BHRC Meeting 2021-08-31 Beverly Human Rights Committee
Minutes - 2021 -08-31
12:49 Caja Johnson: I think we've got enough peeps, and we're 10 after seven, so, I'm gonna
call the meeting to order, seven, ten PM. Welcome to the Beverly Human Rights. Committee
meeting for folks that have not been here before. The first thing I'll do, I'll just read Governor
Baker's orders. So this meeting is remote on Google meet Pursuant to Governor Baker's March
12, 2020 order. Suspending, certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law. And the Governor's
March 23rd 2020 order imposing strict limitation. Number of people that gather in one place, this
meeting is a Beverly Human Rights Committee and it will be conducted via remote participation
to the greatest extent possible. the greatest extent No, in person, attendance of members of the
public will be available, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately
access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we are unable to
do. So, despite best efforts, we will post on the city's website and audio or video recording
transcript or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting.
Remote public access to this meeting will be provided in the following manner access through
Google Video, Voice, Conferencing Application. This application will allow users to view the
meeting and request comment using the chat function. Pursuant the Open Meeting law. The
chair may elect to recognize public comment, submitted through the chat function at appropriate
points in the meeting. Thank you all for listening through that. And so I will do a roll call.
Gabrielle. Montave. Paul Iindseyko's. Katia Fisher. Paul Goodwin. Mindy. The pulido.
15:08 Mindy D'Ippolito: I'm here.
15:08 Caja Johnson:Am I saying it right?
15:09 Mindy D'Ippolito: It's to political I'm here.
15:10 Caja Johnson: Sorry. The Apollo. Thank you.
15:13 Mindy D'Ippolito:Yep.
15:16 Caja Johnson:And a boo topping. Alicia. Monet. And Chief John Lecture. Okay, am I
forgetting anyone? Oh Leah Jones. I'm so sorry.
15:40 Leah Jones: It's okay, present. I'm here.
15:43 Caja Johnson:Alright. alright, so I first want to welcome Chelsea Zakas and thank you so
much for being here. We're so excited that you're able to make it and I am just very excited to
hear about you and what your vision is and your ideas and thoughts and how we can be
supportive here at the Beverly Human Rights Committee.
16:09 Chelsea Zakas: Hello. I appreciate that so much. Thank you, Keisha. Thank you. All. So
much for meeting on this Tuesday, I know this is not your regular meeting time. It means a lot
that you all just got together and said, Let's do this. Let's we're gonna hear from her. I'm just
blown away by I really appreciate it. Thank you so much. I'll try and make this this quick. I'm
really looking forward to all your feedback. I do have a presentation, I can go along with so I'll
just share my screen if that's okay.
16:45 Beverly Human Rights Committee:Yeah, that's great.
16:48 Chelsea Zakas:All right. Get this. And Oh gosh. How do I do? I'm trying to find slideshow
from beginning. There we go. Can everybody see?
17:11 Beverly Human Rights Committee: Here. Yeah, so we we're seeing you in presenter
mode. So we see the
17:15 Chelsea Zakas: oh,
17:16 Beverly Human Rights Committee: Slides. So if you go back to the PowerPoint, there
should be
17:24 Chelsea Zakas: Display. Here we go.
17:26 Beverly Human Rights Committee: There we go. Perfect.
17:27 Chelsea Zakas: There we go. Okay, so hello everybody. My name is Chelsea Zakis. I'm
the associate planner in the Planning and Community Development Department. I staff the
Open Space and Recreation Committee. Oh, this is weird because I can't see any of your faces.
I can only see the presentation right now, but in at the end, I'll stop sharing my screen so that
we can all talk. Oh, So, I'm gonna tell you about the open space, and recreation plan update.
That is starting now and we'll be working on for the next year. And so tonight, I'm just gonna go
over broadly. What the plan is, why the plan is important, a broad project, work plan and
timeline, and also talk about how you can be involved. So I'll get started now. What is the Open
Space and recreation plan? It is a living document, meaning it gets updated Quite often every
seven years. It gets updated. It was updated last in 2016 2015 but then it got revised. The plan
goes into. Describing the community setting and the geographic character of Beverly, It goes
over environmental, resources and challenges in Beverly, It talks about growth growth and
development patterns, which may affect open, space, and vice versa. And then it gets into the
community goals and vision for the future of Beverly's open, space and recreation. And then
finally, it ends with a seven year action plan, which details objectives and action items to
accomplish those goals. So why the plan is important. It is very important for several reasons to
have this plan and to continuously update, it, it does reflect the needs of the community, it acts
as a guiding tool, moving forward to meet projected future demands. It also keeps track of
accomplishments made since the previous plan and it it helps us stay on top of priorities. And
then it is also required by the division. That's supposed to say division not department. The
Division of Conservation Services, You have to have a approved and updated plan to become
eligible for certain grants, like the Land Grant and the Park Grant. And I just included this picture
of Camp Paradise off of Cole Street because it was acquired using park grant funds. So, just as
an example, those are reasons why it is important among others. And then so broadly timeline.
Some things are have yet to be determined but timeline and work plan over. The last couple of
months, I have been reviewing relevant documents and plans. Like the master plan and
previous open space and recreation plans. And now we are starting public engagement very
soon so I'm starting internally by reaching out to a bunch of different committees and boards
including you all and then public engagement is going to start by distributing a survey that is that
is going to be published in mid September. Then our first like in-person facing public.
Engagement opportunity will be tabling at harborfest in in September, on the 19th and we will
have the survey available there. We have got a public meeting scheduled for October 6th
Wednesday at 7pm. We have got also additional and enhanced outreach to environmental
justice communities which is required as part of the plan process. But also desired among open
space and Recreation Committee members. so then later in or I guess early next year, is when
we're really gonna start getting into formatting and editing the draft, which is going to involve
working with the GIS administrator to put together maps for the plan. Formatting editing
reviewing over and over again and lots of eyes on it. I'm hoping to distribute it out to many
people to review and make sure it's what we really want. And that's why a lot of time is
dedicated to it. That's why it says starting now because I'm kind of starting to format the plan,
but a lot of time, we'll be dedicating to dedicated to reviewing it and making sure it's it's what we
want. And the final plan is do a year from now in August of 2022. And it sounds like a long time
but that is going to fly. So how you can be involved? First, I'll start by talking about the Open
Space and Recreation Committee in their role. So the committee members are primarily
responsible for maintaining and updating this seven-year plan. And as ward specific and city at
large representatives, they are responsible for coming up with the goals and the vision of the
plan. But that is with information that is gathered through public engagement and feedback from
other boards and committees. So they really use all of that collective engagement and feedback
to determine the goals of the plan. So that's the open space and Recreation Committee's role,
but then how you all can be involved. These are just examples that These are just examples
that I've recreation Committee's role, but then how you all can be involved. thought of That I
thought might be relevant to the human rights committees mission and first, and foremost,
determining a determining additional areas for enhanced outreach. I mentioned briefly on the
last slide that enhanced outreach and environmental justice communities is required by the
plan. But also desired among open Space Committee members and myself. And so 1, 1 can go
into more details about that. And, and how the State has determined where environmental
justice community are, but in addition to that, providing input and goals, sorry, providing input on
the goals and objectives. In the plan that will be huge reviewing and commenting on relevant
sections of the plan. Once we get it into draft form early next year and then One of the biggest
helps is going to be spreading the word about engagement opportunities. So, once we get the
survey published to really Push that survey out and try and get as many people as you know to
take it when we have the public forum in October to try and get as many people to come to it as
possible. And then Any additional activities like harborfest. If we come up with any more of
those activities, I'll spread that word. Once those details get finalized, just really spreading the
word about engagement. So, I'm going to stop sharing my screen right now. Oh,
25:53 Beverly Human Rights Committee:You're good Chelsea.
25:54 Chelsea Zakas: hey, okay.
25:55 Beverly Human Rights Committee:We can see you now.
25:56 Chelsea Zakas: Okay.
25:56 Beverly Human Rights Committee:Yeah.
25:57 Chelsea Zakas: gosh, I couldn't see you all that whole time and it was really throwing me
off, because I was just like, talking to my presentation slides, presentation slides That was a lot
of information. Do you all have any questions or anything on your mind right now? That comes
up.
26:23 Paul Lanzikos: No, no. I have a couple this poems equals.
26:25 Chelsea Zakas: Hey.
