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2024-4-3 Open Space & Recreation Committee meeting minutes City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee April 3,2024 Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 7 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: Open Space and Recreation Committee LOCATION: Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot Street, 3rd Floor Council Chambers DATE: April 3, 2024 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair David Alden-St. Pierre, Vice Chair David Brewster, Elizabeth Dunne, Gregory Sharp, Charles Mann (late), Jamie Jamieson, Grace Charles, Wayne Miller, Alison Dudley,Mario Tricome, James Passanisi BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Todd Callaghan STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Assistant Director of Planning Ken Clawson OTHERS PRESENT: Michael Habich of 98 Valley Street, Margaret Griffin of 20 Sohier Road RECORDER: Naomi Moca 1. Call to order Chair Alden-St. Pierre calls the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. 2. Public Outreach a. Office of Sustainability letter of support for Lynch Park seawall repair Ibrahim Lopez-Hernandez and Erina Keefe of the Sustainability Office are present. Lopez- Hernandez introduces himself and states that he has worked in the Sustainability Office for the past seven months and summarizes the Seawall Repair Grant that the City is applying for. The Sustainability staff has been developing community outreach methods including a survey that was included in the Parks and Recreation newsletter. The application for the grant is due April 5, 2024. Lopez-Hernandez shares the timeline of the Lynch Park Resilient Design including a resiliency workshop on May 4, 2024, at the Lynch Park Carriage House. Keefe says that information can be found in the Sustainability Office newsletter and describes the high flood levels on the map of the Lynch Park site. The damage seen at Lynch Park this winter was found to be primarily from the draining of the flooding as the water flowed back to the ocean. Lopez-Hernandez shares details about the resiliency workshop at Lynch Park, saying that one area of focus will be what the area may look like in the future if the City were to do nothing to address the seawall. Alden-St. Pierre observes that it is a huge project and that the photos of the flooded park are striking. Alden-St. Pierre offers to assist with publicity for the Sustainability Office. 1 City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee April 3,2024 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 7 Dunne: Motion to accept the letter as presented. Vice Chair Brewster seconds the motion. Motion carries (10-0). b. Unauthorized trail building in Beverly Commons Clawson summarizes that the area was surveyed with GIS equipment and was found to be the property of Green Belt and private property owners. Margaret Griffin of 20 Sohier Road is present and states that when hiking there are already many natural factors to be aware of, and this manmade hazard adds yet one more safety issue. Alden- St. Pierre says that since the unauthorized bumps and jumps as well as unauthorized trails are on property that is not owned by the City,this Committee has no recourse to curb the behaviors. Griffin expresses gratitude for the signs posted by the City. Alden-St. Pierre says that he has taken photos of the evidence of these activities in the past and the behavior is ongoing. Griffin observes that one hole has filled with water, one hole caused one of her hikers to fall, and the concept of"leave no trace"is not being respected by the perpetrators. Dunne asks if there is a way to determine who owns a property, and Clawson observes that there is a concern that if the issue were brought to the property owners' attention, they would fence off their boundaries and thus disrupt the existing trails. Alden-St. Pierre says that there is nothing that the Committee can do, much to the members' regret. Griffin says that the black numbers of 481 fell off. Alden-St. Pierre agrees that these actions are regrettable, and Griffin is not saying anything that the Committee does not already know. Griffin observes that there is an attitude that the trails are for cyclists and not hikers, and the cyclists with this perspective may be adults as well as children. Dudley suggests installing trail cameras, and the Committee agrees that while it is a good idea, the implementation may be challenging due to monitoring and identification of perpetrators. Alden-St. Pierre expresses gratitude for Griffin's passion for this issue and says that the Committee shares this passion for preserving the trails for every type of user. 7:29 p.m.: Mann arrives. The Committee discusses that the people building jumps and trails are not breaking a law but rather being discourteous. Depending on the property, their actions may be perceived as trespassing. 3. Updates from Boards and Commissions: a. Planning Board There is no update. b. Conservation Commission Charles says that the City Beach Management Plan is still in the works. The Conservation Commission also provided a support letter for the Lynch Park seawall grant application. The 2 City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee April 3,2024 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 7 benches at Dane Street will be shifted back from the shoreline about 35 feet. The Conservation Commission agreed to the conservation restriction (CR) for the community garden and the parking lot at Moraine Farm. Mann asks how big the parking lot is, and Charles and Clawson state that it is public parking and there will be approximately 30 spaces. Charles says that the entire parcel of the CR encompasses 2.75 acres. Brewster asks if the entire area will be designated for parking and Charles answers no. Jamieson asks if the community garden is for Beverly residents and Charles answers yes. c. Community Preservation Committee There is no update. d. Harbor Management Authority There is no update. e. Parks and Recreation Commission Tricome summarizes topics of discussion at the meeting: use of the fields by youth baseball, additional tennis courts at Cove Park, City-wide playground repairs,the addition of$140,000 worth of signs at the public parks, new signage at the pickleball courts,the flooding at Lynch Park, and the completion of work at Gillis Park. Tricome says the work at Simon Street has not yet begun and the City received a $700,000 grant for the Holcroft Park renovation. 