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2008-04-02 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: OTHERS PRESENT: RECORDER: Open Space and Recreation Committee April 2, 2008 Robert Buchsbaum (Chairperson), Suzanne Beaudoin, David Brewster, Nancy Coffey, Elizabeth Dunne, Pam Kampersal, Marilyn McCrory, Bill Squibb Michael Ralbovsky Environmental Planner Amy Maxner, Associate Planner Kate Newhall Sylvan Menezes with the Harbor Management Authority Andrea Bray Chairperson Buchsbaum calls the meeting to order. Acceptance of Minutes - March 5. 2008 Meetin2 The members review the minutes and make recommendations for alterations. Brewster: 5-0. Motion to approve the amended minutes, seconded by Beaudoin. Passes Immediately after this vote Squibb, Coffey, and Dunne arrive. Old Business The Open Space and Recreation Plan Newhall states that she sent the plan to the state, and it should take them about 6 weeks to respond. Buchsbaum expresses concern about a possible low attendance at the landowner forum considering the economy and ECGA sentiments about their own forum, but he offeres to contact Ed Becker at Greenbelt to discuss this further. The members discuss possible attendees for the forum. Buchsbaum asks how the members would like to follow up on water resource issues. Coffee suggests inviting City Councilors to a meeting to discuss the consequences of Open Space & Recreation Committee April 2, 2008 Meeting Page 2 of 4 watershed development. McCrory states that she would be interested to know the opinion of the Water Board on the development of the Sam Fonzo Drive property. Buchsbaum asks Maxner to contact Anthony Kline, citizen representative to the Board, about coming to a meeting. Buchsbaum states that he would like to look into grant money for acquiring open space. The members discuss alternate means of acquiring open space, such as tax title land and eminent domain. Buchsbaum suggests that the committee determine the open space property parcels that they can attempt to secure for CR. Buchsbaum states that his letter was sent to AMG about two weeks ago and he has not received any response yet. Buchsbaum suggests inviting Dave Gardner to come and explain the title search process. Earth Dav Schedule Maxner shows the completed fliers and states that she will be visiting the Alt Woodland with John Dick before he conducts the walk on May 4 to familiarize him with the property. Buchsbaum states that the walk schedule was published in the Salem News and the Globe North papers. Beaudoin says that she will ask the Superintendent of the school system if the schedule can be emailed to the students. OSRD - Follow Up Discussion Beaver Pond Road OSRD Application Maxner says that McCrory's letter regarding the Beaver Pond Road application went to the Planning Board and their next meeting will be on April 15th. The Planning Board requested a more descriptive concept plan from the applicant and anticipates that that will be submitted prior to the April 15th meeting. Proposed Amendments to OSRD Buchsbaum states that he attended the public hearing on the amendments to the OSRD. He says they continued the meeting until April 15, and the OSRC letter was read into the record at the meeting. Maxner states that the City Council will continue their portion of the public hearing on Monday, April ih. Open Space & Recreation Committee April 2, 2008 Meeting Page 3 of 4 Buchsbaum says that Scott Houseman spoke at two of the public hearings and claims that there are still some items that need further clarification. He adds that he is not uncomfortable with the reduction in the buffer zones but the thresholds need examination. Updates Website Newhall states that the sub-committee met last Tuesday and determined what can be added to the site immediately, such as the mission statement and the "what we do" statement. She adds that the open space parcels are listed and, as suggested by McCrory, some have a diamond indicating these are jewels of the City. Citing other new additions, Newhall mentions one page oflinks of interest (such as Greenbelt and Trustees of the Reservations etc), as well as Nancy Coffey's natural history articles. Brewster points out that the map links automatically download to a temporary download file on his computer. He suggests the webmaster look into this. Newhall agrees to inquire with the IT department. Brewster states that he Googled "Beverly open space" and the link was the third one on the list of results. Buchsbaum suggests adding as many articles as possible. Newhall says that the next goal will be to place descriptions of each open space parcel on the site. Coffey suggests listing the best seasons for walking each property. Ri2hts ofWav & CR's YMCA - Maxner states that Tina Cassidy has the summary letter with the plan for the walkway and she will forward it to Tom Alexander to see that the plan is revised prior to going to the Council. Buchsbaum offers to follow-up with Cassidy on this. Tall Tree Drive - Maxner advised the group that Roy Gelineau sent a letter on March 1, 2008 to the landowner advising them to remove the fence, or DPW will do so in 30 days. Brackenbury Lane - Buchsbaum states that this has been put on the back burner. National Grid - Maxner states that there may be a parking issue and she suggests the members visit the site to observe the area. Brewster states that there is currently room for about 2 or 3 cars and that seems to be sufficient as there shouldn't be a high volume of Open Space & Recreation Committee April 2, 2008 Meeting Page 4 of 4 visitors for this trail and people can always park at the soccer field lot just down the street. Kiosk Installation Review of Sally Milligan kiosk design Buchsbaum shows the kiosk design and the members express approval. He states that all they need is a map, and Maxner agrees to refine the trail map with Roland Adams. Next set of kiosks Kampersal states that there are three kiosks in her garage and requests that the members come to her garage and remove them before the garage is emptied in about two weeks. Buchsbaum states that he could put the kiosks in his garage. Ea2le Scout Projects Brewster suggests teaming with a student from Harborlight Montessori School, Gabriel Fenandez, to build a bridge across a stream on the trails either on the National Grid property or streams on Greenwood Avenue. Brewster explains that Gabriel is doing a class project that involves cleaning trails in a few open space properties. Dunne states that the Conservation Commission would no doubt need to be appraised of this. Buchsbaum suggests Gabriel work on trail marking. Field Trip to Greens Hill Sylvan Menezes introduces himself, he is a member of the Harbor Management Authority and is interested in filling the OSRC seat representing the Authority. He states that he is very interested in maintaining coastal access and rights of ways. He states that the Authority is very interested in enhancing Greens Hill walkway. Discussion ensues regarding the access issues for this open space property and establishing a contiguous loop from Bridge Street to Shoe Pond on McKay Street. The members schedule Saturday, May 3, at 9:00 AM for a walk to Greens Hill with Sylvan Mendez and members of the Harbor Management Authority. Next Meetin2 Maxner states that the next meeting will be on May 7,2008. She asks if the meeting could start earlier as 9:30 at night seems late for this type of committee. The members agree to meet at 7:00 PM instead of7:30 and ask for a reminder from Maxner. Brewster: Motion to adjourn, seconded by Squibb. Motion passes 8-0. The meeting is adjourned at 9:30 PM.