10_26_2021 Cons Com Minutes - final Beverly Conservation Commission
October 26, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Page 1 of 3
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION: Beverly Conservation Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: October 26, 2021
LOCATION: Virtual Meeting Access Only via Google Meet
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Christine Bertoni, Vice Chair Robert Buchsbaum,
David Alden-St. Pierre, William Squibb
MEMBERS ABSENT:
OTHERS PRESENT: Environmental Planner Jenna Pirrotta
RECORDER: Stacia Chamberlain
1. Chair Bertoni calls the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and reads the public notice regarding
holding meetings remotely due to Covid-19.
2. Recess for Public Hearings
Alden-St. Pierre moves to recess for public hearings. Seconded by Squibb. Bertoni takes a roll
call vote. The motion carries 3-0,with Buchsbaum abstaining due to technical problems.
3. Notice of Intent/Abbreviated Notices of Intent/Requests for Amended Orders of
Conditions
a. New: 37 Paine Avenue,No DEP File # as of posting—repair and maintenance of
seawall, retaining wall, steps, and patio with associated site work— Scott Patrowicz,
P.E.
Documents Reviewed: Notice of Intent application and site plans by Patrowicz Land
Development Engineering, dated October 12, 2021
This item is taken out of order since the applicant for the first item has not yet arrived.
Pirrotta reads the legal notice. The first applicant arrives and the Commission postpones the
hearing on this topic until after the next item.
b. Cont: 181 Elliott Street,No DEP File # as of posting—re-grade parking lot and
install two storm water inlet structures—Beverly Commerce Park, LLP
Documents Reviewed: Notice of Intent application and plans dated September 21, 2021 by
Cummings Properties, Stormwater letter by Hancock Associates dated September 22, 2021
Charlie Wear of Hancock Associates and Steve Drohosky,Vice President of Cummings
Properties, are present to discuss the proposed project. Drohosky itemizes progress made on
the requested information from the Commission during the previous hearing on October 5,
2021. Drohosky recaps the proposal and notes that comments on the project were provided in
an email to Pirrotta dated October 19, 2021 from Mike Collins, Beverly Department of
Services Commissioner. Pirrotta reads the email for the record. Drohosky adds that
Beverly Conservation Commission
October 26, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 3
comments were also provided by Eric Barber, Beverly City Engineer, dated October 5, 2021,
which Pirrotta also reads.
Bertoni solicits comments from Commission members. Buchsbaum asks about the size of the
pipes and water capacity. Drohosky clarifies that there would be two new pipes in the general
area that the City formerly proposed constructing a new drainage structure, one of which has
already been installed without approval. Drohosky asserts that ultimately the water will still
go to the same place into Shoe Pond, so there will be no increase in runoff. Squibb asks about
grading; Drohosky clarifies that the grading in the parking lot will create a slight bowl to
direct water into the catch basins and to shed water away from the buildings and into the
pond. Drohosky adds that he hopes that Mass DEP will provide comments soon so that they
will be able close the hearing at the next meeting. Buchsbaum asks about pond sedimentation
and the need to remove it.
Lee Yaffa, 201 Elliott Street, asks about the volume of water flowing into Shoe Pond during
a storm. He is concerned with the work on the culvert leading out to the Bass River.
Drohosky confirms that this proposal does not affect the outlet to the Bass River and that the
previously proposed work in that area by the City is no longer going forward. Drohosky
confirms that the volume of water entering Shoe Pond will be the same.
Reuel Liebert, 201 Elliott Street, comments that he believes the quantity of water that Shoe
Pond can hold has decreased over time. He refers to the letter from the City Engineer,
recommending a consultant to be hired to look at the overall stormwater management and
asks if one has been hired. Drohosky replies that they were not asked to hire a consultant to
analyze the entire watershed. He adds that Cummings Properties has requested the City to
clean the culvert to reduce sedimentation and that the City is aware of the request. Yaffa asks
who owns the two ponds and Drohosky clarifies they are not owned by the City. Yaffa asks if
Cummings Properties would dredge the pond; Drohosky answers that they would like the
City to dredge it. Drohosky solicits the Commission to do anything further to acquire a DEP
filing number and comments from DEP.
At this time,there are several technical problems due to a tropical storm. Pirrotta has dropped
out of the meeting.
Squibb moves to continue the hearing to the next meeting on November 16, 2021. Seconded
by Buchsbaum. Bertoni takes a roll call vote. The motion carries 4-0.
a. New: 37 Paine Avenue,No DEP File # as of posting—repair and maintenance
of seawall, retaining wall, steps, and patio with associated site work— Scott
Patrowicz, P.E.
The Commission resumes discussion on this item from earlier on the agenda. Scott Patrowicz
of Patrowicz Development and Engineering representing the applicant discusses the proposed
project including and describes the repair of the seawall and maintenance of the existing
retaining wall, steps, and patio. Patrowicz notes that Collins Engineering will be overseeing
Beverly Conservation Commission
October 26, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 3
the seawall repair work. Bertoni asks if the seawall repair would provide habitat
improvement. Bertoni notes that the Commission no longer has a quorum due to technical
issues from the storm and the meeting cannot continue. She continues this hearing to the next
meeting on November 16, 2021.
4. Adiournment
Bertoni adjourns the meeting at 7:55 p.m. as there is no longer a quorum of the Commission in
attendance due to technical issues from the storm.
The next regular meeting of the Conservation Commission will be held on Tuesday,November 16,
2021.