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1-8-20 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 7:00 p.m. Open Space and Recreation Committee January 8, 2020 Charlie Mann (Chair), David Brewster (Vice Chair), David Alden -St. Pierre, Elizabeth Dunne, Marilyn McCrory, Todd Callaghan, Gregory Sharp Wayne Miller Jenna Pirrotta, Environmental Planner Jessica Kagle, Mara Goldberg, Andy Cracknell Sharlyne Woodbury 2. Members of the public opportunity to address the Committee a. Kestrel Educational Adventures /Beverly Schools Field Ecology Programming (Jessica Kagle, Mara Goldberg) Jessica Kagle and Mara Goldberg of Kestrel Educational Adventures introduce themselves and offer a presentation on the program. Kestrel is a natural science educational nonprofit with goals focusing on sensory awareness and socio - emotional ecological mindfulness to promote future generations' interest in conservation. Within the middle school, Kestrel sponsors the Conservation Club kids. Kestrel receives full funding for their program. Currently they are 100% involved in the Beverly Middle School accommodating I Salem student and I Rockport student. They are seeking to become part of the school curriculum and firmly established with the Beverly elementary schools. Their students are encouraged to view their environment and propose creative solutions to modern environmental concerns and issues. The program encourages students to get out into their local environment and world to perform investigative discovery. They do not encourage their students to repeat past presented solutions such as trash clean up. For example, the students recently conducted a project for Wolf Hollow. They presented their data findings to Wolf Hollow in order to clear public misconceptions about wolves and coyotes. Committee members and Kestrel discuss how best to partner and incorporate the program into the current Beverly school curriculum. Members agree this is great program for students. Kestrel presently has programs in Ayers and Cove elementary schools. They would like to expand to the remaining schools. Dunne asked if they are proposing district -wide programming. Ms. Goldberg explains they are mission - based and would like to see their program entrenched in the curriculum. Therefore, this presentation is a beginning step toward a goal of presenting to the school superintendent. Ms. Kagle further explains how she structures her program to match or exceed the current state standards. Some members suggested this program could be instituted on the down days during the school year like teacher conference days, etc. However, Ms. Kagle explains why teacher participation and development is key. The program consists of I field experience with 1 -2 follow ups. Ms. Kagle also explains that the program has never had a desire to acquire their own land since they want children to explore their local environments and what makes them unique. They promote learning and identifying local native species. Ms. Kagle mentions their website and the student's updated projects available for viewing. To conclude, Committee members provide School Committee contact information to Kestrel for next steps. The Committee endorses this program and will provide a letter of support and partnership of open spaces for Kestrel to use going forward. Open Space & Recreation Committee January 8, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 Callaghan moves to create a support letter. Seconded by McCrory. All in favor. The motion carried 7 -0. Pirrotta will draft the letter. 3. Approval of Minutes The Committee reviews and offers revisions for the previous month's minutes. McCrory moves to accept the December 4, 2019 meeting minutes as amended. Callaghan seconded. All in favor. The motion carried 6 -0. 4. Principal Items of Business a. Community Preservation Committee — Representative Report No new updates per McCrory. b. Planning Board — Representative Report There are no new updates, as Miller is absent. c. Conservation Commission — Representative Report Pirrotta provides updates. Discussion focuses on the excavation work next to the Bass River at Moynihan Lumber. The Conservation Commission will perform a site walk at the site on 1/11/20 and advised Moynihan to submit a Notice of Intent, as the work is within Conservation Commission jurisdiction and work began without permits. Committee members further discuss noting they understand the permit issues and appreciate the clean -up work, and suggest perhaps this is an opportunity to gain a public access trail along the river. Moynihan will return to the January 28, 2020 Conservation Commission meeting to provide an update on progress. Brewster recommends looking to the waterfront access trail behind Starbucks on Route 62, as an example of such a trail that could be created behind Moynihan Lumber. Pirrotta noted another topic raised by the Conservation Commission related to OSRC, was the need to maintain trailheads at existing Open Space properties. In particular, the Commission noted a need for managing invasive bittersweet vines and other overgrown brush at the Fox Hill trail entrance on Tall Tree Drive. Brewster suggested this as a