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2009-05-06 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Open Space and Recreation Committee May 6, 2009 Elizabeth Dunne (Chairperson), Suzanne Beaudoin, David Brewster, Robert Buchsbaum, Nancy Coffey, Pam Kampersal, Marilyn McCrory, Sylvan Menezes, Bill Squibb BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Ralbovsky Environmental Planner Amy Maxner, Kate Newhall Associate Planner OTHERS PRESENT: RECORDER: Andrea Bray Chairperson Dunne calls the meeting to order. Approval of Minutes - April!. 2009 Meetin2 The members review the minutes from April 1, 2009 and make suggestions for changes. Coffey: Motion to approve the minutes as amended, seconded by Buchsbaum. Passes 6-0. Voting members are Dunne, Brewster, Buchsbaum, Coffey, Menezes, and Squibb. Beaudoin arrives. Updates Jessica Ka2le - Pro2ram Director Kestrel Educational Adventures - Discussion Maxner introduces Jessica Kagle, Founder and Director of Kestrel Educational Adventures. Kagle states that her organization is based in Gloucester and began as a Cape Ann organization, and now she is also working in some Beverly Schools. She describes the goals of her organization which include, (1) to write original curriculum for creative, game-based exploration activity, and (2) to increase the level of local ecological education. To this end, Kagle states that she designs classroom projects such as the designing of models for local ecosystems, where live animals and materials are supplied for children to design and construct and model ecosystem. Other projects that Kagle describes include an ecosystem movie, and a vernal pool monitoring project. She adds that there is a web page for each class, which helps to get the parents involved with the open spaces that are visited. Open Space & Recreation Committee May 6, 2009 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 5 Kagle states that she is currently working on projects at the Hannah School, the Cove School, and the Ayers/Ryal Side School, and would like to expand her project to include other Beverly schools. Kagle explains that Kestral needs more Board members, as there are currently only 5 board members, with 4 others waiting to join. She adds that the organization now has four paid instructors and a principal. She describes the evolution of Kestral, stating that it began as an out- of-pocket, volunteer organization before becoming a non-profit (501.3.c in 2003). She adds that they now obtain grants (local grants, not government grants), which provide most of the funding for the operation of the programs. In addition to the grants, they receive corporate support from many different companies in the area and have started to charge the schools for their educational servIces. Kagle describes the fee structure, stating that every program is subsidized by grants and donations, and the schools are charged only $200/class. She says that they receive corporate support from different companies. She explains that, as a goal, she is trying to obtain at least two full-time, year-round staff members. She adds that even though she works long hours, she is paid on salary for 18 weeks/year, and works for the New England Aquarium part time. Kagle explains that she is here because she is looking for (1) background information on historical human use of the Beverly's open space parcels that they are visiting, and (2) developing a longer-term involvement in Beverly's educational system. She asks the members if there is a project that they would like to have, which would integrate with the teachers' curriculum and benefit Beverly, such as a community service project that would be ongoing. It was suggested that vernal pools located on conservation lands be identified and certified. Dunne suggests having Kagle be part of the Earth Day events and Kagle says she would be happy to participate. Coffey suggests blending an interpretive trail with an accessible trail or establish natural history stations along trails that correspond to a map and interpretive narrative. Maxner suggests monitoring some of the City-held Conservation Restrictions with initial reconnaissance and yearly inspections with an annual report to the Committee and the Con Com. Much discussion ensues regarding a program for Kestrel and members provide Kagle several ideas that could serve as long-term projects to incorporate into her curriculum. Kagle thanks the Committee for inviting her to the meeting and for all the great ideas they have offered up. Members thank Kagle for coming and the Committee looks forward to working with her in the future. Updates Website Open Space & Recreation Committee May 6, 2009 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 5 Newhall asks for comments on the press release announcement for the website, and the members agree that it looks very good. She states that this will go to the Salem News, the Beverly Citizen, the Globe North, and BEVCAM. Kiosk Grant Newhall states that the fist kiosks will be installed on Friday at the Beverly Common at the Greenwood Avenue entrance, just in time for Saturday's walk to be led by Coffey and Ed Myskowski. Earth Dav Plannin2 - Update Menezes describes the Endicott walk with Professor Chris Tripier, stating that about 8 people were in attendance and it was very informative as Tripier