2007-10-03
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD:
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE:
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
BOARD MEMBER ABSENT:
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
OTHERS PRESENT:
RECORDER:
Buchsbaum calls the meeting to order.
Open Space and Recreation Committee
October 3,2001'
Robert Buchsbaum (Chairperson), Suzanne
Beaudoin, David Brewster, Nancy Coffey,
Elizabeth Dunne, Marilyn McCrory
Pam Kampersal, Bill Squib, Michael Ralbovsky
Environmental Planner Amy Maxner, Associate
Planner Kate Newhall
Renee Mary
Andrea Bray
Acceptance of Previous Minutes: September 5. Meetin2
The members review the minutes and make suggested changes.
Dunne motions to approve the minutes as amended, seconded by Coffey. Motion passes
6-0-1 (one abstention).
Old Business
Membership
Buchsbaum states that Marilyn McCrory is now an official member and will besworn in
shortly. He adds that the committee still has a few openings that include the
Conservation Commission, Planning Board and Harbor Management.
McCrory suggests asking Mary Reilly, member of the Conservation Commission, to join.
Maxner states that she will ask Bill Squibb as to whether he would like to represent the
Conservation Commission, which would free up his Ward 3 seat and it may be easier to
fill aWard seat rather than an existing board seat.
Open Space & Recreation Committee
October 3, 2007 Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 4
Draft Open Space and Recreation Plan
Dunne states that her presentation to the Conservation Commission was well received.
She adds that some members of the Commission were eager to help in accomplishing the
goals set forth.
Newhall distributes a projected timeline of comments from various City bodies that she
has prepared. She explains the Mayor, the City Council, and the Conservation
Commission have all been provided a copy of the Plan or executive summary and have
been asked to submit comments. She states that the Planning Board has requested a
presentation at their November 20th meeting, and a volunteer will be needed to present to
the Planning Board that night. Buchsbaum states that can be decided at the next meeting.
Newhall states that she will be preparing draft letters of support for each board for their
signature.
Buchsbaum states that he spoke with Kevin Hobin, Ward 4 Councilor, and Hobin was
pleased with the Plan. Robert suggests that Maxner and Newhall offer to meet with the
Mayor to discuss any comments he may have. He will make himself available for that
meeting if the Mayor chooses to meet.
Buchsbaum suggests that the Ward representatives contact their Ward councilor to solicit
comments and for members to review language in Chapter 4.
Follow-up Discussion on Site Visit to Vitale Site and Airport Vicinity
Buchsbaum asks if members have any comments offer regarding the site visit. He states
that he was impressed with the obvious divide between the watershed to the Bass River
and Wenham Lake.
Brewster states that it is a confused watershed area because of the Bass River on one side
of Henderson Road and Wenham Lake on the other side. He adds that the municipal
property would probably support a rink if built with sensitivity to the environment and
watershed issues.
The members study the map of the Vitale Property open space and discuss the properties
in the vicinity. General discussion ensues regarding the watershed, development and
drinking water protection methods.
Brewster suggests inquiring with Tom Knowlton as to the water board's opinion as to the
Watershed Overlay District delineation and what studies were done to support it.
Buchsbaum says that it may not be necessary to have him here but they could get his
opinion on the watershed in that area. He adds that they can organize a forum with
Richard Baker on this topic after the Open Space Plan is completed and submitted.
Open Space & Recreation Committee
October 3, 2007 Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 4
McCrory offers to inquire with her colleagues at the State level with expertise on these
issues as well as a contact at the Trust for Public Land.
Web Site
Buchsbaum says that the web page is hard to find on the City website. Maxner states that
it is listed under "Boards and Commissions".
Buchsbaum states that he couldn't open the maps or the plan. He adds that it may be the
fault of his server.
Discussion ensues as to ideas for content on the Open Space webpage. The Website
Subcommittee agrees to work on this and offer suggestions at the next meeting.
Updates
Ri2hts-of-wav
Brackenbury Lane: Coffey states that the "official" public access is the right of way for
the public landing at the end of Brackenbury Lane. A strip of land along the shore known
as "The Ancient Way" does have public access as well She explains that the Ancient
Way ran along the shoreline in that area and it was interrupted in 1956 with the
development of the house at the end of Lawnbank Road. She adds that the Way would
have run right across the deck of this house and the homeowner worked to block this.
Coffey states that this is deeded as a public way and she will continue to work on this to
locate the deed.
YMCA: Maxner states that she has a letter drafted for Tina Cassidy to give to the City
Council.
Tall Tree Drive: Maxner states that she has no new information and she will follow-up
with City Solicitor Roy Gelineau.
Kiosks: Maxner states that she emailed Matt Plum with the Essex County VELO and he
hasn't responded yet.
Newspaper Articles
Coffey offers to write about the draft Plan to try to garner public awareness and
participation.
Beaudoin states that she would like to write about "Cat Swamp" behind Hannah School.
National Grid Trail Easement
Open Space & Recreation Committee
October 3, 2007 Meeting Minutes
Page 4 of 4
Maxner states that the City does have insurance liability coverage and the City Solicitor
suggested that she contact National Grid to find out the coverage they require. She says
that this has to go through a Risk Management Committee at National Grid to determine
where there are gaps in coverage.
New Business
Landowner Forum: Buchsbaum states that he has not yet contacted Ed Becker with
Greenbelt on this. Maxner reminds the Committee that this forum is scheduled for Year
1 in the goals of the Plan and this should remain on the list of things to do.
Mass Bicycle Plan
Maxner states that the draft Mass Bike Plan will be available on the Web October 5 and
the state would like feedback by October 19. (www.massbikeplan.org)
Buchsbaum suggests that the members look at this and determine if it seems like it is
worthy of this Committee's involvement.
Newhall states that the bike racks will be installed at four train stations and two libraries.
Next Meetin2: November 7. 2007
Buchsbaum states that the next meeting should be used for the members to schedule all
items for year one of the actions plan.
Beaudoin motions to adjourn, seconded by Coffey. Motion passes 6-0.
The meeting is adjourned at 9:30 PM.