2002-12-17City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board:
Parks and Recreation Commission
Subcommittee:
Commission and BARC Subcommittee
Date:
December 17, 2002
Members Present:
Kevin Hobin, Patti Adams, Robert Jerin, Bill Collins, June
Van Knowe, Bruce Doig, Joseph Paluzzi, Matt Bangert
Members Absent:
Donna Furse
Others Present:
Arthur Sullivan, Acting Recreation Director,
Jim Lindley, Animal Services Officer
Meeting Called to order at 7:00pm by chair Kevin Hobin
th
Minutes
The acceptance of the minutes for the November 6 meeting was postponed due
to the absence of the secretary.
The minutes from the December 3, 2002 meeting were accepted as amended.
The minutes from the December 7, 2002 meeting were accepted as amended.
Motion by Patti Adams, second by Bruce Doig. Approved 8-0.
Administrative
BARC selected Matt Bangert to serve as committee member. Matt Bangert
replaced Gary Simpson.
Joseph Paluzzi was selected to serve as a committee member. Joseph Paluzzi
replaced Deb Davis.
Old Business
Off Leash Area
The committee reported on the site visits to Lynch Park and Lyons Park on
December 7, 2002.
The committee discussed the operations of an off leash area. Including, a code
of conduct for people and dogs, carry out of waste, and the bags are provided as
a courtesy by the City.
The committee discussed an off leash area at Lyons Park (Dane St.). There was
a rough sketch presented for the area. The location would face the water, on the
far left side, up the hill. The gate would be located on the corner nearest the
bathhouse, so users would not congregate near street, and less noise for the
neighbors. The area would be enclosed with a split rail fence, with a mesh
covering.
Concerns were raised regarding the proximately on the area to the existing
playground structure. The committee discussed a sufficient buffer zone between
the off leash area and the playground. Also, concerns of child climbing the fence
to enter the off leash area.
Other concerns raised regarding Lyons Park include:
·
Parking on Lothrop St. Tough for mothers and the elderly
·
Hill used for sledding in the winter
The committee discussed the concerns of the Lynch Park location. Including
early morning noise. There is not a buffer zone between the proposed area and
the neighbors. There is a buffer zone at the proposed area at Lyons Park.
Funding for the off leash area and a part time ASO would come from a $5
increase in the dog licensing fee. Concerns were raised regarding the increased
fee. A “sunset clause” was added in case the program fails. Additional funding
for an off leash area would come from citizens involvement. Many playground
renovations have been successful with this method.
The committee discussed the Pilot Program. Discussion included the wording of
the key points to the program. An agreement on the wording of the proposal was
reached. The proposal would be presented to the Parks and Recreation
Commission at its meeting on January 9, 2003.
The proposal set forth is for a one-year trial program to end on November 30, 2003. This
program will be evaluated for merit, and recommendations for a permanent policy will be
submitted to the Beverly Parks and Recreation Commission at that time. Should action not be
taken, this program will expire on January 31, 2004 and will revert to the existing governing city
ordinances.
The trial program shall consist of:
1. Restricted access for dogs from May 1st to October 1st.
2. Dogs allowed in the parks from 6:00 am to 7:45 am.
3. Dogs on a leash in the parks and waste must be picked up and disposed of
in proper receptacles.
4. Areas off limits include:
a. Gardens
b. Playing Fields
c. Playground Equipment
5. There would be an increase in the dog-licensing fee of $5. The additional
revenue shall be used to hire a part time Animal Services Officer (ASO) from
May to September, to help enforce this program in the parks.
6. This would apply to all parks for a one-year trial period. This program would
be evaluated in one year to see if adjustments are necessary.
7. The consensus of this committee is that the City of Beverly needs an off
leash area for dogs as soon as possible. The committee recommends that
Lyons Park (Dane St) be explored as a favorable site.
8. Increase the fines to a maximum level as will be approved by the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Attorney Generals Office.
9. The creation of a BARC liaison to meet periodically with the Parks and
Recreation Commission.
A motion to accept the Pilot Program was made by Robert Jerin, with a second
from Joseph Paluzzi. The motion was approved 7-0.
Next Meeting, Tuesday, January 7, 2003, 7:00pm at the Beverly Senior Center.
Meeting Adjourned at 9:08 pm