was a wealth of knowledge. Buchsbaum says that his walk at the Beverly Pier was a success with about 5 kids, plus the parents. Brewster states that there were about 15 people at Long Hill. Coffey suggests sending a picture to the Salem News for each walk. Newhall states that she will do a mosaic of all the walks for the web site as she did last year. Ri2hts ofWav & CR's Tall Tree Drive: Maxner states that they have a plan sketch from the engineering department and she forwarded it to the City Solicitor and the neighbor's attorney, suggesting the third section of fence being removed, so they are moving forward, and the kiosk will be installed just inside the fence by the end of June. National Grid: Maxner states that Menezes and Brewster provided an email describing the walk. She suggests placing this in a letter for National Grid, advising them of the OSRC's desires for the trails on that parcel and it's preferred site for the stream crossing. The members discuss the possibilities for this trail proposal. Coffey agrees to draft the letter. AMG: Coffey states that she and Dunne had a phone conversation with Darrell Crate that opened the door for future discussion and they will draft a thank you letter, and they wish to meet with Ed Becker at ECGA to discuss the most appropriate next steps. Standley Street Conservation Commission Property - Abutter Encroachment: Maxner states that she emailed a draft letter addressed to Mr. Sweeny to the members. She adds that she thinks that the OSRC had communication with Sweeney about this same issue when the Committee first formed and will try to find it. Much discussion ensues regarding the future steps for the OSRC to take on this issue. Maxner agrees to check with David Lang to ask his recollection of this Issue. YMCA: Maxner states that the fence blocking the right of way has been removed and it appears that Mr. Magos removed it before the Solicitor's deadline. Menezes states that he drove by the Open Space & Recreation Committee May 6, 2009 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5 other day and it looks like a stonewall has been built across the right of way in place of the fence. Maxner agrees to take a look and seek guidance from the Solicitor's office on this new development. Bald Hill: Coffey asks Maxner if she was able to follow up with the two gentlemen about Bald Hill. Maxner states that she has left messages for both but has not been able to connect with either of them. She will keep trying to call them and speak to both about the upcoming kiosk installation and the regulations on use of the property. Greens Hill- Parcel27X: Dunne asks if the Solicitor's Office has provided an opinion on the Land of Low Value taking law for parcel27X. Maxner states that she needs to follow up with Bob Munroe on this issue. Newspaper Articles Buchsbaum states that he is writing an article on the bird atlas project that he and Brewster are working on. Old Business The Open Space and Recreation Plan - Implementation of 1 sf Year Action Items Accessibility at Parks - DCR grant opportunity for October 2009 - Schedule Site Walks: Maxner states that the City will be fixing the Chubbs Brook flooding issue, and that project includes raising the roadway on one side at Greenwood Avenue at Stone Ridge Road, and the project will come before the Conservation Commission under an NOI, but she thinks the Committee should write a letter before that to the Engineering Department about creating accessibility on this stretch of Greenwood. Beaudoin excuses herself from the meeting and states that she will not be able to attend the June meeting. Other Items Mike Salerno: Maxner states that she is waiting to hear from Mike Salerno to schedule a walk at Norwood Pond and will follow up with him in email again. Clean Sweeps: Newhall states that the clean-up project run by Beverly Main Streets will be held on Saturday, May 30, 9:00 am - noon, at the Beverly Common across from the Library. She states that people will be given gloves and trash bags and assigned a section of the downtown to clean up. Super Sub is donating food for lunch afterwards. She recommends that anyone interested visit the Main Streets web site for more information. Open Space & Recreation Committee May 6, 2009 Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5 Kiosks in Storage: Buchsbaum reminds the members about the older kiosks that are in Kampersal's garage and they need to be moved out of there. Kampersal explains that the kiosks are now being stored in her husbands' shop and asks if the City workers can take them. Maxner agrees to speak with Mike Collins about moving them out of the shop. Brewster suggests placing a kiosk at a second entrance that leads to Norwood Pond behind North Beverly Elementary School. Members discuss this proposal. Community Garden Space: Menezes states that there are negotiations with the Cemetery Department and Bootstraps to use the open area on Cole Street next to that cemetery. Phillips Preserve Kiosk Poster: Brewster states that the Phillips kiosk poster is very faded and should be replaced, he notes that the plexiglass has some bee bee holes in it. Maxner agrees to work with Roland Adams to print a new poster out and get that installed. Buchsbaum: Motion to adjourn, seconded by Coffey. Passes 8-0. The meeting is adjourned at 9:00 pm.