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2006-01-04 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: Open Space and Recreation Committee SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: January 4, 2006 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Robert Buchsbaum (Chairman), Suzanne Beaudoin, Tony Paluzzi, Pam Kampersal, David Brewster, Bill Squibb (arrives 8:05 p.m.) BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Ellen Flannery, Patricia Adams & Elizabeth Dunne STAFF MEMBER PRESENT Amy Maxner RECORDER: Amy Maxner Buchsbaum calls the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and states that there are only five members present, and therefore there is no quorum. He states the Committee can proceed with informal discussion on some agenda items until more members arrive. Right of Ways Tall Tree Drive: Maxner provides a brief update on the access to Conservation Commission property off of Tall Tree Drive. She states the she, Robert Buchsbaum, Planning Director Tina Cassidy and Assistant City Engineer Gerry Marsella met to discuss ways to approach regaining access. She explains the following plan of action that was decided upon: 1. Marsella agreed to contact the former survey companies to inquire if any research documentation from the original 1960’s Tall Tree subdivision is still available in the hopes this would reveal language regarding the property’s frontage on Tall Tree Drive, he also agreed to conduct deed research at the Registry; 2. It was decided that the City would first negotiate with the current property owner, 14 Tall Tree Drive, who’s fence is encroaching onto City land, to remove the fence and grant an easement for trial access; 3. If the current property owner shows no interest in negotiating, the City would move forward in reclaiming its frontage through legal action. Maxner states she will follow up with Marsella to inquire of his progress in gathering survey information and keep the Committee informed of any progress on this item. Beverly Open Space & Recreation Committee January 4, 2006 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 5 YMCA Off Essex Street Maxner explains that Tina Cassidy has prepared a letter outlining recommendations solicited from Robert Buchsbaum and David Gardner regarding resolution of the YMCA’s obstruction of the City’s 50-Foot Right of Way which will be formalized by Roy Gelineau, City Solicitor, and forwarded to the Jack Meany of the YMCA and Tom Alexander the YMCA’s attorney. She anticipates a meeting to be set shortly after that. She will keep the Committee informed of any progress on this item. Kiosks & Signage Buchsbaum states that now that the trail disk markers are in, the Committee should start marking trials and property boundaries. A field trip is scheduled for Saturday, January 7, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at Sally Milligan Park to meet at the monument on Cross Lane to mark portions of the Park boundaries. Buchsbaum encourages members to attend if at all possible. Other field trips will be held over the next few months to put up markers on other properties. Natural History Newspaper Articles Buchsbaum states that the Norwood Pond article has yet to be published. Kampersal offers to contact the new editor of the Citizen to inquire if the paper is still interested in this article series. Norwood Pond Trail Walk w/ City Council Members briefly discuss rescheduling a field trip at Norwood Pond to keep the Council interested in the discussion on placing a Conservation Restriction on the property. Members agree to wait until the spring to schedule such a walk. It was also agreed that vernal pool investigation would be an appropriate theme in the spring. Squibb arrives at 8:05 PM so a quorum is reached. Approval of Minutes Paluzzi moves to approve the November 2, 2005 meeting minutes as amended. Seconded by Kampersal. All in favor. Motion carries 6-0. Beverly Open Space & Recreation Committee January 4, 2006 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 5 Open Space Parcels – Priorities for Acquisition Buchsbaum states the Committee should discuss properties that have been identified for acquisition. Kampersal states the Mayor is requesting that the Conservation Commission release the former Vitale Site from its care and custody in exchange for a similar sized piece of city owned property in order that the Vitale Site be developed for active recreation. She states she feels strongly that the Vitale Site should remain in the care and watchful eye of the Commission and asks if the Committee would support keeping the property under the Commission’s control. Buchsbaum states the Committee had endorsed the use of the Vitale Site for active recreation, specifically playing fields back in early 2003 and thinks that other parcels may be more of a priority. As an example, parcels along Pole Swamp Lane. Maxner provides maps of the parcels which the Mayor is considering for the swap with the Commission and states there are several parcels out along Pole Swamp Lane that border Manchester that are up for the Commission’s consideration. She states the Mayor is scheduled to th discuss this matter with the Commission at its January 10 meeting. Buchsbaum states consolidating these parcels with existing adjacent Conservation Commission land would advance the objectives of the Open Space Plan as this area of the City is a priority. Squibb states he would be in favor of making parcels within the watershed to Wenham Lake priorities for protection, but thinks the Conservation Commission will take its time in evaluating the proposed swap and look closely at the parcels offered by the Mayor. He suggests the Committee write a letter to the Commission regarding