2002-05-06City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
BOARD: Open Space and Recreation Committee
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: May 6, 2002
PLACE: Beverly Library
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: David Gardner (Chairman), Charles Raymond,
Kathern Tracey, Bill Squibb, Cindy Modugno,
Kathleen Skrabut, Elizabeth Dunn, Robert
Buchsbaum, Ellen Flannery
ABSENT: Anthony Paluzzi
OTHERS PRESENT: City Planner Debra Hurlburt
RECORDER: Jeannine Dion
Chairperson Gardner calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Old Business
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes
Skrabut:
Motion to accept the April 1, 2002 meeting minutes as written, seconded
by Tracey. All members in favor, no one in opposition. Motion carries.
Old Business
Signage – Streets and Woodlands
Dunn states she has received more information regarding commercial signs. She has
spoken with Mike Collins regarding signage along the streets. Collins informs Dunn that
there are regulations, which must be adhered to. She recommends that the committee
decide if it wants different signs for different trails.
Buchsbaum recommends color-coded signs for trails.
Hurlburt states that Salem uses a marker identifying a specific bird, which comes from that
habitat.
There is discussion regarding the use of the “Hannah” for signs.
Gardner recommends discussing the following at the next meeting:
·
Using the “Hannah” for signs
·
Cost for blazes
Open Space and Recreation Committee Minutes
May 6, 2002
Page 2
Mission Statement
Tracey will E-Mail the current version of the Mission Statement for members’ comments
and the committee will discuss at the next meeting.
Action Plan Update
To be discussed at the next meeting.
Earth Day Report
Skrabut reports that she conducted a walk on Earth Day and eight people accompanied
her. She states that a larger number of people would have been great, but the people had
a great time. She was astonished by the amount of trash the group collected.
Buchsbaum reports that he walked the Norwood Pond area with two groups. The first
group scooped and picked out tadpoles out of a vernal pool. The second group found
another vernal pool.
Modugno reports that later in the day at the kiosk, there were lots of people, animals and
information. The only drawback was that there were no handouts and everything had to
be purchased.
New Business
Trails
Modugno introduces Mr. Dana Hansen, Chairman of the Chebacco Woods Land
Management Committee.
Hansen states that he was Chairman of the Chebacco Woods Land Management
Committee and he felt the best approach to developing the map was to ask “Who is going
to use this map?” (mountain bikers, cross country skiers, walkers, Fire Department,
Police Department, Public Works Department, etc.). The age of the people using the park
range from 12 to 95 years old.
He states the committee used a USGS topographical map. The trails are delineated by
dashed lines (---) and blazes were used. The committee decided not to show every trail on
the map because it gets too confusing.
The Chebacco Woods Map provides the following information:
Open Space and Recreation Committee Minutes
May 6, 2002
Page 3
·
Welcome (description of the woods)
·
List of species which inhabit the property
·
Management
·
Trail system
·
Permitted uses
·
Reporting problems
·
About this trail map
There is a kiosk and small shelter with a bulletin board at the “main trails entrance.” Maps
may be obtained at the kiosk, town hall and the library.
Dunn asks where the funding came from. Hansen responds that the property is owned by
the Town of Hamilton and Manchester-by-the-Sea. Each town had a line item in the
budget and the committee had an annual budget under the Conservation Commission.
Hansen states that blazes work well. The committee used pieces of ¼ inch pine. Each
piece was painted a different color.
Hansen states that the committee prints about 2,000 trail maps at a time and they have
distributed approximately 7,000 to 8,000 trail maps in 2 ½ years.
The Open Space and Recreation Committee thank Mr. Hansen for his presentation.
Trails Map Discussion
Gardner states that he believes the committee must get a trail map out now and work on
improving it later.
Tom Scully recommends that the committee solicit businesses to help pay for the maps.
Hurlburt recommends perhaps trying to do one map and do it well, every six months to
one year. Also, the committee could solicit businesses, college (graphic arts departments)
to work on it. It could take it away from the committee and get professional maps.
Skrabut recognizes all the work Kathern Tracey, Charlie Raymond and Tony Paluzzi have
done on the maps.
Hurlburt offers to contact someone from Montserrat College. She recommends meeting
with the subcommittee and reporting back at the next meeting.
Planning Biodiversity Day Activities
Open Space and Recreation Committee Minutes
May 6, 2002
Page 4
Modugno encourages the schools to participate.
Buchsbaum states that it is important to make it a fun event for Beverly.
Modugno volunteers to contact Cable, Community News and the schools (fax).
Tom Scully states that he is developing a “Community Events” calendar on the cities’
website. He could include Biodiversity Day on the website.
Hurlburt states that she was involved in the planning of a similar event and it requires lots
of planning in advance of the event. She targeted the schools and copied every student K-
8. She recommends that the committee choose perhaps two events during the year and
work at it more in advance.
Next Meeting Date
The next Open Space and Recreation meeting is scheduled on June 3, 2002.
Adjournment
Flannery:
motion to adjourn, seconded by Tracey, all members in favor, no one
opposed. Motion carries.
A roll call vote is taken to go into Executive Session. There will be no open business after
Executive Session. Charles Raymond (yes), Kathern Tracey (yes), Bill Squibb (yes),
Cindy Modugno (yes), Kathleen Skrabut (yes), Elizabeth Dunn (yes), Robert Buchsbaum
(yes), Ellen Flannery (yes), David Gardner (Chairman) (yes).
The regular meeting is adjourned.