2012-03-07CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD:
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE:
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RECORDER:
Open Space and Recreation Committee
March 7, 2012
Elizabeth Dunne (Chairperson), David Brewster, Nancy
Coffey, David Gardner, Charlie Mann, Marilyn McCrory,
James Matz, Sylvan Menezes, and Bill Squibb
Pam Kampersal
Amy Maxner, Environmental Planner
Jane Dooley
Chairperson Dunne calls the meeting to order.
Acceptance of Previous Minutes — February 1, 2012
Members review draft February 1, 2012 meeting open session minutes. Members discuss
amendments with Maxner.
Brewster makes a motion to accept February 1, 2012 open session minutes as amended.
Seconded by Coffey. Motion carries 9 -0.
New Business
Community Preservation Act Campaign Strategy — Update & Discussion
McCrory states that there is community support and enthusiasm about historic preservation,
community housing, open space and recreation that Community Preservation Act could provide
for the City. If Beverly were to adopt a 1% CPA surcharge on its property tax bills it would bring
in $455,000 annually with all exemptions including commercial. With the state match of 25 %, an
additional $114,000 would be raised annually. According to information from the Department of
Revenue, the charge for the average Beverly household valued at $421,000 would be $42 a year,
a $13 increment for every $100,000 of value.
She describes projects that CPA could fund using 10% of funds for each category including new
recreation opportunities (not existing playgrounds or ball fields), preserving historic structures
and open space, and affordable housing as well as creating new community housing. CPA funds
could not be used for maintenance. McCrory says for open space, CPA funds could be used for
community gardens, appraisals, surveys, engineering studies, and purchasing open space.
Open Space & Recreation Committee
March 7, 2012 Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 5
McCrory explains that to assess community support for CPA there has been the suggestion to use
a survey monkey to conduct a survey with residents (i.e., are you willing to spend $42 a year for
CPA), as well as the use of press releases and newspaper articles. Discussion ensues about
feasibility and cost associated with using reverse 911 automatic calling system although
Committee notes that City would not take a stand on CPA, and possibility of including an insert
in residents' water bills.
Discussion ensues about September 6 being date to get a CPA question in place on City's
election ballot. McCrory explains that it is not a signature process but is a two -step process
where City Council approves putting the question on the ballot and City Clerk puts it on.
Committee also discusses how CPA funds could be used for open space preservation, such as
trail building, and purchase land around Pole Swamp Lane and other unbuildable land
throughout Beverly and how this coincides with Essex County Greenbelt Association's efforts.
Coffey mentions that CPA funds could potentially be used to furnish lighting at the Bass River
Walkway. Gardner raises the possibility of using CPA funds for easement for harbor walk
behind Moynihan Lumber and National Grid by Bass River. Mann discusses establishing a trail
with a narrow sliver of land off Grover Street and Old Planters Road, owned by a Rhode Island
bank.
McCrory states that the next CPA meetings are scheduled for March 19 and April 5 at 7:15 p.m.
at the library. She asks Committee to provide her feedback on people's thoughts about CPA.
Earth Day Walks — Event Planning and Scheduling
Maxner updates Committee about the Earth Day Walks flyer and asks if Tall Tree Drive should
be added. Menezes mentions that June 19 is Open Harbor Day and there will be multiple
sponsors at the old McDonalds site where several hundred people attended last year. He agrees to
send email with details to Maxner. Discussion ensues about whether Robert Buchsbaum could
lead a tide pool walk.
Brewster states that on May 22 he is planning to start his walk at 9 a.m. at the trailhead behind
McDonalds. Maxner and Coffey are working on flyer language and note that Erika Sonder is all
set for wildflower walk at Sally Milligan. Discussion ensues about skipping Memorial Day for
walks. Maxner reviews dates for flyer and will present final draft for OSRC review to be
completed by end of March. Coffey offers to ensure Earth Day Walks information gets into
newspapers on a weekly basis. Maxner offers to resurrect email lists from past attendees.
Tall Tree Drive /Fox Hill Trail Blazing
Maxner offers to talk to Conservation Commission next week as a meeting agenda item relative
to proposed trail blazing in the area where there is an existing trail and if an RDA application
from OSRC is required. Maxner notes there is a stream crossing. She notes that Rolan Adams
has done GPS marking of trail and Mann could take photographs for map of trail. Mann offers
to make a presentation to the Commission if necessary.
Open Space & Recreation Committee
March 7, 2012 Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 5
Aquifer Language Amendments to Open Space and Recreation Plan & Norwood Pond
Conservation Restriction — Discussion /Action Items
Matz updates Committee on proposed amendments to Open Space & Recreation Plan language
on the aquifer resources stating that legal description is medium yield aquifer, which is highly
productive. He notes that he was requested to obtain the exact amendment language and to get
specific citations or official documentation from DEP that the Committee could attach as
referenced should it decide to make the amendments. He mentions that DEP believes the aquifer
is a potable source although it is noted in City's plan as non - potable.
Matz addresses the new Cummings property on Dunham Road where clear cutting was duly
noted on the front facing parcel. He explains that he spoke to Planning Director, Tina Cassidy, as
well as Beverly's state representative and state senator offices, about proposed Route 128
interchange along Brimbal Avenue that is in the 25% design phase. The next step would be to get
federal review and comments, although there would have to be an appropriation of funds at the
state level for the project, which is not occurring and this is not on the state's agenda. He adds
that the proposal could remain in the 25% phase for the foreseeable future.
Matz mentions that Cummings property is only parcel in area that could be developed but no site
plans have been filed with City. Also that Maestranzi owns a lot of land in the area but he
believes there is no knowledge of them being interested in developing it. Brewster notes three or
four years ago, there were several designs for the interchange. Matz notes that a preferred design
has been chosen.