its position and thinks there will be time as he doubts the Commission will make a decision at the next meeting. Maxner states the Commission will no doubt want to walk the properties that the Mayor is offering so there is plenty of time for the Committee to come to a consensus on this topic. Buchsbaum suggests that members of this Committee attend the Commission meeting on th January 10 to listen to the discussion and at the February meeting it can be discussed further. Earth Day Plans Maxner states she is willing to help organize and Earth Day fair as the Committee has done the past three years, but is open to any other format that may be more effective to raise environmental awareness. Discussion ensues regarding possible events that could be hosted by the Committee. Maxner states the Committee may want to consider tying any event in with Biodiversity Days, which is being promoted by the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC). Beverly Open Space & Recreation Committee January 4, 2006 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5 Beaudoin states the idea of a series of natural history walks or field trips may be a viable option, but the scheduling should be sensitive to families with children in sports programs. She states that the afternoons would probably work best for most. Members agree. Buchsbaum states the Beverly Conservation Land Trust (BCLT) may be interested in partnering in this initiative. Emilie Cademartori states she will discuss this idea with the Land Trust at its next meeting, but is optimistic that they would want to participate. Discussion ensues regarding the format of the walks and it is agreed that each walk or field trip should center on a particular natural history theme and should have leaders to facilitate discussion and observation. Members agree that vernal pool investigation at Norwood Pond in April would be a perfect opportunity to host a walk and invite the City Council members and their families to facilitate and encourage discussion on placing a Conservation Restriction on that property. Brewster states this format may work better in that families will have a list of events or walks to chose from, and if they cannot make one they may be able to make time for another, as opposed to a one day affair that is all or nothing. It is agreed this item will be placed on the next meeting agenda at which time a tentative schedule, field trip locations and themes will be developed. Open Space & Recreation Plan Update Buchsbaum states it is time to update the Open Space & Recreation Plan and provides an outline and table of contents from the existing plan to facilitate discussion. He explains this Committee was formed in 1999 at which time an outside consulting firm, The Cecil Group, was hired to help the Committee update the Plan. He doubts there are any funds for hiring a consultant to help with the update at this time, but thinks there is a good foundation for the Committee to work off of the existing Plan. Maxner explains she researched the Division of Conservation Services web site and downloaded the most recent plan requirements and accompanying workbook to aid in developing the updated plan. She states she will email these documents to Committee members, as they are lengthy. She explains there are additional sections required since the Plan was last updated, and they include a section for public and city departmental comment and a section for references to be cited. Kampersal asks if watershed protection is a priority of the existing plan, and if not could that be integrated into the updated plan. Buchsbaum states that is a possibility, and suggests that members brainstorm for any other suggestions, deletions or additions they would like to see happen in the updated plan. Maxner agrees to work with Roland Adams, GIS Coordinator, to obtain a watershed map showing potential priority parcels. Beverly Open Space & Recreation Committee January 4, 2006 Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5 Discussion ensues regarding specific elements of the plan, Emilie Cademartori (of BCLT) explains the Plan is a guidance document that should help the City or Town prioritize open space and recreation initiatives. She states the Plan is approved by and kept on file with the State EOEA and it provides guidance for State agencies in approving grant money for City’s to cross- reference and ensure the City is following its Plan. Maxner states there will need to be public meetings to solicit public comment. Discussion ensues on updating the plan and if sections should be split between Committee teams. Maxner agrees to check if the existing Plan is in electronic form. She also agrees to speak with Tina Cassidy regarding sections that may need her input. Buchsbaum states this item will be on the next agenda for more in depth discussion. Tax Title & Owner Unknown Property Buchsbaum states he, Maxner, Tina Cassidy, Dave Gardner and Roy Gelineau will be meeting to discuss acquisition strategies for tax title and owner unknown properties. He states this meeting may provide definite priority parcels that the City is willing to move forward on and grant money may aid in these endeavors, as would the purchase of Conservation Restrictions on certain private parcels. Buchsbaum states he will update the Committee on this topic at the next meeting. New or Other Business Buchsbaum asks if any members have any other business they would like to discuss. There was none. Buchsbaum states the next meeting will be Wednesday, February 1, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. here in City Hall. Adjournment Paluzzi moves to adjourn. Seconded by Brewster. All members in favor. Motion carries 6-0. Meeting is adjourned at 9:30 p.m.