11-4-20 OSRC minutes - FINALCITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD: Open Space and Recreation Committee
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: November 4, 2020
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Charlie Mann (Chair), David Brewster (Vice Chair), David
Alden-St. Pierre, Todd Callaghan, Alison Dudley,
Elizabeth Dunne, Marilyn McCrory, Wayne Miller,
Gregory Sharp
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Jenna Pirrotta, Environmental Planner
OTHERS PRESENT: Mayor Michael Cahill, Erina Keefe, Sustainability Director
RECORDER: Sharlyne Woodbury
1.Call to Order
Mann chairs and opens the meeting at 7:02 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.
Alison Dudley, new Committee member representing Ward 3, introduces herself and provides
background on her interest in serving on the Committee.
2.Members of the Public Opportunity to Address the Committee, if any
There are no members of the public present to meet with the Committee. Mayor Cahill is in
attendance at follow up on discussion from the
October 7, 2020 meeting.
a.Endicott trail update
Mayor Cahill recaps the possible permanent easement opportunities behind Endicott College,
including low, middle, and high. Cahill notes he spoke to Dr. DiSalvo and will schedule a site
walk with him. Alden-St. Pierre asks about the status of an existing easement and Mann clarifies
one does not currently exist but that it was recommended in the 2015 Open Space Plan.
b.Green Street update
Cahill notes that staff in his office have reached out to the property owner and are awaiting a
response. A pre-application was submitted to the Community Preservation Committee requesting
funds to purchase the property.
c.North Shore Music Theater
Pirrotta will coordinate with Mayors Office staff to set up a meeting with North Shore Music
Theater representatives. Cahill agrees it is a good idea to discuss options for a potential easement
in the area to connect existing open space.
d.Potential Parcel donation
The Committee discusses a parcel that was offered for City purchase during the Community
-application round. The CPC will need to follow up with the
property owner regarding the correct process for acquisition.
e.Congress Street
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Members comment on the project progress and open spaces at the newly constructed Sedna
Apartments. Members commend the walkway and public parking spots as an attractive public
amenity, fitting to the area. Callaghan notes that it would be a good kayak access point.
f.Pole Swamp Lane
No new updates to report at this time. The Mayor will work on meeting with area property
owners regarding a potential easement for alternative access to City open space.
g.s Point update
Callaghan recaps the discussion including description of the area next to Bass Haven Yacht Club
and that representatives had previously asked about the process for the City to acquire it. Mann
further describes the parcel and how it could connect the public access area through Bass Haven
Yacht Club to the City parcel to the south. Cahill inquires if this parcel acquisition is a clear area
connector for an existing trail. Mann confirms there is enough land for a walkway and picnic
tables, but that some tree removal would be required. Denise Deschamps was previously in
contact with the yacht club. Further discussion focuses on the property value. Cahill is unclear
how much the property is worth and whether it is appropriate for the City to pursue as a donation
or if CPC funds would be necessary to aid in purchasing the property.
h.Cabot Street parcel/JC Phillips
any future
possibilities of the property as well as any potential access points. Member discuss possible need
to relocate the kiosk to a better location at the JC Phillips entrance.
i.Waring School encroachment
Mayor Cahill expresses concern with affecting school operations and will work to prioritize
obtaining a favorable a compromise. His office will work to set up a meeting with the heir of the
estate and members of the Conservation Commission.
j.Discussion: draft encroachment protocol guidance
The Committee discusses the draft encroachment protocol that was developed in coordination
with the Solicitors Office, as a standard protocol when encroachment issues are identified. Mann
describes the context of the draft guidance and notes it is modeled after other communities and
would like to see a response timetable included. The Committee has not yet received approval
. McCrory offered that the
Solicitors Office may have concerns with the timetables due to workload, but that timetables are
important to identify and establish what type of encroachment exists and to enforce
encroachment laws. Mayor
feedback.
k.Other updates and conclusion
Mayor Cahill provides an update on the environmental plans for the City with particular attention
to the solar advancements and the Climate Action Plan. Mayor Cahill introduces Erina Keefe, the
new Sustainability Director for the City of Beverly. Keefe provides a brief description of her
background and reviews the Cof its partnership with the
City of Salem. Keefe provides a hyperlink to the survey at resilient-together.org and encourages
members to add feedback through the survey. Cahill provides a quick update on the Master Plan
which is back in effect after being on hold due to the national pandemic. Per Cahill, the
consultants have provided a finished draft and will present it to the Planning Board for approval
before the end of the year. Mann asks about the Bass River rezoning efforts as part of the plan.
