2-3-21 OSRC minutes - finalCITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD:
Open Space and Recreation Committee
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE:
February 3, 2021
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Charlie Mann (Chair), David Brewster (Vice Chair), David
Alden -St. Pierre, Todd Callaghan, Elizabeth Dunne,
Marilyn McCrory, Wayne Miller, Gregory Sharp (joins the
meeting at 7:50 p.m.)
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
Alison Dudley
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jenna Pirrotta, Environmental Planner; Chelsea Zakas,
Associate Planner
OTHERS PRESENT:
Members of the public: Gary Marshall; Catherine Barrett,
City of Beverly Grants Director
RECORDER:
Sharlyne Woodbury
1. Call to Order
Mann chairs and opens the meeting at 7:00 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. Mann confirms
members that are present and that they can hear all participants.
2. Members of the Public
a. Gary Marshall, Greens Hill proposed trail
Gary Marshall of 28 Carver Street, returns to the Committee continuing the discussion of adding
a trail to the existing trail system at Greens Hill. Members offer suggestions and recap their site
walk on January 10, 2021. Marshall and the Committee discuss the trail location and specifics,
noting that sensitive resources are avoided. Members note that the trail seems appropriate and
compatible with multiple trail users. Callaghan suggests drafting a letter notifying the land owner
of Marshall overseeing the use of new trails under certain conditions. Mann believes the land
ownership is under the City of Beverly. Pirrotta will confirm which entity the land belongs to,
noting it does not appear to fall under Conservation Commission purview.
Alden- St. Pierre moves to recommend the approval of the new trail and to send a letter to the
appropriate City department for final approval. Callaghan seconds. The motion carries 7 -0.
Callaghan inquires if the document Alden- St. Pierre drafted of appropriate trail cutting activities
is suitable to forward to Marshall as an operations guide. Pirrotta advises that the document be
reviewed first before sending as best practices. Alden- St. Pierre discusses the draft document
and clarifies its intent to the Committee. Callaghan suggests once the trails are complete that
Marshall have someone upload the trails to GIS_
3. Approval of Minutes
The Committee moves on to the review and approval of minutes, while Barrett addresses
technical difficulties and rejoins the meeting.
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McCrory moves to approve the December 2, 2020 minutes as amended. Alden -St. Pierre
seconds. The motion carries 7 -0.
Callaghan moves to approve the January 6, 2021 minutes as amended. McCrory seconds. The
motion carries 7 -0.
2. Members of the public opportunity to address the Committee (cont.)
b. Catherine Barrett, City of Beverly Grants Director
Mann welcomes Barrett to the meeting. Barrett introduces herself, briefly describes her
background, and discusses her involvement with grant applications, noting that she frequently
works with the Planning Department. She notes that she previously assisted Wynne with the
Committee's MassTrails grant for the kiosk signage. Mann inquires if Barrett has a tracking
system for available grants. Barrett keeps a list by priorities per each department or
board /commission. Barrett researches available funding and requirements, including grants with
matches. Barrett notes she is happy to assist the Committee with upcoming grant proposals.
Mann inquires if the list of available grants can be shared, specific to open space informing
Barrett they are interested in the MassTrails grant. The Committee will not make the application
deadline for 2021 and would like assistance for 2022.
Discussion continues on to state and federal grant opportunities, their competitive nature and the
prior federal administration's funding practices. Mann inquires if the Healthy Communities
Program has any trail grants; Mann explains the program. Barrett recalls the City may have
previously applied to the grant via the Council on Aging. Members thank Barrett for her time
and plan to coordinate with enough advance planning for future grant opportunities.
4. Principal Items of Business
a. Community Preservation Committee — Representative Report
Members make inquiries to the Cabot Parcel and discuss possible grants for purchasing the
parcel. Mann reviews the parcel particulars, noting public access is key with interest in the parcel
eventually becoming a reservation. Mann reviews the Cabot Parcel in detail and familiarizes
Barrett on the history and future prospects, as it relates to possible Community Preservation Act
funding. McCrory notes that an out of cycle application could be submitted for funding. The
Committee again emphasizes the public value of the property.
b. Planning Board — Representative Report
Miller reports there are no updates at this time.
c. Harbor Management Authority Updates — Representative Report
Callaghan notes that the Harbor Management Authority (HMA) would like to develop a park at
the end of Congress Street and clean up the area and would be seeking CPA funds. HMA is
coordinating with CPC, the City Solicitor, and Planning Director. There were previous questions
on ownership of the area, but review of old city records and documents show that the City owns
the space. Per McCrory, from a prior CPC meeting, the CPA requirements are that the land be
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permanently dedicated to recreation purposes and be permanently protected. McCrory notes the
CPC is an enthusiastic partner to the HMA ensuring this area is revitalized and protected.
Callaghan also noted HMA has funds and is willing to partner with OSRC to accomplish
common goals. He mentions the project coordination between HMA and OSRC for sign
installation along the waterfront. Sharp joins the meeting.
