9-2-20 OSRC minutes - FINALCITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD: Open Space and Recreation Committee
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: September 2, 2020
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Charlie Mann (Chair), David Brewster (Vice Chair), David
Alden-St. Pierre, Todd Callaghan, Elizabeth Dunne,
Marilyn McCrory, Wayne Miller, Gregory Sharp
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Jenna Pirrotta, Environmental Planner
OTHERS PRESENT: Nathan Currie; Eric Swanzey
RECORDER: Sharlyne Woodbury
Mann chairs and opens the meeting at 7:07 p.m.
This is a remotely held meeting, in accordance with Open Meeting Law allowances by Governor
Order during the State of Emergency due to the national crisis of COVID-19.
2.Members of the public opportunity to address the Committee
Nathan Currie and Mann discuss their findings from a recent walk through a proposed new trail
section at Sally Milligan Park. Members discuss the new trail route and appreciate efforts to
minimize disturbance. Mann will provide flagging tape for Currie to mark the new trail.
Members agree to walk the new trail at their own leisure after it is flagged and to provide
additional feedback.
3.Approval of Minutes
Callaghan moves to approve the July 8, 2020 minutes as presented. Alden-St. Pierre seconds.
The motion carries 6-0-2. McCrory and Sharp abstain.
4.Principal Items of Business
a.Community Preservation Committee Representative Report
McCrory provides updates on Community Preservation Committee (CPC) activities. McCrory
discusses the Briscoe Village for the Arts and Seniors project detailing the project progression.
CPC approved funding for a housing program which the City Council approved. The annual
public hearing is planned for October 8, 2020 and pre-applications are due October 29, 2020.
McCrory notes there is a $610,759 balance for open space activities.
b.Planning Board Representative Report
Miller reports there are no updates at this time. The final Master Plan recommendations are still
delayed due to COVID-19. The Planning Board is aware of concerns expressed from varying
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municipal committees (including the Open Space and Recreation Committee) and the public
regarding extending the timeline.
c.Conservation Commission Representative Report
i.Bass River Moynihan Lumber
Mann notes that the potential easement space is not as wide as originally thought, behind the
concrete blocks.
Conservation Commission regarding creation of a pedestrian easement.
ii.Dunham Road/Norwood Pond
Pirrotta provides on the revised proposal at Dunham Road. Letters of concern by the public and
the Committee were submitted to the Conservation Commission regarding the earlier proposed
commercial building. The proposal was changed from construction of a commercial building and
parking area to a paved materials storage area. Members discuss the paving and particularly the
stormwater drainage and how it affects the wetlands. Brewster and Callaghan express
encouraging vegetated swales and measures to minimize stormwater impacts. Mann informs the
Committee the project engineers should have a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
for the site. Pirrotta provides details on the plan and notes the locations of wetlands resource
areas including the 100-Foot No Disturbance Zone associated with the vernal pools.
iii.Waring School encroachment
Members discuss the encroachment on City property and note the property is held in public trust,
with the purpose of the property to be kept for conservation and passive activities. Lawrence
Coolidge, representing the estate of the donor of the land, wrote a strongly worded letter to the
mayor regarding the need for the City to uphold obligations and remove the encroachment. Mann
will circulate a copy of the letter to members. Members discuss next steps including submitting a
letter to the Solicitors Office to take up the encroachment with Waring School. Members further
discuss the legalities and lack of City response. Miller inquires if there is a compromise to satisfy
both parties and members note concerns with no resolution over many years.
Sharp moves to submit a letter to the City Solicitor regarding removal of the Waring School
encroachment on City property. Alden-St. Pierre seconds. The motion carries 7-1. Miller
dissents. Mann will draft the letter.
d.Parcel Updates
i.Green Street Updates
27A - The meeting with the Mayor and property owner from before the declaration of the State
of Emergency mayor still needs to be rescheduled and the date is pending.
27X Pirrotta reports that
to work preparing public schools for the return of students, but that volunteer effort could be
used to complete portions of the work prior to DPS completing the work on the retaining wall,
such as install of signage and placement of logs or other features highlighting the trailhead area.
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ii.Bass River
Denise Deschamps, Economic Planner, was previously in contact with members of the Bass
River Yacht Club regarding potential parcel acquisition, with no updates to report.
5.Trail Subcommittee
a.Update & next steps
Members agree they will use the generic email
address as the main contact for the public to note any comments, questions, and/or concerns as
well as establish a single point of contact for any trails issues.
b.Bald Hill Trails
Pirrotta recaps the meeting at the Bald Hill property and concerns raised with unauthorized
creation of trail features and other destruction. Pirrotta reports there have not been additional
complaints in the area for illegal activities, but that property owners have been directed to call
police if there are fires or any other unauthorized activities. There is no further action for the
Committee to take at this time.
6.Other Business & Updates
a.Master Plan Comments and Updates
b.Public Outreach
Alden-St. Pierre notes that he continues to provide updates to the Committee Facebook account
and Beverly Trails Instagram, sharing relevant photographs at different Open Space properties
and positive messaging.
c.Membership Reappointments
Temporary appointments were put forth by the Mayor for Sharp, Mann, and Callaghan as they
are mayoral appointees with terms that are up for renewal. Pirrotta has contacted Ward
Councilors regarding Alden- Alden-St. Pierre was
already reappointed and McCrory has a temporary reappointment.
Brewster moves to nominate McCrory for reappointment as the Open Space and Recreation
Committee representative on the Community Preservation Committee. Callaghan seconds. The
motion carries 8-0.
7.Future Agenda Items
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Potential guests for future meetings: Sandy Pearl from Science & Engineering Educational
Development (SEED) and Rick Grandoni from Change is Simple.
Adjournment
Miller moves to adjourn meeting at 8:30 p.m. Callaghan seconds. The motion carries 8-0.
Next Meeting: October 7, 2020, 7:00 p.m.