2012-01-04CITY 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
January 4, 2012
Elizabeth Dunne (Chairperson), David Brewster, Nancy
Coffey, David Gardner, Pam Kampersal, Charlie Mann,
Marilyn McCrory, James Matz, and Sylvan Menezes
Bill Squibb
Amy Maxner, Environmental Planner
Gabe Buchsbaum and his father, Robert, and his
Scoutmaster Josh Moody, Matt Akerman and his mother,
Susan, from two Boy Scout troops in Beverly
Jane Dooley
Chairperson Dunne calls the meeting to order.
Acceptance of Previous Minutes — November 2, 2011
Members review draft November 2, 2011 meeting open session minutes. Members discuss
amendments with Maxner.
Brewster makes a motion to accept November 11, 2011 minutes as amended. Seconded by
Gardner. Motion carries 7 -0 -2. Kampersal abstained since she did not attend. Mann abstained
since he was not a Committee member when meeting was held.
New Business
Possible Proiects for Boy Scout Troops — Discussion/Recommendations
Committee discusses project ideas with Akerman so he could develop an action plan for his
Eagle Scout project. The project requirement is to organize and complete 100 hours of work that
includes assembling a work team (i.e., family and friends). Kampersal mentions that Boy Scout
A.J. Chalifour may be willing to assist since he did a similar project.
The Committee suggests establishing an entrance path/trail leading to Beverly Commons' woods
within right of way area off Standley Street near Sweeney's greenhouse property. Dunne
suggests that Ed Becker of ECGA and Conservation Commission should respond to the proposal,
and thinks that blazing the trail is a big project. Coffey suggests that the Committee approve the
final layout. Akerman is in favor of project and expresses interest in linkage trails. Gardner
shows Akerman location of trail on City map and notes it would be an ambitious project to
layout a route.
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January 4, 2012 Meeting Minutes
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Maxner states that Roland Adams could provide assistance with GPS and in creating a map.
Akerman states he needs project approval by spring. Mann suggests if Committee agrees with
proposal, Akerman could outline plan and walk trail to flag it and the Committee could then
review plan and walk trail to stay within Akerman's late July completion timeframe.
Mann suggests one of the biking groups could assist in this project. McCrory expresses her
hesitation in promoting every single trail as a bikers trail. Discussion ensues as to potential user
groups and how best to assist Akerman in this project. Coffey suggests alerting the abutters
(Sweeney and Waring School) that Akerman will be out there by sending a letter from the
Committee informing of its support of the project. Coffey offers to draft the letter and work with
Maxner to finalize and send it out. Menezes motions to authorize Coffery to write said letter.
Seconded by Matz. The motion carries 9 -0.
Akerman agrees to check out area and prepare plan for proposed trail including need for bridges
or walkways beyond scope of project. Mann suggests Akerman view trail with plans to
bushwhack interesting characteristics and create route to flag. He provides Akerman with map
and recommends he visit the Beverly GIS website. Gardner suggests that Akerman consult the
AMC guide on trailblazing.
Committee asks Akerman to meet again in February bringing project plan for Committee
approval. Akerman thanks the Committee for its time and he will be in touch.
Boy Scout Gabe Buchsbaum discusses with Committee a possible Eagle Scout project involving
bushwhacking a 6 -foot handicapped accessible trail off of Cross Lane at the soccer field as
another way to enter Sally Milligan. Gardner recommends using National Park Service standard
design for any wetland bridge crossing for handicap access. Discussion ensues about possibility
of building suspension bridge over small stream west of soccer field to encourage users to access
trails that lead into Sally Milligan Park, noting that Conservation Commission approval may be
needed.
McCrory suggests another project idea involving marking the overgrown trail off of Essex Street
across from Cole Street where there is a right of way that had a previous problem with an
abutting property owner blocking trail with a stonewall.
Coffey recommends marking trials with natural history stations, similar to what is done in
Boothbay area in Maine. She notes that research would be involved to determine number of
stations marked with numbers or letters, decide theme and topic of each station and seasonal use,
and a guide would have to be written for posting on the website. Buchsbaum expresses interest in
research and physical /intellectual work to be completed in July next year. He would like to use
this project as part of college application process.
