OSRC minutes_ 03.02.22 CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD: Open Space and Recreation Committee
SUBCOMMITTEE: None
LOCATION: City Hall Council Chambers
DATE: March 2, 2022
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: David Alden-St. Pierre (Chair), David Brewster(Vice
Chair), Elizabeth Dunne, Gregory Sharp, Marilyn
McCrory, Alison Dudley
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Charlie Mann, Todd Callaghan, Wayne Miller
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Chelsea Zakas,Associate Planner
OTHERS PRESENT: Steven Crowley, Ward 3 Councilor
RECORDER: Sharlyne Woodbury
1. Call to Order
Alden chairs and opens the meeting at 7:02 p.m.
Note, a this is a hybrid of virtual and in-person meetings allowed by extension (Act effective
June 16, 2021 thru April 1, 2022) of state Executive Order signed March 12, 2020 due to
COVID-19.
2. Open Space and Recreation Plan Public Forum 7:00 PM—8:30 PM
a. Presentation by Chelsea Zakas
Zakas reviews the Action Plan, explains it is in draft format. Zakas discusses the survey results in
conjunction with the action plan data, goals, and objectives. This is an interactive public
presentation. Zakas invites the public to walk through the chambers,review action items on
poster board, and use color coded stickers to coordinate with their preferences in areas of
interest: most important—not important. Per the boards, the public overwhelmingly support Goal
B objective and initiatives. Pickleball remains a public favorite. Zakas reviews next steps in the
process for the draft action plan. The goal is to develop a final 7-year Action Plan based on
community feedback and PlanBeverly Data. McCrory invites the public to look at their
neighborhood, if you see opportunities to write them down and contact their ward councilors or
contact Zakas for these potential open spaces.
b. Members of the Public Opportunity to reflect on the the OSRC Plan
Caroline Mason Baird, 583 Hale Street
Addresses goal A. Specific concerns are the overbuilding on the diminishing open spaces. It's an
assault on the environment and a disservice to those who do not have access to open spaces.
Urges the committee to acquire a greater set back to the Bass River waterfront than is currently
projected on the drawing board.
Steven Crowley, Ward 3 Councilor
Reviews Gloucester Crossing and appreciates the committee work done to preserve,protect and
acquire pocket parks for areas of socio-economic disadvantage. Ward 3 has the least amount of
Open Space&Recreation Committee
March 2,2022 Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 4
open space for the residents per capita compared to other wards typical of single home/resident
dwellings. Ward 3 is comprised of multi-family residences and apartments.
Rebecca Ballantine, 23 Mill Street
Live in YMCA housing. She is happy to be here and contribute to the meeting. As a resident she
is excited by the Simon Street pocket park. Expresses concerns with the children and their
limited open space opportunities they have. Would like to see increased awareness of public
meetings. Would like awareness for the children with special needs who frequent inner city
parks. Speaks to the park maintenance and equipment. Mulch is harmful to children, swings
could be updated and made safer. Emphasizes lack of communication to understand what the city
can do to support these efforts. Feels residents are sitting in idle with concerns heard, and no
action taken.
Dean Berg, 45 Neptune Street
Resident of Ward 4. Excited to see actions related to community gardens and urban agriculture.
Representing Green Beverly. Discusses urban sustainability, reviews carbon footprint. Advocates
for locally grown food.
3. Convene for regular meeting 8:05 PM—9:00 PM
4. Members of the Public Opportunity to Address the Committee
a. Tess McColgan,Beverly Council on Aging,Walk in the Woods program
Not available for tonight's meeting.
5. Approval of Meeting Minutes
a. January 5,2022
Motion: Brewster moves to accept the minutes as amended. Sharp seconds. the motion carries
6-0.
b. February 2,2022
To be reviewed at the April 2022 meeting.
6. Discuss Principal Items of Business
a. Community Preservation Committee—Representative Report
McCrory provides the updates. The application for Simon Street parks was approved and will go
to the city council meeting March 7, 2022.
b. Planning Board—Representative Report
No updates at this time. Members will discuss at the next meeting.
c. Harbor Management Authority Updates—Representative Report
No updates at this time. Members will discuss at the next meeting.
d. Conservation Commission—Representative Report
Open Space&Recreation Committee
March 2,2022 Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 4
Alden provides the updates. Most notably he will be resigning his position by the end of April
2022.
e. Encroachment Updates
No updates at this time. Members will discuss at the next meeting.
f. Parcel Updates —additional details outlined in Zakas' staff report.
i. Green Street update
27 X— There are no updates at this time. DPW will install sign and kiosks and fencing in the
spring.