26:27 Paul Lanzikos: Oh, first of all, thank, thank you for being with us Chelsea. We, you know,
we we agree that this is a very important undertaking and we're glad that you've reached out to
the Human Rights Committee. First of all, can you tell us if not now later who is actually on the
Open Space and Rick committee?
26:46 Chelsea Zakas:Yeah.
26:47 Paul Lanzikos:What individuals?
26:47 Chelsea Zakas:Yeah absolutely. I could just name them off right now. I could also give
you a like send you a list. You want me to name name some of them
26:55 Paul Lanzikos: That's probably.
26:55 Chelsea Zakas: or I could send you a list.
27:00 Paul Lanzikos: Now lately I think that's probably the most efficient way. Yeah.
27:04 Chelsea Zakas: Okay.
27:05 Paul Lanzikos: But who cheers it. I guess just
27:09 Chelsea Zakas: The the chair is David Alden, St, Pierre. He's the chair of the Open Space
and Recreation Committee. He's also a member of the Conservation Commission. The previous
David is a recently, the chair before him. It was a guy named Charlie Mann. M, A n n.
27:38 Paul Lanzikos:Well, I have a couple of suggestions and for additional outreach the
council in aging.
27:44 Chelsea Zakas:Yes.
27:45 Paul Lanzikos: and when you get getting ready to do the survey, the Council 18 has a
monthly mailed newsletter and the you could consider doing an insert is that's probably One of
the most effective ways of getting input from older adults. A number of us are online. Not
everybody itself. and the other one, I think you probably are already wears that the Disability
Rights Committee.
28:19 Chelsea Zakas:Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. I really appreciate that. Idea about the monthly
newsletter. I'll reach out to them.
28:32 Leah Jones: From. Cry.
28:34 Chelsea Zakas: Hey.
28:34 Leah Jones: This Leah is I didn't know if I missed Keisha was someone else in line for a
question?
28:41 Caja Johnson: No, I don't think so.
28:43 Leah Jones: Um, I was wondering about, I guess how this plan intersects with the city
master plan, and then, because I really like that, you ask, like, review the goals. And I just
learned so much from hearing different. People interact with the originally stated goals and
objectives of the city Master plan. So thank you for that. And I know that all of us will learn from
others, you know, just by participating in this process. I was wondering if there's a way or if
there's a plan to get. I'm thinking about people who may not be. Tapped in to kind of city.
Offices, and and committees and things like that. And thinking about people, maybe who. And I
don't know that this is necessarily true about everybody who lives apartment building or
housing, you know, housing units. But I know that sometimes people are If they're renting,
maybe they Don't have the same materials coming to them or they may not if they're new to the
city might not feel as easily a part of those decisions. I know that I grew up here and I still had to
kind of Put on my brave, you know, my brave jacket and kind of just saying, 1
29:59 Richard T.- Now.
30:00 Leah Jones:want to be, but I can't imagine if if you weren't from your originally and I'm
thinking about immigrants and refugee populations and just and anybody who's just not feeling
totally part of the city mechanisms, I guess, that's all. And thank you so much for a really nice
presentation and for being here tonight.
30:22 Chelsea Zakas:You're welcome, think just really
30:24 Paul Lanzikos: Bootstraps.
30:24 Chelsea Zakas: quick. I want to just answer Leah's questions and address her comments
but As far as the master plan goes, we'll actually be the there's there is a good bit of overlap
because there's an entire section of the master plan dedicated to open space and conservation
purposes. And and recreation and it's actually suggested by the Division of Conservation
Services who we submit this plan to, they suggest, if you have just gone through the master
plan process, use that data. And so we will be able to pull a lot from that, which is good, which is
great news. We're not reinventing the wheel, so it's good news that we've, we've got all of that.
That has just been done. Recently, a lot of outreach and goals that were established in that
plan. i, I think that the I I don't want to just rely on that, you know, I want to really hone in on
open space and recreation and make it its own plan and make it. If it's, it might not be totally
different, it shouldn't be completely different because it does need to align with the master plan.
But I do think that there should be enhanced outreach about open space and recreation that the
master planning process maybe didn't touch on because it was so broad. Um but definitely
reviewing the master plan information, and using that data and then as far as outreach to
communities, that may not see and understand city services and and get updates from the city
often. I the first thing I think of is going to those places so I just I will go to neighborhoods or
apartment complexes and communities that likely don't keep up with what's going on in the city
and I can bring hard copies and distribute hard copies of the survey to people and post flyers
that say this is going on at City Hall This public forum, it will be broadcast by Beth Cam on
YouTube, that that does not address the issue of People not having access to Internet and the
language barrier. So those are things that I definitely want to consider and figure out how to
address. But yeah, the first thing I think of is just going to those neighborhoods and that's
something that I I'm relatively new to Beverly and so as I was mentioning the the state, they
identify environmental justice communities by the census tract based on minority population.
English language proficiency and median household income and so some of the census tracks,
I can show you a map. It's just kind of a little skewed, you know, for example, one of the census
tracts reaches all the way up to, where Essex and 128 are at the Turtle Creek, apartment,
building and stretches all the way down to the homes, on Brackenberry Beach. Off of like Hale
Street and so that's identified as an environmental justice community and that's not
34:17 Paul Lanzikos: oh,
34:18 Chelsea Zakas: exactly what we consider an environmental justice community. And so we
will do enhanced outreach to these areas as it's required, but we really want to identify areas
that are not on this map, that should be
34:41 Paul Lanzikos:Yeah, well, one neighborhood that gets frequently overlooked to some
apple village because it's totally
34:46 Chelsea Zakas:Yes.
34:47 Paul Lanzikos: separate from the rest of the city. So it's very important to reach out to
them.
34:51 Chelsea Zakas:Yes.
34:52 Leah Jones: I think also just to add to what
34:54 Caja Johnson:Yeah.
34:55 Leah Jones: Paula saying, Some of the city councilors are really awesome like for Todd
Rotando Council rotundo. And from the counselors that, you know, the chief I know goes to
Gloucester Crossing. 1, 1 know I just feel like they're really, they're really on board when it comes
to introductions and attention to their different neighborhoods. So it's also a good way to go.
35:19 Chelsea Zakas:Absolutely.
35:19 Richard T.- Chelsea. Oh yeah.
35:20 Chelsea Zakas:Yes. I know you had a comment. Yes.
35:22 Richard T.- Right? You? I live in Ward 3, It seems like it's worth three's but that was
discussions in the city. This morning. What specific things are you doing for wood? Ready to get
the information out to work three?And that way.
35:35 Chelsea Zakas: That the outreach has not been determined yet. This, this is just a very
preliminary meeting and this is the First step I've taken to. Do any sort of outreach about the
plan is just talking to other boards and committees. So that hasn't been determined yet. I do
know, I don't know because I haven't I haven't lived here but for a long time but I have heard
from other people. Like what you've said that Ward 3 and Gloucester Crossing area gets left out
of the conversation, a lot. And we do have a member on the Open Space, and Recreation
Committee named Allison Dudley, she might also go by AIIie. She lives in, in Gloucester
Crossing, and she has been a huge proponent of getting the community members together to
preserve what little open space. There is on those few blocks of glossing. So and she has been
a huge proponent of space. Allison Dudley, she might also go by AIIie. So I know that she will be
a champion There is on those few blocks of She lives in, in Gloucester Crossing, getting the
community members glossing. together to preserve what little open
36:40 Richard T.- Okay.
36:42 Chelsea Zakas:for that neighborhood especially and Ward 3 as a whole. So Pacific
Outreach. Tactics have not been determined yet, but I imagine it will be going in person going to
Wholecroft Park and and other areas to talk to people and to hand out information. And then
again, I mentioned Allison Dudley she has gone door to door in the neighborhood asking for
neighbors recently signatures about these two parcels of open space on Simon Street. She's
been trying to get neighbors involved about that and so I know that she'll likely be up for going
door to door and that neighborhood too to talk to people and get Get some feedback.
37:39 Richard T.- Okay, thank you very much. I mean, that's great.
37:41 Chelsea Zakas:Yeah, absolutely.
37:43 Richard T.- Okay?
37:45 Paul Lanzikos: I don't want to speak for. I'm sorry, Paul. Go ahead.
37:48 Beverly Human Rights Committee: Now, go ahead, Paul. You can finish.
37:50 Paul Lanzikos: I use it. I've done everyone speak for other members of the committee, but
they're, we have two really great resources on the committee. Connected one, is that Allison
Adler?Who's the rabbi who's part of the, the Clergy group. So that's a if you connect with her,
that's a great way to get into all the parishes and congregations in the city. And then we
Gabrielle is the the Principle of the Hannah School. And usually they have a great mechanism
to get. Material out to all the parents.
