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2008-10-01 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Open Space and Recreation Committee October 1, 2008 Elizabeth Dunne (Chairperson), David Brewster, Robert Buchsbaum, Nancy Coffey, Marilyn McCrory, Sylvan Menezez, Bill Squibb BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Suzanne Beaudoin, Pam Kampersal, Michael Ralbovsky Environmental Planner Amy Maxner, Associate Planner Kate Newhall OTHERS PRESENT: RECORDER: Andrea Bray Chairperson Dunne calls the meeting to order. Approval of Minutes - September 3, 2008 Meeting The members review the minutes and make suggestions for amendments. Coffey: Motion to approve the minutes as amended, seconded by McCrory. Passes 6-0-1. Marilyn McCrory abstains because she attended only part of the meeting. Old Business The Open Space Recreation Plan Implementation of 18t Year Action Items, Accessibility at Parks, DCR grant opportunity for October 2009 Newhall states that she found one DCR grant for trails that has an application due date of next October 1, 2009. She distributes a form containing specifications for the grant, and states that the grant requires a match. McCrory, who has experience with dispensing grants, suggests that the Committee come up with finance ideas. She adds that staff time from the city, or from volunteers, may be an acceptable match, in lieu of cash. Coffey recalls the discussion regarding the accessibility at Norwood Pond. Open Space& Recreation Connnittee October 1,2008 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 5 Maxner states that she and Newhall visited a couple of parks in the City with the ADA coordinator. She states that they visited Innocenti Park, which has some accessible areas but some areas of that park were not in complete compliance. Brewster states that Greenwood Avenue seems to make sense because it is flat up to a point. Dunne asks about any place along the waterfront. Menezez suggests looking into a way to enhance the walkway at Lynch Park. Coffey suggests working on accessibility with Norwood Pond as a catalyst and leverage to attaining a CR. The members discuss this possibility. Brewster states that they need to first obtain accessible parking at Norwood Pond. Menezez asks if the Moraine Farm is ever open to the public. Brewster states that they have an open house about every three weeks. Buchsbaum suggests asking Beaudoin to speak to the people of Moraine Farm about accessibility. Regarding Endicott College, Buchsbaum offers to talk to Chris Trippler. He adds that Endicott has a grant to build an interpretive trail. Watershed Protection Overlay District Newhall states that this is an action item in the Open Space Plan. She clarifies that there are questions as to the boundaries for the watershed, and this issue must go through a zoning if a change is proposed. She asks the members if they wish to collaborate with the safe drinking water group that Kampersal is involved with. Dunne states that the Committee should first hear their view before determining whether to collaborate with them. Maxner states that this issue is listed in the Open Space Plan under the initial goal to acquire land for CR, but that upgrading the WPOD is listed as work for a consultant. She cautions the Committee that revising the WPOD is a really big undertaking, equal in scope to another Open Space Plan, if not harder. She suggests that the Committee allot its time and energy to things that make sense and relates to its mission. Dunne states that once the members hear from the safe drinking water group they may simply decide that those people will be the only ones to work on this. The members agree to ask Kampersal to invite that group in to talk to the Committee. Buchsbaum states that Dave Lang also wanted the Conservation Commission to be involved in this. Much discussion ensues regarding the overlay district. Open Space& Recreation Connnittee October 1,2008 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 5 Updates Website Newhall states that the information forms are due back on November 5. Ri2hts-of-Wav & CR's YMCA: Maxner states that the YMCA hasn't changed the plan from what the Committee first considered and made comments on. Coffey states that she attended the Property and Finance Committee meeting, where Tina Cassidy suggested that the YMCA be fined or charged a licensing fee every year to use the right of way. Dunne states that the Subcommittee will go back to the Council with a recommendation soon. Buchsbaum states that the YMCA claimed that redesigning the berm would cost them $45,000. Maxner confirms that the YMCA would need to go to the Conservation Commission to redesign the berm. Squibb asks what the purpose of the berm was. Dunne states that they added it to provided visual screening for the abutters at the Hawk Hill subdivision. Tall Tree Drive: Maxner is still working to schedule a meeting with Tom Alexander, his client, Roy Geleneau, herself, and some representatives from the OSRC and thinks it will be later this month. National Grid: Maxner states that she contacted Margaret Neves at National Grid to remind her that the City's insurance coverage would protect National Grid. She adds that Neves wanted to determine if the stream is on New England Power property, Maxner confirmed that it was. Neves indicated that New England Power would not have the funds to construct a stream crossing. She indicated to Neves that adequate parking exists now for the anticipated number of users. Maxner states that volunteers like VELO could build the stream crossing. Menezez suggests asking Norcross for money for materials to build this bridge. He adds that Norcross is in central Massachusetts and works to provide grants for these types of projects. Maxner agrees to contact Matt Plum of VELO to inquire if that group is willing to construct the crossmg. Standley Street Conservation Land Encroachment: Buchsbaum states that the landowner who donated these parcels near and behind Sweeeny's Greenhouse to the City has contacted Ed Becker of Greenbelt with complaints that this land is not being taken care of by the City. They met there 2 days ago to walk the land and it is possible that some of the Waring soccer fields are Open Space& Recreation Connnittee October 1,2008 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5 on City land and Sweeny's is encroaching into the right of way. He suggests that these encroachments be documented and that the City Solicitor's office may need to get involved to resolve these encroachments. Squibb states that there are large tree stumps blocking access to this land, which is probably the right of way to access the open space. Maxner agrees to work with GIS Coordinator Roland Adams to GPS the encroachments in the field. Kiosk Grant Newhall states that the sub-committee met and they have developed a lot of the text for the kiosks. She said that Sally Milligan is already done. She expresses concern about being ready for the unveilings for the Earth Day walks. Maxner states that the Beverly Conservation Land Trust was supposed to be a partner in this project and perhaps this group can be part of the design process. Newhall agrees to contact the Land Trust to explore their role in this. Newhall states that the sub-committee will meet again before the next OSRC meeting and hopes to have more to report on their progress at that time. Kiosks - Installation Plan Dunne agrees to speak to the Mayor about getting better cooperation and help from DPW in getting kiosks installed. Newspaper Articles Coffey says that she found some information about Beverly Farms and thinks it could be an article for the newspaper. She would like to look into Prospect Hill and Bald Hill areas for their history and use through the years, which might make good articles as well. New Business Site Visits Coffey states that Glen Gray can meet with the Committee this Saturday, October 4th at 10:00 a.m., to visit Bald Hill (near Centerville School). She asks if any other members will go, and Brewster says that he can probably make the visit. Coffey confirms that the site visit for Woods Egypt will be on November 8, and Ed Myskowski will be there. Open Space& Recreation Connnittee October 1,2008 Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5 ECGA Meetin2 on Land Conservation Plan for the South Forest Greenbelt - Thursday October 16th. 7:30-9 p.m.. RSVP: tracie@e 2a.or2 Maxner states that this meeting will be at the Cox Reservation. She and Newhall agree to attend. Coffey states that she will probably be able to attend as well. Semi-Annual Report to the City Council Buchsbaum reminds the members that the report for the City Council is due in October. Maxner agrees to draft something and the members offer suggestions for talking points. Dunne: Motion to adjourn, seconded by Brewster. Passes 7-0. The meeting is adjourned at 9:00 pm.