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2010-10-06CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT: RECORDER: Dunne calls the meeting to order. Approval of Minutes Open Space and Recreation Committee October 6, 2010 Elizabeth Dunne (Chairperson), Nancy Coffey, Bill Squibb, Pam Kampersal, Suzanne Beaudoin and Sylvan Menezes Michael Ralbovsky, Marilyn McCrory, Robert Buchsbaum, and David Brewster Environmental Planner Amy Maxner, Associate Planner Kate Newhall Amy Maxner Members review and make suggestions for revisions to the draft September 1, 2010 meeting minutes. Coffey makes a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Seconded by Menzes. Motion carries, 4 -0 -2 with Beaudoin and Kampersal abstaining. Tall Tree Drive Easement — Review and Discussion of Draft Maxner notes that a draft easement for the Tall Tree Drive access has been submitted and is currently under review with the City Solicitor, but in the meantime she would like for the Committee to review it and make any recommendations it sees fit. Members review the document. Maxner goes on to note that the easement calls for the City to install a brick -lined gravel pathway leading from the roadway to the kiosk, which she recalls the homeowner's attorney suggesting to her that the homeowner would be willing to do. She asks if the Committee is of the opinion that the City should take on this responsibility. Discussion ensues regarding the pros and cons of the City being obliged to construct this pathway. Dunne entertains a motion to accept the easement as written, contingent upon the Solicitor's office finding it acceptable in content and form. Kampersal so moves. Coffey seconds the motion. The motion carries 6 -0. Open Space & Recreation Committee October 6, 2010 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 2011 Recreational Trails Grant Program — Grant Application Discussion Newhall informs the Committee that another Recreational Trails Grant Program application round is coming up and she has discussed potential projects with Maxner based on feedback from the Committee at the last meeting. Newhall begins by relating her conversation with Melissa Cryan with DCR as to why the City was not awarded the grant for the light pole installation along the Bass River Walkway. She notes that this grant program is very much geared toward trail creation. Cryan explained to Newhall that considering the City asked for $30,000 for the light poles on an existing path, the grant committee was hard pressed to rationalize that type of expenditure, especially when it could go toward creating potentially miles of new trails. Newhall notes that with the easement finally submitted, trail construction at Tall Tree Drive might be the perfect project for this grant. Discussion ensues as to the aspects of the project that would appeal to DCR, including the fact that the new trail would connect to an existing trail network as well as multiple user groups that could possibly help with in -kind labor, such as VELO. Menezes informs the Committee that he attended the grant workshop held a couple of weeks ago and learned that in -kind labor is valued at $25 per hour and equipment donation is $100 per hour. Newhall states that she will follow up with him to get more details. Discussion ensues regarding other potential projects that could be applied for. Members agree that the Tall Tree Drive project is most appropriate at this time. Coffey motions to authorize Newhall to prepare the application for Tall Tree Drive trail project. Seconded by Kampersal. Motion carries 6 -0. OSRC October 2010 Semi - Annual Report to City Council Maxner reminds the Committee that its semi - annual report is due to the Council this month and asks the Committee to provide points of discussion for the report. Discussion ensues regarding the Committee's activities during the last few months and the following list of projects were discussed: ➢ 2010 Earth Day Walks ➢ Tall Tree Drive Easement ➢ YMCA Pathway completion and Magos' stone wall blockage at Essex Street ➢ CPA Exploratory meetings ➢ Greenbelt Trail run at the Commons ➢ Eagle Scout Josh Zibilisky's kiosk project ➢ Grant applications Coffey moves to allow Maxner and Dunne to write the report on behalf of the Committee. Kampersal seconds. The motion carries 6 -0. Open Space & Recreation Committee October 6, 2010 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 875 Hale Street — OSRD Conceptual Plans — Request for Comments from the Planning Board Maxner states that the Planning Board has received three new concept plans for OSRD site plan at 875 Hale Street and the Board is requesting the Committee's comments. Members review the plans and lengthy discussion ensues regarding the conceptual plans' compliance with the OSRD regulations. Points of the discussion included: ➢ None of the plans meet the 50% open space requirement, and the Committee would like to see a plan that incorporates the 50% to help verify the applicant's claim that it cannot be achieved; ➢ SP -4 plan shows most promise if modifications to house and lot size were made; ➢ The Committee reiterated its belief that there is no hardship on the applicant in meeting the OSRD regulations; ➢ No other benefit is being offered or gained if less than 50% open space is allowed; members agree that the OSRD ordinance is much more flexible than the applicant is purporting, additionally it is the Committee's belief that the 6- lot conventional subdivision is a veiled threat by the developer if the Board does not make a decision it the developer's favor. Menezes moves to authorize Maxner and Dunne to write the comment letter based on this discussion. Coffey seconds the motion. The motion carries 6 -0. The Committee briefly reviews the September 21, 2010 Conservation Commission meeting agenda and have no comments to submit. Historical Society — Fall Cemetery Walk Maxner reminds the Committee of the Central Cemetery Walk scheduled for Saturday October 30, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. and the Committee had expressed its willingness at the August CPA meeting to partner in this event. She notes that this walk was considered as an opportunity to showcase an historical and open space resource that would benefit from CPA funding for restoration and preservation. Coffey states that she plans on attending the walk. Community Preservation Act — October Meeting Maxner states the meeting is scheduled for tomorrow evening, October 7, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. at the Beverly Farms Library. Discussion ensues regarding a potential candidate to lead the campaign and strategies to promote and gain support for CPA in Beverly. Coffey states that she will be away that day and cannot attend the meeting. Dunne states she will attend the meeting. Open Space & Recreation Committee October 6, 2010 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4 Other Business Kampersal asks Maxner if she knows the status of the City's grant application to construct the Brimbal Avenue overpass. Maxner states she is not aware of that application and suggests contacting Tina Cassidy on that matter. Coffey asks the status of the Cove Playground tennis court project. Maxner states that the Parks and Recreation Commission is going to hold a public hearing on the matter and she will get the details for the Committee. There being no other business before the Committee this evening, Coffey moves to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Beaudoin. Motion carries 6 -0. The meeting is adjourned at 9:00 p.m.