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2009-08-20 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 August 20, 2009 Elizabeth Dunne (Chairperson), David Brewster, Suzanne Beaudoin, Nancy Coffey, Sylvan Menezes, Marilyn, McCrory, Bill Squib Robert Buchsbaum, Pam Kampersal, Michael Ralbovsky Environmental Planner Amy Maxner; Associate Planner Kate Newhall Art Daignault, ADA Coordinator, Mary Rodrick Amy Maxner and Kate Newhall Newhall calls the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Newhall states that the purpose of the meeting is to discuss project ideas for which to apply for the Department of Conservation and Recreation's Recreational Trails Grant Program. She begins by reading a list of potential projects suggested by Committee members as well as projects listed in the current Open Space and Recreation Plan. Newhall asks Daignault his opinion regarding the creation of an accessible trail at Norwood Pond. Daignault responds that the trail would need to be at least 4 feet, maybe 5 wide, and it would need to be stonedust, but would not have to be paved. Trail users would need a destination, benches, views, etc. to make the trail worthwhile. He acknowledged that the trail would be expensive to create, but did not know exact costs per foot for an accessible trail. The members discuss the potential of the project and recognize the need for more information before determining whether or not it is suitable for the grant. Coffey and Maxner to contact contractors to get estimates on cost per foot for an accessible trail. Menezes suggests adding the following project to the list of potentials: paving or putting a stone dust pathway down to Rice's Beach. The members discuss potential obstacles to this and determine that first, they need to find out if the access is public, if it's an easement, etc. Coffey volunteers to find out this information. Open Space & Recreation Committee August 20, 2009 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of2 Mary Rodrick states that she has been asked by Pam Kampersal to attend the meeting and express Kampersal's desire for an accessible trail at Norwood pond and lists several reasons why it should be made a priority. The members then discuss the possibility of buying parcel 27-X. Newhall states that she can call the grant organizer to ask the following questions: . Can a city-funded appraisal, to be submitted with the grant application, count as our 20% match? . Can the grant money be used in the escrow account needed to officially transfer the parcel from "owner unknown" to city-owned? . What credentials must the appraiser have in order for it to be considered a valid appraisal? The members then discuss a fourth project: collaborating with National Grid to establish public access on their trails as well as build a bridge over a river/wetland crossing along the trail. Maxner states that she has been unlucky in getting a response from the company to work out the details of this project. Newhall asks her if she can contact them again and let them know we are working on a deadline. Maxner agrees to contact the company again. The final project the members discuss is the walkway along the Bass River near the Bowl-O-Mat and McPherson Youth Center. This walkway would benefit from interpretative signage, more benches, trees, etc. Coffey states that this area is more urban then the others and that would make it a good project. Newhall agrees that the walkway would be a good thing for the area, which has little passive open space areas. The members go through the original list from the beginning of the meeting and veto projects that they will not consider for the grant opportunity. Maxner reviews and confirms the five projects that the members will consider for the grant. Newhall asks that anyone with a task or research to do, has it completed for the next regular meeting of the committee, which will be on Wednesday, September 2, 2009. She states that the follow up research should be done by that time so a final project choice can be made. The meeting is adjourned at 7:30 pm.