38:27 Chelsea Zakas: Thank you.
38:27 Paul Lanzikos: Sorry Gabriel. I hope I didn't say something should
38:30 Gabrielle Montevecchi: Oh no Paul that we're all about that
38:30 Paul Lanzikos: have
38:31 Gabrielle Montevecchi: networking, right? I'm sorry that I'm not on camera right now. I'm
driving my kids around, you know. I'm the teenage uber you guys understand that. Um, but
Chelsea, thank you so much for all the information and I just want to shout out. Open space as
an equity issue, we're all about it. We actually just touching upon that in our um professional
development today with our staff, about our use of outdoor space at the school and our outdoor
classrooms. And I can certainly help you connect with other ptos in the city. We've got Mindy
who's a parent rep as well, who's from Hannah and Leah, so we can help do some networking
there. To get the word out. Anything that you'd like to send through the schools, just needs to be
super approved by the superintendent through Dr. Trocheck's office. And then we can certainly
help distribute that through the public schools. So, that's a really good thought Paul.
39:21 Chelsea Zakas: Thank you so much for that. I really appreciate it. I also called the name
you mentioned before that.
39:29 Paul Lanzikos:Allen Rabbi. Allison Adler. Adler.
39:35 Chelsea Zakas: House. And
39:36 Paul Lanzikos:And Kedra has her around email, she can send you the email.
39:40 Chelsea Zakas: Okay, thank you so much. I really appreciate that. I'll definitely reach out.
39:45 Richard T.- Hi everyone else, suggestion about the fall, folic road race. That's not doing
October at lunch box while the elementary school kids are there in a parent that you can place
the street material.
39:54 Chelsea Zakas:What is it called?
39:56 Richard T.-All frolic 5k the road rate of Lynch Park. I think it's the first week in
40:00 Chelsea Zakas: Okay.
40:02 Richard T.- October about October 3rd. I'm not sure. Is that date? That might be a good
place. A lot of elementary school kids are there, the parents
40:09 Chelsea Zakas: Definitely.
40:09 Richard T.-And that's the biggest one.
40:12 Chelsea Zakas: Thank you, I appreciate that. I'm looking for more events to try and get to
and in person as much as possible, any kind of like festivals going on. I'm so, we've got
harborfest. I've got fall frolic 5k noted. So I'll reach out to the organizers.
40:30 Beverly Human Rights Committee:Yeah.
40:30 Chelsea Zakas: I appreciate that.
40:31 Beverly Human Rights Committee: So Chelsea, I just wanted to plug your Instagram
account so if everyone checks out Beverly trails there's some awesome pictures of nature and
flowers and mushrooms. And a lot of things that you kind of just walk by in the woods. And they
do a great job of just kind
40:48 Caja Johnson (chat): rabbi.adler@tbabeverly.org
40:49 Beverly Human Rights Committee: of capturing, a lot of unseen things that are there all
the time and the delicacy and Awesome. That's that there. So Your chair. David Alden's.
Neighbor of mine. So he's a really cool guy. He practically lives in the woods right behind our
neighborhood here with his biking and his dogs and he does a lot of cool stuff in his yard with
chickens and attracting bees of those pollinator garden. So It's, I knew he was on the
conservation commission. I didn't know he was on this as well. So that's that's really nice to see.
So that's, that's really
41:19 Chelsea Zakas: Oh, that's great, that's great. And thank you for the Instagram plug too.
41:23 Beverly Human Rights Committee:Yeah, yeah. Okay.
41:27 Mindy D'Ippolito: I have a question.
41:27 Chelsea Zakas: Many. Yeah.
41:29 Mindy D'Ippolito:Thanks, Chelsea for the information. You had referent, you know, that
this is in every seven year proud or process and I was wondering about where, if the materials
from the past plan are available just to, you know, kind of have a better understanding of like,
you know, the level of detail and like what types of things that the plan entails is that on like a
city website, or do you
41:57 Chelsea Zakas: I think.
41:57 Mindy D'Ippolito: like,
41:58 Chelsea Zakas:Yeah, no, I I think it is. I think it's on the Open Space and Recreation
committees page on the
42:05 Paul Lanzikos: It is I just I was just on it.
42:05 Chelsea Zakas: Beverly website.
42:06 Paul Lanzikos: It is on there.
42:08 Chelsea Zakas: Okay.
42:09 Mindy D'Ippolito: Oh great.
42:12 Chelsea Zakas: It'll it'll be called the 2016 Open Space and Recreation Plan. I'm also
happy to when I send a list of the OSRC Open Space and Recreation Committee members to
Kasia. Also send a link or PDF of the plan, so you can look for it on the website or just I'll email it
to Kasia.
42:33 Mindy D'Ippolito: Great, thank you so much.
42:35 Caja Johnson: That's what tells me.
42:35 Chelsea Zakas:You're welcome, of course.
42:37 Caja Johnson: Thank you so much. And Paul Lindsey goes if it's readily available at your
fingertips and you wouldn't mind putting it in the chat. If you're Um able to just throw the PDF in
there. I'd love to take a look at it as well and I I had I had a few thoughts and
42:52 Paul Lanzikos: Okay.
42:53 Caja Johnson: so
42:53 Paul Lanzikos:Yeah.
42:58 Caja Johnson: thank you so much Chelsea again, this is really a pleasure to have you
here and I'm honored and so thankful so, I thought a little bit about the language barrier and I
was thinking maybe as going sort of to these places in person, maybe having different
languages available that are already printed. Even if it's, you know, In Spanish, that would at
least be one other language. And in terms of open space, I have
43:34 Beverly Human Rights Committee (chat): Open Space & Rec Instagram account is
@beverlytrails
43:34 Caja Johnson: several different thoughts and and I do believe that open space. A good
amount of open space, should be protected and preserved. But in terms of open, space being
enjoyable and accessible, just arounding. The recreation piece that you were talking about. I I
do think of areas like Apple Village. Thank you Paul. And it goes for mentioning that you know. I
know that a boo has been up there and I know that Chief and I and Council Rotundo has been
up there but they're Isn't much there. And so and not only that but how could members of those
communities?Access open space. I think we should maybe think a little bit about that and and
when I think about a space for for folks to come in and gather and learn and sort of live and
connect, you know though these are just thoughts but In terms of inclusion, I'd love for the
recreation. Pieces of open space to be places that everyone can identify with. And so we
recently have been talking about Juno and her grave site and how we can restore that. And so
even if maybe one of the open spaces, there were a plaque or something that explains some
kind of educational piece, and I know that Leah knows a little bit about Mitchell and maybe if we
had a little piece about that family and, you know, maybe if we had something pertaining to
Native Americans, something pertaining to, I think, if people can see a piece of them, a connect
somehow with a piece of them, I think that We will have a better use of this open space, and so,
I think that if we can even have a
45:54 Paul Lanzikos (chat):www.beverlyma.gov/476/beverlys-open-space-recreation-plan
45:55 Caja Johnson: raw arts and Len and I don't know if anyone has seen any of the work that
the, you know, these kids have done, but raw arts is a organization and land and they've just
done these amazing pieces with these students and wouldn't it be nice to bring a piece of that
into Beverly?And just arts and creativity and really our youth. And we've got so many creative
kiddos at the high school and And so, yeah, those are just just some of my thoughts that I had.
46:30 Paul Lanzikos:Yeah, the occasion, those are great, building over that. great thoughts,
and, and just Um, If you connect with the historic Beverly adventure, they could give you a lot of
historic information about a lot of the spaces because I think that makes the space as much
more alive and real. Also, another good resource for reaching out is the Greater Beverly
Chamber of Commerce. They're very good about getting the word out.
46:57 Chelsea Zakas: Thank you, I really appreciate that. I will definitely reach out to Chamber
of Commerce and historic Beverly. That's a really great idea, actually, and I know that there is a,
a person named Matthew Swindle, who he hosts
47:12 Paul Lanzikos:Yeah.
47:14 Chelsea Zakas:walks with historic Beverly through
47:15 Paul Lanzikos:Yeah.
47:16 Chelsea Zakas: open spaces and talks about history about me. I feel like he'd be a great
person to
47:21 Paul Lanzikos:Yeah. Yeah.
47:21 Chelsea Zakas: reach out to about that. That's a great idea.
