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OSRC minutes_09.06.23 City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee September 6,2023 Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 5 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: Open Space and Recreation Committee LOCATION: Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot Street, 3rd Floor Council Chambers DATE: September 6, 2023 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair David Alden-St. Pierre, Vice Chair David Brewster, Gregory Sharp, Charlie Mann (by phone), James Passanisi, Alison Dudley, Elizabeth Dunne, Todd Callaghan, Amber Redmond(late) BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Wayne Miller STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Assistant Director of Planning Ken Clawson OTHERS PRESENT: Mario Tricome of 25 Whitney Avenue RECORDER: Naomi Moca 1. Call to order Chair Alden-St. Pierre calls the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. 2. Public Outreach Alden-St. Pierre states that the Committee's postings to Instagram and other social media have slowed and that he welcomes information and photos to post. Vice Chair Brewster states that he will provide photos of the 25 or so herons roosting in trees along the Bass River path to share to social media. 3. Updates from Boards and Commissions: a. Planning Board Assistant Director Clawson states that there will no Planning Board meeting in September 2023. Clawson states that at the October 3, 2023 meeting, the Definitive Subdivision Plan for 63 Sturtevant Street will be the subject of public comment and he expects the planned removal of trees at the site to be one of the topics of discussion. The site does not abut the Beverly Golf and Tennis golf course nor any other City property. Clawson states that the City is in the early stages of preparing new ordinances for tree conservation; for example, if a developer purchases a wooded lot, measures will be in place limiting them from clear-cutting it. The Committee discusses the new Community Garden anticipated to open in the Spring of 2024 at Moraine Farm. Clawson reads the email from Director of Planning and Community Development Darlene Wynne. 1 City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee September 6,2023 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 5 The Committee discusses the issue that there is no parking permitted in the area. Callaghan asks for more clarity on whose role it is to provide services such as taking care of the shed, and agrees to email the question to Clawson to research the answer. • Eagle Scout update Callaghan states that he spoke to Eagle Scout candidate Ryan Whiting, who stated that his Eagle Scout project, which is making and installing trail signs at the JC Phillips Reservation, is still underway. • 44 Webster Street trail Clawson states that Mann contacted him about a trail near the wetland buffer in the 44 Webster Street area. Mann states that he and David Rimmer of Essex County GreenBelt plan to walk the area. The trail was established by a Scout around 2017, and the City asked the Committee not to do any work in the easement area until the property changed hands. The Committee discusses whether an RDA is needed because maintenance work will be outside the buffer to the wetland, within the easement area. Clawson agrees to research past meeting minutes to find out when the original work was done. b. Community Preservation Committee Clawson states that the Community Preservation Committee is getting ready for its next round of funding. c. Harbor Management Authority Callaghan states that Harborfest will be held at Lynch Park on Sunday, September 10, 2023. Callaghan states that he spoke to Wynne about the Phase III wayfinding signs and Clawson agrees to follow up with Wynne about new posts and signs at the intersection of Prince Street and 127 and at the western end of Woodbury Street. The City repaired the walkway at the end of Woodbury Street leading to Lynch Park. Callaghan states that he discussed with Wynne the idea of establishing a Bass River path or shoreline trail using a symbol such as a painted line on the ground to delineate the path. d. Parks and Recreation Commission There is no update. 4. Open Space Conditions/Issues a.Ward 1 There is no update. b. Ward 2 There is no update. 2 City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee September 6,2023 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 5 c. Ward 3 There is no update. d. Ward 6 i. Sally Milligan Trail System Improvements kiosks Passanisi states that he and Alden-St. Pierre worked in the area, including removing around 10 trees and mowing brush, and the trail is now easier to navigate. Clawson shares the mockup of the kiosk signs and states that he went to the trail and re- measured the signs. Clawson has been in communication with Metro Signs and will be receiving a new quote. Clawson states that the signs need to be finalized and then will be installed. They will be printed on metal with an adhesive backing. The Committee discusses the parking on Jewett Ave. Clawson agrees to ask the Parks and Recreation Department if the parking space near the soccer field will be available. The Committee discusses options for the white space on the reverse