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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." Open Space & Recreation Committee 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.