Community Preservation Committee 11-21-2024 City of Beverly Community Preservation Committee
November 21,2024
Meeting Minutes
1 CITY OF BEVERLY
2 PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
3
4 BOARD OR COMMISSION: City of Beverly Community Preservation Committee
5 DATE: November 21, 2024
6 LOCATION: Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot Street, 3`d Floor, Conference
7 Room A
8 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Derek Beckwith,Vice Chair Robert Buchsbaum,
9 Jamie Jamieson, Suzanne LaMont,Nancy Marino, Heather
10 Richter, Christy Edwards
11 MEMBERS ABSENT: David Ershun
12 STAFF PRESENT: Jean Delios, Community Preservation Act Coordinator
13 RECORDER: Kristan Patenaude
14
15 1. Call to Order
16
17 Chair Beckwith called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. N
18 ZA
19 2. Consultation and Q &A with the CPC
20
21 None at this time.
22
23 3. CPA Funding Round 12—Continuation of Review of CPC FY25 Pre-Applicatjbns
24 a. Abbott Street Right of Way/Public Way-Robin Luna Whitman CD
25 W
26 Robin Luna Whitman stated that she has reached out to various entities since the last meeting. It
27 was confirmed that the City owns this right of way, but this is not considered a parcel. The City
28 typically takes care of rights of way but may not own the parcel itself. The City has some rights
29 to the parcel, but a major project may not be in its purview. She has considered a feasibility study
30 for the project, but it is unclear how much research for this would be able to be completed by the
31 CPC's deadline for funding. She still has not been able to speak with the Mayor on this item and
32 this would be an important step,
33
34 Beckwith stated that an overall study on this item would likely be useful regarding how best to
35 move forward. There may also be considerations as to if other communities have done something
36 similar. The City Solicitor may be able to provide additional information as to what is needed to
37 push this forward. It was noted that the applicant may wish to reach out to the Essex County
38 Greenbelt Association.
39
40 There was discussion regarding this being considered under the categories of open space and/or
41 recreation.
42
43 There was discussion regarding continuing forward with this application to fund a feasibility
44 study that clarifies the necessary due diligence. The full application to be tiled in January can
Page 1 of 6
City of Beverly Community Preservation Committee
November 21,2024
Meeting Minutes
45 clarify further the goals of study and the end result. The funding could help identify how the
46 areas could be used and the mechanism to get there.
47
48 Edwards: Motion that the Abbott Street Right of Way/Public Way pre-application be
49 considered eligible for funding consideration under the category of recreation and
50 the project purpose of rehabilitation and restoration. Richter seconds. Motion
51 carries (7-0).
52
53 b. Restoration of Beverly Farms Cemetery Fence Phase 11 -Mary H. McCaffrey
54
55 Mary McCaffrey explained that this was previously approved by the Committee, but there has
56 been a small change made to the proposed funding amount. There was agreement on the
57 Committee that this did not need to be revoted at this time.
58
59 The Committee discussed payment for Phase I of the work. There was discussion regarding the
60 City releasing the CPA funds for the associated portions of the project. Beckwith suggested
61 asking Staff to get copies of the Memorandum of Understanding for the Committee's review. He
62 also suggested sending a letter to the City Solicitor's Office asking about the process to clarify if
63 the City's opinion is that the applicant is somehow on the hook for the funding or if, as is the
64 Committee's opinion, that the City is on the hook for this funding. It was noted that the work was
65 not put out to bid for years, and then the project was placed out for bid without the applicant's
66 knowledge. The applicant had no choice in the vendor, or the amount spent but is now being
67 charged with finding the funding for that.
68
69 4. CPC Out of Cycle Applications —Review of Full Applications
70 a.Independence Park 400+ -Beverly Quadricentennial Inc.
71
72 Gin Wallace and Barbara Broudo, Beverly Quadricentennial Inc., stated that the full application
73 has been submitted. Beckwith explained that the project is proposed under recreation for the
74 purpose of rehabilitation and restoration, and the proposed project cost is $135,500.