4. Open Space Conditions/Issues a. Ward 1 There is no update. b. Ward 2 Jamieson says that she has been brainstorming ways of connecting people with open spaces in the City. There is a monthly walk organized by the Senior Center that she plans to attend. The Salem Skipper, a subsidized rideshare service intended to work like an Uber or a Lyft,but at a price similar to taking an MBTA bus, is expanding into Beverly and will potentially allow residents to access open spaces without having to consider parking. The Miles McPherson community center will be completely renovated in 2024 and Jamieson says that she would like to gauge interest in a hiking group for teens. A concrete platform was added to the bottom of the steps of the public way at the end of Thorndike Street which enhances its stability. Jamieson observes that she is mindful of the edges of the open spaces in the City and gives the example of an area with milkweed and Rosa rugosa that hosts many butterflies. Alden-St. Pierre says that there is a pollinator network organized by Green Beverly. The Committee discusses hosting a presentation or speaker on encouraging monarch butterflies in Beverly. Passanisi comments that Somerville passed ordinances for native species to be planted 3 City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee April 3,2024 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 7 on public land. The Committee discusses hosting or connecting with a group that hosts pollinator propagation activities. Clawson shares the site plan for the Miles McPherson Youth Center renovation project. The Committee discusses that the elevation of the new building will be higher. c. Ward 3 i. Update on Simon Street Park Dudley says that the project will be partnering with a pollinator group to plant advantageous species at Simon Street. Alden-St. Pierre asks what the timeline of the project is, and Dudley answers that it appears to be on hold because of the recent wet weather. Dudley expresses regret that the Recreation Department's summer playground program will not be able to meet at Holcroft Park because the work is under a grant-imposed deadline. Dudley observes that the care and maintenance of the playground is a shared responsibility among the residents of the neighborhood, and engaging the adults in activities such as cornhole as well as children is important. 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 says that the MOU from Endicott College was sent to the City and now is under review by the City Solicitor. The City is seeking an understanding of the access to the trail. The insurance liability will be on the City, which would have been avoided if an easement had been agreed upon. e. Ward 5 i. Update to the Committee on discussion with Iron Tree for tree removal at Norwood Pond and next steps in constructing the proposed bridge Clawson says that while the tree removal is scheduled for April 4, 2024, the wet weather will likely delay it. ii. Discussion about potential kayak rack at Norwood Pond Alden-St. Pierre says that the City was approached by a resident about building a kayak rack at Norwood Pond. Greenbelt determined that the structure would not be compliant with their guidelines. Alden-St. Pierre says that a hockey net was chained to a tree and he placed a service request to have it removed by the City. Councilor Feldman is considering allowing a kayak rack on the property by the North Shore Music Theatre. Brewster observes that it is not good for the environment for more people to be on Norwood Pond. The Committee discusses that the City owns the dam and it is in disrepair. 4 City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee April 3,2024 Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 7 iii. Discussion about hazardous tree removal near the Michael Road/Berrywood neighborhood and the Elementary School at Norwood Pond Alden-St. Pierre says that there are many trees in the area that are dead or dying. The Committee watches video footage of the trees and discusses whether they have been affected by a disease and that the City Arborist may be helpful in determining that. Alden-St. Pierre says that the trail is used frequently to access North Beverly Elementary School. Clawson agrees to contact the City Arborist and visit the site. Clawson says that he needs a materials list for the Norwood Pond bridge project so that he can put together a quote. Mann comments that there are different ways to construct the bridge depending on price range and Clawson says that there is approximately $50,000 available. Mann agrees to research the materials for the higher- and the lower-price options. The tree is leaning precariously over the area where the bridge will be built and when it is removed the stump will be left to decay in place. 