47:23 Paul Lanzikos: He yeah another one can reach out to is Nancy Coffee who lives here in
the farms. She she knows a lot about the historic. Open spaces where we're migrant labors
used to camp out when they were working on the mansions and I I can send you her around
contact information.
47:43 Chelsea Zakas: Thank you. Yeah, that's so helpful.
47:44 Richard T.-About the Devil, went to Beverly YMCA to the Beverly YMCA. The regional
YMCA one and thinking
47:50 Chelsea Zakas:Yes.
47:55 Richard T.- maybe would association would you? would drink.
47:57 Chelsea Zakas:Yeah, definitely.
47:59 Richard T.- Remember, coming over here.
48:02 Chelsea Zakas: Um and Kasia. I just wanted to say thank you so much for all of that
feedback. I definitely want to provide the survey in other languages, especially going into these
communities that Speak up other languages. It wouldn't make sense for me to just go in there
with a bunch of surveys in English. So I definitely want to work on getting those surveys done in
other languages. That's very important. And then with Apple Village I've I've got to get out there
and 1, 1 will And I know that Todd Rotundo has been working a lot on the, the Kata shuttle and
trying to change around the schedule for the cata shuttle so that it frequents Apple Village more
and goes to more areas of the city and I don't think that that should be the only solution. That's
one that came to mind with trying to. Find a way to. Get people to other areas of the city.
49:09 Paul Lanzikos: I have to put too much.
49:09 Chelsea Zakas: That's that's one in mind. But there should be other other solutions and I'll
definitely keep that community in mind and get out there. I really appreciate all of that. Leah.
49:24 Leah Jones: Hi sorry. I love what all these contributions and they're just making me. I
don't have any brand new original thought. I'm just kind of taking pieces of of ideas. People
have put forth, but occasion, you made me think about and I'm sure, Chelsea, you know, Salem
Sound
49:42 Chelsea Zakas:Yeah.
49:42 Leah Jones: Coastwatch and they're the Beverly schools. They do a lot of work with the
students, but I love the idea. They did a project, they've done tons of projects with like trash and
teenagers and like clean ocean and science and it's so cool what they do. And I would I feel like
49:57 Paul Lanzikos: I have to hit it once.
49:58 Leah Jones: Through this incredible resource and our friend. Emily lives right around the
corner. Who's one of the education director?
50:04 Paul Lanzikos: It's going crazy.
50:05 Leah Jones: But Keisha was saying about Access?
50:09 Paul Lanzikos: It was for the second thing.
50:09 Leah Jones:What? Like, I love the idea of the language. Also, you saying You're coming
with these languages, I was just thinking about, you know, a gentleman who works across the
street who's walked to work for 35 years. he's from Guatemala and it, he doesn't speak any
English and he doesn't have You know, we sat and had coffee with the friend of mine around
the corner and he he was He was weeping and he said, I don't have coffee often because there
isn't necessarily like one Latino or Latinx community or, you know, there isn't necessarily one
neighborhood where All these people from a certain you know, community or a certain country
will congregate and have a place to feel at home. And I just think that Those small efforts along
the way,
51:02 Paul Lanzikos: Here, you know.
51:02 Leah Jones: they will be here and we'll have this. Even if it's one person who comes and
finds that they can access the information, it means so much to that person and I think that
spreads and then I guess just the last thing in terms of access I was just walking on West Beach
the other day and I was wondering like thinking Oh wonder if my family will try to be members
because I grew up on that beach and I just think like how are there people in Beverly who
Farms because of access. You know, like that's just an example but it's this beautiful coastline
it's open after Labor Day. Forget the all the stuff about the summer passes. But like it's open
and it's gorgeous
51:43 Paul Lanzikos:You get it.
51:44 Leah Jones: and it's like whatever meetings were to be held in some of these places with,
you know, volunteers could drive people. If they don't have access people have their own cars.
Could drive a bus, could come pick up but I love the idea of being like, this is what not just what
you dream of even though you don't have access to it. Like this is in your city, this is yours. This
isn't belong to the neighborhood that surrounds. It. This is everybody. And
52:07 Paul Lanzikos: Leave your questions.
52:09 Leah Jones: I don't know. I just have some. Feelings more than ideas about how to do
that, but I like the idea of saying we're gonna have our meeting. It's covid in one of these open
spaces, you know, or under a rain roof, like at the Alvin C Mitchell, you know, shell that we were
talking about at Lynch Park or insane. This is an, You know this is what it could be. This is what
we're dreaming of together, you know, and looking and being in one of those sorry I Thank you,
Keisha, and Paul, and everybody for your
52:37 Caja Johnson:Yeah, no. Thank you so much Leah. I I do. I agree. And I really think that if
people can identify with the space. I think that if there is a mural that's in Spanish right? Like
that's going to catch someone's eye. If they're there is a sign that says This land is you know,
Wampanoag land. You know I I think if we can sort of think outside of our own identity and try
and put a hat on on someone else's identity and say Um what what is home mean for you or
you or you you know and and keep trying to plug away at it?We can we can really do some
wonderful things there put nature in it right. Like, you know, the little pods of the sea pods that
stop and shop was giving away. I think it was last summer those little pods brought so many
people together, right? Just nature. And, and growing and learning and thank you for logging, on
chief. It's great to have you here.
53:50 Paul Lanzikos: This is it.
53:51 Richard T.- One more time.
53:52 Paul Lanzikos: Oh,
53:53 Richard T.- Sorry, and I blown a wicked running club and about me Treasure. Wicked
running club and we have a large rail runners in heavily and I mean, I could be a liaison with a
wicked running club family. In other words also, so that might help us out also too because they
know the trails in Beverly. And when we truly interesting in which real space,
54:14 Chelsea Zakas: Thank you so much. I really appreciate that. And I appreciate all of that
Keisha. I love the idea of incorporating art into recreation. What was the organization you
mentioned earlier was raw?
54:31 Caja Johnson:Yes, raw arts out of Lynn. I was actually, I was just at the Ipswich River.
Water Association erwa and they had a beautiful mural done. And just in the corner I went up
close to look and see who the artist was. And it was raw arts and Lynn and I thought to myself
That is so cool. Not only is it youth, but it's art, It's, you know, it's all the things. it's culture. So
55:01 Chelsea Zakas: So, that's great.
55:02 Paul Lanzikos: That Chelsea. Are you going to be conducting?A accessibility survey of
all the the parks and open space areas for both mobility, as well as sensory challenges.
55:13 Chelsea Zakas:Yes, that will be a collaboration between the Open Space, and
Recreation Committee members and the Parks and Recreation Department because they do, I
believe it's annual survey is of that, so we will be working together on that, definitely.
55:31 Paul Lanzikos: Okay, and I'll separately I'll send you some resources around accessibility.
Written opportunities, which you might want to look into it. And I'm, I spent a lot of time down
Lynch Park in. This is bother me for a long time. I go to the, The Rose Garden. And if you, if you
have a mobility challenge, wheelchair bound or anything, you can't get into the Rose Garden.
So, I would hope that gets looked at during this process.
56:02 Chelsea Zakas:Yeah, absolutely. I appreciate you letting me know that I appreciate Um
there will be opportunity for people to provide feedback on matters like that and I hope we hear
a lot of it because I know that it exists in a lot of places around the city. I appreciate each thing
that
56:28 Paul Lanzikos:And and I was happy, you showed Camp Paradise at the beginning, but
I've been disappointed that camp Paradise hasn't been more available to those of us in the city
once it was acquired as essentially been off limits. So I hope they get used as a result of your
planning.
56:45 Chelsea Zakas: I'll look into that. Thank you. Um, I will definitely be keeping you all in the
loop as this planning process progresses.
56:59 Paul Lanzikos: it's
57:00 Chelsea Zakas: I will continuously email kasia and reach out to you all about different
feedback opportunities and when public engagement opportunities come up for you all to share
and if I have any questions that come up I just wrote like a whole page of notes for feedback
you all have given thus far and it's so incredibly helpful. And if I have any questions, I would love
to go to reach out to you. This, we are in the very beginning stages of the plan. It's like the balls
just starting to roll. So it's just getting started and I'm really happy to have you all be part of it.
57:42 Caja Johnson: Thank you so much. Chelsea, of course, reach out. Anytime We'd be glad
to have you at every meeting. Or anything can any that you can this
57:50 Chelsea Zakas: Oh man.
57:52 Caja Johnson: is exciting. You know, I I you know, enjoy these conversations and I think
this is really what is going to connect our community. So thank you so much for all you do.
