OSRC minutes_ 07.06 CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD: Open Space and Recreation Committee
SUBCOMMITTEE: None
LOCATION: City Hall; Council Chambers
DATE: July 6, 2022
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: David Alden-St. Pierre (Chair), David Brewster(Vice Chair),
Elizabeth Dunne, Gregory Sharp, Marilyn McCrory,Wayne
Miller, Charlie Mann,Alison Dudley,Todd Callaghan,James
Passanisi, Robin DiDinato
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Victoria Healey,Associate Planner
OTHERS PRESENT: Mario Tricone (public member from ward 4)
RECORDER: Sharlyne Woodbury
1. Call to Order
Alden chairs and opens the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Note, a this is a hybrid of virtual and in-person meetings allowed by extension (Act effective June 16,
2021 thru July 15, 2022) of state Executive Order signed March 12, 2020 due to COVID-19.
2. Eagle Scout project(s) presentations/updates
Ryan Trabulsi presents to the Committee his Eagle Scout project ideas. His ideas include but are not
limited to trail updates and additional kiosks along trails. Alden recalls other eagle scout projects to
which he and Healey suggest joining with other eagle scouts in order to tackle the large trail areas.
Mann asks Trabulsi if he would coordinate a group to complete the project as part of the scout
requirements. Members discuss which trails require the most maintenance and upkeep. Healey will
coordinate and with Trabulsi for project suggestions and trail needs per the committee.
Sidebar: Miller suggest shutting down a few trails that are safety hazards due to overuse. Mann asked if
members saw the group email to walk the Beverly Commons and see where maintenance is necessary.
Healey will coordinate with the main people determine a date and time for the walk. Once settled,the
rest of the committee will receive notification and attend if their schedules permit.
3. Recommend Robin DiDinato as the Parks&Recreation Committee representative for OSRC
Motion: Mann moves to recommend DiDinato as the Parks & Rec representative to the Open
Space & Recreation Committee. Callaghan seconds.The motion carries 9-0.
4. Open Space and Recreation Plan
a. ADA self eval update
Healey provides the updates and confirms Doig responded to the evaluations and they are complete.
Healey confirms the OSRC members completed their assignments in full. Healey anticipates Doig
scanning and sending the documents to her.
b. Draft review
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Members overall agree the draft looks good with the exception of typos in Chapter 10. Mann will send a
copy of his edits. Healey and members explain those are public comment and will be left as is per the
original survey responses. Healey confirms comments are recorded verbatim. Healey asks if members
reviewed and approved on the trails map. Members discuss small particulars of legend references at
Foster and Standley Street. Discussion resumes on the Garden City trail map and the Bass River Estates,
which currently displays 40 acres. Mann noted the Hannah School acres labeled incorrectly on the map.
Healey asks members if the dinghy storage on Foster's Point has a discrepancy with public vs private.
Mann confirms there are more dinghy storage by Shortell Ave, and Jenna Pirrotta sent email
notifications of dinghy removal by the end of the month. Callaghan informed members of updated
signage in the area.The wetlands are affected which is why HMA determined removal of other boats
like dinghy's due to illegal dumping and encroachment into the wetlands. Ownership in question over
the parcel at the end of Elizabeth Ave and Foster point. Members will email Healey with specific
comments and edits for the maps, legends, and chapters. Healey will incorporate those changes and
suggestions for the comments as members submit them. McCrory ask for a deadline and Healey
suggests end of week July 15, 2022.
Sidebar: Brewster asks if there is any consensus on the bog bridges. Members discuss the Conservation
Commission (ConsCom) review process for different projects. Looking to streamline small projects in
order to keep movement without blocking the system and holding projects up. Alden explains the idea
behind having a criterion for small projects to meet and receive approval for project completion. As an
example, notice wet spots where bog bridges could be built.Those are good projects; they will not
negatively impact wetlands. Miller notes some of those roads are fire roads and cannot block the road.
5. Next Steps
a. Sally Milligan
Healey provides the updates. Submitted the grant request for bridge and confirms the MassTrails grant
request was not approved. Next step is an RDA for the bridge to go before the ConsCom.
b. Norwood Pond
Healey provides the updates and discusses next steps. Moving forward includes reaching out to different
agencies to complete a survey. Healey confirms there is an NOI for a team to work project management
within Norwood Pond. Mann confirms that NOI is not for the bridge.The NOI is applicable to the silting.
Next steps for the bridge involve the trail easement across NSMT property. Mann volunteers to get
pricing. Mann discusses pricing options with the members. If the price is below a certain amount they do
not have to seek multiple proposals. Mann asks if the budget is approved for spending. Alden informs
the members Wynn confirmed the money is here. In order to be operable, it has to be accepted.
c. Other business
Alden inquires with Healey any updates on the trail easements for Endicott College. Is there going to be
parking for the Greenwood trail areas? No detail provided. Alden summarized from an article in the local
paper. Members bring up parking issues in other areas such as Webster Ave, the new Mission
Boathouse, Greenbelt trails, etc. Miller suggests to find out what the council decided on the issues for
Greenbelt parking not on the Waring side and Webster Ave.
Members discuss shuttle option for the new Mission Boathouse. Miller confirmed the owner will provide
a shuttle for parking. Miller inquires if the lobsterman will pay for parking. Historically they have not
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been required to as. Parking concerns increase with excess parking needs flowing over into the base of
the Beverly Bridge.There is limited availability. Miller compares the lobsterman to farmers on Cabot
Street who pay rent and do not have access to parking. Healey suggests this committee should express
concerns about parking and public transportation for the downtown area.This should be included on
the September agenda. Mann suggests the consensus would be to advocate for areas that need more
parking or access. Healey suggests this could be a special committee meeting. Per public comments from
the survey, more parking needed at JC Phillips. Alden wonders if once Moraine Farm open to the public
if that will reduce some of the burden. Mann comments, not unless the public come in through the
farm.The community garden once relocated to Moraine Farm will be tightly regulated for parking.
