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10-7-20 OSRC draft minutes - FINAL (2)CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: Open Space and Recreation Committee SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: October 7, 2020 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Charlie Mann (Chair), David Brewster (Vice Chair), David Alden-St. Pierre, Todd Callaghan, Elizabeth Dunne, Wayne Miller, Marilyn McCrory, Gregory Sharp BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Jenna Pirrotta, Environmental Planner OTHERS PRESENT: Mayor Cahill, Darlene Wynne, Nathan Currie RECORDER: Sharlyne Woodbury Mann chairs and opens the meeting at 7:04 p.m., noting that it is a virtual meeting as allowed during the State of Emergency declared due to the national crisis of COVID-19. 1.Mayoral Agenda discussion items questions and discuss parcel updates. a.Green Street update The Committee discusses the outstanding items needed to complete the trail head access at the 27X parcel. Mayor Cahill agrees that Department of Public Services staff should complete the work so that the public knows where to access the open space. Mayor notes that Community Preservation Act funds could be sought for the neighbori not yet been able to reschedule a meeting with the property owner to discuss, but will continue to work on this. b.s Point update Callaghan describes that the Harbor Management Authority is aware that the Bass Haven Yacht Club has previously expressed interest in transferring a parcel of land to the City. If the parcel is not donated, it could be an economical purchase, and lead to additional public waterfront connectivity and to the skate park. Denise Deschamps was previously contacted by the yacht club regarding the potential parcel transfer. ffice will follow up on the parcel. c.Norwood Pond update The Committee recounts past discussion between Darlene Wynne and the property owners regarding a flexible trail easement in back of the buildings. Mayor Cahill agrees that a potential easement in this area is worthy of revisiting, but that the conversation would need to be restarted, as it has been about a year. Mayor suggests reaching out to Bill Haney to set up a discussion between Mann and Mayor Cahill. d.Endicott trail update Mayor Cahill recaps the possible easement opportunities behind Endicott College, including low, middle, and high. Mann suggested that the lower option may be the easiest for Endicott to Open Space & Recreation Committee October 7, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4  approve. Mayor recommends the City seek an easement higher on the property and notes that a trail would not diminish the value of the land. Mayor Cahill will reach out to Dr. DiSalvo, as he is regularly in contact with him. e.Pole Swamp update Mayor suggests there are no updates on this property and that he will ask his assistant to contact the property owners regarding a potential easement. f.Cabot Street parcel Members discuss a possible opportunity for future public access at a location through Community Preservation Act funds. There is a combination of public and private ownership in the area. Members and the Mayor discuss the future possibilities of the property and will maintain vigilance for any potential access. g.Congress Street Callaghan notes that the Harbor Management Authority may be able to contribute matching funds. It still needs to be clarified who owns the land as the end of the street appears to be a Members discuss the neighbors use of on street parking as well as the abutters maintaining the paper road. Mayor Cahill thinks this is a good opportunity to explore but notes that items will need to be prioritized with limited capacity of many City staff and volunteers. h.Sally Milligan Trail update The Committee provides an update on the creation of a potential new trail at Sally Milligan Park. The new trail location is outlined for the mayor to review. The mayor agrees this trail would be a great connector to the existing trail system. Mayor Cahill inquires about the procedure for approving a new trail. Mann notes that the trail will require review by the Conservation Commission, and that a wildlife inventory would be taken in the spring. i.Waring School update Members bring to attention the encroachment issue of the soccer field on City property. Mayor Cahill comments that he wants to assist in achieving as favorable a compromise as possible. and recaps the discussion of a possible landswap and the necessary steps needed including a unanimous vote by the Conservation Commission for the court to determine if this is allowed for a property held in public trust. The Mayor will set a meeting with the heir of the estate and members of the Conservation Commission to see how concerns may be satisfied. Members provide feedback and further discuss the athletic program offering work arounds to the practice and official playing fields. j.Mayoral conclusion Mayor Cahill concludes his time applauding the dedication of the Committee to the preservation of green and open spaces. He expresses his intention to return to the next Committee meeting to provide an update on the agenda items discussed. Open Space & Recreation Committee October 7, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4  Mayor Cahill and Wynne exit the meeting at 7:51 p.m. 2.Approval of Minutes Sharp moves to approve the September 2, 2020 meeting minutes as presented. Callaghan seconds. The motion carries 8-0. 