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 says that he, Mayor Michael Cahill, and the GIS coordinator walked the trail while mapping their location with GPS. Clawson shares different types of maps of the site and the map delineating where the GPS tracked them as they walked the trail. There is a small portion of the trail that crosses into City property. Mann says that Greenbelt and Williams (Ben Williams Sr.) will split the cost of a surveyor who will then appraise the value. If it is not developable, the City is not interested in purchasing it, but Mann expresses hope that the CPA would contribute funds. An easement would guarantee the continuity of the trail. Passanisi asks what the anticipated turnaround time is for the appraisal and Mann answers a month or two is a reasonable expectation. Either an easement or purchase-and-fee are the two most viable options. Clawson, Cahill, and the GIS coordinator followed a fork that circumvents the Deeley property. The Committee discusses that the City could visually mark it, which would direct people around the Deeleys' lot, although people would still have the choice of which trail to follow. Habich asks whether Clawson thinks the area is developable, and Clawson says he thinks it is developable despite having a small wetland on it. Habich asks if Valley Street is City-owned, and Clawson answers that it is partially City-owned and partially private, although he is not certain where the boundary is located. Sharp says that he traced the ownership as far back as the 1860s. Habich suggests buying a portion of the lot to encompass the trail and Mann agrees that that is a third option. 5 City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee April 3,2024 Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 7 ii. Update on bike jump construction in Beverly Commons There is no update. iii. Discussion about grant opportunities for culvert replacement/repair/additions and trail improvements to Beverly Commons near Greenwood Ave Clawson says that he and Captain Jake Kreyling of the Fire Department visited Beverly Commons to assess the path with the objective of improving vehicular access for fire trucks and emergency vehicles. Kreyling expressed interest in pursuing a DEP grant to build a culvert in the area of a vernal pool. Clawson shares photos of the flooded trail and the Committee discusses that it is not passable even with four-wheel drive. In its existing condition, if a hiker or cyclist had a medical emergency, for example, they would not be reachable by a rescue vehicle. The Committee discusses that a Mass Trails grant may be appropriate for this project but a culvert would not be a viable solution. 5. Discussion about invasive species Clawson shares the town of Concord's invasive species web page and says that there is nothing disallowing the pulling of invasive species, as long as it is not done in wetlands. Cheryl Rafuse of Plant Magic Gardens has expressed a desire to partner with the City, either formally or informally, to organize invasives management in the City with a volunteer task force. 6. Discussion about trail blazes for emergency responders Alden-St. Pierre summarizes that the topic of accessing and locating medical events on the trails has been discussed in the past. There is a new level 3 trauma coordinator at Beverly Hospital who has expressed interest in collaborating to create a uniform system to find people on trails in the case of an emergency. For example, if a person calls 911, there would be a numbered marker on the trail that they can provide to EMS providers. The number could be linked to data such as where the emergency vehicle could park, the width of the trail for stretcher passage, and trail conditions such as gullies. Alden-St. Pierre cites a trails conference he recently attended in Georgia where emergency trailblazes were a topic of discussion. The Committee discusses the risk of the trail blazes being removed in the same way that the existing trail markers keep being removed. The Committee discusses that the blazes could be installed on cement posts. The Committee discusses the intersection of people's choices and the City's responsibility for their safety. Passanisi asks what the frequency of injuries and accidents on the trails is. Alden-St. Pierre answers, in his capacity as a medical provider at Beverly Hospital's Emergency Room, that it occurs often enough, and cites an instance where providers had difficulty locating a patient on a trail who had an anaphylactic reaction to an insect sting. Alden-St. Pierre points out that Beverly Hospital treats patients from areas outside the City as well and it has the capacity and willingness to fund a program. Alden-St. Pierre agrees to reach 6 City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee April 3,2024 Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 7 out to his Beverly Hospital contact, Kreyling, the Manchester-by-the-Sea Fire Chief, and Clawson to start coordination and communication. 7. Appointment of OSRC member to CPC Alden-St. Pierre: Motion to nominate Jamie Jamieson to represent the OSRC on the Community Preservation Committee. Dudley seconds the motion. Motion carries (10-0). Jamieson abstains. 8. Approval of minutes a. December 6,2023 Members review the December 6, 2023 draft meeting minutes. Mann: Motion to accept the December 6, 2023 meeting minutes as written. Brewster seconds the motion. Motion carries (11-0). b. January 3, 2024 Members review the January 3, 2024 draft meeting minutes. Mann: Motion to accept the January 3, 2024 meeting minutes as written. Brewster seconds the motion. Motion carries (11-0). c. February 7, 2024 Members review the February 7, 2024 draft meeting minutes. Dunne: Motion to accept the February 7, 2024 meeting minutes as written. Jamieson seconds the motion. Motion carries (11-0). 9. Adjourn Mann: Motion to adjourn. Dudley seconds. Motion carries unopposed. Meeting adjourns at 9:01 p.m. Next meeting: Wednesday,May 1, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. 7