10-02-19 OSRC MinutesCITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE:
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
OTHERS PRESENT:
RECORDER:
Open Space and Recreation Committee
October 2, 2019
David Brewster (Vice Chair), David Alden -St. Pierre,
Elizabeth Dunne, Marilyn McCrory, Wayne Miller,
Gregory Sharp, Todd Callaghan
Charlie Mann (Chair)
Jenna Pirrotta, Environmental Planner
Elizabeth Keary Soule, Nathan Currie
Sharlyne Woodbury
Brewster opens the meeting at 7:07 p.m.
2. Members of the public opportunity to address the Committee
a. Long Hill Master Plan (Elizabeth Keary Soule)
Elizabeth Keary Soule is an architect with The Trustees, working with Mikyoung Kim Design to
create the Long Hill master plan. Soule provides an update on the Long Hill master plan, as it
might interest the Committee and she provides information on the history and description of the
property. The property boasts 114 acres of the Sedgwick farmhouse estate dedicated to an apple
orchard, meadows, woodland trails, the Sedgwick Gardens, a children's garden, and agricultural
fields. Part of those agricultural fields include an organic vegetable farm run by The Food Project
as a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project.
For a long time the site was used as private headquarters of the Trustees. Now there is a desire to
make this a regional and horticultural destination. The Trustees would like to provide for greater
public access and participation in this unique property. At the moment most traffic is a result of
local area residents with not a lot of public interest. The Plan desires to concurrently follow the
outline of the Beverly City Master Plan connecting with the Essex County Greenbelt
Association. Currently they enjoy a good relationship with the North Shore Garden Club. Overall
the site is under visited and the design concepts presented have a few goals to attract public
attention. Soule explains the top answers to accomplish this goal are to: 1) create horticultural
work - shops, 2) revitalize the woodland gardens, 3) design nature walks, and 4) structure public
programming. The Trustees thinks of master planning in a holistic way tying the property back to
its historical roots.
Soule further explains in order to draw in the public they are looking to have a new entrance with
public parking at the base of the property; new infrastructure with an orientation space and
greenhouse(s); and a greater emphasis on the Sedgwick Gardens. The Gardens should be the
jewel of the property accentuated on the hill top. Soule further presents detailed renderings of
the design and believes their plan plus the City Master Plan aligns well with timing.
Open Space & Recreation Committee
October 2, 2019 Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 5
Discussion begins about the property's access points and connecting junctures, walking trails,
bike trails, dog walking, and the garden's current status. Callaghan questions what facilitates any
regional connections on the north and west sides and whether there are connecting points to
Grove Street and Long Hill. Alden -St. Pierre would like to know are bikes allowed on the trails.
Soule responds that there is not enough visitation for a policy therefore it's open to interpretation.
Miller inquired if dogs are allowed. Dunne proposes finding a connecting spot for the Committee
to debate points of access and entry. Discussion ensues regarding the bike trails and whether they
require special consultation. Brewster inquires if any connectivity trails were proposed and also
inquires about the current status of the gardens. Soule responds an outreach attempt was made
but there is not follow up presently. The public gardens are currently maintained by The Food
Project and volunteers.
Miller ultimately asks what the Committee can do for Long Hill. Soule would like to know if the
Committee has any suggestions for best ways to align their project to the City Master Plan.
Miller states the Committee must fully review the whole project to make any recommendations.
Soule iterates they're open to project suggestions that would make this a continuity of the
"Emerald Necklace ". Alden -St. Pierre would like to review the Emerald Necklace plan for
concepts and goals regarding access. Soule admits there could be topographical challenges.
They're not familiar about wetlands and other types of terrain that would be considered issues.
McCrory inquired about the property line- whether it's in Beverly or Wenham. Committee
members ask whether there is any connection, collaboration, or participation with public events
like Earth Day, etc., near the property that provide recreational recognition. Brewster advised to
review the local partnerships comparing what works well with the Crane Estate could work for
The Trustees at Long Hill and to keep open communication with Pirrotta.
b. Potential New Trail at Sally Milligan Park (Nathan Currie)
Nathan Currie is a trail user in the North Shore area who inquired with Bruce Doig about
developing a trail at Sally Milligan Park. His trail would connect other trails with the soccer field
and parking area at 116 Cross Lane. Mr. Currie provided a mark -up and map of the proposed
trails which include stream crossings and is advised it should also be reviewed by the
Conservation Commission.
Discussion ensues regarding the map and trails contained therein. They ask Mr. Currie if he did a
walk - through of the proposed trail. Dunne and Sharp jointly raise concerns regarding the stone
wall. The committee further deliberates the parking issues and connecting trails. Brewster recalls
discussions from a previous time where the task to connect the trails was too daunting as a result
of the wetlands and extensive brush. Callaghan expresses there is a desire to connect the parking
lot by the soccer field to the existing trails. The Committee members converse about past efforts
to connect the trails together remembering why it was not approved or done. There are concerns
with the wetlands and poison ivy in the area. Building bridges could be costly and may not work
well with the topography and its challenges. The Committee does not move forward with a plan
to connect the trails and parking lot at the moment and suggests Mr. Currie spend more
reconnaissance time in the area. However, they encourage Mr. Currie to continue bringing new
thoughts and ideas to the meetings.