Healey asks members to please review chapters 3 and 4. Discussion on how to integrate the Greenbelt
maps; prioritize; and add to the index.
i. Simon Street
Dudley asks for any Simon Street updates. Mann notes the CR was voted and accepted for 2 parcels.
Parks & Recreation is taking ownership to build a small playground on one parcel.The other parcel will
have benches and more grass open space. It is still in draft process, with funding to be reviewed, as well
as a draft need for ConsCom. Healey gives additional updates. All Parks & Rec grants applied for
approved except one.
ii. Eagle Scout(Sebastian Brouillette,Troop 4)
Alden provides the updates. He still has not received a formal proposal from Brouillette for his eagle
scout project. Alden will keep the committee updated.The trails and blazing needs a letter from the
OSCR supporting the project, not granting permission.Alden inquires if Brouillette needs a separate
letter by Greenbelt for those trails. Members agree providing a letter of support to Brouillette is
acceptable to satisfy his Eagle Scout requirement.
iii. Greens Hill
Mann provides the updates. Informs members the fence, kiosk, and gate are installed.The money is
spent with materials still being constructed. Mann estimates project completion by fall. Members
discuss a potential grand-opening.
iv. HMA
Callaghan provides the updates. Additional blue wayfinding signs recently installed at the end of
Bayview; behind McDonald's on Elliot Street; and Mingo Beach to name a few. Members review other
areas where the public would like more access along the Bass River. Callaghan discusses the lights
behind the McPherson softball field with Miller suggesting solar installs. Callaghan concludes with letting
members know there are addition kayak racks to be installed at Dane Street, Lynch Park and
Pleasantview.
V. CPC
McCrory confirms no updates at this time.
vi. Planning Board
Miller confirms no updates at this time.
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Sidebar:
Members discuss the recent ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) in the 2022 case
of West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency(consolidated with Westmoreland Mining Holdings
LLC v. Environmental Protection Agency,North American Coal Corp. v. Environmental Protection Agency,
and North Dakota v. Environmental Protection Agency).
Holding: Congress did not grant the Environmental Protection Agency in Section 111(d) of the Clean Air
Act the authority to devise emissions caps based on the generation shifting approach the agency took in
the Clean Power Plan.
Judgment: Reversed and remanded, 6-3, in an opinion by Chief Justice Roberts on June 30, 2022.Justice
Gorsuch filed a concurring opinion, in which Justice Alito joined.Justice Kagan filed a dissenting opinion,
in which Justices Breyer and Sotomayor joined.
Members are concurrently dismayed by the ruling. Methane pollution increased in the US. On a positive
note, the offshore MA wind energy turbines are estimated to generate 70%of energy by the year 2050.
6. Approval of Meeting Minutes
a. February 2,2022
Callaghan moves to approve minutes with edits by McCrory. Mann seconds.The motion carries 9-0.
b. March 2,2022
Callaghan moves to approve minutes with edits by McCrory. McCrory seconds.The motion carries 9-0.
c. April 6,2022
McCrory moves to approve minutes with edits by members. Callaghan seconds.The motion carries 9-0.
d. May 4,2022
To be reviewed at the September meeting.
e. June 1,2022
To be reviewed at the September meeting.
Recap:Task list for Healey:
1. Coordinate a date and time for trail walk on the Beverly Commons with key members.
2. Add to the agenda a section on parking.
a. Members would like to continue the conversation for drafting a letter regarding
transportation and open space partnerships with the focus on parking and bike access.
b. Members suggest to inventory the situation, survey the areas, create a spreadsheet or
listing, and offer solutions to the parking issues.
3. Ask Pirrotta about the MH trails grant funding status.
4. Updated info on Simon Street and funding.
5. Look into progress on Endicott easement. Liability is the main concern holding the project.
6. Updates on NSMT trail easement and next steps (is funding available, access,what is the
process, etc.). Mann notes Hanney gave permission for the trail.
7. Feb/Mar/April update the minutes with edits. Subcommittee May minutes to be added.
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8. Members ask the September agenda include the Bass River trail behind Starbucks on Elliott
Street. A member of the public made an inquiry to one of the committee members regarding
the trail. Callaghan suggests connecting him with Todd Rotondo.
9. Callaghan raises the issue to address the blinking lights on McPherson at the softball field.
10. Update on Norwood trail easement.
Sidebar:
Alden raises two additional conversation points. First,the process is stalled for a "global" notice of
intent to approve trail work through the Conservation Commission.Alden will try to follow up with Carol
Lloyd, Director of trail management at MTA(Mass Trail Association)to find out the status of the trail
process. Secondly, inquires what the BPD jurisdiction covers. Recent paint ball activity in the woods
along Norwood Pond left a mess. Alden reported the issue and BPD response was lackluster and
dismissive. BPD confirmed they do not go into the woods. Healey will follow up to confirm their
jurisdiction and investigative obligations.
Miller inquires who has Congress Street ownership, it was supposed to be a condition in the approved
plan by the Planning Board. If the CO (Certificate of Occupancy)was issued without it,that's an issue.
The condition merits review to ensure proper enforcement.
7. Adiourn
Motion: Callaghan moves to adjourn. Dudley seconds.The motion carries 9-0.
Meeting adjourned 9:05 p.m.
Next Meeting: September 7,2022 at 7:00 p.m.