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OSRC minutes_12.06.23 City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee December 6,2023 Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 5 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: Open Space and Recreation Committee LOCATION: Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot Street, 3rd Floor Council Chambers DATE: December 6, 2023 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair David Alden-St. Pierre, Vice Chair David Brewster, Alison Dudley, Elizabeth Dunne, James Passanisi (late), Gregory Sharp BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Charles Mann, Wayne Miller, Todd Callaghan STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Assistant Director of Planning Ken Clawson OTHERS PRESENT: Mario Tricome of 25 Whitney Avenue,Michael Habich of 98 Valley Street RECORDER: Naomi Moca 1. Call to order Chair Alden-St. Pierre calls the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. 2. Public Outreach Assistant Director Clawson states that he received an email from resident Robert Gates regarding the trail markers in the Beverly Commons. The Committee discusses that there are a number of trailblazes missing and/or marked incorrectly. The Committee discusses some of the numbers are not sequential on purpose. The email from Gates states that some of the numbers do not appear on the map; for example 47-55, but Alden-St. Pierre states that there are numbers that are not on the map because they are not on the trail. Alden-St. Pierre states that it is a continuing problem, especially in the case of emergencies when a person needs to be located quickly. Alden-St. Pierre has replaced many of them and made efforts to make the numbers stay on securely such as using plastic, using metal, and placing the numbers high up. Sharp suggests painting numbers on trees using stencils. The Committee discusses that in order to be visible on the uneven surface of the bark, the stencils need to be large, but there have been complaints in the past about the larger numbers appearing unsightly. 7:10 p.m.: Passanisi arrives. Clawson states that the Committee had previously wrote letters of support to the Mayor and the City Council for the Kestrel program. 1 City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee December 6,2023 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 5 The Committee discusses that there is nothing the Committee can do in addition to what it has already been done while remaining within the purview of the Committee. The members agree that Alden-St. Pierre will reply to the email. 3. Updates from Boards and Commissions: a. Planning Board Clawson states that there are projects in the works, but nothing imminent. b. Conservation Commission The Conservation Commission has recommended one of its members to join the Committee to fill that vacancy. Greenbelt will be replacing a bridge at Alt Reservation now that the project has a DEP number. c. Community Preservation Committee There is no update as this position on the Committee is currently vacant. d. Harbor Management Authority Alden-St. Pierre states that Callaghan continues to seek guidance on signage. Clawson recommends that Callaghan speak to DPW. e. Parks and Recreation Commission Dudley states that an article in the Salem News regarding Holcroft Park quoted Parks and Recreation Director Bruce Doig as saying there is funding for basketball courts,benches, a pavilion, and lighting. Work is projected to start in July 2024. The Committee discusses that trees will be planted at the Simon Street lot. The turf that will be installed is similar to the Beverly Middle School turf field, which was chosen due to maintenance issues and to avoid any trampling of grass. Furthermore, it will not require any pesticides, herbicides, or motorized equipment to maintain it. Mario Tricome of 25 Whitney Avenue is present and expresses willingness to be on the Parks and Recreation Committee, and then on the OSRC. The Committee recommends that Tricome consult with Ward 4 Councilor Scott Houseman. Clawson states that a citizen from Ward 2 came in person to City Hall expressing interest in participating in local government. 4. Open Space Conditions/Issues a. Ward 1 i. Discussion with the Committee about talks of the trail by Bass River 2 City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee December 6,2023 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 5 Clawson states that a grant application for improvements to the trail along the Bass River adjacent to the Elliott Street shopping area is likely not realistic for February 2024, but is possible for the next grant cycle. Alden-St. Pierre states that he spoke to Ward I City Councilor Todd Rotondo, who agreed to re-initiate talks with the adjacent property owners. The Committee discusses projects that can be completed before February 2024, such as the signs at Beverly Commons or re-grading trails. b. Ward 2 There is no update. c. Ward 3 There is no