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2008-05-07 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Open Space and Recreation Committee May 7,2008 Robert Buchsbaum (Chairperson), David Brewster, Nancy Coffey, Elizabeth Dunne, Marilyn McCrory, Bill Squibb BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Pam Kampersal, Suzanne Beaudoin, Michael Ralbovsky Environmental Planner Amy Maxner, Associate Planner Kate Newhall Sylvan Menezes with the Harbor Management Authority Amy Maxner OTHERS PRESENT: RECORDER: Chairperson Buchsbaum calls the meeting to order. Acceptance of Minutes - April 2. 2008 Meetin2 The members review the minutes and make recommendations for amendments. Brewster motions to approve the amended minutes, seconded by Coffey. Motion passes 6-0. Old Business The Open Space and Recreation Plan Newhall explains that the State has reviewed and commented on the draft Plan and provides copies of the comment letter to the members. She explains there were several sections that needed additional narrative, most of which she and Maxner are working on. She briefly provides an overview of the additional information that is required. Newhall explains there is a requirement to provide an evaluation of the handicapped accessibility of Beverly's major parks and open spaces which would satisfy the ADA Accessibility Report detailed in Appendix H of the Open Space Planners Workbook. She and Maxner have taken the liberty in preparing an evaluation package for each member to evaluate 4 parks for their accessibility rating. Newhall provides each member with an evaluation package and their assigned parks. Brief discussion ensues regarding the evaluation packages and criteria for rating accessibility. Maxner notes that the State thought this Plan to be particularly thorough and that it has been conditionally approved through April 2013, which enables the City to apply for grant money. Beverly Open Space & Recreation Committee May 7, 2008 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 No final payments of grant money would be distributed until the final Plan is on file with the State. Buchsbaum states members should have completed their park evaluations in time for the next meeting in June. Members agree. Gabriel Fernandez - 8th Grade Student Proiect. Harborli2ht Montessori School Gabriel Fernandez introduces himself and explains that he is in 8th grade at the Harborlight Montessori School. He explains that each student is required to complete an end-of-the-year project that involves some sort of community participation. He chose to conduct trail cleaning at some of the open spaces in Beverly. He provides copies of the power point presentation that he created and explains that he concentrated on Sally Milligan Park and the Beverly Commons/Witches Woods and he has collected about 150 pounds of trash so far. He states that he separates all of the trash into recyclable and non-recyclable materials and disposes of it appropriately. He takes the Committee through the power point and discussion ensues regarding policing these areas to help discourage vandalism and dumping of trash. Ideas on how to establish neighborhood groups to act as stewards of local parks and open spaces are discussed. Members thank Gabriel for his hard work and agree to write a letter of commendation so that he can include it with his final project materials. Members ask Maxner to post Gabriel's power point on the Open Space webpage. Watershed Forum Buchsbaum states that the Committee has been discussing the possibility of holding a watershed forum but thinks the Committee needs additional information and education on this topic. Discussion ensues regarding inviting the citizen representative from the Salem Beverly Water Supply Board to a meeting to discuss the operations of the Board and their perspective on potential and existing threats to the water supply as well as open space protection within the watershed. Maxner agrees to invite the Beverly citizen representative to the June meeting. Buchsbaum states that David Lang, Chairman of the Conservation Commission, may be a great resource for the Committee to talk to, as he is very knowledgeable of groundwater and watershed issues. Buchsbaum states that he will contact Lang to ask if he is willing to speak with the Committee. OSRC & Harbor Mana2ement Authoritv Site Visit to Greens Hill McCrory, Coffey and Brewster attended the site visit along with Sylvan Menezes and other representatives from the HBA. General discussion ensues regarding the findings made at the site visit by the Committee and HBA. Beverly Open Space & Recreation Committee May 7, 2008 Meeting Minutes Page 30f4 It was noted that 16 Green Street is currently for sale and it seems that this property has been using portions of the parcel known as "27-X" as part of the driveway and lawn, and members discuss the best method of alerting any potential buyers that 27-X is not part of 16 Green Street. Additional discussion ensues regarding eminent domain taking procedures for 27-X. Maxner agrees to consult with the City Solicitor on both questions. Coffey states that they proceeded to visit the walkway behind the new Starbucks at the Bass River Plaza on Elliott Street and notes that benches and plantings have been installed and the group was pleased with the results. Discussion ensues regarding the remaining portion of the walkway behind White Hen Pantry, which at the time was blocked by a car. Brewster suggests that the Committee write a letter to White Hen reminding them of the public's right to pass. Coffey states that perhaps an article in the paper showcasing the new walkway behind Starbucks would work to do the same. Members agree an article would be a good angle. Earth Day Walks - Updates Buchsbaum states his Tide Pool walk went well and they had good weather. He states that the group was small but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Brewster states that he hopes for good weather this coming Sunday for his Shoe Pond birding walk and mentions to Buchsbaum that if there is a large crowd he may need some assistance in leading. Buchsbaum states that he will be available. Open Space Residential Desi2n Ordinance Amendments Buchsbaum provides a brief summary of the City Council hearing on the OSRD amendments. He states that members of the Conservation Commission were present and gave testimony, which mainly addressed the reduction of buffer zones around primary conservation areas. He states that it seems the Councilors needed additional time before making a decision and continued their hearing to the June 2nd meeting. Maxner reminds the Committee that the Planning Board will be discussing the Beaver Pond OSRD application at its next meeting on May 20th and if the Committee has any comments relative to the new set of concept plans, there is still time to prepare a response. Ri2hts-of- Ways - Updates YMCA - Maxner informs the Committee that Tina Cassidy has drafted a letter to the Council apprising them of the YMCA's encroachment into the City's right of way, and reads the letter to members. Members express their endorsement of the letter and agree that it accurately describes the chronology and nature of this situation. Maxner states that she has made final revisions to the Semi-Annual Report and recommends that the Committee write a separate letter addressing the YMCA situation so that it is better highlighted for the Council's consideration. Maxner will secure a time on the next agenda for Beverly Open Space & Recreation Committee May 7, 2008 Meeting Minutes Page 40f4 the Committee to present the report and answer any questions Councilor's may have. Buchsbaum asks Dunne if she can stand in for him, as he may not be available to present the report in the next couple of weeks. Dunne states she will be available. National Grid - East Beverlv Substation - Maxner states that the only remaining issues that National Grid has were relative to the parking spaces and crossing over the stream. Members agree that no additional parking is necessary as there is enough for 2 or 3 cars as is the case at the Sally Milligan Cross Lane entrance. Discussion ensues regarding the construction of a wooden bridge and possible sources oflabor for its construction. Maxner agrees to contact National Grid to discuss these points. Brewster states that he is aware that Endicott College has applied for some grant money relating to community trail access and thinks this may be an opportune time to write the school about establishing trail linkages as detailed in the Open Space Plan. Other Business Maxner provides a draft of the Sally Milligan trail map as prepared by Roland Adams in the Engineering Department. Members comment and approve of the design and layout. Buchsbaum asks if the map can be forwarded to him as a JPEG document so that he can incorporate it into the power point kiosk poster. Maxner will ask Adams for help with this. There being no further business before the Committee, Coffey moves to adjourn. Seconded by Dunne. Motion carries 6-0.