OSRC minutes_ 11.02 CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD: Open Space and Recreation Committee
SUBCOMMITTEE: None
LOCATION: Beverly City Hall, Conference Room A
DATE: November 2, 2022
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: David Alden-St. Pierre (Chair), David Brewster(Vice Chair),
Elizabeth Dunne, Gregory Sharp, Marilyn McCrory, Charlie
Mann,James Passanisi
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Wayne Miller; Todd Callaghan; Robin DiDonato
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Victoria Healey, Staff Planner
OTHERS PRESENT: Mario Tricone, Ryan Whiting
RECORDER: Sharlyne Woodbury
1. Call to Order
Chair Alden-St. Pierre opens the meeting at 7:05 p.m.
2. Discuss Principal Items of Business
a. Community Preservation Committee— Representative Report
McCrory provides the updates. Healey notes there are applications for improvements at Gillis
Park (the stairs); pickleball courts; the Larcom Theatre; and the Community Garden at Lindsey
Park in Ryal Side to name a few. Healey confirms there are 8 applications. McCrory notes the
pre-applications are in. CPC will review and invite to submit for full applications after the review
process. Information available online for applications.
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
No updates at this time. Healey informs members there is a new candidate for ConsCom agent.
Sidebar:
Healey notes the updates for Sally Milligan and 43 Wood Lane are with the solicitor's office.
3. Sally Milligan Bridge RDA
Healey provides the updates. There are slight adjustments to the original trail proposal.
Sidebar:
Open Space&Recreation Committee
November 2,2022 Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 3
Healey confirms with members there is explicit language on the kiosk at the beginning which
clearly states there is no hunting permitted on the premises. No hunting, no projectiles because
it is city land. Members discuss the nuances of public law on public land. Mann notes on federal
land hunting cannot be prohibited, dates back to colonial law. Dunne suggests having the city
post signs in the fall reinforcing no hunting. The bow hunters build stands in Norwood.
Members feel the hunting on city land is egregious. Passanisi asks about the rules regarding
trail maintenance to clear fallen trees from trails.
Continued:
Alden-St. Pierre asks members if they want to proceed with the RDA for the bridge and the
grant. They discuss the bridge and the ADA design. Mann would like to be part of the discussion
at ConsCom since the approval process has been difficult for projects. Mann will get
measurements for the drop and span. It is ideal if the bridge can be constructed in a
straightforward design without handrails. Members discuss the design concept, structure,
anchors, and level of the bridge.
4. Eagle Scout Updates
a. Ryan Whiting
Ryan Whiting updates the committee with his Eagle Scout project. Whiting provides photos for
trail areas he will clean up. Specifically, a big project at the summit of Folly Hill, there's a large
ruin where once stood a home of historical significance. Ruins are from the William and Robert
Phillips house. There is graffiti all over. Whiting proposes to clear out some of the trails, pick up
trash, integrate trail signs, add visibility to the ruins and a sign for the ruins; plus
refurbish/repair the Frederick L. Olmstead cabinet of trail history. Whiting also proposed
anaming convention for JC Phillips trails in similar fashion to Long Hill trails. Members suggest
prioritizing trail signage (directionals for Folly Hill; Moraine Farm; etc.) cabinet repair and ruins
clean up. Alden-St. Pierre provides Whiting with contacts to follow up with at Trustees and to
McKeown School.
Alden-St. Pierre provides the updates on other eagle scout projects. Ryan Trabulsi completed
trail blazing project the last weekend in October. The lime green trail is well blazed per Dunne.
Trabulsi will complete his project portion on the blue trail first weekend in November.
Tricone asks about process for trail clean up. Would like to have a project for his scouts to work
on trail maintenance in the spring. Tricone clarifies when it is appropriate to go before
ConsCom with scout trail cleanup projects.
S. Discussion: Parking concerns for open space and recreation access
Members continue discussion on parking concerns at popular city areas.
6. Approval of Minutes
a. September 7, 2022
To be reviewed at the December meeting.
Open Space&Recreation Committee
November 2,2022 Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 3
7. Other business
a. 43 Wood Lane
Healey provides updates. Healey submitted a letter to the city solicitor's office for
encroachment. The unpaved cinder road leading to the homeowner's driveway does not belong
to their property. It was assessed by city engineering department. Bald Hill is a public trail from
Centerville to Wood Lane. The homeowner has an illegal "private property" sign and a "loose
dogs" sign to deter public access and use of the trail. McCrory suggests also sending a letter to
the Ward 6 Councilor Matt St. Hilaire advising of encroachment.
b. Cove School trail to Whitehall Circle
Healey had a member of the public question the trail. Dunne and Mann provide a brief history
on the property. Healey will research additional information regarding the trail.
c. New schedule
Members decide the 2023 schedule will remain the same, first Wednesdays of the month; 7-9
pm.
d. Norwood Trail
Alden-St. Pierre provides the updates. NSMT may want to do a development in the area. Alden-
St. Pierre is positive the small bridge should still go through. Cummings has already funded the
bridge. The hold is temporary until development plans by NSMT is determined.
Side bar:
Members briefly discuss the Bass River overlay project and trail connectivity from Green Street.
Dudley inquires about absence of the Parks and Rec representative. Healey will follow up to see
if she's receiving meeting notifications.
8. Adjourn
Motion: Alden-St. Pierre moves to adjourn. Brewster seconds. The motion carries 7-0.
Meeting adjourned 8:33 p.m.
Next Meeting: December 7, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.