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2011-06-01CITY 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 June 1, 2011 Elizabeth Dunne (Chairperson), David Brewster, David Gardner, Pam Kampersal, Marilyn McCrory, Sylvan Menezes and Bill Squibb Sue Beaudoin, Nancy Coffey and James Matz Amy Maxner, Environmental Planner Charlie Mann Jane Dooley Chairperson Dunne calls the meeting to order. Acceptance of Previous Minutes — May 4, 2011 Members review draft May 4, 2011 meeting minutes. Members discuss amendments with Maxner. Gardner makes a motion to accept May 4, 2011 open session minutes as amended. Seconded by McCrory. Motion carries 5 -0 -2. Squibb and Brewster abstained since they were absent. New Business Beverly Commons Trail Improvement Proiects — Essex County Greenbelt & New England Mountain Biking Association — Recap /Discussion /Action Items on May 25, 2011 Site Walk Maxner mentions that site inspection was done on May 25 where she attended along with Dan Streeter, Kate Walton, Marilyn McCrory, Nancy Coffey and Dave Gardner. McCrory was in favor of the active interest in the trails but noted that mountain bikes chew up the trails. She recommends if a new trail were implemented to replace a muddy trail, the old trail should be closed. Dunne thought if there was a better trail the bikers would use it and it would be more popular with walkers so the old trail could take care of itself. She suggests that people could be made aware that this is a privilege to use the open space. Brewster expresses concern about the proposed trail opening up pristine areas that could be destroyed. Committee members note that there would be impact on moss and stonewall. Dunne says damage from bicycling can be confined especially if there are good trails so bikers would not be inclined to deviate from trails. Brewster says the bikers are looking for a new trail with greater challenge. Gardner stresses that it should be clear to them that this is a privilege and not an absolute right and it will be controlled to ensure it is used responsibly. Open Space & Recreation Committee June 1, 2011 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 Committee discussion was on how the bridges improve the rides and decrease damage to the trails from heavy use. Members agree with Mann that the bikers want to be good partners. Maxner advocates that the Committee could be involved with the fine - tuning of the trail. Gardner suggests they get details about how the bikers plan to get around the wall. Dunne mentions that they could ask to see the final layout of the trail before work begins in October. Also, that a list of sensitive areas could be developed. Maxner suggests thoughts be formalized in writing in preparation for involvement in the final layout. Dunne mentions that the YMCA uses trail for hiking and suggests the Y should have some stewardship. McCrory offers to draft a letter that outlines how the OSRC wants to be involved in the trail development planning, defining certain areas to be preserved and Committee interest in walking the final trail. Brewster moves that McCrory draft the letter. Seconded by Gardner. Motion carries 7 -0. Emerald Necklace Trail Map — Update on Map Revisions Gardner suggests map be produced in black and white to reduce cost. He asks Committee members to email him their changes that will then be given to R. Adams. Streets will be visible so users can orient themselves. All neighborhoods will be linked. Gardner describes action plan for including streets. Discussion was about using shade of green to prevent masking Emerald Necklace trail on map, using a smaller trail map symbol, that trail would be located a distance away from water supply and how trail cuts through and should go around golf course. Dunne suggests that private property owners (i.e., Endicott College) be asked about whether or not they want their properties included on the map. Branch Lane will be presented conceptually. Discussion was about City -owned property on Bass River being called private by abutters. Discussion was on connection to Manchester's open space and Sweeney's open space easements. A PDF of map could be put on City's website, Dunne will research and email Gardner. Mann notes that information on the Internet could increase use of a heavily used area. Proposed Revisions to Watershed Protection Overlay Ordinance — Update on City Council Committee Discussion Kampersal describes meeting with City Council where Airport Commission was upset with the proposed draft. Concerns could have been addressed since no changes are planned that would impact airport operation. The intent is to protect the water supply. Councillor Martin will work on this during meetings to be held in September. The draft that