58:03 Chelsea Zakas:You're welcome. Thank you so much and thank you all for having me
tonight. Mindy and Oh sorry. I thought you wanted.
58:10 Caja Johnson: I think she's leaving now.
58:11 Mindy D'Ippolito: No, I was just leaving and saying
58:12 Beverly Human Rights Committee:Yeah.
58:12 Chelsea Zakas: Oh,
58:13 Mindy D'Ippolito:things, but yeah silently.
58:14 Chelsea Zakas:Yeah.
58:15 Mindy D'Ippolito:Yeah.
58:15 Chelsea Zakas: No, I'm so happy to be here.
58:16 Caja Johnson:Yeah.
58:19 Chelsea Zakas: That's, that's all I've got for tonight and I just got so much feedback from
you all and I really appreciate it and I'm gonna get started on it tomorrow and I'll continue to
keep you all in the loop.
58:32 Beverly Human Rights Committee:All right. Yeah, thank you, Chelsea.
58:34 Chelsea Zakas:You're welcome. All right I'm gonna I'm gonna tune out I guess but I really
appreciate you all having me and have a great rest of your meeting and I'll be in touch. Thank
you.
58:46 Caja Johnson: Thank you.
58:47 Chelsea Zakas:All.
58:47 Caja Johnson: Thank you, bye.
58:48 Chelsea Zakas: Right.
58:48 Caja Johnson: Feel free to stay.
58:50 Richard T.-Thank you.
58:50 Chelsea Zakas: I know I have to head out, but 1
58:52 Caja Johnson: Okay, okay.
58:53 Chelsea Zakas: appreciate it. Thank you for having me. I appreciate it so much. Okay, I'll
talk to you all soon. Thank you.
59:00 Caja Johnson: Talk soon.
59:00 Chelsea Zakas:All right, bye.
59:02 Caja Johnson: Take care.
59:03 Chelsea Zakas: Thanks.
59:03 Paul Lanzikos: Thank you.
59:07 Caja Johnson: That was wonderful. Having having Chelsea come, what do amazing
conversation? I'm just going to move quickly down the agenda here. I didn't have much time, so
I kind of just overly put things. So I I didn't want to miss anything, so I just wanted to quickly
mention that there is a conflict of interest training that was sent to all of us and we all need to
complete it. So if folks haven't done it, we I can definitely resend it. Has anyone done it? Yay,
Mindy.
59:49 Abu Toppin (chat): Please resend it
59:51 Kiki F: I'm looking again. I feel like I missed it.
59:53 Caja Johnson:And, I know, I know that. Okay, I know. Well,
59:57 Mindy D'Ippolito: It sounded, it's important and scary to me. So like
59:59 Caja Johnson:We don't, don't hide. No, I know that city employees have to do this
training so I know the chief has done it. I know that Gabriella has done it. I know that a boo
probably has already done it, so I will resend it tonight and it's just important to
60:16 Kiki F:Thank you.
60:17 Caja Johnson: know. and so, Moving on, just talk a little bit about the budgeting. We are
really supposed to plan ahead
60:28 Abu Toppin (chat):Yes I have done it
60:29 Caja Johnson: and get city council approval. Before we actually approve anything with our
finances. So, I do think that we should sort of start brainstorming about what we have coming
up. I know that MLK is usually some money. And I know that we have things like our wonderful
performer that came at arts fast. I think that speakers that we have come, you know, things like
that. I really think it's important that we utilize them and if we can at all predict a little bit ahead, it
would be nice to sort of go through the approval process as such.
61:21 Leah Jones:You know, one thing, Katie and I had talked about with you was if we should
just maybe we put our heads together and do like a draft. I sorry, that it's not ready now. But you
know, a draft budget where we just proposed kind of a, a ceiling. Like for friendly, Luther King
recognition, that that event Dr. Hershey, when he was on the committee, kind of spirit like kind
of pushed us back and he wanted like, we want the city to just automatically schedule this and
contribute to it. So he put in, I think 500 dollars his own money, but it was really nice. When we
were able to say We are putting this and other people for beauty to it. Like you said, it's to pay
speaker. Association. Not too early to start thinking about that. If we want some speakers from
the area, for, for January, this is when people start to book and I know we've asked a couple.
There was a Gordon college, professor, that we had asked, who said, Oh, ask me and, you
know, another year, because it was too late, and we were a lot. So lucky to get Professor
O'Neill, January O'Neill. When we did, I think she did a favor for us by putting us in but anyway,
so can we even though this wouldn't be maybe before? Like this time in October would could I
make a suggestion that we just have a It could be a shared Google Doc with this group?
62:57 Caja Johnson:Absolutely.
62:58 Leah Jones: Just ballpark like we have about 1500 in the account. I still haven't. I know
this sounds? I have receipts for reimbursing for the alphabet rockers 143 dollars to 25 for our
the singer Wangari. Fahari from Arts fest in just a couple small things. Oh, the stickers, we paid
for those. I think it was like a hundred thirty dollars or something like that. But then we could just
lay that all out. So everybody can see it. I think that might be a really nice. Transparent way of
everybody kind of seeing and then folks can weigh in on things, you think we might need for,
63:38 Caja Johnson:Yeah.
63:39 Leah Jones: and it might even be like 50 dollars for the, you know, if it won't covid, you
know, 40 to 50 dollars for refreshments if we have an event at the Council on Aging or
something like that. Like really thinking in detail a little bit because it we don't have a lot of
money, but It's nice to use it when we do have it.
63:59 Caja Johnson:Absolutely. And I think Mindy and Katia had volunteered to sort of join the
finance team. If I'm not mistaken, I don't want to be adding any, okay? Okay, so um, that's
wonderful. So I don't know if maybe you Mindy and Katia wanna brainstorm offline and then just
share the Google, Doc, whatever, whatever folks come up with. That would be wonderful and
so, just moving along Indigenous, Peoples Day. I know that this has been an ongoing
discussion and Mattawi did reach back out,just to check in to see how things were going. And I
know the last time we had discussed building, sort of a campaign, just getting some support
from folks. And I think we had ended off with Gabrielle. Talking with the school committee. I'm if
I'm mistaken, please correct me.
65:06 Gabrielle Montevecchi: Hi, I have not connected with school committee on that yet. We've
just, you know, there's been a little bit of discussion as a leadership team. But I can certainly
connect, you know, with Sue and Dot and do a little work around connecting further between
leadership team and school committee. We've not, I've not brought it, and we have not brought
it together as a leadership team formerly to school committee.
65:32 Caja Johnson: Okay, thank you so much Gabrielle.
65:33 Gabrielle Montevecchi: So and just by way of saying recognition of indigenous people's?
Oops Sorry. Can you guys hear me?
65:40 Caja Johnson:Yes.
65:41 Gabrielle Montevecchi: I might break up so I'm gonna turn, I'm gonna go to Okay, Tammy
still. So just by, by way, of helping people understand too and globally, the schools recognize in
a variety of different ways. If not entirely consistently just to be transparent, we recognize
indigenous peoples day and a different and a variety of ways. I think what we are sort of aiming
at together, collectively as a group as developing consistency around that
66:15 Caja Johnson: Um, thank you so much for the update Gabrielle. Sorry, I'm telling Benicia.
In the shower. and so I just wanted to move on just a little bit I know that we had spoken a little
bit about Working with the habit on films. And so, I didn't know if anyone had any other
contributions for films to be screened. I know that we, I think agreed to the October 13th date,
but Gabrielle Can you make that date?
66:54 Richard T(chat): I have to go take care of my cats. Thank you!
67:02 Abu Toppin:Age. I think she had mentioned, she could do the sticks was better for her
because of
67:06 Kiki F:Yeah I think she has something going on. I think it's on school committee meeting
She mentioned in the email
67:10 Caja Johnson:Yeah, that's
67:12 Kiki F:that he couldn't do that day and I think Abu Medical report that it wasn't the 13th
wasn't cemented yet.
67:18 Caja Johnson: okay.
67:19 Abu Toppin: correct.
67:20 Caja Johnson: So um, was there anyone that couldn't do the six?Abu, do you
remember?
67:31 Abu Toppin: I don't think so, but
67:32 Kiki F: Look at the email.
67:37Abu Toppin: I seem like that was a doable state for most either or but I think the the 13th
in particular. I know Dr. Morgan and Gabrielle. Had challenges with that with the school
committee.
67:52 Caja Johnson: Okay, our folk.
67:52 Beverly Human Rights Committee:Yeah, Wednesdays are school committee
67:52 Leah Jones:A lot of parents.