Callaghan provides an update on the recently approved boat sensor pilot program from an
innovative French technology company. Callaghan clarifies the intent of the technology is to
provide direct feedback to the boat owners, such as where their craft is and how it's doing, for
example whether the boat is listing, taking on water, if it's damp, on fire, vandalized, etc. The
information is relayed by an app to the vessel owner and the Harbormaster. The company will
analyze the data and provide analytics to the City.
d. Conservation Commission — Representative Report
Alden- St. Pierre reports there are no updates related to OSRC interests at this time.
e. Parcel Updates
i. Ryal Side Parcels
Pirrotta notes a property owner reached out about possible land donation of several parcels in
Ryal Side. Most of the parcels were created through a 1960s subdivision and GIS mapping
shows the parcels are predominantly wetlands. The larger of the parcels is adjacent to a recent
parcel acquisition through the Open Space and Residential Design process. The current property
owner would like to offer the parcels to the City, but the City benefit is not yet clear since the
parcels could be unbuildable. Pirrotta confirms the owner's representative provided permission
for Committee members and City representatives to enter the parcels. Brewster encourages the
members to walk through the area. Brewster notes the neighborhood has little remaining open
space and having natural open space could be a value to the community. Alden- St. Pierre notes
there could be stewardship concerns about dumping or encroachments. Members note that if the
land is already protected because it is considered unbuildable, there may be little value gained by
transferring it under City ownership. Brewster and Dunne discuss the potential for wildlife
habitat preservation. Brewster notes he observed a well -used trail in the area that may be used by
neighborhood dog walkers. Members will individually review the property on their own before
the next meeting. The Committee expects to discuss suitability of the parcels at the next meeting.
ii. Temi Road Parcel
Pirrotta provides describes another parcel where the current owner reached out to the Planning
Department about donating to the city. The property is off of Temi Road and would connect to
existing City property behind Robinson Road. The property is in the Centerville neighborhood,
near the Wenham border. It appears to be mostly wetlands. Members discuss access points and
the surrounding areas and initially agree this would be worth adding to the existing area of
preservation. Permission was granted by the owner to enter the property and members will view
the property on their own before the next meeting.
iii. Green Street update
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27 X — Pirrotta confirms there are no updates. 27A — Mann notes that Chris LaPointe of
Greenbelt has reached out the Mayor's Office about offering assistance with coordinating with
the property owner.
iv. Bass Haven update
Mann confirms with Pirrotta there are no updates to report. The item was last left with the
Mayor's Office to follow up with Denise Deschamps. Miller will follow up with Mayor Cahill.
V. Simon Street & Beckford Street parcels
Dudley had previously inquired about vacant lots on Simon Street and Beckford Street and
potential for use as community green space. Dudley intended to reach out to Beverly Housing
Authority about the future use of the parcels and report any updates to the Committee.
vi. Endicott College trail
Per Pirrotta there are no updates at this time. McCrory inquires about the options presented to the
Endicott Board what information is needed. Pirrotta refreshes the Committee on what was
previously submitted on the proposed easement locations. Mann and Pirrotta discuss reaching
out to Endicott College to make sure they have enough information.
vii. Pole Swamp
There are no updates at this time.
viii. Encroachments
Mann asks about a response from the Solicitor's Office regarding encroachment letters submitted
to them by OSRC. There are several known encroachments onto City property. Pirrotta notes that
the Encroachment Protocol was not formally adopted, but that OSRC could use the log book to
track the information. Additionally, the Solicitor's Office recently noted that if anyone has
current inventory of private parcels with access easements, to please send to them. Members
loosely discuss maintaining such a list.
5. Trail Discussion
a. Trail Guidance
The Committee discusses having trail guidance in place, possibly with a Notice of Intent filing
before the Conservation Commission so that certain activities are essentially approved in
advance for when volunteers or others are available for needed trail maintenance, the review is
expedited. Alden- St. Pierre asks about the level of detail needed. Pirrotta suggested having
initial discussions with the Conservation Commission about what activities are considered to be
minimal impact. Mann suggested that the process should be simple to follow and encourage its
use to dissuade people from doing maintenance or trail creation on their own. Callaghan notes
the graphic provided by Alden- St. Pierre on pruning is very helpful.
b. Outreach
Alden — St. Pierre notes he continues to post on Facebook and Instagram when he can. Some
members of the public have reached out in response to the posted signs and Pirrotta has been
sharing meeting access information to interested citizens. Mann asks about Alden- St. Pierre's
contact with the developer of the Trail Care app. Alden- St. Pierre describes that the app allows
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the public to report real time issues as they are on the trails. Examples include information on
specific locations of fallen trees, washouts, etc. by dropping a pin and notifying appropriate
parties to address it. Callaghan notes that someone told him about the app and utility that same
evening. Mann agrees it would be a good idea to hear from the developer.
6. Other Business
a. OSR Plan updates
Zakas introduced herself at the beginning of the meeting and noted that she will be assisting with
the Open Space and Recreation Plan update. The current plan goes until August 2022. Pirrotta
will keep this as a standing agenda item moving forward.
b. Committee ChairNice Chair Election
Mann encourages members to consider rotating chairmanship and. Mann wants to remain on the
Committee, but encourages a change up in the position. The topic is tabled for further discussion.
c. Other
McCrory notes that at a recent CPC meeting, Bryant Ayles raised concerns on where bond
payments come from regarding Camp Paradise. Ayles notes that the payment may need to come
from the Open Space reserve and not the General Reserve. Ayles is checking on this.
The OSRC brings up past discussion of possible trail near Harry Ball Field and that an adjacent
property was recently listed for sale. Members note there is an 11 acre land- locked property that
would be great for future preservation. It is adjacent to Greenbelt property. Members discuss
potential consideration as a priority property. The property is currently vacant.
7. Future Agenda Items
Adam Glick of the Trail Care app, as discussed above, will be invited to a future meeting.
8. Adjournment
Alden- St. Pierre moves to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Callaghan seconds. The motion
carries 8 -0.
Next Meeting: March 3, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.