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2000-09-11 City of Beverly Public Meeting Minutes BOARD: SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: PLACE: MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: ALSO PRESENT: RECORDER: Open Space and Recreation Committee September 11, 2000 Beverly Public Library David Gardner, Charles Raymond, Cynthia Modugno, Robert Buchsbaum, Anthony Paluzzi, Kathern Tracy, Guido Lauranzano, William Squibb Ellen Flannery, Richard Baker, Claire Thompson City Planner Tina Cassidy Karen Bradley Gardner calls the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. First, he asks if members have any suggested changes to the draft minutes of the committee's July 12, 2000 regular meetly. There are no suggested changes. Lauranzano: motion to approve the minutes of the committee's July 12, 2000 seconded by Raymond. All members in favor, motion carries. Next, Oardner asks Cassidy to provide an update on development of the open space and recreation plan. Cassidy explains that most of the draft comments requested by the Cecil Group have been submitted. She expects to submit the rest of the draft comments to them within the next few days. The Cecil Group will revise and come up with a draft report Cassidy states that once she receives the draft report she will distribute to Committee members for review and discussion at the next meeting. Gardner asks for an update on land acquisition. Cassidy explains to the members that the Santin property (15.68 acres) was acquired by the City on July 8, 2000 and the City is still waiting word on the grant application. Cassidy also explains that a second appraisal has been obtained for the Crosby property. She plans to review the two appraisals with the Mayor and facilitate negotiations with the property owners for acquisition of the property. Gardner asks for an update on land forums. Cassidy explains that invitations have been sent to over 200 landowners with all parrcels that were identified on the map taken into comsideration. She explnins that the letter was an invitation to attend the land forum at Beverly High School on October 4, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. She has received back 20 responses thus far and will send out a reminder notice within the next week. Buchsbaum asks what the criteria was for the mailing. Cassidy explains that the size of parcels was not considered, she explains that they tried to pick the top 200 most important parcels with respect to access to other pieces of land or easement linkages between other parcels. September 11, 2000 Page two Gardner explains that the forum will alert and educate people in the City on the open space plan and the tools that are available to them to preserve open space. The Committee then reviews the subcommittee reports. Trails: Charles Raymond and Guido Lauranzano. This Committee is in the process of collecting and identifying locations to complete a trans-Beverly walking/biking trail. They plan to continue to investigate locations for feasibility. They have submitted a proposal to the Forest and Parks Association to improve the trail around Bass River from lnnocenti Park to the boat yard that is presently overgrown. The total cost for the improvement is $7,300. Lauranzano states that a long-term goal would be a Trail Map for Beverly connecting to trails in neighboring communities. Regional: Cindy Modugno and Robert Buchsbaum. Modugno states that they have contacted a number of surrounding communities to find out what their Open Space Committees are doing and also the possibility of connecting trails between these communities. They attended a regional network open space meeting last week with the Essex County Greenbelt Association that was very informative. They will continue to work with neighboring communities over the next month with respect to linkages. Gardner suggests that meeting with each community individually would be a good idea. Modugno has contacted Don Martin, Ward 5 Councilor to obtain a Guidebook for Open Space from the Massachusetts Housing and Community Development Agency. Trees: Kathern Tracy. Tracy explains that she has received infommion on the Match Funding Grant for trees. She states that Cassidy spoke with City Arborist Phil Klimowicz and he decided that they are not quite ready to pursue the grant at this time. She plans on working with Klimowicz over the next year on a tree plan and will apply for the grant next year. Cassidy will distribute information provided by Tracy on some suggested readings, one of which is of particular interest, "Universal Access to Outdoor Recreation-- A Design Guide". Tracy next explains that she has contacted Jim Goslin of Outdoor Exploration in Boston. His organization assists communities on site Iayouts. Outdoor Exploration requires information about the desired site and how the Open Space Committee is set up. Tracy states that Goslin would be willing to meet the Committee. Cassidy suggests that the Philips estate would be a good site for them to consider. Tracy explains that Goslin will look into grant information to help with this portion. Virginia McGlynn asks if there is a tree farm in Beverly to raise trees to be planted in Beverly. Tracy explains that Klimowicz informed her that in fact there is, but it is used exclusively by the City and is not available to the public. Tracy plans to contact Goslin to invite him to a Committee meeting. Master Plan and Zoning: Ellen Flannery, Tony Paluzzi, and Bill Squibb. Paluzzi states that they have obtained a copy of the Preservation By-laws put out by the State. He further explains that there is a great deal of interesting information for review. Squibb then mentions that there are specific towns listed that have used some of thee techniques. Cassidy suggests reviewing the letter Gardner has prepared for the Master Plan Steering Committee. Open Space and Recreation Committee minutes September 11, 2000 Page three Gardner explains that he has drafted this letter emphasizing that Open Space should be incorporated into the Master Plan. He.would