09-04-19 OSRC MinutesCITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE:
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
OTHERS PRESENT:
RECORDER:
Mann opens the meeting at 7:05 p.m.
Open Space and Recreation Committee
September 4, 2019
Charlie Mann (Chair), David Brewster (Vice Chair), David
Alden -St. Pierre, Elizabeth Dunne, Marilyn McCrory,
Wayne Miller, Gregory Sharp
Todd Callaghan
Darlene Wynne, Assistant Planning Director
Jenna Pirrotta, Environmental Planner
Jackson Wood
Sharlyne Woodbury
2. Members of the public opportunity to address the Committee
Eagle Scout Jackson Wood described his proposed project to create new access trails at Beverly
Commons. Jackson brought his online presentation for Committee review. Due to technical
difficulties with the projector Jackson's laptop was passed around to view the presentation
containing before and after photos. Mann inquired about questioning Jackson during his
presentation. Jackson agreed. Mann asked how much was cleaned up, Jackson replied, "6 bags,
cleaning two separate camps with the help of 12 troop members ". Member asked if it was the
same areas discussed before. Mann replied affirmative. Jackson continued describing the clean
up as follows: cleaning out trash cans, cutting up dead wood /trees, hauling /raking the
brush /overgrowth away, and edging parts of the trail.
Member inquired of the exact area. Mann clarified the section up Webster, until you ascend the
driveway by the cart path, and near the Greenbelt property not worked. Upon speaking to the
developer they felt it was best to leave the area alone until the property changed hands. Jackson
worked along the Greenbelt line. Mann asks Jackson if he communicated with the ECGA
inquiring of any special permits or permissions to work the area. Jackson replied he reached out
yet did not receive a reply. Mann informed Jackson they had permission yet wanted to encourage
his own inquiries since this is his project. Mann asked if Jackson called his volunteers "GOATS ",
light laughter, Jackson replied no, "I called them scouts ". Member inquired whether Jackson
needed approval from the Conservation Commission for the project, Jackson replied no. Member
asked about how many man hours were involved, Jackson estimated about 80 hours. Member
asked if his project was approved. The project is approved with one final document stating
Jackson completed the project. Mann gave the sign -off for project completion.
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Committee members were pleased with Jackson's project and the results. Member asked about a
presentation copy. Jackson will email copy to Mann who will share with the Committee and
make public.
Committee side bar:
McCrory asks if they can walk the trail. Mann describes the boundaries of public access. Mann
asked for timing on the land transfer originally thought to have had a summer deadline. Wynne
answered she had not been there in some time and currently there is no time frame for the plans
for the revised cart path. Pirrotta provided an update from the last Conservation meeting. The
members were in touch with Bob Griffin and the project was halted. Project plans expected to
resume in October. Mann asked where /why the project stopped. Pirrotta replied the developer
was working elsewhere at the time. Member inquired on the status of the cart path. Pirrotta's
status update maintains the cart path is still awaiting review with the Conservation Commission.
Member asked of time line to fix what was done by the developer. Pirrotta replied Conservation
Commission is expecting an update in October.
Mann inquired of the stalled Sam Fonzo storage unit. Site currently remains in limbo.
Mann and the committee thank Jackson for his work and dismiss him at 7:17 pm.
Mann asked if Kyle Gallucci communicated with any members for his Eagle Scout project.
Alden replied that communication attempts were not returned at this time.
3. Approval of Minutes
Mann motions to accept June 5, 2019 meeting minutes as amended. Alden seconds. All in favor.
Motion carries 7 -0.
Mann motions to accept July 10, 2019 meeting minutes as amended. Alden seconds. All in favor.
Motion carries 7 -0.
4. Principal Items of Business
a. Community Preservation Committee — Representative Report
Discussion ensues with McCrory. She has two items. First, the schedule for the next phase of
applications for round 7. Currently the preliminary schedule resembles 2018. The annual
informational public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, October 10, 2019, 7pm, Beverly Public
Library, The Barnett Room. Second, November 8, 2019 pre - applications are due at noon.
Applications will be reviewed with eligibility announcements around December 6, 2019. Full
applications for those eligible are due January 10, 2020 at noon.
Mann asks should a meeting be set up with either the Mayor or Aaron Clausen to discuss a parcel
of interest. Wynne replies the Mayor inquired of status, yet it's also in his hands stating Mayor
Cahill prefers to personally reach out to the property owner. McCrory interjects. Aaron attended
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the last CPC meeting stating that the City was close to moving forward with a particular open
space parcel of interest.