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January 4, 2012 Meeting Minutes
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Mann shows Buchsbaum on map where bramble cutting is needed on City —owned land off of
Bathing Beach Lane /Folger Avenue. Gardner mentions that steps may be needed on Bass River
trail and at Sally Milligan off of Lake Shore. Buchsbaum will run these project ideas by
scoutmaster and think about which one appeals to him most. He will update the Committee as he
makes progress and thanks the Committee for its time.
Other... (Other City Board 's /Commission's/Department's agenda items, proiects or
business related to open space and recreation — discussion and /or recommendations, if
an ...
Wellington Heights Subdivision Modification — Planning Board Public Hearing
Matz provides a detailed update on the Wellington Heights subdivision modification, which is
proposed to serve as sole access to the new development in Wenham. He notes that the Planning
Board opened the public hearing at its meeting last evening (January 3 and voted to close the
hearing that same evening. He notes that the Board will take this matter up for final discussion
and decision at its January 17 meeting.
Updates
Bathing Beach Lane — Right of Way Access
Maxner refers to email from Gardner that was forwarded to B. Munroe. Discussion ensues as to
access to the City -owned open space off the end of Folger Avenue and Bathing Beach Lane.
Mann suggests the Committee should establish the opportunity to build trail on the property and
he would like to lead that project. Maxner notes that trailblazing for this will occur within
Riverfront Area and should be approved and permitted by the Conservation Commission. She
notes that she is happy to prepare the application to submit to the Commission for its January 31
meeting, and asks that Mann or Dunne attend the Commission's meeting to provide presentation
of the project. Mann states he is happy to make the presentation.
Tall Tree Drive Easement
Maxner states that City Council has approved easement and she will have Mayor sign it and she
will take it to the Registry to be recorded. Mann notes that he participated in locating the trail by
GPS and flagging the trail in the field with Maxner and Roland Adams a couple weeks ago.
Discussion ensues as to timing of trail blazing work and its inclusion as a location for an Earth
Day walk. Discussion ensues as to specifications for the trail entrance off of Tall Tree Drive per
the easement agreement. Mann suggests that the preparations for laying a brick walkway will be
the most time consuming part of the project, he offers to help lead the volunteer effort.
Greens Hill — Parcel 27X
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January 4, 2012 Meeting Minutes
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Maxner plans to schedule a meeting with Gardner, Mayor, and Tina Cassidy to discuss status of
27X and 27A options. Gardner and Maxner will update the Committee as to the progress on this
matter after that meeting.
Open Space Encroachment off Standley Street — Warin2 School
Maxner states that she brought this to the Conservation Commission's attention during its
November 29 meeting. The Commission declined scheduling a site walk as members did not
feel it necessary, instead the Commission voted to issue a letter ordering Waring to remove it's
playing field from conservation land. Discussion about the importance of taking stewardship of
donated land seriously. Committee reviews aerial photograph of field and notes that the playing
field could be moved off of the City's land and reconfigured to still be viable for Waring.
Maxner notes that she has placed this matter on the January 31 Conservation agenda and will
contact Waring if she does not hear from anyone relative to the Commission's letter.
Discussion about how OSRC could assist ConCom to inspect City land regularly. Coffey offers
to write letter describing OSRC's interest in helping organize volunteers to inspect properties,
noting that Greenbelt uses volunteers for this purpose.
Wood Lane — Right of Way Encroachment
Maxner reports that she conducted an inspection today and met up with Suzanne Ewer, resident
of 47 Wood Lane. She notes that all of the encroachment items, with exception of planted
hemlocks, have been removed from the right of way and Conservation land. She notes that she
had a very good conversation with Ms. Ewer and they placed the fencing in the lane to prohibit a
neighbor from allowing his dog to poop on the lawn area, which he never picks up. She notes
that Ms. Ewer did not mean to cause a problem or block rightful access and complied
immediately with the Committee's letter. Maxner offers to speak to City solicitor about the
hemlock trees if OSRC is interested. Discussion ensues as to how much of a problem the planted
hemlock tree /shrubs pose to access along the right of way. Members agree that these hemlocks
do not significantly block access at the current time and the City can always reserve the right to
remove the shrubs /trees should they pose a problem in the future. Maxner will communicate
with B. Munroe regarding this issue and write a follow up letter to the Ewer's as to its final
resolution.