Open Space & Recreation Committee
October 2, 2019 Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 5
3. Approval of Minutes
McCrory motions to accept Sept 4, 2019 meeting minutes as amended. Alden -St. Pierre seconds.
All in favor. Motion carries 6 -0.
4. Principal Items of Business
a. OSRC Annual Report — Review and Updates
Pirrotta provides the OSRC 2019 Annual Report for the members to review. Slight changes to
the draft report include updates by Alden -St. Pierre on which conference he attended. Pirrotta
will connect with Charlie on any revisions and coordination for presenting to the Council and
will make all final edits.
b. Community Preservation Committee — Representative Report
McCrory maintains there are no new updates for the Community Preservation Committee
representative report. She reiterates the October meeting schedule. 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.
c. Planning Board — Representative Report
Miller maintains there are no new updates to the Planning Board representative report. Currently
the Planning Board is focused on The Depot II Project. Miller expressed concerns for not
focusing attention on the sustainability of the project in regards to solar and green energy
concepts. Another area of interest discussed was the easements connecting to the Pole Swamp.
Miller had discussions with the mayor regarding the issue. The property owners have been
approached. Sharp inquired if the area of interest is better than the current access point.
Miller provides a status for the proposed meeting with the mayor, Miller, and Alden -St. Pierre.
To date there is no meeting scheduled, however, they are on the list to see the mayor. Miller
indicates that a specific agenda and discussion items should be set in advance.
Brewster questioned if there was any discussion to connect County Way to the Folly Hill area.
Presently the only public and residential vehicle access is from the 128 North bound side Exit 21.
Miller replies not at this time.
Open Space & Recreation Committee
October 2, 2019 Meeting Minutes
Page 4 of 5
d. Green Street — Update
There are no new updates to report. Per the agenda presented by Pirrotta: "a letter was submitted
to CPC requesting a one year extension due to delays in construction from legal action ". Pirrotta
states there will be an update after the October 8 th City Council Meeting.
5. Recreational Trails Grant
a. Review Final Maps/Final Steps for Signs
Per the agenda, a final deadline for all changes was 9/27/2019. Sharp provides updates on the
signs in their current state presenting a one page summary to the members. He questioned the
sizes for Sally Milligan, Norwood, and JC Phillips sign. Discussion ensues regarding the signs
and their sizes. Size consistency among the signs is still an issue in relation to the kiosks. Pirrotta
provides the original and amended sign quotes. Miller asks how many signs there are and asks
about the original quote. Alden -St. Pierre maintains no new signs for Fox Hill and Bald Hill with
no updates to the map. Sharp understands there are two sizes. Jewett and Sally Milligan are
vertical. The Committee must determine real size of each sign and to fit the size to the map
available. Pirrotta maintains from Wynne's email that the original quote is for 6 signs, the
amended quote is for 9 signs. Wynne will follow up with United Sign for prices as quoted. Sharp
will ask Wynne to obtain a quote for the larger signs of Sally Milligan, JC Phillips, and Norwood
in order to fit the existing kiosks. Miller will coordinate with Wynne for the maps and their
signs. Discussion ensues regarding which maps are most current and consistent with their
numbering systems plus updated trails.
Miller asked for group consensus on the Beverly Commons map background that 60% of the
color saturation for the greens on the maps is appropriate. Per Mann, the blue perimeter trail
remains as is, consistent with other New England areas. Yellow will remain for the fire routes.
McCrory asks about the gray trails and Miller expresses they are simply labeled "other trails ".
Callaghan points out that the connecting trail as a dotted line is confusing. It resembles a
boundary instead of a trail. To maintain consistency with the Emerald Plan, he recommends
changing the dotted line to solid and changing the color to be more prominent suggesting a
reddish pink color. The members discuss and evaluate the suggestion and agree.
Further discussion circles back to JC Phillips, Sally Milligan, and Norwood. Sharp mentions for
the final design he will put all on the Google share for everyone to view.
b. Installation Plan
The Department of Public Services will be installing the signs with Wynne.
6. Other Business & Updates
a. Master Plan — Update
Open Space & Recreation Committee
October 2, 2019 Meeting Minutes
Page 5 of 5
Currently neighborhood outreach meetings are progressing. Please see the schedule on the web at
plan.beverlyma.gov. Sharp mentions he attended the meeting for his area. McCrory inquires of
Miller if there will be a Master Plan Representative or "consultant" to attend future Open Space
and Recreation Committee meetings and provide updates to the Committee. There is no such
intention at this time, not that it cannot be approached in the future.
b. OSRC 2020 Schedule
Pirrotta will update the meeting schedule for 2020 maintaining consistency with the 2019
schedule: 1s Wednesdays of the month at 7:00 pm unless there's a conflict with a holiday, with
no August meeting. No objections from the members.
7. Future Agenda Items
McCrory would like to review and discuss the Open Space Plan.
Adjournment
Alden -St. Pierre moves to adjourn meeting at 9:13 p.m. Miller and Callaghan concurrently
second. All in favor. Motion carries 6 -0.
Next meeting November 6, 2019.