2000-01-13 CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
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RECORDER:
Open Space and Recreation Committee
January 13, 2000
Beverly City Hall
Chairman David Gardner, Vice-Chairman Robert
Buchsbaum, Kathern Tracy, Richard Baker, Guido
Lauranzano, Anthony Paluzzi, William Squibb,
Charles Raymond.
Ellen Flannery, Claire Thompson, John Hopkins
City Planner Tina Cassidy
Tina Cassidy
Chairman Gardner calls the meeting to order and introduces members of the committee to
the audience. He explains the committee's work to date in identifying parcels of open
space in the City using copies of the assessors' maps as a base. Baker updates the
members on his efforts to compile the individual assessors' maps into a single map that
will show all open space parcels in the City.
Next, Gardner explains the draft letter addressed to the City Council and the summary
presentation of that letter that has been prepared. He notes that the letter is intended to
address the City Coancil's request that the Open Space and Recreation Committee
provide the Council with a recommendation on the purchase of the Dallas land on Essex
Street. He explains that with the assistance of City Planner Tina Cassidy and Tom
Scully, the City's Director of Community Affairs he prepared this draft letter to facilitate
discussion by the committee. He states that the draft is very much intended as a
beginning point for discussion, and urges members to suggest additions, deletions, and
changes to the draft as they may see fit.
Members review the list ofpropesed criteria for setting open space priorities. State
Representative Michael Cahill asks the members to consider adding an additional
criterion entitled "Potential for Imminent Development". Following a brief discussion,
members concur that the category of"Potential for lmmiuent Development" should be
added to the list of criteria.
Members review the draft letter as Gardner lists the properties in the order in which the
Cormnittee would suggest the City purchase them. The Santin and so-called Hill Estate
next to Sally Milligan Park are the first two parcels suggested for acquisition. and the
third would be the so-called "Green's Hill" property on the Bass River owned by a Mr.
Crosby. Ward 1 Councilor Maureen Troubetaris says development of the site would be
detrimental to the entire ncighberhood, and she would not support development of this
site. SIte titanks the commitlee lbr considering the need to preserve one of the last
remaining pieces of open space in P, yal Side.
Open Space and Recreation Committee
January 13, 2000 meeting minutes
Page two
Members discuss the proposed fourth and fifth parcels tbr acquisition, which would be
the two Dallas properties. Cahill asks who worked on the maps and the draft letter.
Gardner answers that the draft was a collaborative effort between himself, Tina Cassidy,
and Tom Scully. Cahill asks why the letter was drafted by only three people and not the
entire Open Space and Recreation Committee. Gardner states that he drafted the letter
simply to facilitate discussion by this 12-member committee this evening, and that every
member is ~'ee to discuss any aspect of the draft letter and to suggest revisions. Cabill
asks if the Committee would come to a different conclusion on the order of acquisition
priorities if it had more time. Gardner answers that only time will tell, but he hopes the
comm!ttee will be able to ~nalize a recommendation tonight. If that cannot occur, the
committee can surely consider scheduling another meeting before February 7~h' which is
the date by which the Council wants the recommendation.
Members discuss the remaining parcels listed in the letter, including the Bartlett and
Carbone properties (priority #6 and #7), the Ventron site, and the Johnson Tree Farm.
.Ward 4 Councilor Virginia MeGlynn urges the members of the committee not to consider
~ssues about funding when deciding which sites should be preserved as open space in the
community. She says funding issues should be resolved at the City Council level. She
also thanks the committee for its hard work on this very important issue.
Paluzzi: motion to accept the draft letter of recommendation on open space
acqu!sition priorities as amended by the committee discussion this
evening, seconded by Tracy. All members in favor, motion carries.
Next. members decide to hold the February. meeting on February 7'h' the same night they
will convene for the City Council presentation. Gardner suggests that the committee
invite Mr. Ken Buckland of the Cecil Group to attend the meeting to discuss the open
space and recreation plan, in the hope he can provide the Board with specific suggestions
on how the open space plan should be updated to incorporate the acquisition priorities.
Members also ask that the consultant provide information on grants for open space
acquisition and special open space zoning districts.
Ne,vt. members review the draft minutes of the committee's December 6, 1999 meeting.
Gardner asks if there are any suggested revisions. There are none.
l'aluzzi: motion to accept the minutes of the December 6. 1999 meeting, seconded
by Lauranzano. All men~bers in favor, motion carries.
Gardner asks i,%bere is any other business. There is none.
Open Space and Recreation Committee
January 13, 2000 meeting minutes
Page three
Tracy:
motion to adjourn, seconded by Lauranzano. All members in favor,
motion carries.
The meeting is adjourned at 11:05 p.m.