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2003-01-22CITY OF BEVERLY Public Meeting Minutes BOARD: Conservation Commission SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: January 22, 2003 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman David Lang, Anthony Paluzzi, John Mazuy, Dr. Mayo Johnson Linda Goodenough, Bill Squibb(arrived 7:10 p.m.) BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Eileen Duff OTHERS PRESENT: Amy Maxner – Conservation Administrator RECORDER: Cheryl Lamont (tape) Chairman Lang calls the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. Lang explains that this meeting is a special meeting called to discuss the usage of the city owned property known as the Vitale Site. Lang states that David Gardner wished to make a presentation and offers him the floor. David Gardner, Chairman of Open Space and Recreation Committee, states that this meeting originated some months ago when a meeting was held with the Mayor to express interest in having active playing fields on L. P. Henderson Road “Vitale Site”. At that time, the Mayor said he wanted to hear from the Conservation Commission to find if they were in favor of active recreation on that site. Gardner states that the Commission thought it prudent to hold a series of public hearings in order to explore this issue further. Gardner then gives a slide presentation for various proposals for this site. He states his research shows that there is a great need for playing fields in the City as there are many youth sports organizations that compete for use of fields. Gardner states that these organizations are faced with scheduling problems not only with playing fields but with practice fields as well. Having additional fields should definitely be a priority. He then presents a map of the site with various field layouts, which, because of its remote location, could include lights. He also presents slide information on Klock Park in Topsfield showing how well that City utilized their land for active recreation use, which includes parking. He adds that Klock Park shows a good example of what can be done with the site. Lang asks if there are any specific types of fields that are needed and who would make that decision. Bruce Doig, Chairman of the Beverly Recreation Commission, states that there is great need for long fields and the Recreation Commission would make the final decision. A member of the City Youth Soccer League states that there are presently 28 teams that play on one long field in Beverly. Beverly Conservation Commission January 22, 2003 Special Meeting Page 2 of 4 Lang responded that DEP, or possibly Mass. Electric would most likely have to perform a risk assessment in order for this site to be used for such purposes. Joan Murphy, 36 Longmeadow Road, expressed her concerns regarding parking and the possibility of oils leaking into the water supply. She feels that this issue should be thought about long and hard, and feels that the City’s water supply should be protected at all costs. Bruce Doig states that there are systems available for collecting runoff from parking areas and oil block separators that could be put into place to mitigate contaminated runoff. Mazuy asks how close is this site from Wenham Lake. Gardner responds approximately 1,000 feet. Tom Scully, Director of Community Services for the City of Beverly, points out that there are a lot of businesses already existing along both sides of Dodge and Enon Streets which are located much closer to Wenham Lake that do not have these collection devices in place. Art Sullivan, Acting Parks and Recreation Director, states that when he appeared before the Commission several months ago the question was asked about safety of this site. Through several phone calls to local engineering firms experienced in site restorations, he learned of a project being done by the City of Lawrence, which is on top of an old landfill topped with fly ash. The City of Lawrence is now building a baseball diamond on top of that site, which has passed all of the DEP’s standards and regulations. This baseball field will be ready in the spring. Laura Bell, 65 Dane Street, Beverly Hockey Board member, states she hopes that the Commission is looking at mixed-use options and that there will be room for a hockey rink as well as fields. She stated that a private funding option might be a possibility in helping to build a rink. A member of the audience states that assuming the project site is safe, he feels that having fields there and maintaining the grass on a continual basis would be a better situation than leaving this area vacant and unmonitored. Bruce Doig states that lighting is a factor that needs to be considered. Mazuy cautions that the difficulties encountered with the Harry Ball Field should be kept in mind with regard to this issue. Paul Barnico, 11 Iverson Road, member of the Airport Commission, states that with regard to lighting, the FAA would most likely have input to offer. Several members of the audience, members of the various youth sports organizations, express that if properly handled, this site could become a great opportunity for the City and a source of community pride. Audience members also point to the potential indirect economic benefit resulting from the use of this area as quality sports fields. Rene Mary, 274 Hale Street, asks Maxner to read her letter which states that it would be premature for the Commission to make a decision about how to use this site due to the proximity to the City’s Beverly Conservation Commission January 22, 2003 Special Meeting Page 3 of 4 water supply. It further states that the Watershed Overlay District should be viewed as a whole and that every activity (present or proposed) should be taken into consideration. Mary Roderick, 14 Peabody Avenue, states that she has conducted extensive research on this site and that people should keep in mind that it is a toxic waste site, not a landfill. She further states that it has been labeled a Superfund Site and that no one really knows exactly what has been dumped there. Lang states that this site is not a Superfund Site, but rather it was placed on the “CERCLA” list in 1983 and was not prioritized. A member of the audience asks if this site can or cannot be capped and safely used. Lang responds that fly ash was not classified as a hazardous material because it does not leach, and in his experience the use of this site looks favorable. Joan Murphy asks when this site is capped, can animals burrow and break through the plastic. Lang responds yes. Tony Musante, 12 Willow Street, states that she is a “soccer mom” and that she understands the need for fields, however she would not allow her children to play on this site. She states that there must be a better alternative and the Commission should not rush to a decision. Dale Earl, 6 Quincy Park, a member of the Wenham Lake Watershed Association, states that it is premature to talk about how to use this site, and that the Commission should gather all the facts before making a decision. Goodenough states that the Commission should invite the engineer from New England Power, consultants from Haley & Aldrich as well as a representative from the Salem Beverly Water Supply Board to talk with the members and provide more information. She states that New England Power should be aware of what the City wants from this site early in the process. She states that she needs more information to make a decision. Tim Flaherty, Councilman, states that he would like the record to show that he is in favor of using the Vitale Site for active ball fields. Mary Roderick asks if this change in use would require a vote from the City Council. Flaherty states yes. Gardner states that the Open Space and Recreation Committee is looking for the Conservation Commission’s support in using the Vitale Site for active recreation. Squibb asks about the potential usage of the Memorial and McKewon Schools’ fields. Bruce Doig states that the McKewon School sprinkler system broke and the Memorial School prohibits the use of fertilizers while school is in session. Beverly Conservation Commission January 22, 2003 Special Meeting Page 4 of 4 Lang asks if there are any more questions from the members. There are none. Lang asks if there any more questions from the audience. There are none. Palluzzi moves to adjourn, seconded by Mazuy. All members in favor. Motion carries 6-0. Meeting is adjourned at 8:45 p.m.