Iike to see the Master Plan Steering Committee take advantage of all the tools available to preserve open space. Gardner explains that part of this letter explains the desire to incorporate the utilization of the open space plan into the review/approval process. He asks Cassidy if she thinks this would be practical. Cassidy explains that although she feels it is a good idea, she is not sure how practical this would be. She questions the fairness of asking every variance applicant to provide an open space analysis. Buchsbaum suggests designing a standard document requesting the information needed for each applicant to understand and use. Cassidy explains that there could be difficulty developing a document that could be easy enough for all applicants to understand. Paluzzi suggests addressing this requirement as part of the Building lnspector's approval process. Tom Scully, Director of Community Services suggests contacting the Town of Rockport for an example of such a procedure. He explains that the town has put together a book listing a complete inventory of all public rights-of-ways. The procedure works in such a way that no permit can be issued unless the Building Inspector has checked against the existence of a public right-of-way on that property. No permit can be issued if there is a public right-of-way on that property in order to preserve open space. Bucbsbaum suggests that the letter should be more specific on Open Space locations. He suggests critical areas should be mentioned in the letter. Committee members, Beverly resident Renee Mary, and Pam Kampersal of the Norwood Pond Association make the following · Norwood Pond · Wenham Lske · Chubb's Brook · Bass River · Longham Reservoir · Witch's Woods · Old Growth Forests Coastline of Beverly Gardner states that he will list out the specific locations mentioned. Squibb suggests changing the word cluster in the letter since it has such a negative effect. He suggests using the term conservation instead. Gardner states that he will revise the letter for the Master Plan Steering Committee meeting. Gardner invites all Committee members to attend the Master Plan Steering Committee meeting on Thursday evening. The Committee resumes discussion of the sub-committee at hand. Squibb mentions that Hopkington has implemented an Open Space Plan that was very successful that is similar to Beverly's goals. Lauranzano asks if there is a mechanism in place by which the City could take over condemned properties in urban areas and clean them up for the community. Scully states Opon SpliCe ~ ]~..atioll Committeo nlJP. Lqes Septemb~ 11, 2000 Page four that there have been problems in the past with the expense of maintaining such properties due to vandalism. Cassidy says that open space acquisition grants for a small downtown urban lot that needs demolition might not be copetitive when compared to other open space properties that could be acquired. Inventoru. Richard Baker and David Gardner. Baker explains that the map has been revised and completed. He then explains that they utilized thc City Assessor's Maps and collected desirable parcels without buildings on them for open space conservation. These parcels were then incorporated into the revised map. Gardner explains the 2nd Tier Sites as the most appropriate for open space acquisition. Gardner states that Claire Thompson has indicated her intention to resign from the Open Space and Recreation Committee. He states there are now two vacancies, Ward 1 and Community-at- Large. Gardner invites the Committee to review the map. He asks each Ward representatives to consider 2nd Tier Sites while reviewing the map. After review of the map, Gardner asks Committee by Ward for potential 2nd Tier Sites for possible acquisition. Ward 2 - Continue to gain water access. Ward 4 - Bartlett Estate, Brackenbury Lane right-of-way, and some privately owned properties near the Hill Property. Ward 5. - The City-owned, former Carnevale property and the 60 acres City-owned parcel on Norwood Pond. Ward 6 - Conservation easement on the Charlie Ball property on Greenwood Avenue. This would llnk up with tho Loeb Estate and the Lee estate that has been purchased by the Essex County Greenbelt Association. Pam KampersaI of the Norwood Pond Association states that she has a buyer for the 60 acres that the City owns on Norwood Pond that would like to place a conservation restriction on it. Gardner and Cassidy explain the issues and challenges involved with such a proposal. Open Spece and Recreation Committee minutes September 11, 2000 meeting Page five Gardner asks the Committee for topics for completion by the end of the year. Buchsbaum will organize an Appreciation Walk. Scully mentions that he has suggested a public ceremony for the Santin acquisition to the Mayor. Cassidy suggests incorporating the public ceremony for the Santin acquisition with the Appreciation Walk. The Committee decided on Sally Mulligan Park for the fall hike to coincide with the public ceremony for the Santin Property. The two dates suggested are October 21st or October 28th Buchsbaum states that once the date is confirmed, he will place advertisements in papers and on Beverly Cable Channel. Cassidy mentions organizing a series of Public Forums during the months of October and November designed to inform people on what the Mnster plan Consultants are accomplishing. Committee is meeting on Thursday evening and will discuss the Public Forums in more detail. Buchsbaum mentions organizing the Bio-diversity Day for the spring. He mentions that this type of event highlights open space and promotes public participation. The next committee meeting is scheduled for October 2, 2000. Gardner mentions to the Committee to continue sub-committee work and that there will be an up-coming election of officers for Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Recording Secretary at the October meeting. Gardner asks if there are any other matters for member to discuss at this meeting. There are none. Paluzzi: motion to adjourn, seconded by Squibb. All members in favor, motion carries.