75
76 Wallace stated that the Park is not currently ADA compliant. The sidewalk will be extended at
77 multiple points to make the benches accessible. She stated that she supplied the cost numbers
78 from the firm on the 12th
79
80 There was discussion that additional time is needed to review the expenses and justification
81 before making a decision. Beckwith stated that this was on the agenda for a decision tonight in
82 order to allow the work to be done in the correct timeframe.
83
84 Wallace reviewed the budget for each item. $25,000 is needed for the signage. The preliminary
85 design includes consideration of potentially placing the patio at sidewalk grade. The preliminary
86 design also includes the firm pulling together all the materials and having at least one public
87 meeting so that the public can comment on the designs. The designs will also be vetted with the
88 City. The preliminary design cost estimate is$55,500. The next phase is for the construction
89 documents to be prepared, with $8,500 set aside for the bid prep documents and to put together
Page 2 of 6
City of Beverly Community Preservation Committee
November 21,2024
Meeting Minutes
90 the package that the City would then put out to bid. Reimbursable expenses include travel,
91 meeting costs,printing, etc., and there is a set aside of$1,000 for this item. The total cost is
92 $135,500. Beckwith noted that the total cost should actually be $136,500 in order to include the
93 reimbursable expenses item and Wallace agreed,
94
95 Wallace explained that the schedule aligns to the City's goal to have the project completed by
96 mid-2026. She noted that none of the project includes the lower half of the stairs that lead to the
97 beach, and it does not include beach access. This will be related to a future sustainability project.
98 The preliminary design through February 15th includes going all the way to final approval from
99 the City. It was noted by a committee member that the funding request is for 100% funding from
100 CPA and one of the standards is that the CPA cannot pay for any work completed prior to the
101 award. Wallace confirmed that there has been no billable work that has occurred.
102
103 The Committee discussed adjusting the CPA funding amount to 125,000 in order to eliminate
104 ineligible expenses (signage).
105
106 Buchsbaum: Motion to fund the Independence Park 400+project under the category of
107 recreation/rehabilitation for$125,000 from the General Fund. Jamieson seconds.
108 Motion carries (7-0).
109
110 b. Lynch Park-Michael P. Cahill, Mayor
ill
112 The Committee discussed that, at the last meeting, it determined eligible under historic
113 preservation and recreation (not open space).
114
115 Erina Keefe, Beverly Director of Sustainability, explained that the major goals of this project are
116 twofold. One is to provide more clarity around the options for the Carriage House. The flood risk
117 at Lynch Park is high and the area has seen record level floods in the past year, It was determined
118 that the Carriage House's foundation is part of the seawall. There are options to elevate the
119 Carriage House, harden the basement level of the Carriage House, or some combination of the
120 two. The scope for that goal is approximately $22,000 which will include schematics of
121 whichever option is viable. She noted that the Committee previously funded requests for some
122 short term repairs after a fire at the Carriage House and those were never completed. Those types
123 of investments will be able to be considered once the future of the building is known. The second
124 goal is a permitting plan set for seawall repairs for the rest of the Park. This includes considering
125 substantial changes to the area between the rose garden and Woodbury Beach. Emergency
126 repairs have been done to the areas that are presenting a danger to people and the hope is to
127 redesign this section to have better protection against waves, to minimize overtopping and help
128 reduce the velocity. This will include recreational benefits for community members as there will
129 be a new pathway and a more accessible ramp. The schematic for this has already been done.
130 This goal will also review the entire seawall perimeter for repairs. The Energy and
131 Environmental Affairs Office has a Seawall&Dam Repair and Removal Grant program which
132 an application was being considered for, but this is prioritized based on criteria such as risk to
133 people. While Lynch Park is locally valued, there is not a huge danger directly to many people so
Page 3 of 6
City of Beverly Community Preservation Committee
November 21,2024
Meeting Minutes
134 there is not an opportunity to take advantage of this program. The Phase I scope created by the
135 consultant team shows a schematic level design. Keefe noted that the cash match is City funding.
136
137 Richter: Motion that the Lynch Park Climate Resilience Design and Permitting Phase TI
138 project be funded in the amount of$179,385 in the categories of recreation and
139 historic resources and the purposes of rehabilitation, restoration, and preservation;
140 and that the funding come exclusively from the General Fund. LaMont seconds.
