2000-06-05 City of Beverly
Publie Meeting Minutes
BOARD: Open Space and Recreation Committee
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: June 5, 2000
PLACE: Beverly Public Library
MEMBERS PRESENT:
William Squibb, Cynthia Modugno, Robert
Buchsbaum, Charles Raymond, Ellen
Flannery, Anthony Paluzzi, Richard Baker
David Gardner
ABSENT:Guido Lauranzano, Claire Thompson,
Kathern Tracy
OTHERS PRESENT: Representative Michael Cahill, City Planner
Tina Cassidy, David Santomenna, Essex
County Greenbelt Association
RECORDERS:Tina Cassidy, David Gardner
Gardner calls the meeting to order and introduces members of the committee. He notes
the two main items of business at this meeting will be to discuss the mapping and land
forums to which open space landowners will be invited and tile formation of
subcommittees for various committee functions.
First, he asks if members have any suggested changes to the draft minutes of the
committee's April 29, 2000 site visit or the May 1, 2000 regular meeting. There are no
suggested changes.
Buchsbaum: motion to approve the minutes of the committee's April 29, 2000 and May
1, 2000 meetings, seconded by Squibb. All members in favor, motion
carries.
Next, Gardner asks Cassidy to provide an update on revisions to the open space and
recreation plan. Cassidy explains that Gardner has drafted his comments on possible
revisions to the plan, and she hopes to do the same within the next few weeks. These
comments will be forwarded to the City's master plan consultant for consideration.
Cassidy adds that at this point it seems likely that the city should target a completion date
of October for the open space and recreation plan. This timetable will enable the City to
include the results of both tbe joint board meeting and the landowners forum in the plan.
Cassidy also infoms the members that the Santin property will be discussed by the City
Council at its meeting on June 19th. The Council will be asked to authorize the
expenditure of $750,000 to purchase the Santin property, and Cassidy asks that members
attend the meeting to show their support for the acquisition if at all possible. She states
that Essex County Greenbelt Association will contribute $25,000 toward the acquisition
costs of this property, and the City may also receive $250.000 in Self-Help grant funding.
Open Space and Recreation Committee minutes
June 5, 2000 meeting
Page two
Next, Gardner introduces David Santomenna from Essex County Greenbelt Association
("ECGA") to discuss the landowner forum process. He states that landowner forums
typically have a panel with an attorney, an estate tax person, and appraiser and possibly a
land planner. Forums are generally held on a weekday evening, with invitations sent by
the Committee.
Members discuss possible dates for the forum and agree that a September date is the
earliest possible date for such a forum. Cahiil expresses concern that the program be kept
moving over the summer, and it was agreed that ECGA and the Planning Depamnent
would continue to identify potential landowners who may be making a move soon. A
mailing will be made in July, asking invitees to "hold" a September date available. A
separate mailing would be done in August or September with information particular to
the meeting.
Next, Gardner opens discussion of the mapping by presenting the city map printed by
Katie Busse of Coastal Zone Management based on the mapping done by committee
member Richard Baker and Busse's natural resource mapping of the city.
Several members ask that they be given a chance to review the mapping work they did at
the last meeting. It was decided that any member interested in reviewing and correcting
the maps they did previously should pick them up in the planning office by June 9. Maps
would be returned by the following Friday.
The committee then discusses the formation and work of potential subcommittees. The
committee decides to continue with three subcommittees to present findings at the July
12th meeting.
Inventory: Richard Baker and David Gardner: Output: to check and add to the
consolidated plan.
Master Plan and Zoning: Ellen Flannery, Tony Paluzzi, and Bill Squibb. Output:
Review of master plan and zoning ordinances from an open space perspective.
Trails: Charles Raymond. Output: Ideas on comprehensive trail maps for lands in
the city.
Regional: Cindy Modugno and Robert Buchshaurm Output. The city's
relationship to regional open space networks.
Gardner notes that the only response received from city boards as requested by the
committee was a note from the Beverly coastal Access Group, which he read. The
Group had three suggestions: to have public spaces clearly defined; to place and maintain
signnge; and to find a way to have city groups best coordinate their efforts.
Open Space and Recreation Committee minutes
June 5, 2000 meeting
Page three
Members agree to schedule the next meeting of the committee for Wednesday, July 12th.
Representatives from each of the City's land use boards and commissions will be invited
to review the committee's work and planning done to date. Their input along with that of
the committee will be useful as input into the city's open space plan.
Buchsbaum updates members on the regionni open space meeting held recently. About
50 people attended including some from Lynnfield and Georgetown. Discussion
included funding and grants, public support from local govenunent, and state support of
open space efforts. Regular meetings are to be held quarterly. The next meeting will he
held September 9th.
Gardner asks if there are any other matters for members to discuss at this meeting. There
are none.
The meeting is adjourned at 9:00 p.m..