potential project for the Kestrel Conservation Club or Boy Scouts. d. Parcel Updates Mann requests the use of a projector /lap top to better view areas discussed during meetings. Pirrotta will have that available at the next meeting. The Committee continues to discuss several parcels. They recap a recent meeting between Mann and Aaron Clausen, Planning Director. The Committee then discusses the National Grid underground cable replacement project. An agreement was already reached with National Grid regarding mitigation, with no new additions. Mann believes the mitigation offered by National Grid are terms that are normally required and that perhaps other mitigation would be appropriate, including potentially creating a public walkway along the Bass River at the rear of the National Grid property. Callaghan suggests to keep the idea of mitigation open. Mitigation is still possible should National Grid fall behind with the project or not fulfill all requirements, i.e., it can be used as an appeasement for future negotiations. Mann asks Pirrotta if there is any progress to meeting with the mayor. She is in contact with his office with nothing set yet. It's estimated to occur between this meeting and next month's meeting. Mann solicits members for any ideas to add to the agenda. Open Space & Recreation Committee January 8, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 5. Recreational Trails Grant a. Review Final Maps The maps are complete and the kiosks and way finding signs have been installed. It was noticed however after installation that the kiosk at JC Phillips will need to be updated at some point, as the perimeter trail is not located on the map. This could potentially be done via decal on the new kiosk. b. Update on Potential New Trail at Sally Milligan Park (Nathan Currie) Callaghan seeks an update on the potential new trail scouted by Nathan Currie at Sally Milligan Park. Mann asked if anyone had walked the trail proposed by Mr. Currie. Callaghan said it's a beautiful walk. Committee members further discuss the potential trail. Mann asked Pirrotta to contact Mr. Currie as he expressed interest in building /designing the trail. Alden -St. Pierre joined the meeting at 8 pm. 6. Other Business & Updates a. Master Plan Comments and Updates Members comment on the updates and what is provided in the draft recommendations available for review. These comments are only relative to the recommendations /strategies section. Members discuss various points throughout the draft plan citing points of support and points of concern. They also discuss ambiguous points left open to interpretation. Mann reviewed the section dedicated to OSRC and believes it is appropriate. Pirrotta clarified for members there could be more incorporation of protection of natural resources throughout. Callaghan noted the most important focal point for developing the city pertains to future tax revenue. He referenced page 15 item 4, and says it sets the tone for increasing development and not open space. The city Master Plan focuses on an increase in tax base in the long run. Members note the plan would create a change in character to the city and increased traffic. Callaghan suggests moving points on page 15 to page 2 as priority. Mann expressed interest and thought into having more public access along the Wenham Lake reservoir. Members discuss the area around the reservoir and raise points on whether it can be done without security issues. Callaghan provides other city models as a reference and cites Gloucester as a recent example. McCrory inquired as to the specifics for future parcels. Mann will inquire and offers to reword the section about leverage for open space opportunities. Pirrotta will draft a letter for Committee submittal and Mann will provide notes as discussed. b. Earth Day participation /walks Committee members discuss options for Earth Day /Spring Walk Series. Suggestions for spring walks are mentioned as well as selecting particular trails to walk. Members also seek to solicit hosts for the walks, and members suggest inviting Jessica Kagle and the Kestrel Conservation Club. Alden -St. Pierre recalled an organized walk by Kagle around one of the local ponds. The presentation was engaging, informative, and highly interactive. Other ideas were to incorporate new participants, such as inviting the city arborist to host a walk. c. Member of the public: guest introduction The Committee turns their attention the public guest. Mr. Andy Cracknell introduced himself. He is formerly of Ipswich and has lived in Beverly for 2 years. While in Ipswich he served on their OSRC. Mr. Cracknell expressed interest in joining the Committee, however there is not a current vacancy for his ward. The Committee advises Mr. Cracknell on ways to participate expressing their welcome for the addition of a potential new member. Open Space & Recreation Committee January 8, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4 7. Future Agenda Items No specific new agenda topics were offered. Adjournment Callaghan moves to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Sharp seconded. All in favor. The motion carried 7- 0. Next Meeting: February 5, 2020, 7 pm.