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2010-01-06 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Open Space and Recreation Committee BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: January 6,2010 Elizabeth Dunne (Chairperson), David Brewster, Robert Buchsbaum, Nancy Coffey, Marilyn McCrory, Sylvan Menezes, Bill Squibb Suzanne Beaudoin, Pam Kampersal, Michael Ralbovsky Amy Maxner Environmental Planner, Kate Newhall Associate Planner OTHERS PRESENT: RECORDER: Andrea Bray Chairperson Dunne calls the meeting to order. Approval of Minutes - November 4. 2009 Meetin2 The members review the minutes and make suggestions for amendments. Voting members are Dunne, Brewster, Coffey, McCrory, Menezes and Squibb. Coffey: Motion to approve the minutes as amended, seconded by Menezes. Passes 6-0. New Business Open Space Action Plan Expansion - Review New Goals and Obiectives - Implementation of 1 st and 2nd Year Action Items CP A: Discussions ensues to determine the correct direction to take on this issue. Members discuss the language for this objective and agree that investigating tactics of other towns and cities would be appropriate. Members also agree that the OSRC should play some role in establishing committee should manage the CPA passage effort Trail Maintenance: Buchsbaum suggests organizing neighborhood groups to accomplish ongoing trail maintenance. Menezes suggests opening a dialogue with the Forestry Department to get some help. Discussion ensues regarding the possibility of getting help from businesses, schools and non-profit groups, and establishing stewardship groups. Dunne suggests using signs on the trails to solicit help. Coffey agrees to work on a newspaper article. Host/Sponsor OSRC Lectures for the Public: Buchsbaum suggests partnering with Salem Sound Coastal Watch for these lectures. Open Space & Recreation Committee January 6,2010 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of3 Sharing of the Fields and Facilities: Dunne states that the Waring School would be the first school to approach about sharing the soccer field. Members discuss other language for this goal. Newhall and Maxner agree to make the discussed changes to the Expanded Action Plan for the members to review and approve at the next meeting. Old Business Earth Dav Walks - Continue Plannin2: Schedule and Themes Coffey states that she spoke to Ed Myskowski, and they are willing to host a "Human History and Coastal Geology" walk at Lynch Park. Discussion ensues regarding potential dates and Coffey agrees that May 8th at 1 :00 p.m. would work for them and it would catch low tide. Maxner states that the Trustees of Reservations will be hosting a Daffodil Walk/Celebration scheduled for Saturday, May 1 st at Long Hill and will add that to the flyer. Brewster agrees to conduct his bird walk on Sunday, May 23, at 9:00, at Long Hill. Discussion ensues as to a co-leader to talk about forest wildflowers. Maxner states that Beth Zschau at Trustees had someone in mind and will follow up with her. Dunne suggests having a trail maintenance day, and the members agree to hold it on the first weekend April 24th or 25th at Sally Milligan Park. Newhall agrees to check for any conflict with Beverly Main Streets "Clean Sweeps". The members consider holding a walk along the Bass River and over Green's Hill, and calling it an "Urban History Walk", on Sunday, May 16th in the morning sometime. Discussion ensues regarding parking and topics for the walk. Coffey suggests having the Historical Society co- sponsor one or two of the walks and will contact the Bass Haven Yacht club to see if they'd like to participate in the Bass River walk. Buchsbaum states that he would be willing to partner with Greenbelt for a walk at the Beverly Commons area for possibly a dragonfly walk. Maxner states she will follow up with Greenbelt on that idea. Updates Semi-Annual Report to City Council- Feedback from Presentation: Coffey and Dunne describe the presentation as successful and well received. They agree to get back in touch with Councilor Cronin on her PILOT /SILOT activities. Kiosk Grant: Newhall states that the National Heritage Partnership grant is being funded again this year so she will look into applying for that again. Rights-of-Way /Open Space: Open Space & Recreation Committee January 6,2010 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of3 . Bass River Walkway behind Stop & Shop: Maxner states that she has not heard a response back from Stop & Shop or McDonalds. . Tall Tree Drive - Easement: Maxner states that she spoke to Tom Alexander again and will continue to pursue him to get the easement finished. . National Grid - Trail and Stream Crossing: Maxner states that she left a message for her original contact and received no response. Newspaper Articles: McCrory agrees to write and article on Cross Country Skiing at Phillips. Other Salem Sound Coast Watch: Maxner states that they are celebrating their 20th anniversary, and establishing a new program called "Adopt-a-Beach", and they will hold an informational meeting on Wednesday, January 20,2010 at 7:30 p.m. at the Library. She provides literature for the members to review. Mass. Audubon Losing Ground Website: Buchsbaum reminds the members to check this web site for information on open space. He states that it can be accessed through the Mass Audubon website. Conflict of Interest Forms: Maxner reminds the members to sign and return these forms to the City Clerk's office. Next Meetin2: A2:enda Items and Schedulin2: Maxner states that the next meeting will be held on February 3,2010. Coffey motions to adjourn, seconded by Brewster. Passes 7-0. The meeting is adjourned at 9:00 pm.