Discussion ensues about whether City should pursue easement trail if there is resistance to a full
Conservation Restriction in the Norwood Pond area and if there was a possibility of CPA funds
for Beverly could they be used for this purpose. Gardner suggests Matz look at Mass. General
Law for Chapter 61 properties relative to CPA. Matz offers to speak to Kampersal and Maxner to
get the language changed relative to the aquifer designation/reference and to take the first steps
towards getting an easement for Norwood Pond.
March Semi - Annual Report
Maxner states that OSRC needs to write March Semi - Annual Report to be presented to the City
Council. She and Dunne will write report and Dunne will present it on April 2, 2012.
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 ...
Maxner explains that Conservation Commission will continue Endicott College's hearing for the
proposed synthetic turf field on the north field and that she will have to look at what jurisdiction
the Commission has for shielding lights on the playing fields.
Open Space & Recreation Committee
March 7, 2012 Meeting Minutes
Page 4 of 5
Discussion ensues about lights that Committee agrees college teams are using, Menezes
mentions that the lights are affecting boaters at night and that they need shielding, Matz states
the lights are on during the summer shutting off at 11 p.m. Coffey asks if the Con Com has any
jurisdiction over lighting. Maxner states that she will bring this issue to the Commission's
attention at the hearing. Matz opines that lighting banks are not designed to be shielded since
they are for participant safety on the field. Squibb suggests that the banks could be shielded.
Maxner notes that Conservation Commission is also going to address ANRAD to delineate
wetlands and identify buffer zone at Cummings' Dunham Road property.
Matz updates Committee on upcoming Planning Board meeting where Windover project at
Enterprise site on Rantoul Street for a four - story, mixed use building will be addressed.
Updates
Eagle Scout Proiect Updates — Discussion/Recommendations
Maxner explains that Matt Akerman will present information on his proposed Eagle Scout
trailblazing project at the Conservation Commission meeting next week. She also will meet with
Akerman in the trail area to identify wetland areas. Mann agrees about the importance of
Akerman meeting with Conservation Commission and mentions that he has been trying to
communicate with abutter Mr. Sweeney about the project.
Bathing Beach Lane — Right of way Access
Maxner states that she has no update on right of way access at Bathing Beach Lane from B.
Munroe. Mann notes that there are some parcels in the area leftover from subdivision that may
be of interest to the City. Maxner offers to reconnect with Munroe on this.
Greens Hill — Parcel 27X
Gardner mentions that he and Maxner attended a meeting with J. Dunn, who is pursuing tax title
properties around the City including 27X. He noted that there is an additional procedure to
follow in obtaining this parcel. Maxner notes that someone was hired to do the title search.
Gardner expects that this should come to fruition in a couple of months.
Open Space Encroachment off Standley Street — Waring School
Maxner mentions that school representatives attended Conservation Commission meeting on
January 31 and the school is working towards correcting the encroachment. Dunne offers to
inform Ed Becker via letter from the OSRC that the school is working on it.
Other... (Other rights of way and /or open space matters /issues /concerns, if any...)
Pole Swamp Land Swap
Open Space & Recreation Committee
March 7, 2012 Meeting Minutes
Page 5 of 5
Maxner describes research done by Dick MacNeill on boundaries of Pole Swamp Lane parcels
and what is owned by the City, the Conservation Commission and privately held. She notes that
she presented illustration of parcels to Conservation Commission that chose a bundle of parcels
equaling 18 acres that abut or encompass Pole Swamp Lane. Maxner notes that she is meeting
with B. Munroe and D. MacNeill tomorrow to finalize instructions to move forward.
Discussion ensues and OSRC suggests Maxner recommend to Conservation Commission to ask
the City to transfer all of the City -owned parcels on Pole Swamp Lane to be used as open space.
Maxner will speak to Munroe, who had also mentioned Commission should transfer all parcels,
about approaching Commission on the OSRC's proposal to take the total 18 to 26 acres of Pole
Swamp Lane parcels as Commission land.
Tall Tree Drive Easement
Mann explains to Committee that he reviewed copy of Tall Tree Drive easement relative to the
Fox Hill trail and suggests wood chips donated from a tree company could be used for border for
35 feet. He suggests actionable items for Committee include what should be done with concrete
that could be hazardous to trail users at the 8 -foot painted curb near fence posts marking trail
easement. Mann offers to speak to homeowner /donor about what makes the most sense for the
trail. Maxner agrees to scan trail plan and email it to Mann. He suggests the City engineer should
put stakes down marking the trail easement.
Essex Street to YMCA trail
Dunne notes that no more stones have been placed on the walking trail from Essex Street to the
Sterling YMCA. Matz mentions it is overgrown with a pile of logs and brush that the public
works department could remove. Maxner explains that when she spoke to the Forestry and
Grounds Department she was notified that there is no interest in clearing or maintaining a trail
that does not lead to a bona fide open space area. Committee also discusses setting up a time to
look at YMCA hill on Tuesday, March 13 at 5 p.m. meeting at the top of the path in the YMCA
upper parking lot to assess how much clearing is needed to re- establish trail.
Next meeting agenda items and scheduling
The Committee's next meeting is scheduled for April 4, 2012. Mann offers to speak with Waring
School representatives and Essex County VELO to determine how they could help to blaze or
clear trails. Maxner will speak to Conservation Commission on March 13 about if OSRC has to
apply for RDA on Akerman's Eagle Scout trail project. Committee follows up on earlier
discussion to finalize Earth Day Walks flyer as soon as possible.
Coffey motions to adjourn, seconded by Brewster. The motion passes 9 -0.
Meeting adjourns at 9:00 p.m.