1999-09-16City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
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Open Space and Recreation Committee
September 16, 1999
Program Room, Beverly Public Library
Ellen Flannery, Anthony Paluzzi, David
Gardner, Charles Raymond, Susan Quateman,
Guido Lauranzano, Claire Thompson, Kathern
Tracy, Robert Buchsbaum
John Hopkins, Richard Bake
Tina Cassidy, Phnning Director, City Councilor
Maureen Troubetaris, State Representative
Michel Cahill
Jeannine Dion
Introduction of committee members and staff
Cassidy introduces herself and Jeannine Dion, recording secretary to the committee
members. Cassidy asks the committee members to introduce themselves.
State Representative Mike Cahill introduces himself. Mr. Cahill states he artended a
forum on land use planning put on by Mass., Inc. a non-partisan, non-profit group. Cahill
offers to obtain a copy of the transcript of that meeting, as well as others in the future and
forward them to the Committee. Cahill also provides a copy of the executive summary of
the build-out study that the Metropolitan Area Planning Council prepared that, in many
ways provided the impetus to get the ordinance written to get the committee started.
Cahill reiterates that he and his office are available as resources.
Cahill states that the people at the local level who probably had the most to do with
forming this committee are Councilor Maureen Troubetaris and Councilor Virginia
McGlyun. Cahill commends the commitment they have had to this issue.
Cahill states he will be attending as many meetings as he can and would be happy to
provide any information. Cahill introduces Sean Quirk tiom his office. Cahill states he
is excited the committee members are present and thanks them for their time and efforts.
The following committee members introduced themselves: Kathy Tracy (Ward 2), Claire
Thompson (Ward 1), Robert Buchsbaum (Ward 4), Susan Quateman (Community-at-
Large. Quateman advises the members that she will be moving out of Beverly in
November but offers her assistance.) Anthony Paluzzi (Conservation Commission),
David Gardner (Recreation Commission), Charles Raymond (Harbor Management
Authority), Guido Lauranzano (Community-at-Large), Ellen Flannery (Planning Board).
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September 16, 1999
Page 2
Cassidy states she provided the following information to members:
· A copy of the member list to committee members and asks them to provide work
telephone numbers if they can he contacted at work for scheduling purposes.
· A copy of the ordinance as it was adopted by the City Council which gives a flavor
for what the committee is expected to aecomplistk
· A copy of the outline of the Open Space Workbook fi'om the state, which gives an
idea of what the state is looking for in an open space and recreation plan.
· A copy of the build-out analysis from MAPC.
· 1995 Open Space and Recreation Plan
· Playground Report which was prepared by the Recreation Commission for all the
parks and playgrounds in the city.
Cassidy asks if Gardner can provide additional information about the playground report.
Gardner states it is a playground report as opposed to a parks report. Gardner states the
report was prepared because of concerns about liability because many of the phygrounds
had deteriorated. Gardner states the report identified not only the playgrounds that
should he enhanced, but also some equipment that should be removed or consolidated.
Gardner asks if it is the intention to update the 1995 Open Space and Recreation Plan.
Cassidy responds 'yes'. Cassidy states among other things, the preparation of an Open
Space and Recreation Plan is one of the charges of this committee. Cassidy states the
Committee is expected to work with the master plan consultant. Cassidy states the
consultants are also being asked to assist the city in the preparation of two other plans: a
Harbor Plan for the harbor front and an Open Space and Recreation Plan. Cassidy states
she would like to fred a mutually agreeable night to meet with the consultant. Cassidy
states the consultant is the Cecil Group and the principal who will be working with the
City is Steve Cecil. Cassidy states the consultant will have an initial meeting with the
group and then develop a draft outline of an Open Space and Recreation Plan given what
they know about the City after a period ofa month's preparation. Cassidy states the
consultant will he giving ideas from their experience, provide models and be a resource
for the committee.
Cassidy states in addition to producing an Open Space and Recreation Plan, the
committee will also report twice a year to the City Council with a report of its activities.
Cassidy states she and consultant may act as resources but they envision all of the ideas
to come from the committee.