complies with recommendations from EPA and DEP will be compared to the existing ordinance. It should be easier for the airport to sell excess land. Kampersal suggests James Matz would be a good representative to visit the airport to see how the operation is run. She notes that there are underground storage tanks installed prior to the ordinance. If a new tank were planned for installation it would have to meet DEP requirements. Maxner said the draft is Open Space & Recreation Committee June 1, 2011 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 held in Committee and D. Martin agreed to gather information. Kampersal will make a presentation, a simplified version of DEP cartographer Bob Hame's information, to the City Council on June 20. Maxner said Kampersal did well addressing the Airport Commission previously. Norwood Pond — Trail Encroachment — Discussion /Action Items Kampersal describes site walk with Matz, Brewster and former OSRC member Robert Buchsbaum. She notes there were 6' mounds of compost by the vernal pool near the Parker Brothers property line. Also dead trees near the City land. This could be a wetlands violation. Maxner said she could visit the site with R. Adams, who is interested in mapping GPS locations, and possibly Kampersal. Discussion was on need to replace posters and buy Plexiglas or Lexan for kiosks. Maxner will find out cost and bring that to the next meeting. She notes that $1,000 is available for the OSRC from the trail run. Discussion on trying laminated poster in one kiosk. 875 Hale Street — OSRC Draft Open Space Management Plan — Review /Comments Maxner states the open space would be under the homeowner's association stewardship. OSRC wrote a comment letter. Easements were taken away and yards were carved out on the small lots. Maxner notes that the Planning Board and Conservation Commission are looking at the open space plan that came from the developer and additional documentation is the open space management plan. The Planning Board will consider comments from various boards at its meeting on June 21. Maxner says the open space does not have to be open to the public. For example, the Lakeshore Avenue private open space will remain private even though it abuts public open space at Sally Milligan Park. Discussion on why development is not clustered; the developer was against it based on housing market in the area. Maxner says OSRC is not in the initial loop in the site plan review process but Planning Board is clear on the percentage of open space and it understands that the Committee has been consistent on wanting 50% open space. Maxner suggests that the homeowners association could be asked about its landscaper that would manage the maintenance of the open space (i.e., seasonal mowing for meadow and turf grass not lawn and that it should be done to accommodate birds). Kampersal suggests a letter could be written to Planning Board before June 21 meeting about guidelines. McCrory notes that part of the open space use would be gardening. Squibb and Dunne note that on the plan, the private lawn appears to be encroaching on the open space. Maxner says the houses need lawns to some extent. McCrory moves that the OSRC write a letter. Seconded by Kampersal. Motion carries 6 -0 -1. Gardner abstains. Open Space & Recreation Committee June 1, 2011 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4 Updates Tall Tree Drive Easement Maxner got a call from Eric Barber saying the Engineering Department is starting work on the new sketch plan. Bathing Beach Lane — Right of Way Research Update B. Munroe has not responded to Maxner about how to get access over private way. She will follow up again. Greens Hill — Parcel 27X Gardner said taking the parcel by tax title might not be viable. Maxner said B. Munroe indicated the examiner couldn't pursue the tax title examination further so she is seeking clarification. National Grid — Trail and Stream Crossing & 44 -46 River Street Project Maxner will follow up with Matz. OSRC member terms expiring in August Maxner notes that the following OSRC members have terms expiring in August: Nancy Coffey, Marilyn McCrory, Sylvan Menezes, Pam Kampersal and Liz Dunne. She asks Committee members to notify her about their interest in reappointment. Old Business Earth Day Nature Walks 2011 — Review upcoming events & schedule Brewster mentions that the walk at USMC and The Shoe Pond with Darren Brown, Curator of Collections with the Beverly Historical Society & Museum, on May 28 went well with a small group. Brewster will write a summary. Next meeting agenda items and scheduling The Committee's next meeting is scheduled for July 6, 2011. McCrory motions to adjourn, seconded by Brewster. Passes 7 -0. The meeting is adjourned at 9:10 pm.