09_27_2021 Cons Com Minutes - final Beverly Conservation Commission *Special Meeting*
September 27, 2021 Meeting Minutes
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CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION: Beverly Conservation Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: September 27, 2021
LOCATION: Remote Meeting held via Google Meet
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Christine Bertoni, Vice Chair Robert Buchsbaum,
David Alden-St. Pierre
MEMBERS ABSENT: William Squibb
OTHERS PRESENT: Environmental Planner Jenna Pirrotta
RECORDER: Stacia Chamberlain
I. Chair Bertoni calls the special meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
2. Old/New/Other Business
a. Tree Removal Protocol Update
Pirrotta recaps the Commission's earlier comments to update the Hazard Tree Removal
protocol and describes the changes she reflected in the current draft. The Commission
reviews and discusses the changes. Bertoni agrees with allowing administrative approval for
tree removal in Riverfront Area. She requests clarification on when applicants need approval
from the Commission and when administrative approval is appropriate. Pirrotta clarifies that
the Commission previously discussed having applicants file an RDA if they are applying to
remove more than four trees. The Commission discusses the standard conditions of removal.
Buchsbaum suggests the language be clarified and that the removal of five or more trees
should require an RDA.
Alden-St. Pierre moves to update the hazard tree removal protocol, as discussed. Seconded
by Buchsbaum. The motion passes 3-0.
b. Minor Project Permits, If Any
Pirrotta reports she issued a Minor Project Permit for the replacement of existing deck at 88
Boyles Street. The work is partially within the 100-Foot Buffer to Bordering Vegetated
Wetlands. The work would be within the footprint of the existing deck and helical piles
would be used. The Commission reported no objections.
c. Cont.: Sally Milligan potential trail
Nathan Currie and Alden— St. Pierre recap the new trail proposal and Commission's site
walk last fall. Buchsbaum and Dave Brewster, a member of the Open Space and Recreation
Committee, performed a bird inventory in June 2021. Currie solicits questions from the
Commission on the proposal, in light of the results of the inventory. Buchsbaum asks for
details on how the trail will be built. Currie expects that there will be volunteers from the
public along with Open Space and Recreation Committee oversight, following the
description in the trail proposal. Alden-St. Pierre describes the general trail construction
including raking and pruning. He summarizes the past Commission questions about wildlife
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September 27, 2021 Meeting Minutes
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disturbance and notes that through his work with the Open Space and Recreation Committee,
he has compiled trail building best practices, which would be implemented here, including
keeping a natural surface and using hand tools. He says that there is an Eagle Scout candidate
that may help build the trail. Buchsbaum speaks to wildlife species at the park and states that
there is no information indicating that rare species use the habitats there, but that he is
concerned that building this trail would potentially encourage users to make additional,
branching trails. Alden-St. Pierre recognizes Buchsbaum's concerns, and notes this is a
widely held concern as to how to keep people on designated trails. Currie says that a
potential mitigation strategy is to have signage and also frequent monitoring to control or
remove the beginnings of any unapproved trails. Alden— St. Pierre confirms he is a frequent
trail user and has been coordinating with other members of the public at Open Space
Properties to stop building rogue trails or features. Bertoni agrees that signage can help but is
concerned that additional trails may encourage people to inappropriately use the public
space. The Commission discusses trail maintenance best practices and reviews the bullet
points in the presentation. Bertoni clarifies whether this is the request for approval of the trail
construction. Commission members discuss how to proceed and whether the trail proposal
and application require an RDA for the bridge in the application.
Buchsbaum moves to approve the construction of the trail as outlined, with the understanding
that an RDA will be filed for the stream crossing. Seconded by Alden-St. Pierre. The motion
passes 3-0.
d. Cont.: Beverly Airport— update on Vegetation Management Program —Airport
Solutions Group
No updates.
e. New: SESD maintenance notification
Pirrotta describes a notification letter submitted to the Commission on August 30, 2021,
regarding maintenance of the sewer pump station at 135 Water Street. Southern Essex
Sewerage District is proposing to remove several dead trees at the facility and the work is
exempt under the Beverly Wetlands Protection Ordinance and the Wetlands Protection Act.
