - be considered a high
priority in the City' s new open space and recreation plan.
Draft letter to the Planning Board recommending that it consider incorporating
State's stormwater management regulations/Best Management Practices into its
subdivision rules and regulations, and that the site plan review section of the
zoning ordinance be amended to require the same provisions for all new
developments in the City.