Discussion circles around the protocol for advancing projects. Miller adds there are other items
to discuss with the Mayor. Mann proposes working out the protocol to advance CPA project in
order to avoid future project disruptions. Wynne and McCrory both second an existing protocol.
Mann is unsure of the mayor's expectations regarding the current process for project
advancement. Wynne suggests inviting the mayor to a meeting to advance the particular parcel
of interest. Wynne reiterates there is a written protocol granting the Open Space volunteers to
talk to property owners in a casual, non - committal way, in order to gage the owner's interest in
selling their property. The protocol has a timeline on which the Committee should specifically
focus on during the proposed meeting. Miller clarifies whether other items of interest would fall
under the same meeting scope for discussion. McCrory comments that the mayor currently has a
list of items of interest and these projects are on his radar. Wynne agrees.
Discussion moves onto the two land parcels on Greenwood Avenue. Greenbelt put an offer in at
$200k although the appraisal came back at $100k. No response for the offer. The parcel was
privately bought. There was misinformation by the realtor regarding the cart path and the ability
to use it.
Miller returns the discussion back to arranging a meeting with the mayor including specific
agenda items. Mann has two specific items for the proposed meeting agenda, 1) a time frame or
commitment to move the Green Street parcel forward; and 2) confirm /review that the protocol is
acceptable. Alden also suggests discussing the easements behind the North Shore Music Theater
while another member suggests an easement through Endicott College. Member asks if anything
changed over the summer or any other properties on the market. Miller asks if Endicott has a
new president. Wynne confirms, adds the mayor wanted the new president to settle in before
meeting about the easement. Miller will arrange the meeting. McCrory presents to the committee
a list of parcels from the last meeting. Wynne suggests keeping the group small. Miller inquires
who would like to be present at the meeting, Mann volunteers also suggesting Alden should
attend. Miller proposes himself, Mann, and Alden. Mann asks for committee consent. Committee
consents.
b. Planning Board — Representative Report
i. Wynne presents the Planning Board (PB) agenda.
ii. Items for discussion are: Depot II, The Police Station, Thaxton & Grover, 108 Bridge
Street, One Water St., modification for Cummings, two lot subdivisions on
Ellingwood Court, and Harwood Street in Centerville.
Discussion ensues about Depot II, the Police Station. Wynne directs the committee to browse the
Project & Development tab at the City's website.
Member inquired about Thaxton and Grover. Wynne confirms the public hearings are closed.
There is a Planning Board meeting on Tuesday to vote whether to accept waivers and improve
the plan. Mann inquired that's the plan the committee favors, Wynne agrees Open Space and
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Recreation Committee likes the plan, the Planning Board has some questions regarding the
waivers they're looking for. One Water Street is on the agenda and will automatically continue to
the next meeting in October since the Planning Board agenda is full. Mann asks about
opposition. Wynne confirms there's opposition to parking and scale. Wynne confirms they are
still at the Design Review Board phase for the building concept. Other items also discussed were
108 Bridge Street: the Children's Consignment Store, is looking to convert to 4 residential units.
Wynne affirms the property is not near any open space and is a small parcel. The two lot
subdivisions are discussed. One on Ellingwood Court, the other on Harwood Street in
Centerville. The Livingston Avenue subdivision was denied by the Planning Board. Open Space
and Recreation Committee did not weigh in significantly for that project as it's beyond its
perspective.
c. Green Street — Update
Mann inquired about the funding as it's about to run out and Wynne suggests applying for an
extension. McCrory asks about a copy of the settlement. Wynne clarifies it's not a settlement.
They are waiting for the land owner's attorney to file the appeal in order propose the settlement.
Wynne clarifies they filed a claim for adverse possession. Currently resides with the City
Council to accept the settlement which their next meeting is first week of October. The client and
attorney are waiting for affidavits. Wynne affirms the extension. Mann interjects to clarify
whether earlier in the year all extensions had been used. McCrory clarified it was more for due
cause. The next deadline is due by 9/16/19 and to write a letter of request.
5. Recreational Trails Grant
a. Finalize Kiosk signs and layouts /information*
b. Final trail numbering plan*
( *note: items a and b are combined in the comments below)
Mann said he and Miller met regarding the map. Numbers are needed. Miller says there are
minor changes to the numbers on the outer perimeter. Discussion ensues regarding the sign
colors. The outer perimeter will be blue and yellow is the fire roads. Member inquired about
contrast for the yellow because yellow on yellow is difficult to see. Therefore member suggests a
yellow sign with black outline for high contrast. Further colorization is discussed. Colors are to
be simple, clean, and minimal. Miller discusses the names for the trails. Essentially there are no
names.