27A —There are no updates at this time.
ii. Bass River Overlay District
Members were not able to attend the meeting March 1, 2022. Dudley noted that friends of hers
attended the meeting. She discusses where the public has deep concerns. The Ryal Side Civic
Association is very concerned about the over development of the district. Zakas confirms 10%is
largely over shot. There are 7 large parcels the city wants to develop from the bowling mat to
National Grid. The only way to acquire more open space is if a land owner generously donates
the open space. Zakas notes Ch 91 would be the trigger to get more open space. Where a
percentage of the lot has to be water use or open space. The only way to trigger Ch 91 is
redevelopment. The carwash is not going away. Zakas confirms the way the parcels are divvied
up depends on how much open space preserved. The larger the parcel, the larger the open space
preservation requirement. Per Zakas the city is in favor of a plan that keeps the parcels large to
preserve more open space. Brewster noted the support for Sedna apartments and the small pocket
park with a little path for waterfront access. OSRC wrote a letter in support.
Alden discusses the need for housing and all the elements that come with it. Increased inner city
residences does not necessarily decrease the carbon footprint. Simply because these dwellings
are located next to public transportation does not mitigate the use for personal vehicles. Even if it
did,there are other services residents use, such as Amazon for deliveries, that maintain or
possibly increase carbon footprint. If residents use public transportation, there is likelihood the
offset of alternative means to have goods and services delivered increases traffic congestion and
the carbon footprint.
iii. Congress Street—"Pocket Park"
There are no updates at this time. Alden requests this be removed until the project is no longer
stalled.
iv. Gloucester Crossing
Simon Street—mentioned under"CPC representative report."
V. Norwood Pond update (NSMT)
Open Space&Recreation Committee
March 2,2022 Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 4
Alden provides the updates. He met with Bill Haney, confirming the One Norwood Pond bridge
built will connect the trails. They are waiting for money from Cummings to build another bridge
and to fund survey work. Proposals from different surveyors are currently under consideration.
vi. Endicott College trails
Zakas provides the updates. The most recent meeting included the Mayor, Darlene Wynn, Jenna
Pirrotta and Wayne Miller. They identified the trail easements. A map was created and provided
to the Endicott Board of Trustees. Zakas will follow up for status. Alden asked Zakas to share
the map.
vii. Pole Swamp Lane
There are no updates at this time. Zakas notes this parcel in addition to others require another
meeting with the mayor due to time lapse. Alden suggests creating a list of alternative parcels
and projects that seem to be stalled. Do not want to lose site of these interests and issue.
i. Moraine Farm
There are no updates at this time. Alden will reach out to Jared Pinciaro for an update.
Let ward councilors know about the parcels in their ward. On encroachments.
Wood lane. Zakas and Pirrotta site visit in fall 2021. DPS supposed to install public lane.
Member would like to know where this is at. Parked cars with photo demonstrated private land
owners encroaching on the public lane.
7. Trails & Open Space Discussion
a. Trail Safety& Trail Guidance
There are no updates at this time.
b. New trail at Sally Milligan
There are no updates at this time.
8. Other Business
a. MassTrails Grant Funding
Zakas informs members they will hear back and wait for June on the grant application.
b. NOI for trail work—Discussion on next steps
Zakas will coordinate with Pirrotta for updates. Zakas discusses Topsfield's attempt at creating
an NOI for trail work. Zakas explains Topsfield's process and methodology. They went through
the process to cover city wide trail maintenance,rebuilding small bridges and water crossings.
The Topsfield conservation commission approved. The state application was denied from the
DEP. Department of Environmental Divisions. DEP said separate NOIs should be filed . Dunne
suggests maybe get authorization for trail maintenance. Zakas will see if she can locate a state
repository to find Weston and compare to Topsfield.
c. Preston Place Lot
Open Space&Recreation Committee
March 2,2022 Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 4
The owner would like to sell it to the city. The city may not want to purchase since the area is not
buildable. It is landlocked. It was suggested to donate to the city. Brewster notes acquiring the lot
protects from an abutter purchasing the property and building on it, thereby limiting public
access. Alden believes the land should be protected because it abuts the Manchester border and
Beverly city property. Surrounded by certain number of sides.
Side bar:
Alden asks about the follow up from Parks and Rec with the ADA survey. Zakas will follow up
on that.
McCrory asks about the New England"cottontail" and Chapter 4 wildlife preservation. McCrory
will find additional info. Zakas notes part of the next steps will be divvying up the plan for
further review.
9. Adjournment
McCrory moves to adjourn the meeting at 8:54 p.m. Dunne seconds. The motion carries 6-0.
Next Meeting: April 6, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.