2024-1-3 Open Space & Recreation Committee meeting minutes FINAL (2) City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee
January 3,2024 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: January 3, 2024
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair David Alden-St. Pierre, Vice Chair David
Brewster, Elizabeth Dunne, James Passanisi, Gregory
Sharp (late), Charles Mann, Todd Callaghan, Jamie
Jamieson, Grace Charles
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Wayne Miller, Alison Dudley
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Assistant Director of Planning Ken Clawson
OTHERS PRESENT: Michael Habich of 98 Valley Street, Margaret Griffin of
20 Sohier Road, Cheryl Rafuse of 100 Cabot Street,
Shelley Lee of Green Beverly
RECORDER: Naomi Moca
1. Call to order
Chair Alden-St. Pierre calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and the members introduce
themselves.
7:04 p.m.: Sharp arrives
2. Public Outreach
a. Discussion with Cheryl Rafuse of Plant Magic and Shelley Lee of Green Beverly
regarding an invasive plant task force
Cheryl Rafuse of 100 Cabot Street states that for the past year and a half, she has coordinated
volunteer invasive plant task forces and that she is currently working with the Town of Wenham.
Rafuse explains that an invasive plant task force is a group of volunteers who work on beating
back invasive plant species,with Rafuse's guidance and knowledge.
Rafuse states that Green Beverly has offered its support and that she would appreciate the
Committee's guidance and/or permission to move forward with this endeavor. Rafuse explains
that the task force's objective is to allow the native seed bank to reoccupy the space the invasives
have taken over. Callaghan asks what the Mayor is looking for and Rafuse replies that
Conservation Agent David Spidaliere expressed concern about work potentially being done in
the vicinity of vernal pools. Rafuse clarifies that most of the work is done in the winter and will
only benefit the vernal pools if it affects them at all.
Clawson states that he has been working on a blanket Notice of Intent(NOI)for the City's trail
network and this project will fall under that. Rafuse agrees to give Clawson her contact
1
City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee
January 3,2024 Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 5
information. The Committee discusses that this volunteer-based work will fall under the trail
maintenance portion of the NOL Rafuse asks how far off the trail is permissible to work, and
Clawson states that he will pursue the answer.
Callaghan asks how the process works, and Rafuse states that the volunteers use a chop-and-drop
pile method, with the invasives' roots exposed so they dry up and die, and the cuttings are left to
decay in place and contribute to habitat.No herbicides are used, and no trees are removed.
Rafuse is taking on the task of continuing the process from year to year, and in the future hopes
to set up a program where people may "adopt" an area to maintain.
Mann states that he recently observed a sign when hiking in a different town detailing their
invasive species mitigation program. The sign listed the licensing required, and Mann asks if
there is any qualification required for this work. Rafuse states that while there was a certification
in the past, there is no certification in place currently.
The Committee discusses the next steps and Rafuse expresses enthusiasm for the impactfulness
of the project.
b. Unauthorized trail building in Beverly Commons
Margaret Griffin of 20 Sohier Road is present and states that she is a volunteer hike leader for the
Appalachian Mountain Club. Griffin states that, while on a hike in Beverly Commons recently,
she observed large holes in the ground where bikers have been doing unauthorized trail building.
Griffin shares photos of the site. The bikers left tools behind and pulled up rocks. Griffin states
that the tools were used to pry the rocks and build jumps and ramps.
Griffin states that these actions are destructive and disrespectful and that it is not the bikers' land.
Griffin suggests that signs be put in place regarding unauthorized trail building, that trail cameras
be installed, and that the abandoned tools be removed. Griffin expresses concern that a person
could fall into one of the crater-like holes and struggle to climb out.
The Committee discusses that they are aware of this problem at Beverly Commons and other
trail locations throughout the City. The Committee discusses that the members are volunteers and
thus have limited time and resources. The Committee discusses that the funding for trail cameras
is limited and perhaps a letter to the Mayor's Office asking for assistance may be helpful. The
members agree that different types of land require different approaches, such as Green Belt-
owned, private, and City-owned. Mann agrees to write a letter to Dave Rimmer of Green Belt
and attach the photos Griffin provided.
Griffin states that, in an unrelated site, an area of the 56-57 flags has flooded the trail and she
suggests placing signs to alert anyone using the trail. Clawson agrees to follow up with Griffin.
