2007-02-07
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD:
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE:
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
BOARD MEMBER ABSENT:
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
OTHERS PRESENT:
RECORDER:
Open Space and Recreation Committee
February 7, 2007
Robert Buchsbaum (Chairperson), Pam Kampersal,
Suzanne Beaudoin, Nancy Coffey, David Brewster, Bill
Squibb
Elizabeth Dunne, Michael Ralbovsky
Amy Maxner
Rene Mary
Andrea Bray
Chairperson Buchsbaum calls the meeting to order.
U odates
Ri2hts-of-wav
YMCA:
Buchsbaum states that representatives from the YMCA are present tonight to provide an
overview of the revised plan for pedestrian access on the City's 50-Foot Right of Way.
Tom Alexander, attorney for the YMCA introduces Jack Meaney, and Ken Knolls,
representing the YMCA, and distributes the plans for the right-of-way access. Alexander
explains that the cost estimates for the first proposal that involved a pathway over the berm
were too expensive so they moved it to the bottom of the berm within the parking lot and
included a gravel connection. The parking spaces will be modified to accommodate parallel
parking. There would be a wooden guardrail with each post constructed of pressure treated
wood.
The Committee members examined the new plans.
Kampersal asks if the parking spaces will be marked for trail walkers.
Alexander says that they will not be marked but that these are only overflow parking spaces,
which are used only in the event of a large crowd at the facility.
Beverly Open Space & Recreation Committee
February 7,2007 Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of6
Kampersal asks if the pathway will be wheelchair accessible.
Knolls states that because of the gravel in the pathway, it will not be wheelchair accessible.
Maxner asks about plowing.
Knolls states that the snow will be plowed away from the berm within the parking area but
that the path will not be shoveled.
Maxner asks if the pathway will be shoveled.
Rene Mary asks if water collects at the base of the berm. Knolls states that they have not
seen any water collect there.
Alexander adds that the large white pine trees have established on the berm and are doing
very well.
Knolls states that the pathway will be completed as soon as the weather clears.
Maxner states that once the Committee renders an opinion on this issue the YMCA will need
to go back to the Conservation Commission for these modifications as some work will occur
within the 100-Foot Buffer Zone.
Buchsbaum asks how long construction of the path will take. Knolls states it may take a few
weeks from start to finish.
Buchsbaum and Maxner thank Alexander, Meaney, and Knolls for their time. Alexander
states if the Committee has any questions to please contact him, or Maxner can contact him
or Ken Knowles.
Aooroval of Minutes
The members review the minutes from the January 10,2007 meeting and make suggestions
for amendments.
Coffey makes a motion to accept the minutes with the amendments, seconded by Kampersal.
All members are in favor. The motion passes 6-0.
YMCA
Buchsbaum asks members for comments regarding the new plan for the YMCA pathway.
Kampersal states that she is disappointed about the lack of handicapped access into the
property.
Beverly Open Space & Recreation Committee
February 7,2007 Meeting Minutes
Page 30f6
Buchsbaum says that their comment letter should be drafted stating that the Committee is in
favor of this plan and ask for signage, and remind the YMCA that trail users will be allowed
park in the adjacent parking lot.
Maxner states that the previous comment letter can be used as a template.
Buchsbaum agrees to review and revise the letter and distribute it to the members for
comments before sending it out.
Tall Tree Drive
Maxner states that there is nothing new to report on this issue, but will follow up with Roy
Gelineau as to the status of this.
Natural History N ewsDaDer Articles
Coffey distributes the article that she has written for the members to review. She asks the
members to submit any recommendations for changes to her by Friday.
Coffey says that she had originally promised that she would write an article on rights-of-way
and that she would be willing to begin that next, but it may take some time to complete.
Buchsbaum offers to work with Coffey on that article.
National Grid
Maxner states that she has not heard back from National Grid representatives relative to the
proposed trial on the Boyles Street Substation property.
Trail/ODen SDace MaD
Maxner states that she and Kampersal went out with Roland Adams who GPS'd most of the
Norwood Pond trails.
Kampersal says that they need to go back out because there were a couple of trails that
weren't obvious in the field and didn't line up with the existing Norwood Pond map.
Buchsbaum asks if access is available from the North Beverly School. Kampersal states that
there is access available from there but the trail may need to be widened at that point. She
points out that there is some illegal dumping on one area of the trail.
Kampersal says that the maps need to be amended with some points of interest and she offers
to revise the language for trail and vista descriptions.
Beverly Open Space & Recreation Committee
February 7,2007 Meeting Minutes
Page 40f6
Maxner lists the other properties that need to be GPS'd which include Sally Milligan, and
Beverly Commons.
