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2011-10-19CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: Open Space and Recreation Committee SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: OTHERS PRESENT: RECORDER: October 19, 2011 Elizabeth Dunne (Chairperson), David Brewster, Nancy Coffey, David Gardner, and Marilyn McCrory Pam Kampersal, James Matz, Sylvan Menezes, Bill Squibb Kate Newhall, Associate Planner Charlie Mann Jane Dooley Chairperson Dunne calls the meeting to order. Acceptance of Previous Minutes — September 7, 2011 Members review draft September 7, 2011 meeting minutes. Members discuss amendments with Newhall. Coffey makes a motion to accept September 7, 2011 open session minutes as corrected. Seconded by Gardner. Motion carries 5 -0. New Business Possible Update/Revisions to Open Space & Recreation Plan — Environmental Inventory & Analysis Section: Aquifer Resources -- Discussion Committee discusses Kampersal's email regarding her request to include language in Beverly's Open Space Plan noting that the aquifer is part of the Ipswich River watershed. McCrory mentions that this would mean that the watershed protection area boundaries would be redrawn to include the area. However, the language from Kampersal seems to try to address other issues beyond redrawing the boundaries. Gardner expresses interest in hearing specifics from Kampersal as to how the plan is going to be modified. Dunne notes that Matz was going to critique the amendment. Brewster questions whether or not this should be addressed with the whole City Council. Newhall reports on her conversation with state contact responsible for open space plans for the region. There is no amendment procedure and the City would have to wait until the next round in the next couple of years to update plans. However, the state representative's response did not address changing text rather it was in regard to if Beverly had goals to amend, it could document the rationale for the change and describe the effort to get public input. Newhall notes that the Open Space & Recreation Committee October 19, 2011 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 5 state representative said a City Council vote would not be necessary for amending goals. Dunne suggests the Committee ask Kampersal what is the reason for the change now. Brewster raises the idea of the state accepting an addendum rather than amendment. Newhall notes that she thought the state would be willing to accept a submission from the City. The Committee agrees to include this discussion on the OSRC's next agenda. Open Space Encroachment off Standley Street — Warin2 School — Discussion, Action Items Dunne describes how Maxner updated the Committee at the last OSRC meeting about how she had spoken with grounds keeper at Waring School who was aware of the school's playing field encroachment on donated land. The donor is displeased with the active use of the land that came to the City through Ed Becker of Essex County Greenbelt Association and was intended for passive recreation. Committee discusses how donated site was once used as agricultural field and that this was mowed by Waring for soccer use. There has been additional interest in recreational field use on the west side of the school property. Committee briefly discussed if there was any possibility of land swap with the donor. Coffey mentions that the enforcement of the deed restrictions on the donated land adjacent to Waring School is the purview of Conservation Commission. Dunne suggests the Committee speak to or email Becker to gather facts about how he first came to OSRC relative to the matter. Then this could be added to the Committee's next month's agenda for further discussion. Other... Other City Board's /Commission's/Department's agenda items, projects or business related to open space and recreation — discussion and /or recommendations, if any...) Fox Hill Trail Grant Newhall notifies OSRC of $1,021 DCR grant City received for Fox Hill (1,120 -foot) trail. She distributes handout for Committee review that outlines details of total project value of $5,000 based on project materials and volunteer time (that will have to coordinated). The trail, that will include a walkway and bridges, is expected to be completed in the spring. Maxner, Newhall, and Roland Adams will walk and GPS the trail after the leaves fall and will invite Charlie Mann to participate. Newhall explains that the City has to match the cash amount with 20% that includes her time, time for volunteers, construction time, and Adam's time to GPS. Newhall suggests the trail workday could be done as part of Earth Day series and she is compiling a contact list of volunteers. Gardner offers to provide information to Newhall about Boy Scout coordinator who could provide volunteer help for the project. Committee discusses whether or not there would be a National Grid easement. In addition, OSRC agrees to ask Matz for details on National Grid's River Street cleanup. Open Space & Recreation Committee October 