2003-09-03
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD: Open Space and Recreation Committee
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: September 3, 2003
PLACE: City Hall, third floor
BOARD MEMBERS
PRESENT: Chairman David Gardner, Ellen Flannery, William
Squibb, Elizabeth Dunne, Kathy Skrabut, Anthony
Paluzzi, James MacNeil and Paul Knight (arrives 7:50).
ABSENT: Robert Buchsbaum
OTHERS PRESENT: Amy Maxner, Environmental Planner
RECORDER: Cheryl Lamont (tape)
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Gardner called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.
ACCEPTANCE OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
Paluzzi makes a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of August 6,
2003 with amendments. Squibb seconds. All in favor. Motion passes 7-0.
Skrabut makes a motion to accept the Executive Session minutes of August 6,
2003. Paluzzi seconds. All in favor. Motion passes 7-0.
OLD BUSINESS
Trail Maps/Action Plan Summary Distribution
Paluzzi states he has taken receipt of 1,000 trail maps that were reproduced. He
passed out samples to board members. Chairman Gardner suggests that they
be distributed outside the Planning office and at public presentations. It was
decided that they would also be distributed to the sites listed on the back of the
maps along with a letter to each contributor ($100.00 or more) with a copy of the
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map. Members agree that some would be given to Tom Scully for distribution at
the library, as well as the Cummings Center, Chamber of Commerce Information
Center, Beverly Co-operative Bank, Brown’s Bike Shop, YMCA, Paper Crane
and Wild Oats. Paluzzi volunteered to make these deliveries.
Report of presentations to ZBA
Chairman Gardner states that he and Buchsbaum made this power point
presentation geared to the Zoning Board to explain what was needed and some
things that the two bodies can work together on. The ZBA was in favor of a joint
meeting in the fall, with the Action Plan as the focal point.
Report on concept plan for pro bono work for Green’s Hill – MacNeil
MacNeil reported that he has not been very successful in getting in touch with his
contacts as various institutions. He states he is finding it difficult for anyone to
commit to work for free. He explains that this project does not seem to fit in with
what anyone is doing. He states he will continue working on this project. Board
members made a few suggestions for MacNeil to try, which included Tom
Scully’s neighbor Priscilla Randall. MacNeil states he will also pursue the three
professors’ names given to him by his friend who works at the Department of
Urban and Regional Planning at MIT. Dunne suggested the Arnold Arboretum.
MacNeil asked board members to give him any other suggestions they may have
in pursuing this project.
NEW BUSINESS
Funding Program possibilities – Tom Scully
Scully appeared before the board and gave a power point presentation for
funding suggestions.
The first thing to be determined is the amount of money that needs to be raised
and to look at grant possibilities, either foundation grants or government grants.
Next a fundraising committee needs to be formed along with a list of people who
could make substantial contributions. This group could then identify other
potential donors. Next, a giving pyramid is established and names of potential
donors are assigned to each level of giving. The group would need to identify
contact people for each potential donor who would do the “asking” by setting up
meetings with donors. The group would need to work with designers to develop
fundraising material and announce a fundraising campaign after forty percent
(40%) of the goal is pledged or attained. The group should arrange this
presentation before local community groups and plan high profile fundraising
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activities. Scully feels that local community groups and the PTO’s are good
places to announce fundraising activities.
Scully states that fundraising is a lot of work but it is something that can be done
with proper planning and organization.
Plan initial Action Plan proposal to Council and service clubs, including
project list
Chairman Gardner suggests that it would be beneficial to present the power point
presentation put together by Skrabut to the City Council. Gardner states he
th
would like to get this on the October 20Council agenda. MacNeil volunteers to
do the presentation and Gardner encourages board members to attend.
Ayers School PTO presentation
Chairman Gardner stated that there is a plan on paper that shows a road that
goes behind the Ayers Ryal Side School that ties into Woodland Avenue that is
not necessary and would interrupt Green’s Hill Park. He explains the alternative
would be to build a parking lot on the north side of the school. He explains that
a meeting was held with Rhonda Gauthier, Principal and David Lang, Chairman
of the Conservation Commission, who agreed with the alternative. Gardner
states that he would like the alternative to be presented to the neighbors and the
school PTO sometime in October. Skrabut raises concerns regarding meeting
with neighbors and PTO at a time when there is no available City funding for
such projects. Gardner prefers to meet as a means of providing interested parties
with an alternative to the plan on paper. Skrabut states that a meeting potentially
creates needless upset when there is no reasonable possibility that a road or
parking lot project will be undertaken by the City. Gardner indicates that Ward
One Councilor Maureen Troubetaris is in favor of a neighbor/PTO meeting and
suggests that Skrabut contact her. Skrabut states that she will contact Councilor
Troubetaris.
Rezoning Committee letter
Chairman Gardner explains that Buchsbaum, Dunne and himself attended a
meeting before Planning Board Chairman Richard Dinkin, who suggested that
the Committee write a letter to the ZBA (see letter in packet). Chairman Gardner
has drafted this letter and looked for comments from board members so that this
letter could be sent out.
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OTHER BUSINESS
Maxner passed out copies of letters to board members written by Chairman
Gardner who is looking for board member input. Gardner asks that board
members look them over and e-mail him any suggestions/changes.
Chairman Gardner discussed the draft budget and will choose items from it to
present to the service groups when the power point presentation is given.
Chairman Gardner stated that he will draft a letter to former board member,
Cindy Modugno, to thank her for her past service and continued participation.
NEXT MEETING AGENDA ITEMS AND DATE
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The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 1 at 7:30 P.M, 3 Floor
City Hall, Committee Room.
ADJOURNMENT
Paluzzi made a motion to adjourn. Flannery seconds. All in favor. Motion
passes 8-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:55 P.M.