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2007-11-07 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 November 7,2007 David Brewster, Elizabeth Dunne (Vice Chairperson), Marilyn McCrory, Bill Squib and Suzanne Beaudoin (at 8 :25), Robert Buchsbaum, Nancy Coffey, Pam Kampersal, Michael Ralbovsky Environmental Planner Amy Maxner Andrea Bray While waiting to have enough members for a quorum a discussion of the web site is held. Brewster and McCrory advise the members of the results of their brainstorming session on the Website. McCrory displays a basic template for the website format. Brewster states that they studied other websites to get ideas for content and layout. Dunne suggests having a workshop for the members to learn to design and modify web pages. At 8:25 Beaudoin arrives, making a quorum. Vice Chairperson Dunne calls the meeting to order. Minutes The members review the minutes from October 2, 2007 and make suggested amendments. Brewster motions to accept the minutes as amended, seconded by McCrory. Passes 5-0. Old Business The Open Space and Recreation Plan Maxner states that there was a presentation to the Conservation Commission. She adds that the plan will be presented to the Planning Board on November 20. She says the Planning Director, Tina Cassidy, has been reviewing the plan on behalf of the Mayor, and Open Space & Recreation Committee Meeting November 7,2007 Page 2 of3 has suggested some amendments. She reads these amendments and the members discuss these points. Dunne suggests that the members review this and email suggested language to Maxner. Maxner states that the Green's Hill and the Hill estates might have been purchased with some self-help funds, which would afford them protection under the care and custody of the Conservation Commission. She agrees to check the deeds for these properties to confirm this. New Business Watershed Issues/December Meeting McCrory states that she spoke to a gentleman named Chris LaPointe that would be interested in speaking to the committee about watershed land and the work that Trust for Public Land (TPL) does in this regard. Maxner notes that Buchsbaum will invite Richard Baker to an upcoming meeting but that the Committee needs to have a series of questions ready for him to address. The members discuss the plans for the December meeting. Dunne states that traditionally there is a brief meeting in December, followed immediately by the holiday dinner. McCrory suggests "Monet's Garden" on Rantoul Street. Brewster suggests "Casa de Luca" . Maxner states that the meeting would be held on December 5, which is the first Wednesday of the month. She agrees to advise the members of the final plans. U odates Rights-of-Way Tall Tree Drive: Maxner reads a letter addressed to the homeowners from the City Solicitor, Roy Gelineau, which states that the homeowners must remove the fence on their property. Dunne suggests a similar letter for the property at the entrance to Branch Lane. YMCA: Maxner states that she drafted a letter for Cassidy and is waiting for her review. National Grid: Maxner states that the City's liability policy conforms to National Grid's in regards to the proposed trail easement. She states that she has communicated this to her contact at National Grid and is waiting to hear back. Newspaper Articles Open Space & Recreation Committee Meeting November 7,2007 Page 3 of3 Maxner states that Buchsbaum offered to write an article about the updated Open Space Plan. Other Business Boulder Lane Brewster asks about the rumors of development at Boulder Lane, bordering Wenham. Maxner states that there are preliminary plans for commercial development near Gordon College in Wenham. She refers to the map and indicates the area between Hull Street and 128, off of Grapevine Road. She describes the obstacles to this development, which include the presence of wetlands, and the need for a sewer system. Pole Swamp Lane Maxner states that the Conservation Commission received a Notice of Intent for the improvement of the way known as Pole Swamp Lane. She adds that the owners wish to improve the road by making a hammerhead, to create two additional lots, for a total of four lots. The members study the plans. It is noted that the start of Pole Swamp Lane is in Manchester. Squibb suggests that it might not be possible to develop a street in Manchester that has no development in Manchester, in order to access developable land in Beverly. Maxner states that if the applicant moves the layout of the right-of-way, it may constitute a full definitive subdivision. She adds that the public hearing will be next Tuesday. Maxner states that an ANR application must first have a completed road, so the Planning Department advised him to finish the road first, and them apply for the ANR. Members agree that the public access to the open space along Pole Swamp is critical to maintain and the Committee should write to the Conservation Commission about this issue. Brewster motions to adjourn, seconded by Beaudoin. Passes 5-0. The meeting is adjourned at 9:50 PM.