19, 2011 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 5 Pole Swamp Land Swap Coffey states that the Cole Swamp land swap is finally on the docket since she received an email from Bob Munroe. Thank you card — R. Adams Newhall passes out card for OSRC to sign thanking Adams for Emerald Trail Map work. OSRC positions McCrory notes that Suzanne Beaudoin resigned as the Ward 2 representative to the Committee. As a Ward 2 resident McCrory is going to request that she be appointed as the Ward 2 representative so the At -Large position would be opened to any one interested. She has sent a letter to the Mayor thanking him for the opportunity to serve as the At -Large OSRC member. Mann has received an email from Maxner about the At -Large position and he sent a letter of interest to the Mayor three weeks ago. Updates Bathing Beach Lane — Ri2ht of Way Access Update Newhall states she does not have any update from Maxner on this topic. Mann mentions he is researching the technicalities for public access since people have been accessing the area to swim off the rocks for a long period of time. He suggests there could be a trail as shown on the map. Coffey inquires about whether or not there would have to be proof of long -term public use. Gardner notes that questions could be posed to B. Munroe and he could sit with Maxner to discuss the matter in preparation for Committee to send another letter to Munroe. Tall Tree Drive Easement Newhall reports that Maxner said developer has to get client to sign off on everything that everyone agreed to that is new and current. Dunne will send an email reiterating the need for signature. Greens Hill — Parcel 27X Newhall states she does not have any update from Maxner on this topic. Gardner mentions that Committee will conduct an Executive Session to discuss 27A. In regard to 27X he says it is bundled with a lot of other tax title takings. He has spoken to the Mayor about having the City address 27X separately but that is not going to occur. Right of Way of Essex Street Open Space & Recreation Committee October 19, 2011 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5 Coffey mentions that she thanked Mike Collins for getting rid of rocks across the City's Essex Street Right of Way to provide public access. Newhall notes that Maxner spoke with Phil, the City's tree person, who said unless there is a legitimate trail that leads to a legitimate open space area he does not want to start clearing this because he cannot continue to clear it. There are no City resources for him to add this to his maintenance list but it does not prevent the Committee from clearing it. Gardner mentions that this could be a Boy Scouts project. Committee discusses encroachment on trail in City's Right of Way and how that needs to be cleared. Kiosk Poster Printing Options Brewster states that printing of posters is done and he has notified Maxner. Community Preservation Act Exploratory Group (CPA) McCrory summarizes need for support from people to make case to voters about possible 1% surcharge on real estate taxes to pay for benefits of CPA. The City Council would have to agree to put this on the ballot. McCrory says the Mayor supports CPA. Committee discusses how a high profile person that is neutral and does not have a particular focus would be needed to spearhead the effort to promote CPA. Dunne suggests OSRC members come back next month with suggested names for people with visibility in the community. McCrory asks Committee members to contact candidates for City Council for their view on CPA. She notes that the Committee driving CPA has dissolved. Dunne notes that CPA can opt out senior citizens since it may be perceived as a tax. Next meeting agenda items and scheduling The Committee's next meeting is scheduled for November 2, 2011. Old or Other Business Wood Lane Update Newhall explains that Maxner would like the Committee to see if there is a fence across Wood Lane at Tony Jack's property near Bald Hill and Centerville School. If so, the Committee members are encouraged to go see the fence and then report back to Maxner before the OSRC meeting on November 2. Gardner and Brewster agreed to investigate. Maxner plans to discuss this at the November 2 meeting to determine how best to handle the situation that could include sending letters to the City solicitor and property owner. History of Norwood Pond Open Space & Recreation Committee October 19, 2011 Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5 Coffey mentioned that she is trying to find a location (i.e., library) where people in Beverly could tell their historical stories about Norwood Pond. She investigated the Second Congregational Church but the City would have to sign a hold harmless legal agreement. Mann leaves meeting. Coffey moves to adjourn the open session not to return at 8:28 p.m., seconded by McCrory. Motion passes 5 -0. Coffey moves to convene in Executive Session, seconded by Gardner. Roll call vote: Liz Dunne, Nancy Coffey, Dave Gardner, Dave Brewster, Marilyn McCrory.