Buchsbaum asks if the committee will he writing the plan. Cassidy recommends
speaking with the consultant. Cassidy thinks the consultant will be willing to take the
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September 16, 1999
Page 3
ideas of the committee and propose something to the committee in writing for the
committee to react to.
Cahill states the expectation of the state regarding Open Space and Recreation Plan was
that there be significant community involvement. Cahill states the committee is
responsible for the Plan but there will need to be an outreach in the community.
Cahill asks Cassidy for clarification of the expiration date of the present plan. Cassidy
responds that is worth checking. Cahill states he will take responsibility for clarifying the
date. Cassidy states that is significant because it does make the city eligible for certain
kinds of open space funding.
Cahill states he believes the Planning Department is understaffed and if there is a high
volume of work from the committee, the work of the committee might have an impact on
the Planning Department. Cahill states he won't be shy about talking about or advocating
for increasing the Phnning Department staff.. Cassidy responds that she does not mean to
disagree with Cahill publicly, but she would not assign a new planner to staff a
committee that is just newly formed. Cassidy states she is comfortable working with the
committee because she knows more about the City than someone who is new. Cassidy
states that the Planning Department is a small department, and its staffing levels may at
times impact the office's ability to handle issues at lightning speed but they will do their
best. Cassidy adds if there is an issue in the future, they will fred a way to deal with it.
Backl~round Information on Beverly
Cassidy states in the last 20 years Beverly has seen real fluctuations in the economy
resulting in an incredible amount of residential development that comes into the city in
waves. Cassidy states a time that comes to mind is the mid 1980's when over 300 single
family residential house lots were approved by the Planning Board in a three year period
- which was a phenomenal and unprecedented rate of development. Cassidy adds that in
the 1990-1992 era there was only one subdivision approved with three lots. Cassidy
states there were not a lot of changes to the zoning or City policies during the down time.
Cassidy states in the mid-1990's quite a few applications began appearing before the
local boards for single family subdivisions, for example Lakeshore Crossing which was
54 lots offofLakeshore Avenue and the Loeb Estate with 68 lots - again a fairly rocky
site with a lot of drainage issues. Neither of those large-seale projects were approved.
Cassidy states in the last five to six years the Planning Board has been strict in its
application of the subdivision hw and its own regulations and that has made a
tremendous difference in the fact that there are not as many house lots being approved
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September 16, 1999
Page 4
but it is unique, perhaps to the make up of the board at this time and there is no guarantee
this will continue.
Cassidy states Beverly is still a relatively affordable place to live and that the City's
zoning laws may be in need of an overhaul. Cassidy adds there has been no meaningful
change in either the amount of land that is required for a single family house lot or the
setback requirements or other zoning controls. Cassidy states there has not been a lot of
rezoning and she thinks there will see be a significant number of recommendations in that
regard as a result of the master plan process.
Lauranzano asks for the definition of open space. Cahill responds 'land that is
undeveloped but not protected. Cahill adds it is a question of whether the City should
take certain parcels of land out of residential zoning and set them aside as conservation
land. Lauranzano states he was thinking more about Sally Milligan Park. Cahill states
Sally Milligan Park was private property which was turned over to the City. Cahill adds
at some point in the future when Beverly is at full build-out that some of the undeveloped
land now will have been protected between now and then where other parcels of land will
have been developed.
Cassidy notes that in an area such as Beverly Farms the City might look at acquiring a
piece of land of 5, 10 or 20 acres in size, but in Ward 2 or 3 a smaller parcel may be
purchased and made into a park or left as open space to give some relief to the
neighborhood. Cassidy adds there is no magic number and it really depends what site or
neighborhood you are looking at.
Cassidy states Sally Milligan Park is a great example of open space. Cassidy says the
proposed Lakeshore Crossing Subdivision mentioned earlier is adjacent to Sally Milligan
and many people during the hearings before the Planning Board proposed acquiring the
land. Cassidy adds people proposed buying the land and annexing it to Sally Milligan
Park and making it more of an asset for the community, perhaps by developing walking
trails, etc.