The Commission reports no objections.
f. Expenditure Approvals,If Any
Buchsbaum moves to approve the expenditure of$38.50 to the Commission administrator for
mileage for the months of July and August 2021. Seconded by Alden-St. Pierre. The motion
passes 3-0.
Pirrotta reports the Commission received a request from Greenbelt for$100 for their annual
fund solicitation. Buchsbaum and Bertoni raise concern with this request, noting that the
Commission just renewed the annual membership. The Commission takes no action.
3. Orders of Conditions,If Any
a. 37 Paine Avenue,DEP File#5-1345 —relocate pool and decking, install garage and
water quality swale, and associated site work and landscaping— Scott Patrowicz,P.E.
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The Commission revisits their notes and discusses the proposed conditions. Buchsbaum
moves to issue an Order of Conditions for the project, with the special conditions as
discussed, along with the standard general and perpetual conditions, under the MA Wetlands
Protection Act and Beverly Wetlands Protection Ordinance. Seconded by Alden-St. Pierre.
The motion passes 3-0.
b. 29 Ober Street,DEP File #5-1308—request to amend Order of Conditions—Rebecca
Lawniczak
The Commission recaps the project and discusses the proposed conditions. Buchsbaum
moves to issue an Order of Conditions for the project, with the special conditions as
discussed, along with the standard general and perpetual conditions,under the MA Wetlands
Protection Act and Beverly Wetlands Protection Ordinance. Seconded by Alden-St. Pierre.
The motion passes 3-0.
c. 1025 Hale Street,DEP File#5-1344— construct an addition to an existing house—
Donald Sohn
The Commission recaps the project and discusses the proposed conditions. Alden-St. Pierre
moves to issue an Order of Conditions for the project, with the special conditions as
discussed, along with the standard general and perpetual conditions,under the MA Wetlands
Protection Act and Beverly Wetlands Protection Ordinance. Seconded by Buchsbaum. The
motion passes 3-0.
4. Approval of Minutes (as available)
a. August 3,2021
The Commission reviews the draft minutes and offers edits. Alden— St. Pierre moves to
approve the August 3, 2021 minutes with the revisions as discussed. Seconded by
Buchsbaum. The motion carries 3-0.
b. August 24,2021
The Commission reviews the draft minutes and offers edits. Alden— St. Pierre moves to
approve the August 24, 2021 minutes with the revisions as discussed. Seconded by
Buchsbaum. The motion carries 3-0.
5. Other: Discussion or Action Items Related to Commission Business,Correspondence,
etc. Received/Issued After Publication of Agenda,If Any
a. National Grid Maintenance Notification
Pirrotta updates the Commission on two maintenance notification letters received from
National Grid on September 24, 2021. One letter describes the need for localized excavation
to repair a damaged cable, and the other letter is for ground penetrating radar and test pit
excavation to inform future substation modifications. Best Management Practices would be
implemented and the site stabilized and returned to previous conditions. The Commission
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reports no objections and asks that Pirrotta thanks National Grid for their advance
notification.
b. Beach Maintenance
Buchsbaum brings up the topic of the cleaning of West Beach and whether this needs formal
approval. Bertoni discusses how the Town of Manchester has a beach maintenance program
and routinely clears up to the wrack line. Buchsbaum suggests that perhaps there are existing
guidelines on the topic, for example Mass Coastal Zone Management. Pirrotta volunteers to
post to the MACC discussion board for recommendations on how other communities handle
this.
c. Meeting In-Person or Remote
The Commission receives an update on what other City boards and committees are doing in
terms of remote or in-person meetings. Members decide to hold meetings remotely until
further notice, given the high rate of transmission of the coronavirus in Essex County.
6. Adiournment
Alden-St. Pierre moves to adjourn at 8:34 p.m. Seconded by Buchsbaum. The motion carries 3-0.
The next regular meeting of the Conservation Commission will be held remotely on Tuesday,
October 5,2021.