update. d. Ward 4 i. Update and discussion with the Committee about a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a trail easement at Endicott College The Committee discusses that the conversation with Endicott College is ongoing. Mayor Michael Cahill stated that the City Solicitor would be consulted,but Alden-St. Pierre states that he has not heard any update since then. ii. Discussion with the Committee about Governor Healey's choice of venue for her sustainability press conference The Committee discusses that no one knew in advance that Governor Healey planned to conduct the November 28, 2023 press conference in Beverly. e. Ward 5 i. Update to the Committee on discussion with Iron Tree for tree removal at Norwood Pond Clawson states that he spoke with Iron Tree and learned that the water level was too high for removal. Clawson agrees that he will reach out to Iron Tree again. Alden-St. Pierre states that he recently worked with the New England Mountain Biking Association (NEMBA)to build a long bridge and shares with the Committee the types of tools and equipment used for the project. Clawson states that he can do an RFP or RFQ for some of the bridges if the Committee wants. ii. Update and discussion about parking at Moraine Farm Clawson states that the New Entry parking issue is a landlord-tenant dispute with the Trustees of Reservations. 3 City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee December 6,2023 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5 f. Ward 6 i. Update and discussion with the Committee about Sally Milligan Trail improvements and map changes for new kiosks Clawson states that he visited the site today and staked where the kiosk will be installed and that it should be in place by the end of the month. The Committee discusses that the improvements will include updated maps. In addition, signs with information about bird species could be included in the main kiosk at Cross Lane. Clawson states that he will research the language in the grant about purchasing benches. ii. Update and discussion with the Committee about funding for the survey for a potential easement allowing for access to the Pole Swamp Lane conservation restriction area Clawson received an email from Mann stating that Dave Rimmer is positive that the CR is accessible at the Deeley property. Clawson shares the site map of the Juniper Lane and Pole Swamp area and summarizes the discussion of the matter thus far. Essex County Greenbelt holds the restriction at this time. Habich points out where his property is on the map. The Committee discusses that a site visit may be appropriate. Sharp agrees to file an application with the Community Preservation Committee for the survey work, pending the outcome of the meeting with Mann. The Committee expresses gratitude to Habich. iii. Discussion with the committee about trail work on Essex County Greenbelt land near Webster Ave. Mann states in the December 6, 2023 email that the Webster Trail is done and already being used. 5. Staff Updates a. Bundled NOI for trail work Clawson states that he has been working on the bundled NOI with the assistance of City Conservation Agent David Spidaliere. b. Discussion with the Committee about City website updates and improvement for the Open Space and Recreation Committee page The Committee reviews the Open Space and Recreation Committee page of the City website and discusses updates on the somewhat outdated information,trail maps, and articles. The Committee discusses making some maps interactive and updating the Open Spaces Inventory. The members agree to review the site and bring suggestions to the next meeting. 4 City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee December 6,2023 Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5 The Committee discusses that it is appropriate to remove the dates from the maps that do not require any updating and to update the other maps. The Committee discusses narratives and offers the information in other languages. 6. Discussion with the Committee about open seats on the Committee Grace Charles from the Conservation Commission has been appointed to fill one of the vacancies. The Committee discusses that the Ward 2 Councilor-elect may recommend candidates. 7. Approval of Open Space and Recreation Committee meeting schedule for 2024 Brewster: Motion to approve the meeting schedule for 2024. Sharp seconds. Motion carries (6-0). 8. Approval of minutes a. September 6,2023 Members review the September 6, 2023 draft meeting minutes. Brewster: Motion to accept the September 6, 2023 meeting minutes as presented. Dunne seconds. Motion carries (6-0). b. November 1,2023 Members review the November 1, 2023 draft meeting minutes. Dudley: Motion to accept the November 1, 2023 meeting minutes as presented. Brewster seconds. Motion carries (6-0). 9. Adjourn Sharp: Motion to adjourn. Passanisi seconds. Motion carries (6-0). Meeting adjourns at 8:25 p.m. Next meeting: Wednesday,January 3, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. 5