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2000-04-03CITY OF BEVERLy, MASSACHUSETTS PUBLIC MEETING MINUTF~ BOARD OR COMMISSION: DATE: PLACE: MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: RECORDER: Open Space and Recreation Committee April 3, 2000 Beverly Public Library Chairnmn David Gardner, Vice-Chairman Robert Buchsbaum, Charlie Raymond, Kathern Tracy, Bill Squibb, Claire Thomson, Ellen Flannery Anthony Paiuzzi, Guido Lauranzano, Richard Baker City Planner Tins Cassidy Tins Cassidy Gardner calls the meeting to order and explains that the furst item on the agenda scheduled for discussion was a status report on the computer mapping. Baker could not attend this meeting, so Gardner briefly updates the members on Baker's continuing effort. He hopes that the maps will be completed by the May meeting. Next, Katie Busse presents three maps to the committee as she promised at the March meeting. The maps include a natural resources map and a map showing where natural resources and wetlands areas overlap. She states that several changes need to be made to maps to finalize them, and will add train lines to provide additional reference points on the map. She asks if the scale of the maps are usable by the committee. Members agree that the scale in use seems workable. Gardner suggests that the maps be reviewed by Baker to see if this information can be overlaid on the map he is preparing. Next, Pare Kampersai addresses the Board as a member of the Norwood Pond Association. She explains her concern about the impact of future build-out of existing industrially-zoned land at Norwood Pond that could result if an overpass is built. The association is afraid that a future City Council might vote to rezone the parcels owned by the City around the pond; at the moment the land is zoned for open space and recreational use. She states that the site provides four-season recreation activities, has a complex ecosystem, an old growth forest, and might be a possible emergency drinking water supply in the future. She says the pond will die if it is not maintained. She offers to guide the committee on a tour of the area. Buchsbaum asks if there are any certified vernal pools on the site. Kampersai states that there are. Open Space and Recreation Committee April 3, 2000 meeting Page two Kampersal discusses the association's concern about the condition of the dam on the pond, and says the City has until the first of May to respond to a report issued by the Department of Environmental Management on the condition of the dam. She notes that there are currently no Best Management Practices in use on properties around the pond. Ron Johnsen, Brimbal Avenue, states his opinion that destroying wetlands in the area will damage the pond, and there is no buffer between the pond and the developed area. Renee Mary, Hale Street, says that she heard the pond could be used as a drinking water supply. Members decide to hold a site visit to Norwood Pond on Saturday, April 29, 2000 at 9:00 a.m. Members will meet on Elnew Avenue. Next, Ed Becker, Executive Director of Essex County Greenbelt Association ("ECGA-) addresses the Board. He distributes copies of an outline of discussion points (see attached). He says that F, CGA owns thirteen properties in the City and holds conservation restrictions on five others. Most acquisitions are by outright gifts of land and conservation restrictions, which he describes as legal easements. Becker explains ways to protect land (by regulation, planning and zoning, and by acquisition) and to acquire it (outright gift of land, gift of conservation restriction, purchase or bargain sale, and limited development). He outlines ways that land acquisitions can be financed. Those methods include local efforts (dedicated bond authorizations, capital budgets, dedicated funds, the Community Preservation Act, and land swaps and transfers of development rights). He notes that the Community Preservation Act, which is expected to be approved by the State Legislature sometime this session, will require that 10% of collected real estate transfer taxes be dedicated for open space, affordable housing, and historic preservation. The remaining 70% can be spent on any of the three goals, with the allotment percentage decided by local option. Beverly will need to decide a) whether to adopt the Community Preservation Act, and b) whether to establish a local land bank to administer open space funds. State tools for land acquisition include matching grants (such as the Self-Help and Urban Self-Help programs), direct purchase by an agency, Open Space and Recreation Committee April 3, 2000 meeting Page three an Open Space Bond, Land Water Conservation Funds and budget allocation. He explains that Land Water Conservation Fund grants are funded with the proceeds from off-shore oil leases granted by the federal government. He notes that private land acquisition financing options include local fundraising campaigns and direct contributions or seed money from land trusts. Becker suggests if the City decides to develop a land conservation program, the steps would or could include the completion of an open space and vacant land inventory that is prioritized according to importance. He notes that he reviewed the criteria selected by the Open Space and Recreation Committee and liked them. The City might then contact the owners of land on the inventory list and host landowner forums or small hosted gatherings to explain the financial advantages of preserving open space. He suggests that ECGA could sponsor a landowner forum for the City, and distributes a sample agenda for such a forum. Buchsbaum asks if ECGA has ever encountered concern from landowners when they are contacted to attend such a meeting. Becker answers that that is usually not the case. Buchsbaum asks Becker's opinion as to whether the committee should finish the inventory before holding a forum. Becker says that is one possibility, but the committee may also decide to concentrate on identifying owners in one area of the City as a beginning. State Representative Michael Cahill suggests that the first forum be a forum targeted toward parcels under threat of development. Becker adds that on-going dialogue with private property owners is also very important and can be effective in preserving open space parcels. Tom Scully asks Cahill if he thinks some version of the Community Preservation Act will be approved by the legislature this year. Cahill says that he hopes so. He explains that the Senate currently favors a real estate transfer tax, and the House of Representatives supports an override of Proposition 2 ¼. Scully asks if the Governor is likely to sign a preservation act. Cahill says he does not know, but that in the past the Governor has stated his opposition. Cahill says that the Community Preservation Coalition is actively lobbying house representatives and conference committee members, and Becker suggests that legislators need to hear from citizens who support the bill. Members discuss the Open Space and Recreation Committee April 3, 2000 meeting Page four need to communicate citizens' support for the bill and agree that the committee should draft a letter of support. Flannery: motion to ask the Chairman to prepare a letter of support on behalf of the committee expressing its support for the passage of a community preservation act bill this legislative session. Motion seconded by Thompson, all members in favor. Motion carries. Cabill offers to organize a meeting with conference committee members to lobby for passage of the act. Members agree to contact Scully if they are interested in attending such a meeting. Gardner states that the inventory is still somewhat incomplete, but should be finished within the next two weeks. He suggests that when the committee meets next month it should discuss the inventory and begin prioritizing the parcels. Cassidy will obtain information from the assessors' office on lands currently classified as conservation, forest, or open space in accordance with State law. She will bring this information to the next committee meeting. Members discuss an agenda for the next meeting. The meeting will include reviewing the completed inventory, beginning prioritization of parcels, and developing a possible list of invitees for a landowner forum. Scully offers space at the library for a landowner forum if needed. Cahill says that he will try to schedule a meeting at the Statehouse for a date during the first two weeks of May. Gardner notes that the topic of forming subcommittees will be placed on hold for now. Gardner asks members if they have reviewed the draft minutes of the March meeting, and asks if there are any suggested corrections. Buchsbaum notes the correct spelling of Katie Busse's name. Buchsbaum: motion to accept the draft minutes of the March 6, 2000 meeting with the above correction, seconded by Squibb. All members in favor, motion carries. Gardner notes that the next committee meeting will be held on May 1st. Open Space and Recreation Committee April 3, 2000 meeting Page five Thompson: motion to adjourn, seconded by Flannery. All membes in favor, motion carries.