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2011-09-07CITY 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 September 7, 2011 Elizabeth Dunne (Chairperson), David Brewster, Nancy Coffey, David Gardner, Pam Kampersal, James Matz, Marilyn McCrory, and Sylvan Menezes Bill Squibb Amy Maxner, Environmental Planner Dan Streeter, New England Mountain Biking Association Charlie Mann Jane Dooley Chairperson Dunne calls the meeting to order. Acceptance of Previous Minutes — July 6, 2011 Members review draft July 6, 2011 meeting minutes. Members discuss amendments with Maxner. Gardner makes a motion to accept July 6, 2011 open session minutes as amended. Seconded by Coffey. Motion carries 7 -0 -1. Kampersal abstained since she did not attend July 6th meeting. New Business Beverly Commons Trail Improvement Proiects — Essex County Greenbelt & New England Mountain Biking Association -- Discussion Regarding New Trail Location Maxner states that Dan Streeter from New England Mountain Biking Association had made attempts to flag the new trail identifying areas in the stonewall that currently are in disrepair that can serve as an access point. She had emailed the Committee to encourage members to take a look at it. Gardner had done this. He was in favor of either of the two locations and asked when stones are relocated if the side with lichen could remain facing up. Streeter provides photographs for the Committee to review of main stones to be moved where stonewall had collapsed on proposed trail. One large ledge outcropping with significant lichen growth that was identified on initial site walk was avoided. He states the intention is to provide a trail that is longer and has attractions to make it interesting. He says once the trail is established it becomes obvious to others where trail goes and is sustainable crossing the wall in an elevated location. Dunne agreed that trails are quickly adopted. Open Space & Recreation Committee September 7, 2011 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 5 Gardner makes a motion to accept one or the other openings in the wall. McCrory asks for discussion on this motion. Discussion continues and Streeter says they will brush in the old trail, they will avoid moss and lichen, the old roadway or cart path would be used as a crib wall but no change or excavation would occur. Signage would be put up as needed. McCrory states signage or communication to members, possibly in Association's newsletter, should include information on use of trail highlighting OSRC's concerns outlined in Committee's letter especially no riding roughshod over wall. Streeter responds that he would not publicize new trail much to keep use manageable and he would emphasize respecting moss and lichen on rocks and trail in general. Streeter adds input about how another proposed trail could get people off of Wood Lane. Committee members thought this could be addressed later on. Another project he mentions is bridge project on Boulder Lane where he asks OSRC for letter of support since Association is anticipating submitting a recreational trails grant application to try and get funding to pay for $2,000 in materials for a 100 -foot bridge. Committee takes action on Gardner's motion to accept the proposed trail with one or the other openings in the wall. Seconded by Brewster. Dunn notes that OSRC would like to look at the second part of the trail proposed by Streeter. Motion carries 8 -0. Coffey makes a motion for the OSRC to write a letter of support for New England Mountain Biking Association to write a grant application to build the bridge. Seconded by Gardner. Motion carries 8 -0. Streeter will provide a template letter for the Committee once they are ready to submit the grant application. Recreational Trails Grant -- $1,021 to build a trail on Fox Hill (off of Tall Tree Drive) — Discussion re2ardin2 the timeline and tasks of the project. Maxner states that the Fox Hill trail blazing grant was awarded from the state with $1,021 slated for materials. City has until September 2013 to complete trail. A wetlands permit application will be put before the Conservation Commission for the proposed work, and GPS work will be done with Roland Adams for the final location of the path and volunteers will be organized to get the work done. Essex County VELO cycling group is the primary source that has pledged volunteers. Updates Tall Tree Drive Easement Maxner reports that a final surveyed plan and easement amendment language is in B. Munroe's hands to approve, and once the homeowners signs off on it, it can move forward for City Council approval. She hopes this could be completed in next couple of months. Open Space & Recreation Committee September 7, 2011 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 5 Back to New Business: Emerald Necklace Trail Map — Update on Map Revisions Gardner states that map is online and can be printed in 8 '/z by 11 -inch format and trail detail can be enlarged on the screen and printed in a larger scale format as well. Brewster suggests this information