Cassidy says she mentions the development rate to give a sense that no matter what the
city does, there will be development but there is ability to control how much there is and
to do it in a way that makes sense for the short-term and the long-term. Cassidy adds you
have to recognize that you would always want to have some lots that were available in
the city for development so that everybody's children could still live here but you have to
be careful and strike the right balance. Cassidy adds there has not been an organization
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September 16, 1999
Page 5
like this committee before looking to strike the balance between development and open
space. Cassidy adds Beverly will only be attractive for new development if it is a
community that people want to live in and nobody would want to live in this city if it is
nothing but wall-to-wall hoes.
Cassidy states there is a way to prove that leaving a piece of land in open space is more
beneficial to a community than any kind of development including commercial/industrial.
Buchsbaum adds he thinks it is ironic that new development advertises that land abuts
conservation land.
Cassidy reviews two maps that accompanied the residential build-out analysis done by
the Metropolitan Area Planning Council which was a study that was funded jointly by
Essex County Greenbelt and the City of Beverly. Cassidy states Cahill helped get the
two sides together. Cassidy states the maps are valuable because they show what land is
open and what land is not protected.
Tracy asks if the committee could obtain open space maps from abutting cities and
towns. Cassidy states she will call abutting communities for this information. Cabill
states Essex County Greenbelt is very excited about what this group is doing.
Buchshaum asks if the committee will be looking at river corridors or drinking water
protection zones, which other towns have done. Cassidy responds that one of the reasons
they wanted the same person to do the open space, master plan and harbor plan was that
there was going to be some sense of continuity and coordination amongst them. Cassidy
adds that if there are recommendations from the Open Space and Recreation Committee,
frame them as a recommendation for consideration during the Master Plan by both the
consultant and the committee that will be doing the master plan itself.
Gardner states he worked on the Open Space Plan in 1995 on the inventory
subcommittee. Gardner states they took all the city assessor's maps, examined them and
produced a very detailed plan. He believes the 1995 plan was a bureaucratic exercise,
which was designed to enable the city to apply for funding. Gardner adds that was a
disappointment; however, he was pleased to see his comment letter and the very detailed
map. Gardner states there was quite a bit of work done but not officially incorporated
into the final open space plan.
Lauranzano asks if the committee is looking to set up a menu ofpropesed acquisitions
and recommendations. Cassidy responds the committee will be developing an action
plan, and adds that there may be specific acquisitions, easements to negotiate, and
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September 16, 1999
Page 6
improvements to existing City-owned open space parcels. An important piece of the
Committee's work is the completion of an action plan, but it will be equally important for
the Committee to constantly advocate for its recommendations for the effective life of the
plan. Cassidy adds that is one of the disappointments of the 1995 plan - there was
nobody to carry what recommendations or ideas were in there and carry them through to
completion.
Cabill states she would encourage the committee not to be constrained because the
committee b_as been sorely needed and it is a great opportunity. Cahill recommends
taking some time and care preparing a mission statement. Cabill adds the Town of
Ipswich has put restraints on development of certain parcels of land (Great Estate Bylaw).
He advises the members to think outside the lines and reminds the members that Cassidy
has great expertise in this area.
Councilor Troubetaris states there is a section in the ordinance that states the committee
sets the criteria for acquisitions. Cassidy adds one possible criterion might be the threat
of development - maybe there is a way to gauge it.
Cahill states when the ordinance was drafted they looked at many communities across the
state and looked at what worked and what did not. The committee ultimately needs to be
an advisory group that needs to be taken very seriously hence the requirement for
committee presentations before the City Council twice per year.
Buckshum notes the ordinance does not specifically state that the committee selects
particular parcels of land - it states the committee sets criteria by which the parcels are
selected. Cassidy responds that if you read it literally, Buchsbaum is right but she
believes the intent was different.
Cassidy asks members fithey have any insights on development or general comments.
PaluzTi responds that the Conservation Commission observes many drainage problems
with developments in various areas of the City, and it is getting harder to disburse the
water. Cassidy adds that the Planning Board has started discussions regarding manmade
drainage areas that are meant to hold water and there are questions about who should
maintain them long term, the City or a homeowner's association.
