2007-07-11
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD:
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE:
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Open Space and Recreation Committee
July 11, 2007
Robert Buchsbaum (Chairperson), Suzanne Beaudoin,
Nancy Coffey, Pam Kampersal, Bill Squibb arrives at 7:45
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
Elizabeth Dunne (Vice-Chair), David Brewster, Michael
Ralbovsky
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Amy Maxner, Kate Newhall
OTHERS PRESENT:
Marilyn McCrory
RECORDER:
Amy Maxner, Kate Newhall
Chairperson Buchsbaum calls the meeting to order at 7:30pm.
Old Business: The Open Space and Recreation Plan
The members review Newhall's memo from the public comment meeting held at the
Beverly Library. Newhall will include this memo in the draft plan.
Coffey asks what the italics in the plan mean. Newhall states they are the specific
recommendations made by the committee.
Kampersal asks about page 3 and recommending amending the zoning to protect the
water supply. Newhall states this recommendation is already listed on page 28 of the
plan.
Squibb arrives.
Acceptance of Minutes
Coffey makes a motion to accept the minutes from the June 6, 2007 meeting, Kampersal
seconds. The minutes are approved 4-0-1. Squibb abstains.
Buchsbaum asks Maxner to determine whether or not members may vote on minutes if
they did not attend the specific meeting.
Old Business con't: The Open Space and Recreation Plan
The committee debates how to handle watershed protection in the plan.
Beverly Open Space &Recreation Committee
July 11, 2007 Meeting Minutes
Squibb asks if it is a matter more for the Conservation Commission.
McCrory questions why the Open Space Committee can't recommend in the plan for
development on City-owned parcels in the watershed be stopped. The best method of
protection for watersheds is open land.
Coffey suggests asking the City to put development of these parcels on hold, to allow
time for gathering information and input from the Conservation Commission, Water
Board, watershed groups, and check with the DEP guidance document.
Buchsbaum asks if it is a wise move politically to ask that development be halted in the
watershed area.
Beaudoin states that the Committee must define a "watershed."
Maxner states that she can work with Roland Adams to generate a map depicting the
protective Zones around Wenham Lake and its contributing tributaries.
Members discuss the action plan.
Beaudoin moves to put watershed protection at the top of the list of environmental
objectives and add the Longham Reservoir with the Wenham Lake Reservoir to the
language. Coffey seconds the motion. Buchsbaum is opposed. The motion carries 3-1-
1, with Kampersal abstaining to make a counter motion.
Kampersal motions to make watershed protection its own stand alone objective, rather
than including it in the environmental actions list. Squibb seconds the motion.
There is discussion as to what the actions should be. Kampersal suggests that an update
to the current Watershed Protection Overlay District should be done, set up a watershed
committee should be established, and amending the Zoning Ordinance to incorporate
protections of the watershed.
Beaudoin states that she is not comfortable with that approach.
Kampersal states that she has taken these recommendations from the DEP regulations.
McCrory states that Kampersal's suggestions seem to constitute a separate objective.
Buchsbaum states that these suggested actions are worthy goals but are not within the
purview of the Committee to carry out. He thinks that these are for a watershed group as
opposed to this Open Space Committee.
Kampersal restates her motion for a separate objective with the following
recommendations: surface water supply plan, watershed committee, amend Zoning
Ordinance to coincide with the DEP regulations.
Beverly Open Space &Recreation Committee
July 11, 2007 Meeting Minutes
Squibb seconds the motion. Buchsbaum, Coffey and Beaudoin opposed. Motion fails 2-
3.
Coffey states that Ward Reps must speak to their Councilors regarding the plan.
To Do
Newhall to edit the Action Plan, as discussed and append the public comments to the
draft plan.
Maxner and Newhall to determine responsible parties and priorities for the Action Plan.
Adjournment
Squibb made a motion to adjourn. Kampersal seconded, all members in favor. The
motion carries 5-0.
The meeting is adjourned at 9:45 pm.