Brewster asks how to distribute this map to the public. Beaudoin suggests using a web site
and offers to speak to her husband about it designing the display for the maps.
Brewster asks if the maps could be sent out with the tax bills.
Buchsbaum states that maps could be made available at the library and City Hall.
Beaudoin suggests that the maps be distributed to the schools.
Regarding the electronic copy of the trail map, Maxner states that she might try to trace it
down but that this might be a non-issue considering the accuracy and real time data that
Roland can gather for these.
Old Business
Earth Dav
Coffey states that Greenbelt offered to cosponsor a geology themed walk. She has been in
contact with a geologist that is a consultant for Peabody Essex Museum who is willing to
conduct a geology walk but he will charge $100 as a donation to the PEM. Members discuss
the inability to pay for guides. Coffey offers to impart that to the consultant.
Maxner confirms the date for actual Earth Day as Friday April 20, 2007. She provides the
draft nature walk schedule for members to review. She adds that Mike Ralbovsky, OSRC
member, will conduct his walk on Saturday April 22nd in the mid morning hours and it will
involve reptiles from near and far. She explains she has yet to confirm with Erika Sonder but
that she has indicated she will do one day on a weekend in late May.
Brewster offers to conduct a bird walk on the weekend of May 1ih and 13th. He expresses a
desire to do the walk at Pole Swamp Lane. Discussion ensues regarding parking for this area
and the possibility of doing an early morning walk. Brewster states that early morning is a
very good time for birding and would be willing to start out at 7:00 a.m.
The members discuss a tide pool walk. Buchsbaum offers to run this walk if another person
cannot be contacted. Coffey suggests a walk at West Beach. Buchsbaum states that this
would be an excellent area to investigate and thinks the tide pools at West Beach are
supenor.
Maxner asks Buchsbaum to pick a date for his walk and agrees to further tweak the draft a
schedule.
Beverly Open Space & Recreation Committee
February 7,2007 Meeting Minutes
Page 50f6
ODen SDace Committee Web Pa2e on City Website
Maxner states that she spoke to Russ Fisk, the director ofIT, and he is not open to allowing
access to too many people because it is a security issue. She adds that he suggested setting
up a link to a separate site which could be accessed on the City web site. Maxner suggests
that Beaudoin's husband speak directly to Russ in order to improve the communication on
this issue.
Buchsbaum states that he would like to have trail maps and the Open Space Plan on the site,
as well as the meeting minutes and agendas.
Beaudoin agrees to speak to her husband about assisting with this website.
Maintenance/Si2ns/Kiosks
Buchsbaum reminds the members that the most effective way to accomplish improvements is
to speak with their City Councilors.
Maxner states that she will inquire with Mike Collins to see ifDPW personnel can assist in
installing the kiosks.
The ODen SDace and Recreation Plan UDdate
Buchsbaum shows the members the Town ofIpswich Open Space Plan approved by the state
and notes that Sections 8 & 9 are much shorter than Beverly's plan and does not go into as
much detail.
Sections 3 and 4
Buchsbaum states that he and Kampersal have finished this section together. He distributes
the completed text on water resources.
Buchsbaum states he thinks that sections 3 and 4 are now complete.
Section 5
Buchsbaum states this section needs Liz Dunne's input but it is very close to completion.
Section 6
Buchsbaum states that Dunne completed a community goals section, and he distributes the
text to the members. He asks the members to look at this section and offer any comments.
Sections 8 and 9
Beverly Open Space & Recreation Committee
February 7,2007 Meeting Minutes
Page 60f6
Brewster states that the tables are formatted in a couple of different ways and hopes to get
feedback from members on the most preferable approach.
Kampersal states that one of the goals should be to protect the open space land around the
water supply and that it should be made much more of a priority. She cites an example of the
property near the airport. She adds that this should be a stand-alone objective.
Brewster says that he can show the water supply as a separate objective, and agrees to finish
this table and email the completed version to the members for their review.
Section 7
Buchsbaum states that this is the section where the priority parcels are listed in the prior plan.
He distributes the text for members to review. He states that the plan needs to provide
reasons why each priority parcel has been selected. He asks the Ward representatives to look
at this format and to get back to him with comment as to whether this is the right approach to
the topic.
Other Business
Conservation Restriction For AMG ProDerty
Buchsbaum states that he has had conversations with Ed Becker at Greenbelt and they are
happy to assist in approaching AMG regarding the potential for placing a Conservation
Restriction on the property. He will keep the Committee informed of any developments in
this regard.
Next Meeting
Maxner states that the next meeting will be Wednesday, March 7.
Adjournment
Beaudoin: Motion to adjourn, seconded by Kampersal. All members are in favor. The
motion passes 6-0.
The meeting is adjourned at 9:30 p.m.