67:54 Beverly Human Rights Committee: nights, so that's a tough night for them, you know.
68:00 Leah Jones: I think it gets tough, because a lot of parents, especially during Covid are
really Tuned in to the school committee meeting, so it might really compete if we tried to do
something the same night. even if you know,
68:16 Caja Johnson: Okay. Um, Abu doesn't have to be a Wednesday.
68:27 Abu Toppin: I can check back with them those with the two dates, that they said they had
some availability to do the screening. but we can look and see if there's
68:34 Caja Johnson: Okay.
68:34 Abu Toppin: other other opportunities to for another date, but I don't think it has again, it
doesn't have to be a Wednesday in my knowledge
68:42 Caja Johnson: Okay. Yeah, maybe we can we can see if if we can do A day during the
week, that's not Wednesday. And also, I know that Allison had sent another suggestion via
email. And I thought that that suggestion was really cool.
69:05 Paul Lanzikos: and I've I have one suggestion, I've
69:06 Caja Johnson:Aviva.
69:08 Paul Lanzikos: got a couple more which I'll be sending about
69:12 Aviva Herr-Welber(chat): Hi everyone - I am so sorry to be so late, joining straight from
another meeting. grateful for the invitation to be here. I'm a community organizer with the essex
county community organization. grateful for all the good work being done here!
69:17 Paul Lanzikos: on Thursday. September 23rd. There's already going to be screening a
reckoning in Boston. Which we've been invited to. To set up a table at the Cabinet with
information and the Human Rights Commission. We were giving out flyers at the Beverly
homecoming. At the Lobster Festival about it. Deborah Gardner. Walker's is Set up producing
its putting it on. with, with the folks at the cabin,
69:55 Beverly Human Rights Committee (chat): Thanks for joining Aviva!
69:57 Caja Johnson: I thank you, Paul.
69:59 Paul Lanzikos: Did you did you get have you got in the email on that catered?All
70:04 Caja Johnson: 1, I'm not. I'm not sure, but I didn't.
70:08 Paul Lanzikos: okay. I I astronaut both got an email on it
70:10 Caja Johnson: I'm but
70:14 Paul Lanzikos:from Deborah, I'll send it to you, then you can send it to everybody on the
committee.
70:18 Caja Johnson: Okay. Well, that would be wonderful that I can create a doodle and see if
folks wouldn't mind volunteering their time for that day, I think it's important.
70:28 Paul Lanzikos:Yeah, and there's another film I'm going to recommend. It's called Gen
Silent and Geon Silent. It's about older members of the LGBTQ community and was just a
couple years ago. Very, very powerful. Some of the filming was done here in the Boston area.
It's it's one awards all around the country, it's it's Um, it's very conducive to conversation after
the film, so I'll send that to you too.
71:00 Caja Johnson: Is it Jen G E N?
71:02 Paul Lanzikos:Yeah. Yeah, Generation silent. Jen silent.
71:05 Caja Johnson: Okay. All right. Thank you. I just wanted to say hi to Aviva. Thank you for
joining Aviva is from Echo and it's nice to have you here, Aviva.
71:19 Aviva Herr-Welber: Thanks please. Just keep on. I'm aware of my lateness but I'm just
pleased to be here. Get to see you all and and learn about your work.
71:27 Caja Johnson:Yeah, no, no. Um, we if you want to give just a little background of
71:33 Abu Toppin (chat): Sorry but I have to jump off in a few minutes
71:34 Caja Johnson:Yeah.
71:37Aviva Herr-Welber: Great sure. So I met a couple people on here but most not, I
connected with Keija through some of the work that Echo is doing in lots of different towns
around, racial justice and policing, and we have small teams, we're doing research and
engagement, especially in Lynn where I've been working very closely with the city and the
police on creating an unarmed crisis response unit, which has been a really, really exciting
outcome during the time of covid. And so we have Beverly Peabody research team. That's been
doing a lot of work in Peabody and a little bit of work in Beverly and I work with a lot of Rabbi
Allison and a lot of other really great Beverly clergy. So So I was when Kasia and I met, she
during the time of covid. research team. really great Beverly clergy. Beverly and I work with a lot
of Peabody and a little bit of work in And so we have Beverly Peabody That's been doing a lot of
work in Rabbi Allison and a lot of other said Oh you should definitely come and see the work
that's being done here. response unit, which has been a really, really exciting outcome on
creating an unarmed crisis So I'm really just please to meet you all and would love to connect
offline.
72:29 Caja Johnson (chat): ok, thank you Abu, III have you give updates next if that is ok?
72:30 Aviva Herr-Welber: If you have interest in anything that I'm saying,
72:32 Caja Johnson: Thanks Aviva. A boo. I know you have to jump off but before you go if you
want to I'm just jumping down a little bit here and The agenda, if you have any updates for the
independence park includes inclusive representation or any other upcoming events that are
coming up.
72:58Abu Toppin: no real update on the Independence Park, although I did speak with Jocelyn.
Who is our new chief of staff about it?And that we need to revisit the issue the question with
May Cahill. So it's still on the table when we're still hoping to go forward with that. So in putting
her in the loop on that conversation so that we can kind of work together to move that forward.
So hopefully they'll have a little bit more update the next time that we meet We are still in the
process of our equity audit, our race equity audit for the city. The consulting firm is, is moving
forward with. They're doing a priest, their presentation, and more of a case study on each level
of government that we have here in Beverly and they're really starting to shape up their findings.
And the next stage in that is to do some interviews of folks in our local government structure and
in and within the community. So that will fill in some gaps where we have some missing data
points or missing down information or we don't have particular procedures or policies written in
place, but just our part of our practices. And so they'll do the reviews over the next. Then next
few weeks the next. Then next few weeks to again, start to fill in some of those gaps. And then,
we'll do a presentation with the core equity team. That's comprised again of folks from the The
departments plus a few folks, from from this group, and, and others from the Race Equity, Task
Force. And from there, we should be ready to look at. Once, we give feedback on, on their
findings from the core equity team, we should be ready to do a little more in terms of what the
resulting work items or action, items will come from the audit. And we'll do a community kind of
conversation about those finding presentation to to the the whole of the community once that's
been all finalized. Just a quick update there.
75:13 Caja Johnson: Thank you so much Abu for those updates. I know you have to hop off,
have a great night and happy first day to your kiddos.
75:21 Abu Toppin:All right.
75:22 Beverly Human Rights Committee: Hey, Boo. I'm sorry.
75:23 Abu Toppin:Yeah.
75:25 Beverly Human Rights Committee:Was a quick question. Did they pick a book for
September 15th for the bypok voices at the library?
75:32 Abu Toppin:Yes.
75:33 Beverly Human Rights Committee: Okay. When you get a chance, just share it
75:35 Abu Toppin: I could, yeah.
75:36 Beverly Human Rights Committee: out and we can post it on social media and stuff and
try to help you get the word out.
75:40 Abu Toppin:That would be great. Paul, thank you so much.
75:41 Beverly Human Rights Committee: Okay. Oh, you're welcome.
75:44 Leah Jones: He said Before, I mean Abu, before a boo runs Keisha but I just Abu, would
you just touch on the Civil Rights task force just because of Eva's here. It feels really relevant.
And then we had talked to the Chief about a possible learning exchange. With If we end up
inviting, for example, the officer from Brookline around LGBTQ issues, and the Beverly police, to
share on mental health, we talked about that a little bit, maybe partnering with the Human
Rights Committee. What could you just touch base on the civil rights? From task force work.
76:18 Abu Toppin:yeah, so the, the Civil Rights Task Force Group is Comprised of some folks
from our police department, a couple of folks here Rabbi Allison. Adler is on that group myself
and another actually our chief of staff from from our, our city government and the group is is
designed to give a Underserved populations, bypass communities, low social, economic
communities, minority communities of types, immigrants opportunity to, to be heard, there's
plenty of instances where our people's civil or human rights have been violated in some way or
fashion. And some folks just don't feel that, you know, anyone will care to hear about their
situation or even how to go about to make a complaint or voice their concerns or, or to let
somebody know, especially if it doesn't rise to level of criminal action. And there's no need for a
police report or involvement. This will give folks an opportunity to, to have that voice an
opportunity for this group to look into those issues, to investigate it to be able to, to, you know,
ask additional communities, Low social, economic types, immigrants opportunity to, to be heard,
There's plenty of instances for this group to look into those rights have been violated in some
way report or involvement. where our people's civil or human about their situation or even how
to to level of criminal action. know, especially if it doesn't rise or fashion. And some folks just
don't feel that, you know, anyone will care to hear issues, to investigate it to be able go about to
make a complaint or voice And there's no need for a police This will give folks an opportunity to,
to have that voice an opportunity their concerns or, or to let somebody communities, Minority
communities of Underserved populations, bypass questions look into any of the establishments.
