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2002-03-21 City of Beverly Public Meeting Minutes BOARD: Open Space and Recreation Committee SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: March 21, 2002 PLACE: Beverly Public Library MEMBERS PRESENT: David Gardner, Robert Buchsbaum, Ellen Flannery, Kathleen Skrabut, Charles Raymond, Elizabeth Dunne, William Squibb, Cynthia Modugno, James MacNeil MEMBERS ABSENT: Kathern Tracy, Anthony Paluzzi ALSO PRESENT: Planning Director Debra Hurlburt, Director of Community Services Tom Scully, City Councilors Paul Guanci, Virginia McGlynn, Roger Morency, Maureen Troubetaris RECORDER: Karen Bradley Overview of the Action Plan – Dave Gardner, Chairman Gardner calls the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. He states that the purpose of this public hearing is to review the Action Plan 2002. He states that at the conclusion of the presentations, he would like the public to break out into wards to discuss vulnerable sites within each ward. Gardner explains that the information that is gathered this evening will be incorporated into the Action Plan. Prior to the presentations, Gardner reviews the map of inventory of open space that is included in the Action Plan. Overview – Ward One – Kathy Skrabut, Ward 1 Representative Skrabut conducts her presentation (see minutes dated March 5, 2002 for details of this presentation). Skrabut hands out a list of suggested walking streets/paths for Ward One and states that on Earth Day (April 20, 2002) she will organize a walk incorporating this list of streets. Renee Mary, 274 Hale Street states that it would be very informative to include some of the history of this area as well. Overview – Ward Four – Robert Buchsbaum, Ward 4 Representative Buchsbaum conducts his presentation (see minutes dated March 5, 2002 for details of this presentation). He reminds the public the importance of attempting to acquire the Hill Property with respect to Sally Milligan Park. At the conclusion of Buchsbaum’s presentation he asks the public if there are any questions. Open Space and Recreation Committee minutes March 21, 2002 Page two City Councilor Virginia McGlynn asks how long it would take to reestablish the natural state of an old path that was no longer in use. Buchsbaum states that he is not sure. McGlynn asks the status of the Hill Property. Buchsbaum states that the city is still negotiating with the owners. Jack Monahan asks who owns the Hill Property. Scully states that the property is owned by the Trustees of the Hill Family and explains that it is in an estate land trust. City Councilor Paul Guanci asks how much money is presently available from the $200 thousands grant that the OSRC acquired last year. Gardner states that approximately $32-33 thousand has been spent to date. He states that presently there are a few smaller sites that are being pursued and, if acquired, will be paid for with the remainder of this grant money. Gardner explains that the Planning Board met recently regarding a proposal to change zoning for potential senior housing adjacent to the Vitale Site. He states that the OSRC would like to see a playing field on this site and the OSRC was able to express that idea to the Planning Board at the meeting. Flannery states that the Planning Board voted not to recommend this zoning change to the City Council. Individual ward discussions – ideas for open space and recreation projects Gardner asks the public to break out into groups by ward to discuss important sites of interest. He states that group discussions will last approximately ½ hour. Reconvene to discuss ward project proposals Ward One · Develop paths for eventual use of Green’s Hill. · Pursue acquisition of waterfront land owned by the Ryal Side Civic Association. Ward Two - Nothing to report Ward Three · Potential Roundy Street pocket park. Ward Four · Clean up Sally Milligan Park. · Bartlett Estate access – possible easement for trail within the 100-foot buffer zone. · Research history of Sally Milligan Park. Scully states that the park was left to the city for women and children to get away from automobiles. He states that he will get a copy of the deed. · Preserve Rights-of-Ways – Prince Street, Witch Lane. · Planting around Central Cemetery/one mile walking path around Central Cemetery. · Maintain access to the ocean. Open Space and Recreation Committee minutes March 21, 2002 Page three Ward Five · Research potential acquisition of property around the Music Theatre. Buchsbaum states that some of that property is Greenbelt land. He states that this property could be ecologically valuable (property near Livermore Estate). Ward Six - Nothing to report. Gardner states that he will draft this information for approval. He thanks everyone in attendance for coming to the meeting. The meeting concludes at 8:35 p.m.