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5_24_21 Con Com Minutes - final Beverly Conservation Commission May 24, 2021 Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 3 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: Beverly Conservation Commission SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: May 24, 2021 LOCATION: Remotely held meeting through Google Hangouts Meet MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Christine Bertoni, Vice Chair Robert Buchsbaum, David Alden-St. Pierre, Stephanie Herbster, Bill Squibb, (Richard Grandoni joins at 6:15 p.m.) MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: Environmental Planner Jenna Pirrotta RECORDER: Sarah Scott-Nelson Call to Order Bertoni calls the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. Bertoni reads the virtual meeting guidelines and notes that the meeting is being held in accordance with temporary Open Meeting Law adjustments due to the State of Emergency associated with the COVID-19 outbreak. Bertoni acknowledges Herbster's contribution to the Commission, noting that she will be resigning from the Commission this summer. This is a special meeting scheduled as a follow up from the last regular meeting on May 18, 2021. Orders of Conditions 50 (51)Dunham Road, DEP File 45-1328 Buchsbaum reads the suggested conditions. The Commission recalls discussion from the May 18, 2021 meeting regarding the bridge replacement detail, limiting mowing in select areas, and trail signage. Herbster moves to issue an Order of Conditions under the MA Wetland Protection Act and Beverly Wetland Protection Ordinance as discussed, including the standard general and perpetual conditions. Seconded by Squibb. Bertoni takes a roll-call vote. The motion carries 5-0. 37 Paine Avenue, DEP File#5-1331 Buchsbaum reads the suggested conditions. The Commission discusses the conditions and recalls the discussion from the May 18, 2021 meeting including mechanical removal of Japanese knotweed. Herbster moves to issue an Order of Conditions under the MA Wetland Protection Act and Beverly Wetland Protection Ordinance as discussed, including the standard general and perpetual conditions. Seconded by Squibb. Bertoni takes a roll-call vote. The motion carries 5-0. 28 Fosters Point, DEP File 95-1330 Buchsbaum reads the suggested conditions. The Commission discusses the conditions and recalls discussion from the May 18, 2021 meeting, including the retiring of the boat ramp and addition of salt marsh plantings. Buchsbaum moves to issue an Order of Conditions under the MA Beverly Conservation Commission May 24, 2021 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3 Wetland Protection Act and Beverly Wetland Protection Ordinance as discussed, including the standard general and perpetual conditions. Seconded by Alden-St. Pierre. Bertoni takes a roll-call vote. The motion carries 5-0. 246R Dodge Street, DEP File 45-1332 Buchsbaum reads the suggested conditions. The Commission recalls the discussion from May 18, 2021 including buffer area plantings. Herbster moves to issue an Order of Conditions under the Wetland Protection Act and Beverly Wetlands Protection Ordinance as discussed, including the standard general and perpetual conditions. Seconded by Alden-St. Pierre. Bertoni takes a roll- call vote. The motion carries 5-0. Determination of Applicability Conditions 100 Sohier Road, Kearsarge Beverly Bertoni reads the suggested conditions. The Commission discusses the requirement of pre- and post- construction site inspections. Andrea Kendall of LEC Environmental clarifies that there are erosion controls shown around the concrete platform and notes that the battery storage area cannot be relocated entirely outside of the buffer. Alden-St. Pierre moves to issue a Negative 2 and 3 Determination under the Act and Ordinance. Seconded by Buchsbaum. Bertoni takes a roll-call vote. The motion carries 5-0. Old/New/Other Business Minor Project Permits,If Any 70 County Way Extension Pirrotta explains the project under the Minor Project Permit for work on the existing house with no change to the footprint in the 100-Foot Buffer to Bordering Vegetated Wetlands. The Commission has no objections. 22 Hobart Avenue Pirrotta explains the project under the Minor Project Permit to replace an existing shed which is located within 200-Foot Riverfront Area. The Commission has no objections. 16 Middlebury Lane Pirrotta explains the project under the Minor Project Permit for the replacement of the front porch within the 100-Foot Buffer to Bordering Vegetated Wetlands. There will be no expansion and all debris to be removed offsite. The Commission has no objections. 4 Whitaker Way Pirrotta explains the project under the Minor Project Permit for the replacement of the front landing within the 200-Foot Riverfront Area, with all debris to be removed offsite. The Commission has no objections. Beverly Conservation Commission May 24, 2021 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3 New: Draft Geocaching Policy Pirrotta explains the proposed Geocaching Policy, as drafted by the Planning Department. This would be used by applicants proposing Geocache locations at different sites on City property. The policy would create a system for City review of individual applications that meet the Geocaching guidelines. Grandoni joins the meeting at 6:15 p.m. Pirrotta notes that the Conservation Commission would be responsible for overall approval for sites that are under care and custody of the Conservation Commission; City Council and Parks and Recreation would provide a similar review for those City properties under their purview. The Commission offers no substantive critiques and Pirrotta states that she will update the Commission when there is more concrete action taken on this policy discussion. Scheduling Discussion The Commission discusses the best way to approach future meetings to reduce meeting length. The options to meet twice monthly or have an optional continuation date are discussed. The Commission decided to have a stated 10:00 p.m. end time or else continued to next meeting, to give time for discussion of the Orders of Conditions. If the agenda is full, applicants would be requested to complete the 21-day waiver, or the Commission may need to open the hearing/meeting topic and continue without discussion. Pirrotta will coordinate with Bertoni and Buchsbaum on the next application filing deadline. Cont.: Waring School soccer field encroachment The Commission debriefs on the outcome of the meeting with the Waring School and the requirement for a unanimous vote of the Commission in order the City to proceed with the proposed land swap, under Article 97. Bertoni notes that this particular Commission was not unanimous. Discussion continued on the perceived value of the parcels subject to the swap, as well as the unique circumstances regarding the encroachment. Adiournment Buchsbaum moves to adjourn at 7:05 p.m. Seconded by Squibb. Bertoni takes a roll-call vote. The motion carries 6-0. The next regular meeting of the Conservation Commission is Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.