McCrory asked about the red x's on the signs. Miller responds they denote trail intersections.
Discussion ensues regarding the plotted map around the Beverly Commons greenspace.
Particular concern toward denoting the coloring indicating private /public land. Mann asserts
Roland has the correct file. Sharp will work with Roland on background. Aligning the trails and
intersecting numbers on the desired background is a challenge. Miller asserts the trails are
accurate. Mann explains Roland has the correct file with different background options. This
software allows for layering and contents to match the map. Members agree to the specificity of
the background and layering desiring a clear distinction between private parcels and city owned
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land. Miller asks if Sharp and McCrory should all meet with Roland to review the maps. Miller
and Sharp tentatively schedule a meeting for September 11, 2019.
Mann said the City changed size of the kiosks. Sharp describes the changes. All signs except for
Norwood Pond and JC Phillips are 24 "x 36 ". Mann inquired what the current estimates are,
Sharp would like confirmation of the order estimate. The new board size for Norwood Pond and
JC Phillips is 51" x 30 ". The JC Phillips size is questioned. Wynne will pull the file for the
existing kiosks to confirm their sizes. Wynne states the grant submitted for new kiosk sings are
for Greens Hill, Sally Milligan, Norwood Pond, JC Phillips, and Beverly Commons. The
estimate contains standard size. Wynne volunteers to get the file to confirm her notes from the
previous meeting. McCrory asks about regulation signs. They are not part of the grant.
c. Finalize maps
Mann asks if all maps are updated. Sharp says Greens Hill is done. Fox Hill does not have an
update. Sally Milligan and Norwood Pond need an update. Member asks if JC Phillips needs a
new map. Sharp confirmed a new map is needed for JC Phillips. Mann clarifies if there no new
numbers then the existing map is acceptable. Miller would like a copy of the size map for Sally
Milligan, Norwood, and Phillips. Mann will email the documents. Wynne asked about the agreed
upon numbers for Norwood. Member says Phillips did not have a map, merely an existing folder.
The commons need a new map. Alden stated he will communicate with Roland regarding the
map. Sharp ask Mann which maps require the greenbelt logos. Mann lists Beverly Commons and
Norwood. Wynne reminds the Committee that Fox Hill will not change.
d. Installation plan for wayfinding /trailhead signs
Sharp asked about updated Greens Hill text. Wynne agreed new trails and boardwalk. McCrory
asked about giving credit to the Community Preservation Committee. Mann agreed and said that
was a good idea. Sharp says there is an acknowledgments section to provide acknowledgement
for them. Alden asks Sharp if he has updated the text for Norwood, Sharp confirms. Further
discussion ensues about the trail loops. Mann would like an opinion on showing the loop on the
Greenbelt trail. Members consent. Sharp provided color print samples. Printing converter
software is an issue and insists on printed samples. There are two vendors, United Signs (local)
and Permaline, from Brockton.
6. Other Business & Updates
a. Master Plan — Update
Mann brings up the master plan. Wynne explains the website and updates. Seven different
neighborhood meetings are scheduled in the fall. Meetings are made public. Centerville and the
Farms hold their own meetings. Social Pinpoint will be an online "pin board" for the public,
which is a unique concept for pinning original ideas for areas of public interest.
Mann asked about the time frame for Master Plan. Wynne said the time line is for winter with a
finalized plan for Spring 2020. Wynne states there is no desire to rush the Master Plan. Mayor
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wants to integrate climate change into the master plan. Mayer rolling out climate initiative. Do
not want to rush as the property value and Zoning are variable considered factors.
Dunne inquired about the annual report; Wynne confirmed it's due in October.
Other Business
Miller's been appointed to the Cable Commission.
Wynne will remind Roland to record hours for the project. Nathan Curry would like to help build
a trail and raise money for the soccer fields to connect to Sally Milligan. Miller states the area is
dense but doable. Bruce just said take out the sumac Forest. Trails through Sally Milligan are
discussed. Wynne proposed extending an invitation to Nathan. Discussion circles back to the
trails.
Alden asked about the solar farm near the trail. It's private property on old landfill located behind
Cycles 128. No access is currently available. Access should be available. Aaron will send the
plan to Wynne.
7. Future ALenda Items
Wynne asks about potential acquisitions
Adjournment
Sharp moves to adjourn meeting at 8:44 p.m. Brewster & Alden concurrently second. All in
favor. Motion carries 7 -0.
Next meeting October 2, 2019.