Thompson states when she moved to Beverly, she was pleased it had a city form of
government. Thompson adds that although she is a political neophyte, she does vote and
the subject of open space is important to her. She states she has lived in Beverly for 25
years and does not want to move. She loves the ocean and all the open space but when
she sees all the development, she gets upset. Thompson adds that she brings all of her
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September 16, 1999
Page 7
philosophy and intelligence to the table and she feels there has to be some type of criteria
to save some of the open space in the City.
Lauranzano asks if the committee will have the opportunity to have some experts talk
about some of the technical issues, for example drainage. He adds that his biggest
concern in the City is Wenham Lake. Cassidy responds that this committee can call in
anybody, for example Superintendent of the Water Board or the City Engineer and she
would be happy to assist in that area when necessary.
Draftinl~ of a mission statement
Cassidy asks if anyone has ideas on language for a mission statement. Gardner reads the
following:
"The mission of the City Open Space and Recreation Committee is to
serve the general public by developing and maintaining an open space
plan including identifying and recommentang open space acquisitions
based on public input, consMeration of ci(~ government actions and the
city's master. plan. '
Gardner asks if statement should reference the City's master plan and city government
actions. Flannery responds that this committee will be working in conjunction with the
master plan committee. Cassidy responds that the master plan will he completed in the
next year or so and when she thinks of a mission statement, she thinks about what this
committee wants to accomplish ten years from now.
Flannery states she can appreciate Gardner's concems.
Tracy recommends identifying potential grant monies and asks if identifying properties is
also one of the committee' s responsibilities as well as applying for the resources.
Cassidy responds that the committee will play a role in identifying the properties and
assisting with the grant applications however she does not think the committee will
actually have to prepare the applications. She adds that is usually done through the
Community Development Office's grants writers but a lot of their material comes from
the blood, sweat and tears of a committee like this that has provided them with back-up
documentation or justification and rationale.
Cassidy recommends typing David's mission statement and distributing it to the
committee members so they may take some time to react to it and bring in comments to
the next meeting.
Open Space and Recreation Committee Minutes
September 16, 1999
Page 8
Quateman asks Cassidy to clarify the use of the term"open space and recreation" because
she believes they are two different things. Cassidy responds it probably was intended to
refer to passive recreation more so than the active recreation.
Election of Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Recordiml Secretary
Cassidy defines the roles of Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Recording Secretary and asks
if anyone would like to be considered for the one-year positions.
Gardner expresses interest in the position of Chairman.
Flannery:
Motion to nominate David Gardner to the position of Chairman of the-
Open Space and Recreation Committee, seconded by Tracy. All members
in favor, no one opposed. Motion carries.
Buchsbaum expresses interest in the position of Vice-Chairman.
Thompson:
Motion to nominate Robert Buchsbaum to the position of Vice-Chairman
of the Open Space and Recreation Committee, seconded by Paluzzi. All
members in favor, no one opposed. Motion carries.
Flannery:
Motion to nominate Kathy Tracy to the position of Recording Secretary of
the Open Space and Recreation Committee, seconded by Palttzzi. All
members in favor, no one opposed. Motion carries.
Adoption of rules and relzulations for record keepin~
Cassidy states it is a requirement in the ordinance to establish rules and regulations for
record keeping. Cassidy asks members if they mind having a recording secretary come to
the meetings to record and draft the minutes of the board's actions and distributing them
to members for approval and adoption as a permanent record of the board's meetings.
The members agree to this method of record keeping.
Committee's role in the master plan process
Cassidy states the consultant, Steve Cecil would like to come to a meeting in the next few
weeks. Cecil would like to meet with the committee, find out what the issues and
concerns are. Cassidy states Cecil would like to share some information with the
committee and learn about members' thoughts and ideas. Cecil would like to meet with
Open Space and Recreation Committee Minutes
September 16, 1999
Page 9
the committee, take a month to research the issues and come back to meet with the
committee to share his findings.
Cassidy canvasses the members' schedules. Cassidy tentatively schedules the meeting
with Steve Cecil for Monday, October 18, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. in the Beverly Library,
subject to confirmation that Cecil can attend.
Gardner asks if there is any information about the open meeting law. Flannery responds
that she has information she would be happy to share with the committee members.
Flannery:
Motion to adjourn, seconded by Thompson. All members in favor, no one
opposed. Motion carries.
The meeting is adjourned at 8:45 p.m.