2006-07-12
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD: Open Space and Recreation Committee
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: July 12, 2006
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Robert Buchsbaum (Chairman), Pam Kampersal, David
Brewster, Elizabeth Dunne
BOARD MEMBER ABSENT: Ellen Flannery, Patricia Adams, Bill Squibb, Tony
Paluzzi, Suzanne Beaudoin
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Amy Maxner
RECORDER: Andrea Bray
Due to the lack of a quorum, this session is treated as a working meeting. No voting will be
conducted.
Previous Agenda Minutes
Members review the previous minutes and make suggestions for amendments.
Old Business
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Section 6
Dunne distributes Section 6 of the Open Space Plan for the members’ review. She explains
that she wishes to defer the list of overall goals to Sections 8 and 9.
Maxner states that Section 6, Community Vision, should have goals portrayed with a broad
big picture approach, and the list should be in general terms.
Dunne suggests that the plan include recommendations for linkages of open space.
Buchsbaum states that he wishes to first prioritize the open space and then list other goals
such as linkages, recreational use, protection of watershed and habitats, protection of buffers
to key water bodies, scenic overlooks, and handicapped accessibility.
Beverly Open Space & Recreation Committee
July 12, 2006 Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 2
The committee discusses possible parcels that could accommodate handicapped access.
Those locations include a portion of the Phillips Estates, Norwood Pond property,
Greenwood off of Stone Ridge Road, and the Hill Property (Sally Milligan Park).
Buchsbaum agrees to recommend handicapped accessibility at the Norwood Pond and
Phillips locations, and to suggest linkages for many of the open spaces. He adds that the plan
should prioritize the linkage suggestions.
Much discussion ensues about linkage possibilities. Buchsbaum suggests obtaining a CR for
linkage between Dunham Office Park and Norwood Pond.
Dunne inquires about the landfill and the dump east of Windsor Courts, and thinks some of
that area will be developed. Brewster confirms the need to link Route 22 to the YMCA
property to the landfill. Kampersal states that Mastranzi owns the land behind the Hannah
School, which is located between Route 128 and the landfill.
Community Vision
, Section 6: Dunne asks if the bullets should be left as they are.
Buchsbaum notes that he wishes to modify some of them and to add his own thoughts, such
as goals to maintain rights of way to public land and the ocean, enhance maintenance of open
space, protect sense of habitat, provide handicapped access, protect view sheds (Mingo
Beach at Endicott College, Tanzella, and Greens Hill). Dunne agrees to update the list of
goals.
Buchsbaum asks if anyone else has anything for the community vision section 6.
Kampersal asks if protection of watershed land should be listed first. Buchsbaum suggests
that the plan can list watershed protection first or state that the list is in no particular order.
Kampersal requests that the group have a training session on applying for grants to help in
land acquisition and CR projects. The group agrees that it would be good to have a
workshop on grant applications.
List of Key Parcels
Kampersal requests the group review the list of key parcels and makes some corrections. She
advises the group that Johnson’s Tree Farm owner, Henry Bertolon, has expressed no interest
in putting his land into CR.
Brewster states that the Sweeney property is a good piece of land that should be placed under
CR. Brewster also expresses his desire to see the Beverly Golf and Tennis Club under CR.
The course is in Ward 1, and the clubhouse is in Ward 3. Buchsbaum expresses his caution
about adding any private property to the list of possible CR land, as it may be intimidating to
the owners.
Beverly Open Space & Recreation Committee
July 12, 2006 Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 3
Much discussion ensues and the members agree to add the Dunham Park land and the
Sweeney property to CR list.
Parcel Analysis
Dunne states that she continues to work on the parcel analysis. Buchsbaum states that the
forms need to be completed with all the Ward Representatives input on this analysis.
Section 9: Five-Year Action Plan
Brewster states that he has completed the plan but is unhappy with the format. He adds that
he may want to alter the format. He adds that the Table for Section 8 does not work out as
nicely but he likes the photos that he will add to the Section. He notes that he will draft a
five-year action plan in Section 9, and with a few exceptions, the goals will remain the same
as in the previous plan. Kampersal advises Brewster that she forwarded suggestions for
additional goals to him.
Maxner states that the action plan should list specific plans to achieve all of the goals, and
should be listed year by year. Each year the Committee should evaluate the actions and
progress of the previous year.
Updates:
Rights of way:
YMCA: Maxner states that there is nothing to report on the YMCA property and that she
intends to write a letter indicating the Committee’s discussion points on the proposed
mitigation plan..
Tall Tree Drive: Maxner states there is nothing new to report, she will inquire with the City
Solicitor on the status of this issue..
Newspaper Articles: Maxner states she has not had time to write a wrap up piece on Earth
Day but hopes to be able to do so shortly.
National Grid: Maxner states that there are no new developments with National Grid Boyles
Street property, she is waiting to hear back from the company’s counsel on the proposed trail
route.
New Business
Project Review for Consistency with Open Space Plan – Comments to other Boards
Beverly Open Space & Recreation Committee
July 12, 2006 Meeting Minutes
Page 4 of 4
240-242 Elliott Street, Conservation Commission NOI:
Maxner identifies this area as the
Bass River business plaza.. She states that two buildings will be razed and a new commercial
building erected most likely for restaurant use, and the existing stone dust walkway will
remain and be refurbishedalong the river.
7 Tall Tree Drive, Conservation Commission NOI:
Maxner states that this project
involves the installation of an in ground pool, large detached garage and restorative
plantings. She explains that the Commission already closed the hearing on this project, but
suggests that the committee might wish to send a letter to the owner and request an easement
to the trail.
Elections of Officers in September
Members of the Committee express a desire for Buchsbaum to continue as the Chair.
Committee Membership: Buchsbaum states that several people that originally expressed
interest in the committee have stopped coming to the meetings. The group needs to pick up
two at-large members (Mayoral appointments) and one member from the Planning Board.
Next Meeting Agenda
Buchsbaum states that the committee will not meet in August, therefore the next meeting will
th
be on Wednesday, September 6.
The meeting is adjourned at 9:30 PM.