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OSRC 5-8-24 City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee May 8,2024 Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 4 CITY OF 8TEVERLY CITY OF BEVERLY CEIVEO AHO RECORDED GI TY CLERK'S OFFICE. PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: '-c� "3 A q' O q Open Space and Recreation Committee LOCATION: Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot Street, Yd Floor Council Chambers DATE: May 8, 2024 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Elizabeth Dunne, Todd Callaghan, Mario Tricomi, Grace Charles, Jamie Jamieson, Alison Dudley, Gregory Sharp (late) BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Chair David Alden-St. Pierre, Vice Chair David Brewster, Charles Mann, James Passanisi, Wayne Miller 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 Callaghan chairs and calls the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. and conducts a roll call. 2. Public Outreach a. Troop 4 Eagle Scout project Eagle Scout candidate Benjamin Walsh is present and proposes building and installing trail markers for the Beverly Commons trails for his Eagle project. Due to the history of markers being removed or vandalized on City trails, Everett proposes making the markers from wood and mounting them higher them to deter would-be vandals from removing them. Everett has been in the Scouts since the second grade and is currently in 10"' grade. Callaghan summarizes that numbering the intersections has been a topic of discussion at previous meetings. 7:10 p.m.: Sharp arrives. Callaghan says that in retrospect, the Eagle project a few years ago painting trail blazes would have benefited from more supervision. Clawson says that Beverly Hospital Emergency Services is interested in pursuing standardizing the trail locations with a number system. Margaret Griffin of 20 Sohier Road comments that Manchester-by-the-Sea has helpful, clear signage posted on wooden signs at a high height. The Committee discusses that even at the relatively high height, some City signs have been removed by vandals in the past. The Committee discusses naming the trails while being mindful of respecting the diversity of people who have historically lived in the area:The Committee discusses that plant names, the names that mountain bikers have unofficially been using, or colors are also possibilities for trail names. 1 City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee May 8, 2024 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 The Committee discusses that there are multiple interested parties such as the Beverly Bike Association, New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA), Beverly Hospital, Essex County Green Belt, the Conservation Commission, and the City that Everett should consult. Dunne; Motion to prepare a letter of support for Ben Everett's Eagle Scout project. Seconded by Tricomi. Motion carries (6-0). Clawson agrees to draft a letter of support on behalf of the Committee. Everett says that his original goal was to complete the project by the end of the school year and the Committee discusses ways to modify the scope of the project such as creating a pilot project or focusing only on certain trails instead of all trails. 3. Open Space Conditions /Issues a. Ward b i. Update and discussion on bike,jump construction in Beverly Commons Griffin comments that some, but not all mountain bikers are doing the unauthorized trail building. Clawson says that when the activity occurs on City property, only then can the City take action. Clawson confirms that Green Belt is considering how to handle the situation on their property. 4. Updates from Boards and Commissions: a. Planning Board There is no update. b. Conservation Commission Charles summarizes that the Commission confirmed the wetlands delineation of the Trask Lane project site and approved the developer's flags. The Commission conducted a site visit of the proposed Teen Center where the existing building will be demolished and a new building will be constructed at a somewhat higher elevation, The site will be capped with approximately two feet of soil and the overall pervious surface area will be increased. c. Community Preservation Committee (CPC) Jamieson says that the CPC approved the funding for the Girdler House kitchen storage. The Committee discusses that the Girdler House is a low-income residence on Lotlnop Street for elderly women. Jamieson says that the Gruppe mural being moved to the Beverly Public Library was also discussed. The CPC discussed contributing $100,000 to fund the Affordable Housing Trust. d. Harbor Management Authority Callaghan says that five blue directional signs have been installed at Prince Street, Brackenbury, Rice's Beach, and Woodbury. 2 City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee May 8, 2024 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 e. Parks and Recreation Commission Tricomi says that there was no meeting last week and that the next meeting will be held in June 2024. The Committee agrees that in the future, Tricomi will forward Director of Parks and Recreation Bruce Doig's monthly reports to the Committee. 3. (Continued) Open Space Conditions /Issues b. Ward 1 There is no update. c. Ward 2 Jamieson says that Dr. Kenann McKenzie-DeFranza gave a presentation at the Ward 2 Civic Association meeting and mentioned that there is a lack of safe, public gathering places with social structure for young people in the City. d. Ward 4 i. Lynch Park Jamieson says she attended a meeting regarding Lynch Park and two proposals for preserving and storm proofing the site were presented. Among the ideas were reconfiguring the parking, adding a boardwalk, naturalizing the border, building up the walls, and adding a swale. e. Ward 3 i. Update on Simon Street Park The Committee discusses that while the park has not yet been installed, in part due to recent stormy weather, the project is still moving forward overall. d. Ward 4 ii. Update to the Committee about a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a trail easement at Endicott College Clawson says that the City Solictor's Office is reviewing the MOU. L Ward S 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 the tree has been removed. ii. Discussion about potential kayak rack at Norwood Pond The Committee discusses obstacles to the project such as liability, the Conservation Restriction (CR), and its location near the water. a. Ward 6 3 City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee May S, 2024 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4 ii. Update and discussion with the Committee about funding for a potential easement allowing for access to the Pole Swamp Lane conservation restriction area Clawson says that Green Belt hired a professional assessor to determine if the land is developable and its property value. Green Belt will potentially work with the property owner and with lawyers to craft an easement. iii. Beverly Commons emergency vehicle access Dunne says that there is a culvert, and Clawson clarifies that is not the area of concern. The vernal pool to the right of the hill on Greenwood Avenue is the location of the vernal pool that has submerged the path which would provide access to emergency vehicles, should they be needed. 5. Discussion about OSRC website Clawson says that he has made many updates to the Committee's website, including updating the news, adding links to previous OSRC annual reports, making the link to trail maps more visible, adding a link to the City's Open Space and Recreation plan, adding a link for each trail with a map and information, and adding City trail rules to the site. The Committee discusses whether adding an embedded map or updating the Open Spaces inventory is necessary. The Committee expresses gratitude to Clawson for the many improvements. 6. Approval of minutes a. April 3,2024 Members review the April 3, 2024 draft meeting minutes. Dunne: Motion to accept the April 3, 2024 meeting minutes as written. Seconded by Jamieson. Motion carries (6-0). 7. Other business Jamieson agrees to forward the Lynch Park information to Clawson to share with the members. 8. Adjourn Mann: Motion to adjourn. Dudley seconds. Motion carries unopposed. Meeting adjourns at 8:37 p.m. Next meeting: Wednesday, Tune 5, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. 4