3.Principal Items of Business a.Community Preservation Committee Representative Report McCrory provides updates on Community Preservation Committee activities. McCrory encourages members to attend the October 8, 2020 meeting and refresh their knowledge of the application process. Pre-application packets are due October 29, 2020 with confirmation for eligibility scheduled for December 17, 2020. McCrory discusses the Briscoe Village for the Arts and Seniors project including complicated funding that includes housing tax credits and state and federal grants. Members discuss the use of Community Preservation Act funds for acquisition of the 27A parcel and potential for Greenbelt to reach out to the property owner to assist with acquisition or project management. Mann will compile a synopsis of the timeline on the past discussions with the property owner up to the present. b.Planning Board Representative Report Miller reports the last Planning Board meeting included discussion on a four-lot subdivision in Ryal Side as part of the extension of Livingston Avenue. Discussion also focused on potential impacts to wildlife habitat. The layout was changed from the original proposal, which relocated the work outside of Conservation Commission jurisdiction. The Master Plan recommendations are still delayed due to COVID-19. The Planning Board is aware there are several comment letters from the varying municipal committees and the public. c.Conservation Commission Representative Report Pirrotta provides an update on Conservation Commission activities of potential interest including City repair work on the seawalls at Lynch Park and at other public access areas along Lothrop Street. Pirrotta notes the repairs are funded through FEMA grants. Callaghan inquires if the public will have the opportunity to weigh in on seawall repairs for public access. Most notably the steps to the beach at Abbott and Ocean Streets are in disrepair and are a public safety concern. Part of the existing stairs are crumbling along with other areas of the walkways where the stones are eroding. Pirrotta will confirm if work on the steps is proposed. d.Parcel Updates Discussion on parcel updates were addressed in the conservation earlier with Mayor Cahill. Open Space & Recreation Committee October 7, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4  e.Harbor Management Authority Updates Callaghan provides an update on Harbor Management Authority (HMA) activities. Callaghan informs the Committee that the recently installed kayak racks have filled up and additional racks are being considered for installation. The new waterfront signs for public access points are ready for installation. There will be no Harborfest this year due to COVID. 4.Trail Discussion a.Outreach Alden- St. Pierre provides updates on his posts on the Facebook and Instagram accounts providing photographs from the various open space properties. Members discuss bootleg trails with spray painted trees. Callaghan notes that several of the white diamond trail marker signs at Beverly Commons had been removed recently and that some signs also went missing in Sally Milligan Park. Callaghan and other members volunteer time to replace the vandalized markers. 5.Other Business & Updates a.Master Plan updates, if any Miller provided an update on this item earlier in the meeting. Miller notes that City Council recently approved the creation of a City Sustainability Director position, which was funded by a donor. Donor funding would decrease in the future, with a larger City match required. b.2021 Meeting Schedule Pirrotta reports that she will draft the 2021 schedule for posting. The typical first Wednesdays of the month and no meeting in August seem to line up well with the 2021 holiday calendar. Members do not report any issues. c.Annual Report It is time for the Committee to prepare and submit the 2020 Annual Report to City Council. Mann inquires if anyone would prefer to read the Annual Report. Alden- St. Pierre volunteers to read the report at an upcoming Council meeting. Pirrotta will work on updates to the report since last year and will circulate a draft to the Committee for review and comment. 6.Future Agenda Items Miller will coordinate with the Mayor on an action item list to keep everyone on point for discussion and tracking. Mann asks Pirrotta to please include Harbor Management Authority updates on the agenda going forward. Adjournment Callaghan moves to adjourn the meeting at 8:44 p.m. McCrory seconds. The motion carries 8-0. Next Meeting: November 4, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.