could be included in the "what's new" section on Beverly website. Coffey offers to notify Beverly Citizen about availability of map. The map is reviewed, and discussion about Cross Lane being labeled as Common Lane on map is noted. Gardner says he'll notify Roland Adams of any changes at end of year. He asks Committee to review and if many changes are discovered then he'll suggest to R. Adams that they should be made right away. Gardner mentions that he gave Mayor an earlier version of map. Maxner agrees to send thank you letter from Committee to R. Adams that will be personally signed by Dunne. Updates, continued: Bathing Beach Lane — Right of Way Access Update Maxner states that she emailed B. Munroe about Right of Way access and received no response. Mann says there is only one house on Bathing Beach Lane is occupied and that is during the summer. Maxner notes that B. Munroe has determined that Bathing Beach Lane is a private way so it has to be decided how the City would get access. Pole Swamp Lane Parcel Transfer to the Conservation Commission Coffey notes that she recently spoke to Mayor about transferring Pole Swamp land to the Con Com and agrees to follow up since B. Munroe got a letter from the Mayor about it. Chapman's Corner/Manor Homes at Whitehall — Access Pathway to Open Space Parcel Maxner will consult with Leah Zambernardi about access pathway and retention pond to see if she has heard from developer or engineer. Norwood Pond — Trail Encroachment — Discussion /Action Items Maxner states that she has not followed up to schedule a site walk with R. Adams to GPS pond site and view three large compost piles that should not be on pond trail for the past few years. Brewster mentioned how Beverly High School students are being put to work during their study hall hours for community service projects. Discussion ensues as to possible projects that could Open Space & Recreation Committee September 7, 2011 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5 be taken up by the students. Brewster notes that a fair amount of adult supervision is most likely required for most projects. Greens Hill — Parcel 27X Gardner notes that he spoke to Mayor about a neighboring parcel to 27X. And will report to the Committee during an executive session should any other information come to light. Community Preservation Act Exploratory Group (CPA) McCrory suggests that purchase of that parcel would be a signature Community Preservation Act project. Menezes mentions that Harbor Management Authority has $20,000 budgeted that would be a start towards purchase. He adds that there is a question about legal frontage for zoning. Other ... (Other rights of way and /or open space matters /issues /concerns) Waring School Maxner says she spoke to grounds management director at Waring School who is aware school is using City land for recreation fields. According to deed to City, Conservation Commission is responsible. Discussion about school not understanding that it is abusing use of land. Donor wanted it used as passive land not active recreational. There has been Committee member discussion with Ed Becker of ECGA. This matter will be put on next month's OSRC meeting agenda and background information will be provided in Committee packet for discussion. Old or Other Business Open Space Plan /watershed protection overlay district Kampersal mentions that the definition of the aquifer between Norwood Pond and Wenham Lake in Open Space Plan needs to be corrected. She refers to DEP letter about bringing watershed protection overlay district up -to -date. Discussion ensues regarding the current aquifer designation and the information brought forward by the Beverly Safe Drinking Water Alliance relative to its proposed revisions to the Watershed Protection Overlay Ordinance. Maxner will check into process of amending the Plan and put proposed revised text and letter from DEP in the Committee's packet for discussion at October OSRC meeting. Harbor Management Authority waterfront festival Menezes mentions that waterfront festival will be held on Saturday, September 3, 2011 from 2 to 5 p.m. to celebrate rebuilding of piers and wharf behind former McDonald's site. Open Space & Recreation Committee September 7, 2011 Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5 Two posters needing refurbishing at Philips and Norwood Pond Maxner states that cost to laminate posters that need to be refurbished would be almost $300. Discussion about less expensive solutions including printing directly on plastic. Maxner will email a file of posters to Brewster who will investigate alternative solution. Thank you notes for Earth Day Nature Walk event leader and former OSRC member Maxner presents thank you notes for Committee to sign for Earth Day Nature Walk event leader Darren Brown and former Committee member Suzanne Beaudoin. Next meeting agenda items and scheduling The Committee's next meeting is scheduled for October 5, 2011. Gardner motions to adjourn, seconded by Brewster. Passes 8 -0. The meeting is adjourned at 9:00 pm.