OSRC minutes_ 01.05 CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD: Open Space and Recreation Committee
SUBCOMMITTEE: None
LOCATION: Fogg Room, Beverly Library, 32 Essex Street
DATE: January 5, 2023
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: David Alden-St. Pierre (Chair), David Brewster(Vice Chair),
Todd Callaghan, Elizabeth Dunne, Charlie Mann,James
Passanisi
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Marilyn McCrory, Wayne Miller, Alison Dudley, Gregory
Sharp
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Victoria Healey, Staff Planner
OTHERS PRESENT:
RECORDER: Sharlyne Woodbury
1. Call to Order
Chair Alden-St. Pierre opens the meeting at 7:03 p.m.
2. Updates from other boards and commissions
a. Community Preservation Committee— Representative Report
No updates at this time. Members will discuss at the next meeting.
b. Planning Board— Representative Report
No updates at this time. Members will discuss at the next meeting.
c. Harbor Management Authority Updates— Representative Report
Callaghan provides the updates. Callaghan discusses the CPC pre application that was
submitted. HMA is investigating funding to preserve coastal maritime activities (knot-tying),
potentially recreating a vessel, incorporating bench swings, bike racks, and updated kiosks.
d. Conservation Commission— Representative Report
No updates at this time. The new candidate for ConsCom is tentative to start at the next
meeting.
3. Sally Milligan Bridge RDA
Healey provides the updates. The MassTrails application is moving forward. Healey confirms
this is an RDA. As soon as paperwork is signed Healey will forward to the appropriate entities.
Alden-St Pierre confirms the materials for the bridge are estimated at $500.00 or less.
Members sidebar discussing other Sally Milligan trails and trail changes with Healey mentioning
old trail files stored in office. Members discuss potentially rethinking the trails which segues
into how emergency personnel locate individuals on the trails. Members also discuss parking
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January 5,2023 Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 3
options near and around Salley Milligan. Brewster discusses parking near the big lot and adding
additional spaces. Members discuss coordinating with Bruce Doig from Parks & Rec to keep the
lot open in order to facilitate trail usage. Members also discuss purchasing bike racks. Healey
informs the members $3126.18 is the current budget. Healey will coordinate with Erina Keefe
for a list of city-wide bike rack locations.
4. Norwood Pond Update
Healey provides the updates. All paperwork is submitted and filed with the Conservation
Commission and with DPW. Mann would like to confirm with the building inspector that the
handrails are appropriate. Members briefly discuss the bridge construction and volunteers
needed, to be determined at a later date. Mann and Alden-St. Pierre discuss signage on the
borderline of the NSMT property and the trail. Construction materials were discussed. The
original application noted there will be no CCA. Healey will update the application to simply
state "treated wood."
S. Eagle Scout Updates
There are no updates on the existing eagle scout projects since there have been no recent scout
check-ins. Members discuss creating a template for eagle scout projects. It is noted there is
some benefit to having an OSRC member present from time to time during these projects to
guide the scouts on acceptable clean up and maintenance procedures. Healey suggests the
scouts use a stencil for trail markers.
6. Encroachments Policy
Healey informs members there will be an updated document to review at the next meeting.
Healey briefly met with the city solicitor today (1/5/23). Next steps would be for the Planning
Director to review the policy if members agree to the updated encroachment documents.
Healey also suggests keeping the document as a guideline instead of as a policy since guidelines
are more flexible and remove cumbersome processes.
7. Other Business
a. Otis Road Easement
Due to trademarking, the area previously known as "The Emerald Necklace" is renamed to
"Garden City Greenway". Alden-St. Pierre outlines the trails, easements, and access points.
Members would like to open a dialogue with the Maestranzi property owners. OSRC is seeking
official easement on the existing trail which links to the back of the Sterling YMCA and Hannah
Elementary School. The trail at the end of Otis Road cuts across private property and two lots
owned by Maestranzi.
Sidebar:
Members discuss the status of the Endicott Easement. The last update was they were waiting
on legal. Currently this project is stalled. Healey will look into reviving the project and provide
updates at the next meeting.
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January 5,2023 Meeting Minutes
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Sidebar:
Passanissi informs members on the 2023 MassTrails Conference. He will send the link to the
members.
8. Approval of Minutes
a. September 7, 2022
Motion: Callaghan moves to approve the minutes as presented. Alden-St. Pierre seconds.
Motion carries 6-0.
b. October 5, 2022
Motion: Callaghan moves to approve the minutes as presented.
Discussion on the motion.
Mann moves to accept the minutes with changes. Callaghan seconds. Motion
carries 6-0.
c. November 2, 2022
Motion: Brewster moves to approve the minutes as amended. Mann seconds. Motion
carries 6-0.
d. December 7, 2022
Motion: Callaghan moves to approve the minutes as amended. Mann seconds. Motion
carries 6-0.
Sidebar:
Alden-St. Pierre asks members if there was any follow up with the hunting ordinance. Callaghan
reads a section of MG Law 131 for the members. The information is conflicting, and members
would like more clarification of what is permissible. Members have safety concerns with
hunting on public lands and public lands that abut private property. Members would like more
communication and notification from the city to the residents in these areas. Healey will further
discuss with the mayor's staff City Ordinance § 155-1 Firearms.
9. Adjournment
Motion: Callaghan moves to adjourn. Brewster seconds. The motion carries 7-0.
Meeting adjourned 8:36 p.m.
Next Meeting: February 1, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.