Chapman's Corner/Manor Homes at Whitehall — Access Pathway to Open Space Parcel
Discussion ensues regarding the walking trail to be built which will be located 5' from the new
house on Lot 5, and along retention pond to provide access to open space behind housing
development. Dunne suggests OSRC keep up the pressure to have trail built and offers to write a
letter to Planning Board providing OSRC input.
Coffey moves to authorize Dunne to write letter reminding the Planning Board of this issue.
Matz seconds motion. The motion passes 9 -0.
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January 4, 2012 Meeting Minutes
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Norwood Pond — Discussion /Action Items
Kampersal suggests revisiting the establishment of a conservation restriction for Norwood Pond
as the City Council could overturn overlay zoning at any time and she is concerned about the
protection of this land as the overpass at Brimbal Avenue planning continues to move forward.
Maxner agrees to place this item on an upcoming OSRC's agenda.
Possible Update/Revisions to Open Space & Recreation Plan — Environmental Inventory &
Analysis Section: Aquifer Resources — Discussion
Kampersal notes that she emailed the Committee before the last meeting and would like for this
matter to be discussed in more detail, as she believes the language in the Open Space Plan (OS &
R Plan) relative to the aquifer resource is incorrect. Discussion ensues as to correct language
and information needed to make a final decision on this matter. Maxner notes that the ad -hoc
committee with Tina Cassidy, Councilor Martin, Kampersal and Matz, which was formed to
review the proposed WPOD amendments, is meeting tomorrow and this committee may provide
additional items to consider relative to any amendments to the OS & R Plan. She agrees to put
this discussion on next month's OSRC agenda early in meeting. Matz states that the ad -hoc
committee will move quickly through its review and he hopes to get their recommendations to
the City Council in time for a final vote in May.
Community Preservation Act — Campaign Strategy — Discussion /Action Items
Coffey reports that she has had a discussion with Mary Grant regarding the possibility of leading
the CPA campaign. She notes that Grant expressed support for CPA but was unable to commit
anytime as she has just started anew job, which will demand much of her time. Coffey also
spoke to realtor Fay Salt who was interested and Salt offered to introduce this topic at an
upcoming meeting of realtors, she asked for informational material to bring her up to speed.
Discussion ensues on changing the strategy for placing this on and upcoming ballot, members
agree that citizen's petition is possible but City Council vote may be easier.
Beverly Bicycle Committee — First Meeting
Mann notes that Beverly Bicycle Committee has formed and is holding it's first meeting this
evening. Gardner notes that it is not an official committee but has a similar mission with the
OSRC in creating safe biking links throughout the City but is more focused on roadway biking as
opposed to trail and off road biking.
Gravelly Brook Parcel c/o Cambridge Trust — Land Owned by Alfred Donovan Estate
Maxner explains that the City Solicitor has received correspondence from Cambridge Trust
Company, the trust administering the estate of the late Alfred Donovan who passed away in
August. The letter referred to 1.6 acres in the Boulder Lane area next to Route 128 known as
Gravelly Brook parcel. She notes that the parcel is assessed at $44,900 and it abuts Con Com
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January 4, 2012 Meeting Minutes
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land. The Trust is inquiring as to whether the City is interested in purchasing the property for
open space purposes.
Maxner asks if the OSRC supports the purchase and if it would like to make a recommendation
to the City Solicitor. Discussion ensues as to the parcel's actual worth and whether the estate
would consider donating the land for tax right -off purposes. Matz notes that there is open space
value in gaining that parcel, but believes that it is rather overvalued and suggests that possibly
Greenbelt would be interested in acquisition. Maxner agrees to communicate these thoughts and
suggestions to the Solicitor.
Next meeting agenda items and scheduling
The Committee's next meeting is scheduled for February 1, 2012. Matz suggests that the
discussion for the Open Space Plan amendments be placed first on the agenda to make sure this
receives thoughtful attention. He recommends that Norwood Pond CR and CPA discussions be
placed on the top of the March agenda. He notes that time management is an issue and suggests
that each agenda topic be assigned starting and ending times to better handle discussion time.
Brewster motions to adjourn, seconded by Gardner. The motion passes 9 -0.
Meeting adjourns at 9:20 p.m.