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2008-11-05 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Open Space and Recreation Committee November 5,2008 Elizabeth Dunne (Chairperson), Sylvan Menezes, David Brewster, Robert Buchsbaum, Nancy Coffey, Pam Kampersal, Marilyn McCrory, Suzanne Beaudoin BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Ralbovsky, Bill Squibb Environmental Planner Amy Maxner, Associate Planner Kate Newhall OTHERS PRESENT: RECORDER: Andrea Bray Chairperson Dunne calls the meeting to order. Approval of Minutes - October 1, 2008 Meeting The members review the minutes and make suggestions for amendments. Brewster: Motion to accept the minutes as amended, seconded by Coffey. Passes 6-0. Kampersal abstains. Old Business Open Space and Recreation Plan Action Items Accessibility at Parks: Maxner advises the members that she and Newhall visited the entrance to the Norwood Pond trails at the end ofElnew Street with Art Daignault (ADA Coordinator). Daignault explained to them that the area needs to have a clearly marked parking space off the end of the street as well as an 8-foot crosshatched area next to the parking space for wheelchair unloading. He explained that certain grades need to be met at the parking area and along the proposed trail and he was of the opinion that this particular area is a good candidate for an ADA accessible trials because existing conditions are relatively flat. Kampersal says they must look into the run-off problem on Elnew Street, which goes into the trail. She adds that there is still illegal dumping going on there. John Cabot, Beverly resident, says that landscapers might be doing the dumping and they would just need to be told to stop. Open Space & Recreation Committee November 5, 2008 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 Maxner cites the "American Trails" website as a reference and suggests that an Amherst company might be used to work on accessible trails. Dunne suggests checking with the Conway Landscape design people to see if they are interested in working on this. The members discuss the options for building an accessible trail at Norwood Pond. Maxner states that she will speak to the Conway Landscape group. Coffey offers to check to see if there is a handicapped trail in Salem. McCrory agrees to speak to the people at Bradley Palmer State Park to see who designed their trails. Dunne states that the AMC would be a good resource. The members agree to have this information for the meeting in January. Updates Essex County Greenbelt Association (ESGA) - South Forest Meetin2 Review Parcel Ownership List: Maxner explains that Greenbelt is working to preserve land in the South Forest area of Essex County, which includes the areas of Beverly, Manchester, Wenham, Hamilton, and Gloucester. She adds that ECGA whittled down the list of properties of 5 acres or more and they have requested an insider's opinion of the property owners and their willingness to cooperation in placing land under CR. Coffey states that the AMG property should be on this list. She adds that Dunne mentioned it at the City Council meeting, and a Beverly Farms resident (Steve Cohen) agreed to ask AMG officials about this. She agrees to meet with Steve Cohen and present some information to him. Coffey mentions that Dave Gardiner has always been interested in Ben Williams' property at 52 Valley Street. Dunne mentions the Ball's property off Common Lane. Buchsbaum suggests that each Ward Rep look up the information for the properties in their Ward. Maxner agrees to get Chapter 61 land information. All members will think about approachable owners and parcels that may not be on this list and come prepared at the January 13th meeting with recommendations. Open Space & Recreation Committee November 5, 2008 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 Open Space Website Parcel Inventory Work: All of the members turn in their parcel inventory sheets to Newhall. Kampersal states that she added Norwood Pond to her packet. Coffey says that she wrote histories in her packets. She offers to work on histories for all of the sites. Newhall thanks all of the members for their efforts and states that she will get all of the information on the actual document and send it to the members to review. Brewster suggests having a site inventory with a hyperlink to the appropriate parcels. Ri2hts ofWav & CR's YMCA: Maxner states that they have agreed to install a path around the berm within 90 days or 30 days after they receive the permit from the Conservation Commission. Tall Tree Drive: Maxner states that it is moving along and they need a sketch plan to see where the owner feels comfortable with an easement. She adds that the biggest concern of the homeowner was losing frontage but he can grant an easement without losing any frontage. National Grid: Maxner explains that a footbridge must be install across the stream. She offers to talk to the VELO people to get an estimate of materials needed for the bridge. She adds that she will go out with Matt Plum of VELO and they can figure out what it will take to build the bridge. Menezes offers to speak to Norcross about a grant for the cost of the materials. Brackenbury Beach: Coffey states that the Ancient Highway right-of-way runs along the seawall, but has been blocked off at the Morse property next to Brackenbury Beach. She adds that there are granite markers inscribed with "EC" there and now there are two big "No Trespassing" signs at the entrance to Dr. Kaplan's property. Maxner agrees to write a letter to Dr. Kaplan asking about the intent of the "No Trespassing" sIgns. Waring School: Maxner states that she hasn't had a chance to GPS that site yet. Kiosk Grant Newhall states that they have completed almost all of the maps. She agrees to bring them to the January meeting. Buchsbaum states that they need an auger to install the one for Sally Milligan, which is already finished. Open Space & Recreation Committee November 5, 2008 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4 The members discuss the placement for the signs and the kiosks. Coffey suggests that a kiosk be installed at the Bass River walkway near Stop & Shop. Discussion ensues as to the ownership of the surrounding property along the walkway. Sylvan Menezes will investigate ownership of the property on the Bass River. Endicott College: Buchsbaum states that he spoke to the people at Endicott and they may be interested in discussing establishment of a trail through their property, so he will speak with them further. He mentions the liability issue with public trails. John Cabot states that there is a Recreational Use Statute, MGL 21.17.c. that states that the property owner is immune from liability as long as you are not charging for use to your land. He adds that the only exception to this is if the property owner willfully creates a hazard on the site. He says that there is case law behind this. Dunne suggests having a hike there and Buchsbaum agrees to look into it. Newspaper Articles - New Topics Coffey states that she can write an article about the Commons. New Business Site Visits Coffey reminds the members that there will be a group walk on Saturday, November 8, at 10:00 am at Woods Egypt with Ed Myskowski. She advises the members to be prepared for ticks and wear sturdy shoes. Next Meetin2 A2enda The members agree to have the holiday gathering on Tuesday, December 16, at 7:00 pm. Dunne agrees to hold the gathering at her house. Buchsbaum: Motion to adjourn, seconded by Menezez. Passes 6-0. The meeting is adjourned at 9:00 pm.