2005-07-06
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD: Open Space and Recreation Committee
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: July 6, 2005
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Robert Buchsbaum, Patricia Adams, Suzanne
Beaudoin, Tony Paluzzi, Pam Kampersal, Bill Squibb
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Ellen Flannery, Elizabeth Dunne, David Brewster, Paul
Knight
OTHERS PRESENT: Amy Maxner, Environmental Planner
RECORDER: Amy Maxner
Approval of Minutes
Paluzzi moves to accept the minutes from the June 1, 2005 regular meeting as amended.
Seconded by Adams. Squibb abstains. Motion carries 4-0-1.
Paluzzi moves to accept the minutes from the June 1, 2005 executive meeting. Seconded by
Kampersal. Squibb abstains. Motion carries 4-0-1.
Presentation from Matt Plum – Essex County VELO
Buchsbaum introduces Matt Plum, representative from Essex County VELO, a local cycling
organization involved with community projects throughout the North Shore.
Plum states that the VELO organization was established about 10 years ago, and he himself has
been biking throughout the North Shore for about 11 years now and believes this area has much
to offer. He goes on to explain the various projects and events the VELO membership is
involved with which includes trial maintenance and coordination with communities and
conservation organizations such as Essex County Greenbelt Association (ECGA).
Buchsbaum asks what projects they have done locally in Beverly. Plum states that on Common
Hill they worked with Cindy Mom with the ECGA, to establish a new trail that rerouted an
existing trail that was highly eroded and degraded, its aptly named the “Cindy Mom Trail”.
They have also done a boardwalk over some areas that were chronically muddy and wet. Last
summer the group did a very ambitious clean up of the area off of Greenwood Avenue and
collected a very large amount of trash and debris including refrigerators. He states that he
coordinated trash pick up with Amy Maxner and he had provided a report of what they
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July 6, 2005 Meeting Minutes
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accomplished and their findings as to trial conditions. He states that VELO would be more than
willing to help with any other projects that Beverly may need done.
Plum explains that this year they have worked with ECGA at Stony Cove in Gloucester, they
sponsored a kids cycling race at Bradley Palmer as well as a few other projects. He states that
they have a great relationship with Gove Lumber who has provided a 30% discount on all
materials they have needed for their construction projects. He states that they also receive
support and sponsorship from Eastern Mountain Sports and Cliff Bar Company for their various
events.
Buchsbaum states that the City has trouble keeping up with actual management of their open
space properties as there is no budget and very limited man power.
A brief discussion ensues regarding possible projects that the VELO could help the Committee
with. The Conservation Commission property off of Tall Tree Drive was discussed, as there is a
need for trail blazing and marking the trailhead and such. Plum expressed interest in helping
with anything the Committee needs done.
Plum provides the group’s web address (www.ecvcylcing.org) which has a link to the VELO’s
president , Dan Tieger who is the founder of the North Shore Bikeways Coalition. He also
provides their email addresses: matt@ecv.org and dan@ecv.org.
The Committee thanks Plum for coming to speak and they will keep his organization in mind for
future projects.
Presentation from Barbara Warren – Director of Salem Sound Coastwatch
Buchsbaum introduces Barbara Warren, director of Salem Sound Coastwatch.
Warren states she would like to first provide a little background on what her organization is
about. Originally it was named Salem Sound 2000, and since its inception its focus has been on
water quality of the Salem Sound. Water quality testing programs were initiated for outfalls
along the coast and could not have been accomplished without its trained volunteers. This work
continues and has been successful in pinpointing problem areas. Their name was changed to
Salem Sound Coastwatch and some of its focus has turned landward, as land use directly effects
water quality within the Sound.
Warren goes on to explain that her organization received grant money from the Department of
Conservation & Recreation Urban Forestry Department to develop watershed analysis mapping
of the Salem Sound and would like to share their preliminary findings with as many decision
makers within each community as possible. This research project, through the use of GIS
imaging and coordination with the various communities, aimed to characterize land use patterns
within the watershed and pinpoint priority areas that would need attention to mitigate for the
impact of that particular land use. She provides several maps for the Committee to review and
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explains the details found therein. She explains that there were three criteria that were used for
levels of mitigation, they are: Conservation – what areas of open space and undeveloped land
within the watershed would be best candidates for conservation restrictions or limiting
development; Restoration – what areas would best benefit from restoring the vegetation, planting
trees, native landscaping and the like; and Stormwater management – what areas would benefit
from improving treatment of stormwater runoff through the use of BMP’s or LID’s. The maps
show color-coding to indicate these criteria for various areas throughout Beverly. Members
review the maps and discuss areas of Beverly and how they relate to the Open Space Plan and
mission.
Warren explains that these results have shown that this is the tip of the ice burg in terms of what
other research and actions that need to be taken to address this issue, and she anticipates needing
further grant money to fully pursue this project. She hopes that this information can be useful to
the Committee. Members agree that this could tie into its land acquisition priorities and thanks
her for coming to speak on the topic. Warren states that as she progresses with this project she
will keep them informed.
Buchsbaum states in the interest of time, some items on the agenda could be postponed for
discussion to another meeting. He suggests addressing the following items.
Right-Of-Ways - Updates
Folger Avenue:
Maxner states she has looked into the status of Bathing Beach Lane and it has been determined
to be a private way. She indicates that Tanzella Avenue, a paper street, which provides frontage
for the City property, does allow for public access and it would seem that the terrain from Leech
Street would be much easier to traverse for most people.
YMCA:
Maxner states that Tina Cassidy, Planning Director, has called for a meeting with Buchsbaum,
Knight and David Gardner to discuss and brainstorm about the possible alternatives to the 50’
right of way to the landfill. Maxner explains that Cassidy would like input from an Open Space
perspective to help formulate a response to the YMCA’s alternative proposal.
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Natural History Newspaper Articles
Buchsbaum states that Brewster’s article was in last week’s Citizen. He states that more articles
are needed.
Kampersal states that Ron Johnsen has promised to finish his article on Norwood Pond and she
will follow with him on his progress.
Buchsbaum states that he will draft one on the rights of ways issue as it would seem timely to
broach this topic considering the YMCA problem.
Kiosk Poster for JC Phillips
Mary Reilly states that she had made final revisions to the poster and Amy Maxner arranged to
have it printed through the Engineering Department. Maxner provides a copy for members to
review.
Reilly states that she has not been able to open the frog & fern logo from Beaudoin. Beaudoin
states that she will ask her husband to work on the format and will get back to Reilly.
Buchsbaum suggests waiting to install the poster until adding the logo can be worked out.
Members thank Reilly for her time and effort on the poster and complement her on the result.
Conservation Restrictions
Buchsbaum states that the power point for Norwood Pond should be worked on at some point
before the Committee meets again. Members of the power point subcommittee state they will
arrange a time to meet sometime soon.
Other Business
Kampersal and Squibb initiate a discussion about the status of the Vitale Site playing fields.
Kampersal expresses her opposition to installing fields of any kind on the site. Buchsbaum states
that the Committee supported the proposal a few years back, and he recalls David Gardner
writing a letter of support on the Committee’s behalf.
Squibb states he wants to inform the Committee that the Cailin Road developer is proposing a
utility trench through the site to access their property from L.P. Henderson road with water and
sewer.
Buchsbaum reminds members the next meeting will be Wednesday, September 7, 2005 at 7:30
p.m.
There being no further items of business, Paluzzi moves to adjourn. Seconded by Squibb. All
members are in favor. Motion carries 6-0. Meeting is adjourned at 9:45 p.m.