141 Motion carries (7-0).
142
143 5. CPC Out of Cycle Application—NEW(Pre-Application and Full Application)
144 a. Girdler House Generator—Old Ladies Horne Society d/b/a Girdler House
145
146 There was a question on the Committee as to if this was a capital improvement project. It was
147 explained that this would be a permanent piece of the property and the main purpose of it would
148 be to preserve the house. This is similar to the HVAC work that was done at the Cabot House, to
149 protect that City asset.
150
151 Richter: Motion that Girdler House Generator preapplication is eligible in the category of
152 historic resources for the purpose of preservation. Marino seconds. Motion carries
153 (7-0).
154
155 The Committee discussed if this was eligible as an Out of Cycle Application and reviewed the
156 associated criteria. There was question as to why this application was submitted three months
157 after August. It was noted that this was originally considered under the wrong category and so
158 the work had to be redone before it could be submitted.
159
160 Richter: Motion that the Girdler House Generator project be considered eligible for Out of
161 Cycle consideration. Buchsbaum seconds. Motion carries (7-0).
162
163 Edwards: Motion that the Girdler House Generator project be approved for funding in the
164 amount of$81,500 under the category of historic resources and for the purpose of
165 preservation, and that the funding be taken from the general fund. Richter
166 seconds. Motion carries (7-0).
167
168 6. CPC Project Updates
169 a. HDC Letter of Approval—Larcom Theater
170
171 LaMont explained that the HDC approved the design in.Tune,but an issue was discovered, and
172 the applicant came back to modify the design. Feedback was given by the HDC, and the redesign
173 was eventually approved. This is what the letter explains.
174
175 b. Moraine Farm—Conservation Restriction Approved
176
177 Beckwith stated that the conservation restriction has been approved by the Commonwealth of
178 Mass and paid for.
Page 4 of 6
City of Beverly Community Preservation Committee
November 21,2024
Meeting Minutes
179
180 7. CPC Project Closeouts
181 a. Kimball-Haskell and Cahill Parks (Tennis Courts)
182
183 Beckwith stated that a letter was submitted regarding the closeout of these projects.
184
185 8. CPC Project MOU Extension Requests
186
187 a. Larcom Theatre Marquee Restoration
188
189 It was explained that, based on how long the process for design approval took, the delay led to
190 there being a longer wait with the vendor to get the marquee work done. There is a request to
191 allow for an extension to September 2025 to make sure the work can be done.
192
193 Richter: Motion to grant the extension request to the Larcoxn Theatre Marquee Restoration
194 to September 30, 2025. Edwards seconds. Motion carries (7-0).
195
196 There was also discussion of the payment schedule (updated) that was submitted to the CPC. An
197 updated payment schedule will be included in the MOU extension. It was noted that a payment
198 (deposit for Wagner, the sign fabricator) is pending to be made in advance of production so that
199 the project can secure a place in the queue. No vote was needed, the CPC was made aware of the
200 unique nature of the need for an advance payment.
201
202 b. Gruppe Mural
203
204 Edwards: Motion to grant the extension request to Gruppe Mural to June 30, 2025. Richter
205 seconds. Motion carries (7-0).
206
207 c. Historic Resources Survey of Downtown (Cabot and Rantoul Streets)
208
209 Richter: Motion to grant the extension request to the Historic Resources Survey of
210 Downtown(Cabot and Rantoul Streets) to September 30, 2025. LaMont seconds.
211 Motion carries (7-0).
212
213 9. CPC 2025 DRAFT Calendar of Meetings—for Review
214
215 The Committee reviewed the 2025 draft calendar of meetings.
216
217 10. Approval of minutes
218 a.August 15, 2024; September 12, 2024; September 19, 2024; October 17,2024
219
220 The Committee agreed to review and approve the meeting minutes at a future meeting.
221
222 11. Other items not known in advance of the posting of this agenda
223
Page 5 of 6
City of Beverly Community Preservation Committee
November 21,2024
Meeting Minutes
224 None at this time.
225
226 12. Adjourn
227
228 Edwards: Motion to adjourn at 10:04 p.m. LaMont seconds. Motion carries Motion carries
229 (7-0).
230
231 Next meetings: December 12, 2024 (CPC Info Session);December 19, 2024
Page 6 of 6