Cahill describes the zoning overlay to include mixed use in the area.
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Approval of Minutes
3.
There are no meeting minutes available for review.
4.Principal Items of Business
a.Community Preservation Committee Representative Report
McCrory provides updates on Community Preservation Committee activities. 13 pre-applications
were submitted for CPC review. The next step will be to determine which applications proceed
forward.
b.Planning Board Representative Report
Miller provides the updates with nothing to report at this time. Master Plan updates reviewed
earlier with the mayor.
c.Conservation Commission Representative Report
Pirrotta provides an update on Conservation Commission activities of potential interest. The City
repair work on the seawalls at Lynch Park is still under review.
d.Parcel Updates
Discussion on parcel updates were addressed in the conservation earlier with Mayor Cahill.
e.Harbor Management Authority Updates
Callaghan provides an update on Harbor Management Authority (HMA) activities. There was a
setback to the public access sign installation between Lothrop Street and Water Street. The signs
are anticipated to be installed within the next two weeks. Callaghan notes that an abutter on
Washington Street asked for a sign to be relocated, which the HMA found appropriate.
Callaghan also mentions the HMA asked Councilor Rotondo to look into the private kayaks
stored on Lynch Park property, next to City-owned racks. The private rack will need to be
removed or the City will enforce a fee for the kayak structures.
5.Trail Discussion
a.Outreach, etc.
Mann presents a notice for illicit building for the Committee to review. The language is specific
to not building new trails since they are already overbuilt in many areas, and in response to
recent destruction of trail markers and vegetation. Cahill suggests putting the notice at the
beginning and end at Greenwood entrances. Members discuss posting the notice at local bike
shops and on social media.
Members discuss the potential trail at Sally Milligan Park. Sharp recaps that the flagging needs
to be re-established, as most had been removed.
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Private
private property or on the public way. Members will follow up on this item.
Pirrotta notes there is a MassTrails grant available which the Committee could consider putting
something forth for funding. Applications are due February 1.
concerns at the end of Wood Lane at the entrance to Bald Hill where there is a public easement.
past. Brewster recalls past encroachment in this location including
vehicles, and bushes planted in the public way. The Committee would like to notify the property
Sharp moves to issue a letter to the City Solicitor requesting their office enforce removal of the
encroachment. McCrory seconds. The motion carries 9-0.
Mann seeks an update on the Jewett Street/Bonad Road area encroachment. Pirrotta confirms a
6.Other Business & Updates
Mann inquires about the construction at 50 Dunham Road and funding for a trail bridge. Pirrotta
notes that funding tied to a Conservation Commission permit was related to issuance of a
Certificate of Occupancy for building #51. Alden- St.Pierre inquires about another proposed
pedestrian bridge on the property. Pirrotta notes that an application to the Conservation
Commission including the trail bridge was withdrawn and an updated filing will be expected.
Members further discuss the materials storage area under construction.
Future Agenda Items
7.
a.Folly Hill development
Callaghan discusses potential project development with the Mayor. The Committee reviews past
zoning ordinances for the area. Callaghan expresses the area would be great for a mountain bike
park. Per Cahill, the owners would like to develop the area, however, local area traffic cannot
sustain the type of the development proposed and that large scale buildings next to highways are
antithetical to planning and development. There is a commitment to not have any throughways
from Raymond Farms, or through Ryal side on Route 62.
Adjournment
McCrory moves to adjourn the meeting at 8:49 pm. Sharp seconds. The motion carries 9-0.
Next Meeting: December 2, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.