2
City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee
January 3,2024 Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 5
3. Updates from Boards and Commissions:
a. Planning Board
Clawson states that there are five public hearings this month, one of which indirectly applies to
this Committee, which is the Folly Hill freeze zoning application. Clawson explains the zoning
freeze process,which effectively preserves the value of the land to be potentially used for that
purpose in the future.
b. Conservation Commission
Charles states that there is no update.
c. Community Preservation Committee
There is no update.
d. Harbor Management Authority
Callaghan states that he conducted a site visit at Woodberry Street and Ober Street. Callaghan
states that he has been working for a year on installing four wayfinding signs that bring attention
to public locations that people would otherwise would not know about. Mann recommends using
metal signposts and Callaghan clarifies that the posts are aluminum. Charles asks if there is a
map of all the blue signs and Callaghan states that the idea of a walkway indicator with a blue
line or a fish symbol has been a larger goal of the Harbor Management Authority. Callaghan
states that he will reach out to the City GIS staff for guidance in making a map of the blue signs.
e. Parks and Recreation Commission
There is no update as the position is still vacant. Clawson states that Mayor Cahill and Parks and
Recreation Director Bruce Doig are not enthusiastic about installing a bicycle pump track in
Beverly.
4. Open Space Conditions/Issues
a. Ward 1
There is no update.
b. Ward 2
Jamieson asks if greenscape spaces are under the purview of the Committee and Clawson
answers that landscaping and greenscaping are typically under the purview of the City Arborist.
Jamieson states that in front of 27 Cabot Street, there is a problematic tree and disturbed
brickwork. Clawson states that he would need to clarify if the site is maintained by Public Works
or State Highway. Jamieson states she is interested in the health and usage of Bartlett Park.
c. Ward 3
a. Update on status of Simon Street Park
3
City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee
January 3,2024 Meeting Minutes
Page 4 of 5
There is no update.
b. Update on status of Holcroft Park
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
Alden-St. Pierre summarizes the easement process thus far for the benefit of the new Committee
members. Alden-St. Pierre states that the Committee is waiting for information from Endicott
College. The Committee clarifies the location of the public entrance for the benefit of the new
Committee members.
ii. Update and discussion with the Committee about Sally Milligan
Trail improvements and map changes for new kiosks
Clawson states that the kiosks have been installed and the project is finished. The maps have
been replaced on the other kiosks. Clawson shares photos and the map. To complete the grant,
the remaining monies are designated for new bike racks and benches.
e. Ward 5
i. Update to the Committee on discussion with Iron Tree for tree
removal at Norwood Pond
Clawson states that he has been unable to reach Iron Tree so there is no update since the last
meeting. Alden-St. Pierre summarizes the process thus far for the benefit of the new Committee
members.
f. Ward 6
i. 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 states that Mayor Cahill is supposed to set up a meeting with Mann about this matter
and is in the process of doing so. Mann summarizes the process thus far for the benefit of the
new Committee members.
5. Discussion with Committee members about trail blaze signs
Alden-St. Pierre summarizes that trail blaze signs on Beverly Commons have been ripped down
repeatedly, and he spoke to Dave McKinnon of Green Belt about this ongoing issue.
McKinnon's suggestion was to communicate to the public that the signs are there for public
safety. The Committee agrees that it is a challenging issue to resolve and that there was an article
about the many disappearing signs in the February 1, 2022 issue of the Salem News.
4
City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee
January 3, 2024 Meeting Minutes
Page 5 of 5
6. Staff Updates
a. Bundled NOI for trail work
There is no update.
b. Discussion with the Committee about City website updates and improvement for
the Open Space and Recreation Committee page
The Committee discusses that much of the information on the website is outdated. Clawson
states that while he has administration of the site, he needs the input of the Committee on what to
remove, update, or add.
c. Election of Chair and Vice Chair at the next meeting
The Committee discusses that the current Vice Chair is David Brewster.
7. Approval of minutes
a. December 6, 2023
The item is continued to the February 7, 2024 meeting.
8. Adjourn
Callaghan: Motion to adjourn. Passanisi seconds. Motion carries (9-0).
Meeting adjourns at 8:43 p.m.
Next meeting: Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
5