2011-03-02CITY 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
March 2, 2011
Elizabeth Dunne (Chairperson), David Brewster, Nancy
Coffey, David Gardner, Pam Kampersal, James Matz,
Marilyn McCrory, and Sylvan Menezes
Sue Beaudoin and Bill Squibb
Amy Maxner, Environmental Planner
Charlie Mann, Bob Hames
Jane Dooley
Chairperson Dunne calls the meeting to order.
Updates
Bathing Beach Lane — Right of Way Research, Tall Tree Drive Easement
Mann explained that he had made no progress with his research for access to Bass River property
from Bathing Beach Lane since speaking with Bob Munroe.
Mann reports he has reviewed the deeds for the properties abutting Bathing Beach and it is not
clear that the right of way is private. Maxner notes that the lane was laid out but never improved
so the City never accepted it. Mann will report back to the Committee once he hears from Bob
Munroe. Mann suggested that a split rail fence could be installed on the Bathing Beach Lane end
or Leech Street end to delineate the public accessibility where the trail makes a loop. He notes
that there are brambles so the trail would have to be cleared.
Greens Hill — Parcel 27X
Gardner reports that he spoke with John Dunn for an update on the tax title examinations, which
he understood to be completed by December of 2010. Dunn informed Gardner that the examiner
has been secured and is currently working on certain parcels, which have been organized into 1 st
2nd and 3 priority groups and 27X has been placed in the 3 group to be researched at a future
time, but no schedule was provided. Gardner expressed his sincere disappointment to Dunn and
suggests to the Committee that a letter to the Mayor about this parcel is an appropriate step at
this point. He asks for the members' opinions on this issue.
Open Space & Recreation Committee
March 2, 2011 Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 5
Menezes explains that 27X is a high priority for the Harbor Management Authority (HMA),
noting that the HMA has a pool of money that could fund the title examination if that will help
expedite this process. Discussion ensues as to the cost of an examination and how much money
would be available from the HMA. Menezes agrees to discuss this idea with the Authority.
Coffey makes a motion to give Gardner the authority to write a letter to the Mayor to ask for his
support and assistance in expediting the acquisition of 27X.. Seconded by Brewster. Motion
carries, 8 -0. Gardner agrees to draft the letter and forward to Maxner and Dunne for editing.
Approval of Minutes
Members reviewed draft January 5, 2011 meeting minutes. Members discussed amendments
with Maxner.
Gardner makes a motion to approve the January 5, 2011 minutes as amended. Seconded by
Dunne. Kampersal abstains. Motion carries, 7 -0 -1.
New Business
Earth Day Nature Walks 2011 — Continue Planning for Events
Members review and discuss Earth Day Nature Walks 2011 events. The tentative schedule was
considered. Maxner notes that the Trustees of Reservations is on for May 1 st with their annual
Daffodil Day. Maxner notes that Mickey Northcutt, Executive Director of the Beverly
Affordable Housing Coalition, is interested in leading a tour of the new Cabot Street Homes
apartments, as it is a green facility. She offers to contact Northcutt about a possible date on the
schedule.
Brewster notes that he just spoke with Robert Buchsbaum and he is available on May 15 to lead
the Beverly Pier walk and Brewster would co -lead. Brewster also confirms that he and Darren
Brown will co -lead a walk at the Shoe Pond and the weekend of May 28 looks to work best for
Darren. This walk would involve the industrial and cultural history of the Shoe as well as bird
ID around the pond.
Coffey notes that Erika Sonder is a fantastic leader and thinks that she would be wiling to lead a
wildflower walk. Maxner agrees to contact Sonder and inquire.
Matz and Kampersal discuss coordinating a geology walk at Norwood Pond. Kampersal offers
to contact Ron Johnsen a local who is very familiar with the ecology of Norwood Pond. They
agree to take a preliminary walk to familiarize Matz with the area.
Discussion ensues as to whether Pole Swamp Lane should be included in this year's walks.
Parking space constraints in this area are discussed and members ask Maxner as to the status of
that project which improved part of the Lane. Maxner noted that the Conservation
Commission's permit required signage that says, "Enjoy this public way."
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March 2, 2011 Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 5
Maxner mentioned that the grant related to Fox Hill /Tall Tree Drive will be awarded in the
summer so including this open space area in the walk series is probably premature. She notes
that Bob Munroe wants the sketch cleaned up but Engineering needs to wait until the snow melts
to do the required fieldwork. She also said that Essex County VELO has agreed to partner
blazing the Tall Tree easement trail. Part of grant will allow for access from road to the trail and
there is a bridge over the stream crossing.
Maxner will work to finalize the walk schedule and try to get it out no later than the end of
March.
Proposed Revisions to Watershed Protection Overlay Ordinance — Review & Discussion
Beverly resident Bob Hames, who is chief cartographer for the Department of Environmental
Protection, addresses the Committee and provides an explanation of the proposed revisions to
the Watershed Protection Overlay Ordinance and how it affects Beverly.