Um, but again, you know, be a resource be an opportunity for someone to know that you know,
Are their situation matters. What happens to them here? Matters and that if if we can't kind of
come to a resolution on through the group, we're there to help navigate folks to other resources
or other opportunities to pursue their issue further, which again, you know, for some folks that's,
you know, some folks are savvy and can kind of go through that and do that on their own. But
there's other folks who just have no clue or any idea about where they even go to look for that
type of information. So this group will also be able to provide a resource for for those
opportunities. So I think it's another piece that's necessary to have. You know, even though on
the surface, it may not look like we have. Lots of issues that quite a jump out at you that maybe
some other communities have. But that's doesn't say that that those things do not exist here
because they do. And so, we've seen it. We've seen some already. So that is kind of a quick
gist of what that group is, is going to be doing. And, you know, I think it's a pretty important
piece for us to have here.
78:53 Caja Johnson: Thank you so much Abu. I really, I know that you're overdue to go. So
have a great night.
79:02 Gabrielle Montevecchi:A brutality.
79:03 Abu Toppin: Sorry.
79:04 Gabrielle Montevecchi: Please tell Jayden how proud I am of him. Beautiful job today.
79:07Abu Toppin: Oh, thank you so much. Yeah, he was, he was great. I appreciate it. That he
was, he was so nervous, but he got out there. He did great. I was so happy for him.
79:16 Gabrielle Montevecchi: No. He did great. I'll fill these guys on on a little bit about what that
was about because I think hearing from all those totally different student voices was just so
powerful. It was awesome.
79:26 Abu Toppin:Yeah, that was an awesome event this morning so that I was I was glad to
be a part of that. So thank you.
79:32 Gabrielle Montevecchi: Definitely. Yeah, he did. Great.
79:35 Abu Toppin: Okay, folks. Thank you.
79:37 Caja Johnson:All right, thanks a boo talk soon.
79:39 Abu Toppin: Next soon. Thank you.
79:42 Caja Johnson: um, So, I wanted to just circle back around. And new members
outstanding, placements. I don't think we have any um, so, We can. We can sort of skip that
and then Paul Goodwin. I don't know if you have anything that you wanted to say in regards to
social media or communications of the website. I feel like things have been going well.
80:12 Beverly Human Rights Committee:Yeah, no, I think Alicia myself and everyone else,
that's contributed just kind of sharing everything trying to get the word out on different things or
boo. Hit us to try to Promote voices events that are going on at the library. So there's one on the
15th of September and then there's another book in October. So, I was so embarrassed. I went
to the first one and I hadn't read the book. And so, I sat there and I was a sponge and I have the
book behind me here, so I will be reading it, but so, But there.
80:47 Caja Johnson: I've done that before.
80:49 Beverly Human Rights Committee:Yeah. So there were maybe eight of us there, so it
would be nice if we could try to spread the word to get that out a little bit. To a broader group.
And I think the next one is Teen Teen Base Book, so it might be easier to kind of get people
interested and get the kids there. I also been talking to Garrett Whitney at the, IT department in
the city, he's trying to set up Beverly Human Rights. City email account for us. So I'll follow up
with you cage, Joe, when that's ready to roll and we can kind of switch things over and move
forward. The emails from our current account
81:22 Paul Lanzikos (chat): Caja: I have a brief item about foster care
81:23 Beverly Human Rights Committee: to that. And then, yeah.
81:24 Caja Johnson:Yeah.
81:25 Beverly Human Rights Committee:And then for our finance committee members, I will
itemize what the costs are associated with the website so that we can kind of build that into the
budget going forward. And that's really all I had. If anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to
answer them.
81:43 Caja Johnson: Paul and Zekocyte. Thank you. Paul Goodwin, I just saw your chat. I just
81:49 Paul Lanzikos: 1, 1 just a brief item when I was at the table at the, The Lobsterfest the
regional director for the Massachusetts is the Department of Children as the families was. So
next to us and we had it, we started chatting in the afternoon and she asked if she could ever
have an opportunity for 10 or 15 minutes to come in agenda, to talk about the foster care
system, and how it Well, how it works, and the issues with it and I thought it was that was quite
relevant to you. Our overall focus. So I just put that out there and Kedra this is some of our
meetings in the future, you know, we can reach out to her and she could You know, give us like
a 10-15 minute presentation and especially around some of the issues. One of the big, big
concerns right now. No surprises. Recruiting more. Foster families because just about for
everything that involves human beings is a shot at
82:57 Caja Johnson:Yes. I agree. Thank you so much. That's a very important piece of
information. If you can send, do you, did you get
83:02 Paul Lanzikos:Yeah, outside, I'll send you the her
83:03 Caja Johnson: any information?
83:04 Paul Lanzikos: contact information.
83:06 Caja Johnson: Okay, I think it'd be wonderful to have her. Thank you, Paul. And we, we
already talked about finances. The only thing about upcoming guest speakers that I wanted to
bring up as I know that we were gonna have Senator Lovely Come and and Paul Goblin has
already invited. Jerry parasala. Thank you so much Paul for that. So I have to I have to sort of
get on my end and talk to Senator Lovely. So, I will do that. And there is no. There are no
updates for the Moment. Mobility Act. So, if anyone else has any Other current events or any
other business, please? Feel free to Mindy. Yes.
84:02 Mindy D'Ippolito: sorry and this is like way bigger than, you know, like we have time for
but I guess I was just wondering if anybody knew if the city of Beverly has any Role or affiliation
with any kind of refugee resettlement. And if anybody knew of you know, maybe how we could
get involved with either promoting those organizations. Or, you know, I think it's, it's a moment
where kind of across the spectrum. People seem to be Across a political spectrum. I mean,
fairly interested in supportive. It seems of of refugees, it'll be nice to capitalize on that and
actually an offer, some direct You know, support of organizations or promotion or whatever.
84:53 Caja Johnson:Yes, that's incredible. 1, 1 fully support that and I have actually gotten
several questions in regards to the city of Beverly and refugee organizations Leah. I see you
with your hand. Yes, no, it's okay.
85:11 Leah Jones: I was just going to say I know that Aviva probably has a lot to add but there I
know that bootstraps from with the they work with a lot of families and around we're definitely
community members. That have worked closely with the Refugee Immigration mystery. I in
Malden and one of the movies actually talked about showing, I'm not sure what full think but the
good lie about self the South Sudanese Sudanese Else in families that move to the US in 2001,
that was one of the movies we talked about having with, maybe some speakers just to talk
about their experience. Lots of families are became US citizens after that, and right? And Yeah,
I could, I can talk from like the individual perspective and connect. Us with some people who
may come to speak and I know Esther might be another good resource. Those are just like
random a bit of random.
86:15 Beverly Human Rights Committee: Hey Mindy. I know that this House of seven gables
that was a lot of immigration work and they do a naturalization ceremonies and one of the
directors over there. I know I can reach out to her and see if she might have any line into any
organizations or where we might start.
86:37 Mindy D'Ippolito:That would be great. Thanks I I in some like Google searching, I did find
that and then
86:39 Beverly Human Rights Committee: Okay.
86:41 Mindy D'Ippolito:the The organization, no one left behind. I think it's called like but yeah.
If there were something local and If there were something local and I know like on our Iistserve
my neighborhood listener. Like somebody was collecting. items for a family that somehow, you
know, she knew
87:06 Beverly Human Rights Committee: Okay.
87:06 Leah Jones: I wonder Mindy, you bring up such a good point and I feel like we a few
years ago we had a kind of a bigger discussion, we've had we've co-sponsored events with the
library around like contributions. Of immigrants in the United States and they're really great
people who are involved with that. But we I wonder if it wouldn't be within our like under our
umbrella to even be just I think we're we're kind of networkers. We're not all experts at one thing
but we're good at networking with groups that are. So even if it were one night, we're just
dedicated it to you know, maybe issues around. Immigration or, you know, we could invite
different speakers from different groups maybe but kind of have it planned out sort of like a, you
know? before you have equal event or networking event or something, I'm not saying what it
should be, but we could do something even Even more, you know, put resources behind it and
get a couple. Speakers or talk to some of those organizations about possibly coming to speak to
people in Beverly and get a lot of people on.