side of the kiosks, such as photos of different species that can be found at the location. Members have placed informational materials about possums,wood frogs, and star flowers on some kiosks, and Beverly Trails stickers on others. The Committee discusses that the material of the kiosk signs can resist UV rays that may cause fading. e. Ward 5 i. Removal of tree at Norwood Pond by Iron Tree Clawson states that he does not have complete information on the project and Alden-St. Pierre agrees to send Clawson information on the location of the tree. Clawson states that he will consult with the City Arborist. Alden-St. Pierre states that the bridge work is on hold until the tree is removed and that there are six or so other water crossings that need to be reinforced or enhanced. Clawson and Alden-St. Pierre agree to meet to walk the area. Mann states that he provided the materials list for the bridge work to Alden-St. Pierre. ii. Update on Moraine Farm There is no update. f. Ward 6 (continued) i. Pole Swamp Lane access Mann states that GreenBelt is of the opinion that the conservation restriction on the Deeley property allows for public access back to Pole Swamp Lane. Mann discussed the matter with Assistant City Solicitor Jesse Dole. Mann suggests sending a confirming letter to property owner Brian Deeley stating that the City is accessing and using the trail, rather than asking for an easement that is not necessary. The Committee discusses the need to fund the survey of the easement portion, which costs $5,800. Mann suggests that CPA funds may be appropriate if 3 City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee September 6,2023 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5 funding is not available from Cummings. Sharp expresses willingness to attend a CPC meeting to inquire if needed. Clawson states that he will research the funding. The Committee agrees that it is appropriate to inform the Mayor that there is a quote for the survey. Mann states that he is working to obtain a letter from GreenBelt confirming that there is public access. ii. Unauthorized trail building Callaghan states that he has observed unauthorized trail building off Greenwood Avenue in the Beverly Commons Conservation Area in the gravel hill area upland of the swampy area. The Committee discusses whether the guidelines limiting trail building are enforceable. Alden-St. Pierre states that he will visit the area to determine if it is enforceable. The Committee discusses that the area behind Emily Way is an optimal space to do recreational biking. 5. Staff Updates a. Bundled NOI for trail work Clawson states that he is making progress on working on the bundled NOI for trail work. b. Annual report to City Council Alden-St. Pierre states that he is preparing to present the annual report to the City Council. 6. Approval of minutes a. May 3,2023 Members review and offer edits to the May 3, 2023 draft meeting minutes. Callaghan: Motion to accept the May 3, 2023 meeting minutes as amended. Mann seconds the motion. Motion carries (8-0). b. June 7,2023 Members review and offer edits to the June 7, 2023 draft meeting minutes. Callaghan: Motion to accept the June 7, 2023 meeting minutes as amended. Passanisi seconds the motion. Motion carries (8-0). c. July 5,2023 Members review and offer edits to the July 5, 2023 draft meeting minutes. 8:04 p.m. Redmond arrives. The Committee discusses that there has been no update on the Maestranzi property. Alden-St. Pierre states that he plans to discuss the matter with the Mayor. Clawson states that the City has applied for grants to improve the intersections in the area, and that he anticipates Maestranzi will hold onto its interests in the area. The Committee discusses whether there is a way to skirt the 4 City of Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee September 6,2023 Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5 property and that it may be beneficial to submit a development plan to incorporate a trail system into the longer-term plan. Brewster: Motion to accept the July 5, 2023 meeting minutes as amended. Dunn seconds the motion. Redmond abstains. Motion carries (8-0). 7. Updates from Boards and Commissions (continued) a. Conservation Commission Redmond states that the Conservation Commission now has six members with one position remaining vacant. There is now a part-time Conservation Field Inspector, Scott White, who assists by conducting site visits. The Committee discusses whether the Conservation Commission has any requirements, such as and NOI or RDA, that need to be met now that the trail in the 44 Webster Street area has changed hands to GreenBelt. Clawson states that he will ask Conservation Agent David Spidaliere for guidance. 8. Other business: Alden-St. Pierre states that he has a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 12, 2023 with the president of Endicott College Steven DiSalvo and Mayor Michael Cahill to discuss the easement matter. The Committee agrees that it is appropriate for Alden-St. Pierre to contact the Mayor beforehand to discuss what will be covered in the meeting. 9. Adjourn Callaghan: Motion to adjourn. Dudley seconds. Motion carries (9-0). Meeting adjourns 8:13 p.m. Next meeting: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. 5