5_24_21 Con Com Minutes - final Beverly Conservation Commission
May 24, 2021 Meeting Minutes
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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
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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
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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.