He notes that the City Council's Legal Affairs Committee has asked various boards and
departments for comments on the revisions by April 1 st and he was hoping that the OSRC would
be able to provide input at this point as well. He explains this ordinance has three major
components to it, which include: defining in detail the mapped tributaries that contribute to
Wenham Lake to protect the city of Beverly's water supply both surface expression and
groundwater including aquifers (i.e., Norwood Pond and Longham Reservoir and high -yield
aquifer); Replacing the existing Ordinance with a new one by providing for more detailed
processes for permitting, approval, enforcement and expanded definitions and by -right and
prohibited uses etc.; and finally creation of a citizen advisory committee, the "Watershed
Protection Advisory Council" composed of residents and /or elected officials whose purpose
would be to advise the SPGA on special permit requests within the overlay district, make
recommendations on updating the ordinance as needed, public education, etc...
Hames explains that DEP has established specific zones of protection that regulate land use at
varying degrees depending on it's proximity to the water source or tributary. He notes that Zone
A is the most restrictive and to build in this zone, the Planning Board would have to grant a
special permit.
Hames notes that existing operations or land uses will not be impacted, and some things may be
grandfathered, but if a new use or expansion of a use is proposed it would require a special
permit from the Planning Board.
Discussion ensues about the extent of the natural watershed, its tributaries and the aquifer.
Maxner states that the Engineering and Beverly Salem Water Supply Board personnel are of the
opinion that the water in the aquifer flows away from the lake to the Miles River.
Kampersal mentions that Kerry Mackin of the Ipswich River Watershed Association has argued
against Tom Knowlton, head of the Beverly Salem Water Supply Board, from expanding the
City's water filtration plant so no more water would be drawn from the Ipswich River.
Open Space & Recreation Committee
March 2, 2011 Meeting Minutes
Page 4 of 5
Members discuss whether to write a letter to the Council. Members agree that a letter of support
from the OSRC is appropriate. Matz said the Council should be urged to meet with other groups
including Wenham to discuss protection plans. He offers to draft a letter of support that includes
this recommendation. He agrees email the draft to Kampersal, Coffey, Dunne, and Maxner (to
comply with Open Meeting Law) for review.
Gardner makes a motion for the OSRC to write a support letter for the draft watershed overlay
protection district ordinance that incorporates points of tonight's discussion.. Seconded by
Kampersal. Motion carries, 8 -0.
Continued or Other Business
Chapman's Corner/Manor Homes at Whitehall — Access Pathway to Open Space Parcel -
Update
Maxner notes that she forwarded the Committee's letter to the Planning Board. Maxner notes
that she and Leah Zambernardi had set up a site inspection regarding the 5' access pathway
leading to open space parcel with Bob Griffin for January but snow prevented it. Griffin and
David Carnevale are considering moving the path. Discussion about the pathway will be placed
on the March 29, 2011 Planning Board agenda.
Maxner notes that all retention ponds will be fenced so it will not be a safety issue if the pathway
is located adjacent to the ponds.
OSRC Semi - Annual Report to City Council — Recap of December Presentation
Coffey reports that she went to the City Council to present OSRC's semi - annual report and it
went well. There was some discussion on the National Grid substation entrance. Also she noted
at the meeting that CPA funds could be used for City Hall repairs. In addition, she mentioned the
upcoming Earth Day walks.
National Grid — Trail and Stream Crossing & 44 -46 River Street Proiect
Maxner informs the Committee the Conservation Commission is still waiting for a check from
National Grid to begin the peer review for the 44 -46 River Street project. This relates to the site
remediation where buildings are going to be taken down and hazardous waste contained. She
will keep the Committee posted on the progress of this project as it moves through wetlands
permitting.
Menezes notes that the HMA has had contact with DEP Chapter 91 and DEP indicated that they
will pursue public access for 44 -46 River Street.
Community Preservation Act (CPA) — Recap from the January 20, 2011 & February 17,
2011 meetings
Open Space & Recreation Committee
March 2, 2011 Meeting Minutes
Page 5 of 5
McCrory states that she set up a meeting with Don Preston and Sue Goganian and they spoke to
the Mayor and filled him in on the CPA Exploratory Group's intent and progress so far. She
notes that he expressed his support and suggested that the group talk to the City Councilors about
CPA and try to garner their support.
Pole Swamp Lane
Coffey reports that she wrote a letter to the Mayor about the Pole Swamp Lane parcels that are to
be transferred to the Conservation Commission. She received a response letter from B. Munroe
saying he is preparing documents to take action on this matter.
Next meeting agenda items and scheduling
There being no other business before the Committee this evening, Coffey motions to adjourn,
seconded by Gardner. Passes 8 -0.
The meeting is adjourned at 9:06 pm.
The Committee's next meeting is scheduled for April 6, 2011.