88:17 Caja Johnson: Thank you, Leah Kitty.
88:19 Mindy D'Ippolito:Thank you.
88:21 Caja Johnson: 1
88:21 Kiki F: Um, on that vein that Mindy was mentioned, I wanted to bring up two things as far
as resources if we know. I know we don't have a very big Haitian community in Beverly but they
did go through that earthquake. So if anybody knows of any local communities anyways that we
can you know, any local resources, like I don't know anything locally here, the stuff I do know it's
like base close to my parents love, you know. So with Louisiana I don't know if anybody has
relatives nearby if we can just just you know maybe acknowledging the fact that these people
are going through some hard times because of natural disasters, might be something nice from
the Beverly Humans Right Committee as well. you know, just for even though they may not be,
it's may not be a large community, but just acknowledge them and letting them know, you know,
that we see and hear and feel their pain and we're here for them and away that we can wait that
we can
89:13 Caja Johnson:Absolutely.
89:14 Aviva Herr-Welber: um,
89:14 Caja Johnson:Yeah, maybe we could even partner with Oh sorry. Aviva.
89:17Aviva Herr-Welber: No, it's okay. Go ahead and make sure sentence
89:20 Caja Johnson: No, I was just gonna say maybe we could even partner with bootstraps
and start sort of like a donation drive that we could dedicate to an organization who is right now,
sending off some things, that would be wonderful.
89:36 Aviva Herr-Welber: I just wanted to add that there is a Haitian member of the Echo
community who's helping to put together a vigil and Salem. So I can share the information about
that when I have it and we don't do
89:47 Kiki F: Okay.
89:48 Aviva Herr-Welber: as much refugee related or direct service work. But I do have a
contact at RIM, refugee immigration ministries and also, because we're faith-based, and
Catholic charities, and combined, judicial entropy, which are both doing, we're settlement work.
So if there's, you know, sometimes fake-based stuff is not the flavor that people are looking for,
but if there is happy to make some connections,
90:13 Mindy UIppolito: Great, thanks.
90:15 Caja Johnson: Thanks so much Aviva. What? That was a wonderful wonderful points to
bring up. Maybe we should start. A refugee. Subcommittee. I don't know if our folks,
90:35 Leah Jones: Keisha could be include maybe issues around immigration. I feel like in
90:40 Caja Johnson: oh yes.
90:41 Leah Jones: I wonder if a little bit broader because it might It might come.
90:47 Caja Johnson:Yeah, I think we have an immigration.
90:50 Kiki F:Yeah.
90:51 Caja Johnson: Sub. I've got to look at the task list but I think that we are already have
listed folks that are Interested in being point people for immigration, but I don't think that we
have a refugee on that task list. And so, maybe it could be a collaborative approach. Does
anyone have any other business for tonight? Thank you all so much.
91:21 John LeLacheur: Okay, so I can just
91:24 Gabrielle Montevecchi: Okay, sorry. Okay, Chief
91:25 Caja Johnson: Chief.
91:28 John LeLacheur: real briefly just on the finance stuff. Just remember, if any donations
come in, we have to submit a letter to the clerk's office for to go in front of the Council. Before
you make any deposit has to be accepted by the city, any donations to the committee. So you
have to do a letter to the clerks office, and then it has to be. It has to be claimed by the it has to
91:47 Hannah Bowen (chat): Thank you all, so wonderful to learn from you tonight!!
91:48 John LeLacheur: be approved by the city council.
91:50 Leah Jones: Okay, there's a lot of retroactive. Maybe recording we need to do but
91:56 Caja Johnson:Yeah, I I wasn't I wasn't aware of
91:56 Leah Jones:we could do that.
91:59 Caja Johnson: that Chief. So, that's great to know.
92:04 Leah Jones: Can get us caught up for the year, occasia. At least so,
92:07 Caja Johnson: Okay. All right. That would be wonderful.
92:09 Leah Jones: Thanks Chief.
92:10 Caja Johnson: Thanks Chief. I did hear that. We had that. We had some first responders
from Massachusetts that were going down south that I hear that.
92:21 John LeLacheur:Yeah, Mass Task Force wanted. A Beverly is down in Louisiana right
now. It's a combination of firefighters, EMTs, and police officers from the region.
92:31 Caja Johnson: That's so awesome. That's incredible to hear. I I didn't know if I should, I
was it was social media that I saw it on so I wanted to make sure I was reading correctly, but
that's for sure. Something to be proud of Something
92:53 Gabrielle Montevecchi: Done occasion. I didn't have any business per se to add to the
conversation, but if it could, I just share a little bit about what students did today at our second
professional development day.
93:03 Caja Johnson:Absolutely.
93:04 Gabrielle Montevecchi:Awesome. I'm so we had we started the day today. It was day,
two of our, welcome back to teachers and full day, professional development. And we were all
excited to hear an amazing keynote speaker, Dr. Ellison, I could talk about her all day and I can
share Her information and all about the amazing work that she did in the Richmond, Virginia
Public schools and superintendent. And is now based in at Harvard and Dr. Andre, Morgan is a
colleague of hers and I'll share her resources. She was just amazing and inspirational. But the
second part of the morning were personal stories from students in Beverly public schools from
preschool to high school and they all were given the same prompts, all the principles and along
with some of our teachers were asked to sort of nominate students who we were asked. We felt
would give a nice cross section of the school district and they responded to a prompt that was
really, What do you want teachers to consider to be Richmond, Virginia public schools and Dr.
Andre, Morgan is a colleague of hers and I'll share her resources. She was just amazing and
And is now based in at Harvard and principles and along with some of our superintendent. were
given the same prompts, all the preschool to high school and they all But the second part of the
morning nominate students who we were asked. section of the school district and teachers were
asked to sort of really, What do you want teachers to inspirational. consider to be able to help?
they responded to a prompt that was were personal stories from students in Beverly public
schools from We felt would give a nice cross Help Students Learn Better This year. Essentially
was the question and students answered that in a variety of very different ways. And I just want
to shed a light on the fact that many students had extremely positive, you know, feedback to
share and inspirational stories about how they were supported and uplifted by leadership in the
school. But I also wanted to share another perspective on that, which is several of the students
also shared struggles that they faced and how they help to educate the educators and their
families help to educate the educators on their needs. And I just wanted to highlight the fact that
all of our students do not have the same experiences in our schools. And I feel like whenever I
have the chance to say, that I will and our focus today for the faculty of the probably public
schools. There's really thinking about equity and scaffolding support for our students to have an
excellent experience. Excellent outcomes. But I really was, so inspired by the students who
spoke and spoke. So bravely about really difficult topics like race and equities in our schools.
And Their experience. Coming into Beverly public schools from other districts. And I was really
just so proud of all of our kids, but I just wanted to share that their perspectives were all so
unique and and so important, and it was recorded on YouTube. And so we'll be available for
people to go back and watch and I encourage you to do so.
95:57 Caja Johnson: Thank you so much Gabrielle. I had no idea and preschool to high school.
Wow, that is incredible. How many students all together presented?
96:10 Gabrielle Montevecchi: Let's see. So we had Oh, I'm gonna say I'm guesstimating a little
bit off. Talk, my head. There are at least 10 students who spoke today and it was really emceed
by Ian Visnick. And he did a phenomenal job. Keeping everybody organized this morning. And
keeping the program moving along, but the there's actually the preschool student was recorded,
which I love because, you know, how our pre-K students are, littlest friends can get a little
microphone shy. When the cameras on them. So they actually did a pre-record and he talked
about needing safe, quiet spaces to be a productive learner. And that was, it was beautiful. But
there's a lot that can be gathered out of the words of our students, A student from heirs wrote an
incredible, poem that she put together that encompassed, her thoughts and feelings about what
it means to be a student Beverly public schools, which needs from her teachers, and some
students spoke very briefly, some students spoke a little bit longer, it was really a free form.
They were given the prompt then asked to respond to it. Whoever they saw fit the message that
they felt teachers need to have right now as the school year kicks year now as the school year
kicks off. So I think it's definitely worth watching for everybody.
97:25 Caja Johnson: Thank you for sharing Gabrielle and I will be on the lookout for that. I can't
wait to watch it and see it. All right, well if no one else has any other business. All right. 1 833 pm
meeting adjourned. Thank you all so much for coming. I know that it was not a Thursday and
last minute and maybe in person and then it wasn't and then So, thank you for being flexible.