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2009-02-04 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 February 4, 2009 Elizabeth Dunne (Chairperson), David Brewster, Robert Buchsbaum, Nancy Coffey, Pam Kampersal, Marilyn McCrory, Bill Squibb Suzanne Beaudoin, Sylvan Menezes, Michael Ralbovsky Environmental Planner Amy Maxner Andrea Bray Chairperson Dunne calls the meeting to order. Approval of Minutes - January 7. 2008 Meetin2 The members review the minutes and make suggestions for changes. Brewster: Motion to approve the minutes from the January 7, 2009 meeting as amended, seconded by Coffey. McCrory, Kampersal and Squibb abstain. Passes 4-0. Voting members are Dunne, Brewster, Buchsbaum, and Coffey. Old Business The Open Space and Recreation Plan Accessibility at Parks: Maxner states that she contacted Mike Solerno, who has worked extensively on trails, and was recently before the Salem Conservation Commission for a trail project. She notes that Andrea Bray provided his contact information as she thought he would be a great resource for the Committee. Maxner states she invited him to a meeting but he responded that his nighttime availability is very limited. Members discuss the possibility of arranging a Saturday morning site walk with Mr. Solerno and Maxner agrees to follow up with him in that regard. McCrory provides information regarding costs for trail construction at Bradley Palmer Park. She states that Weston & Sampson was the engineering firm that created the design and the total project cost was right around $120,000, including design fees. She adds that the Institute for Human Center Design can also design for accessibility but does not do construction. Open Space & Recreation Committee February 4, 2009 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 The members discuss the terrain at the Norwood Pond parcel and potential costs associated with making the trails accessible. Maxner states that the grant would require that the City match with at least 20% in cash or in-kind services, with an award ranging from $2,000 to $50,000. Brewster states that the Vitale site has been freshly graded and it might be a good place for a trail. Maxner states that it might not be possible because the soccer fields are there and space is tight. Dunne states that AMC may be a great resource for trail information and agrees to check with them. Review other 18t Year Action Items: Dunne suggests that the Committee write the Mayor regarding the City-owned land to start the conversation on placing these parcels into the Conservation Commission's custody or placing CR's on them. Updates Website Parcel Inventory: Maxner states that Kate Newhall could not attend the meeting but has given an update to her in writing. The members provide feedback on the current web site. Kampersal states that the Beverly Web site is too difficult to read because the font is too small. Dunne suggests that she alter the browser settings on her computer. Maxner states that the trail maps are up for Norwood Pond, Bald Hill, Sally Milligan, and Beverly Commons. She notes that Newhall will work on Green's Hill and it should be up on the website shortly. Maxner confirms that Kate Newhall finished the parcel inventory and will work with the IT Department to post it on the web site as it is a large document. Coffey states that it might be better if the parcel inventory is not all in one file, but in separate files and suggests that it be divided by categories. Maxner agrees to have Newhall look into this. Maxner states that Newhall wants to post the list of common animal and plant species found in Beverly's natural spaces and Nancy Coffey's latest article. McCrory suggests listing the size of the file beside the name, particularly because the trail maps are in large PDF files so that people will have an indication as to how long it will take to download. Brewster suggests issuing a press release advising these trail maps are available on the website. McCrory suggests adding a legend to the action plan map. Maxner states that the legend should be there and perhaps it didn't print because it ran off of the page. Open Space & Recreation Committee February 4, 2009 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 Ri2:hts ofWav & CR's Tall Tree Drive: Maxner states that Eric Barber in the Engineering Deptartment must wait until there is no snow on the ground to do his survey. National Grid: Maxner states that this issue is deferred until spring when the group can schedule a site walk. AMG: Coffey states that Joan Johnson gave her a complete file of newspaper articles, minutes from the ZBA meetings and the decision. She notes that nothing had been put in writing regarding AMG's intentions to place this land under CR, and there is nothing in the minutes either. She reads a part of the minutes from the meeting that granted the variance and notes that the Chairman's statements allude to the conservation restriction discussion, but it does not appear in the final decision. Buchsbaum states that this agreement was deliberately verbal. Dunne states that this was done so they would not adversely affect the mortgage on the land. Coffey reviews the timeline for the AMG site development. Much discussion ensues regarding the AMG site and securing a CR. Squibb suggests getting affidavits from people that attended the ZBA meetings, so that there is some form of written record that the AMG agreed to place some of their land under CR. The members discuss their options with the AMG site and some conditions of CR agreements. Coffey and Dunne agree to draft a letter to AMG offering the Committee's help in moving this forward. Maxner agrees to email Dunne and Coffey the latest letter that was sent to AMG on this issue. Waring School: Buchsbaum urges the members to keep the encroachment of Waring School onto City owned property in mind. Maxner states that she will schedule a time to walk the site with Roland Adams as soon as the weather and ground conditions allow. Kiosk Grant Maxner states that when Newhall returns from vacation she will send material to Mary Reilly, to begin the graphic layout for the kiosks. Kampersal reminds the members that there are still 3 kiosks at her house. Maxner states that she is reluctant to ask DPW to store them. Buchsbaum agrees to take the kiosks. Coffey suggests placing a kiosk at Tanzella Hill on the Headlands. The members discuss the feasibility of this. Earth Dav Plannin2: Open Space & Recreation Committee February 4, 2009 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4 Maxner states that a representative of the Trustees of the Reservations, Beth Zschau, contacted her and offered to lead a walk at Long Hill on April 25th or 26th. She adds that on May 23rd Erica Sonder will lead a wildflower walk at Sally Milligan Park. Maxner reviews the list of scheduled walks. Coffey agrees to inquire with Ed Myskowski about a walk on May 9th or 10th at Beverly Commons to talk about the quarry and shantytown. Members agree that 6 weekends are sufficient and that the last weekend in May could be reserved for a rain date. Newspaper Articles Maxner says that she would like to hear suggestions for new topics and have new volunteers for authors. Coffey suggests having an article about birds, and the members discuss the possibilities for this. Brewster agrees to think about it. Other Items McCrory advises the members that a Land Conservation Conference will be held on March 28, 2009 in Worcester. Coffey advises the members that the book "Dark Tide" will be discussed tomorrow night at the Beverly Reads group. She adds that the author will speak about the 1919 Molasses Flood at 7:00 PM at the Dane Street Church. Next Meetin2: A2:enda Items and Schedulin2: Maxner advises the members that the next meeting will be on March 4,2009. Coffey: Motion to adjourn, seconded by Buchsbaum. Passes 7-0. The meeting is adjourned at 9:00 PM.