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12-4-19 OSRC MinutesCITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: OTHERS PRESENT: RECORDER: Mann opens the meeting at 7:06 p.m. Open Space and Recreation Committee December 4, 2019 Charlie Mann (Chair), David Brewster (Vice Chair), David Alden -St. Pierre, Elizabeth Dunne, Marilyn McCrory, Todd Callaghan, Wayne Miller Gregory Sharp Jenna Pirrotta, Environmental Planner Sharlyne Woodbury 2. Members of the public opportunity to address the Committee (if any) a. Update on Potential New Trail at Sally Milligan Park (Nathan Currie) Members discuss the status of the proposed new trail. Currie is not present for this meeting. Members agree he will need some permits and full plans, especially regarding the trail specifics regarding stream crossings. Members bring up for discussion potential /future Eagle Scout projects at Norwood Pond. 3. Approval of Minutes Callaghan made a motion to accept the November 6, 2019 meeting minutes, as amended. Alden -St. Pierre seconded. The motion carried 6 -0. Miller abstained. 4. Principal Items of Business a. OSRC Annual Report — Review and Updates Mann presented the annual report at the December 2, 2019 City Council meeting. There are no other updates to report. b. Community Preservation Committee — Representative Report McCrory updated the Committee. Six of the seven pre- applications submitted were decided to be eligible. Full applications for those eligible are due January 10, 2020 at noon. There was one parcel update: an extension for Green's Hill was approved. c. Planning Board — Representative Report Miller updated the Committee. There are no new updates relevant to the Committee to report. Depot II is primarily the focus of the Planning Board. Members discussed a restriction rule on building heights for water front developments. d. Green Street — Update Mann briefly updated the Committee of his meeting with Aaron Clausen and some of the parcels discussed. Open Space & Recreation Committee December 4, 2019 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 e. Waring School Encroachment Update This issue was previously discussed by the Conservation Commission in the spring of 2019. Members discussed the public comments regarding the issues for the encroachment of the soccer field onto City property. That parcel of land is held in trust. The City is currently seeking the best way forward to resolve this issue. L Harbor Management Authority /Bass Haven Yacht Club Update Mann discussed the National Grid plans to replace an existing underground cable. Pirrotta noted an abutter notification was sent out relative to the announcement of a Siting Board meeting. The Committee further discusses the National Grid cable. Callaghan inquired if the City asks for or receives mitigation since the City is losing temporary use of the roads when the cable is installed. Miller inquires whether there's an expense to the City. McCrory suggests Pirrotta inquire who the best person /committee would be to ask for mitigation. Mann will inquire further about the project with Clausen. Callaghan is officially on the Harbor Management Authority (HMA). The HMA funded the installation of several kayak racks and have waiting lists for use of the current ones. Current installations are at Independence Park, Dane Street Beach, and at Woodbury Beach. HMA are looking to purchase 3 more. HMA is in talks with the developers on Congress Street for adding a rack near the end of the ramp. The ramp location is currently considered a paper street requiring resolution of ownership. It is noted that the Conservation Commission received $15,000 from the developer as part of the Order of Conditions for the development, to be used for Open Space and Recreation purposes. Such funds could be used to address the paper road with the possibility of an open ramp access at the location. McCrory questioned if the City is interested in acquiring the paper street. Pirrotta suggested the possibility of also installing a rain garden at this location, however this location may be suited for capping. Callaghan discussed other examples of ramp locations in connection to wetlands, near Bass Haven Yacht Club. He does not encourage people to carry boats over a dying degrading marsh and advocated for boat access where there is already firm ground. Mann agreed. Members circle back to the development on Congress Street and where the funding can be best used. Miller asked of Pirrotta to please keep a list of agenda items for discussion with the mayor, namely Pole Swamp and Draper's Point. Miller proposed a January 7, 2020 10 a.m. meeting with the mayor. Mann and Alden -St. Pierre tentatively agree. g. Open Space and Recreation Plan /OSRP 7 -Year Action Plan review The seven -year plan is located on the OSRC website. Members discuss current progress and what their focus should be for 2020. 5. Recreational Trails Grant a. Review Final Maps Mann updated the Committee. All the signs are ordered. Recent snow storms have inhibited the installation progress. Pirrotta noted volunteers for assistance would be welcome. Signs cannot be installed until the snow melts, or is dug out, or is removed. The Committee asked if Darlene Wynne is aware and informed. The signs must be installed with a deadline of 12/31/2019. In total there are between 12 -17 signs requiring installation. Members discuss assisting with snow removal. Signs are not going on existing posts; per the grant, the signs must be on their own posts. Miller and Alden -St. Pierre jointly volunteer to remove snow and install signs. Open Space & Recreation Committee December 4, 2019 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 6. Other Business & Updates a. Master Plan — Update Mann asks whether any members plan to attend the Master Plan meeting. Mann segues to the trail maps and discusses first responder area location and identification. Mann is looking to coordinate with Beverly Fire Department regarding the map in order to help fire /Emergency Management Serviced (EMS) with finding people in woods and on trails. Mann will speak to Roland Adams regarding the maps for EMS purposes. Callaghan commented on the areas designated in the Master Plan identified for " transformative development ". He believed there is an opportunity to comment and define on what exactly development means. Committee members note per the Master Plan there are three main areas to be designated. There are areas to be conserved /stay the same, in -fill development, and areas of transformative development. Miller asked is there a unified message that the Committee should put forth to the Master Plan Committee. McCrory would like to keep Bass River as undeveloped and open to the public. Committee members discussed international cities and their models for transforming, developing, and preserving urban renewal. Brewster recalled that the 2015 Open Space and Recreation Plan lays out notable public concerns and suggested submitting a letter to the Master Plan committee ensuring that this be incorporated into the new plan. That comment letter will serve as a reminder to what's already been discussed and public feedback. Mann and Miller agree the 2015 Open Space and Recreation Plan should be referenced as part of the revised Master Plan to ensure it is consistent with the concerns presented. Miller made a motion to submit a comment letter to the Master Plan Committee ensuring that the 2015 Open Space and Recreation Plan is incorporated in the updated Master Plan. McCrory and Alden -St. Pierre concurrently seconded. All in favor. The motion carried 7 -0. Callaghan suggested sending a letter as well. Pirrotta agreed and further suggested sending a letter after all the committees have had an opportunity to discuss the meeting's results. 7. Future Aeenda Items Jessica Kagle of Kestrel Educational Adventures would like to attend the next meeting to explain the program and receive committee feedback to connect with Beverly Public Schools. Pirrotta discussed Kestrel Education Adventures and briefly outlined the efforts to connect children with outdoor wild spaces. Continuing the same avenue of discussion, Miller describes another program called Change is Simple. It is an 11 year old nonprofit program located in North Beverly, focused on sustainability education. Miller believes this is a great program to endorse and would like the Committee to invite Change is Simple to an upcoming Committee meeting. Members agree. McCrory would like to add to the agenda with the mayor. She would like further clarification of the encroachment policy. Committee members deliberate and converse the legalities with suggestions to curb encroachers upon public space and city land. Suggestions presented include an annual walk through as public record, anchoring signs, installation of split rail fences, etc. The Committee recalls an earlier draft, which was never finalized. Open Space & Recreation Committee December 4, 2019 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4 Adjournment Callaghan made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:02 p.m. Brewster and Alden -St. Pierre concurrently seconded. All in favor. The motion carried 7 -0. Next Meeting: January 8th, 2020, 7 pm.