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2012-04-04CITY 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 April 4, 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 — March 7, 2012 Members review draft March 7, 2012 meeting open session minutes. Members discuss amendments with Maxner. Matz makes a motion to accept March 7, 2012 open session minutes as amended. Seconded by McCrory. Motion carries 8 -0 since Brewster had not arrived yet. New Business Parcel Acquisition Discussion Gardner proposes that the OSRC develop a comprehensive plan of identified parcels that could be pursued for linking neighborhoods to open space. He mentions that there may be a lot of small parcels around the City that would be useful under City ownership or through easement. One example is a wetland up on Temmi Road near the Wenham line and Robinson Road that ends at City land. He suggests the OSRC identify and pursue parcels such as this and other similar parcels around the City. Gardner mentions that he reviews copies of Conservation Commission and Planning Board meeting agendas emailed to the Committee by Maxner to identify opportunities for open space linkages. He describes examples in the past that met the criteria for linkages including one at Lawnbank Road near Brackenberry Beach where a swimming pool was installed and the top of the seawall was kept open to pedestrian access. Also, he notes that on Pole Swamp Lane where there was the Williams property off of Valley Street and a clear right of way. Coffey recalls a conversation with Ed Becker of ECGA about Francis Smithwick, who has since died, who owned a property that might have served in this capacity. Open Space & Recreation Committee April 4, 2012 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 5 Mann notes that there is a sliver of land at Old Planters Road owned by Old Stone Trust Bank that is all swamp but there could be a trail easement with Conservation Commission approval. Discussion ensues about how the City does not have an easement with Endicott College for a permanent trail that is landlocked by a piece of land that is privately owned. Dunne mentions that area would benefit from marking one to two paths at Witches Lane. Committee members suggest Endicott College may be amenable to an easement. Gardner reiterates the need for OSRC members to look for similar parcels and for members to review their own wards and come to the next meeting with ideas. Discussion ensues about Clapp /Vaughan land at Thissell Street which has a CR held by Greenbelt. The end of Hayward Avenue is also discussed. Dunne notes that Cummings could be approached for an easement on their newly acquired Dunham Road property. Mann concurs saying that property does meet the preservation conditions. He provides the Committee with a table he developed of action items on parcels. Discussion ensues about how OSRC has to determine what it would want from Endicott as it identifies trail linkage and easement possibilities. Mann suggests there could be a subcommittee assigned to focus on this using GIS mapping. Gardner recommends Committee members add to Mann's list, so a comprehensive list could be prioritized and then the OSRC could do a site walk, if appropriate. He emphasizes the importance of having a plan of parcels to ensure all possibilities are added to list. Mann mentions interest in trail easement through the Greenbelt land to Cummings property and the North Shore Music Theatre at the bottom of Norwood Pond. He adds that after having attended Mass. Land Conservation Conference he learned about funding sources that are available. Gardner asks OSRC to bring additions for this proposed plan to the next Committee meeting. Discussion ensues with Maxner about printing trail map with Assessors' information. Gardner mentions that he could ask R. Adams to add this information to the Emerald Necklace map. Maxner notes that there are existing pathways on the Cummings property at Dunham Road that lead to Norwood Pond and surrounding City land. Other City Board 's /Commission's/Department's agenda items, proiects or business related to open space and recreation — discussion and /or recommendations Maxner reports on Conservation Commission public hearing for the Beverly Port Marina NOI, where the applicant's proposal is to fill an area and move the travel lift farther out into the harbor. She describes the plan for a five -foot walking easement that comes in through the center of the property in a u -shape past the travel lift. She explains that the waterfront pathway on BPM is still in litigation from years ago and is pending a judge's decision that will have an impact on the currently proposed plan. Open Space & Recreation Committee April 4, 2012 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 5 Maxner also mentions the Dunham Road resource area delineation and that Con Com had done a site inspection of the entire wetland line. Squibb notes that the nearby condominium association had hired an attorney and its own wetland consultant. Matz provides an update on upcoming Planning Board meeting on April 17 regarding the OSRD /Subidvision litigation regarding 875 Hale Street that has resulted in a court remand back to the Planning Board for modification and waiver considerations. He notes that he recused himself at the Planning Board meetings on the topic so he does not have details from the discussion but mentions that a developer will be making a presentation on April 17. Maxner will send OSRC upcoming Planning Board meeting agenda. Discussion ensues on if there was developer interest in complying with or circumventing open space requirement. Community Preservation Act Campaign Strategy — Update & Discussion McCrory describes progress on CPA campaign where contacts are being made. She notes that when Dunne made recent semi - annual presentation to the City Council, McCrory was asked to give summary on CPA and she believes they were supportive. She notes they will be posting the next CPA meeting for April 5. McCrory relates to Committee positive conversations with City Council President Paul Guanci, Historic District Commission, Recreation Commission, State Representative Parisella, and Harborlight Community Partners. Discussion ensues about Beverly being acknowledged at the Mass. Land Conservation Conference as having CPA in the works, that the surcharge would be 1 %, and that Mayor is supportive of CPA. Maxner notes that the survey monkey overseen by the CPA Committee was helpful to raise public awareness for CPA. Norwood Pond Conservation Restriction — Discussion /Action Items Matz recaps intent to create plan to change the zoning overlay at Norwood Pond to be more permanent and not overturned easily by City Council. He suggests this be dovetailed with getting an easement from Cummings on their Dunham Road property. Discussion ensues about getting easement from Cummings to achieve protection along the water and that ECGA could possibly provide guidance to OSRC. Matz suggests OSRC work on the easement first as the action item and then try to pursue the conservation restriction. Discussion ensues on registered vernal pools, kettles, and glacial esker as areas that are not buildable, and that these elements and paths are mapped. OSRC thought Kampersal would have a copy of map. Open Space & Recreation Plan Revision — Changes to Language re: Aquifer Resources — Update & Discussion Matz suggests no action on this and he will put together a motion for next OSRC meeting. Earth Day Walks — Event Planning and Scheduling Open Space & Recreation Committee April 4, 2012 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5 Maxner provides updated flyers to OSRC and describes corrections that were made (i.e., Bass River walk date). She explains that she'll distribute printed color copies around City (i.e., library), will put flyer on website and make initial contact on events schedule with newspapers. Coffey will follow up with newspapers on calendar items. Eagle Scout Proiect Updates — Discussion/Recommendations /Action Items Mann updates Committee about plans to accompany Eagle Scout Matt Akerman to speak with Mr. Sweeney about his proposed trailblazing project. Maxner states that Akerman presented his project to the Con Com and the Commission was supportive of the project and she is working with Akerman to get a "Please Enjoy This Right of Way" sign that he can put within the right of way at Standley Street. Gardner mentions that he met with Eagle Scout Gabe Buchsbaum and his father Robert to look at putting in a trail at Cross Lane Soccer field but this may not be feasible due to wetlands. He adds that another possibility investigated for an Eagle Scout project was blazing a trail from Manor Homes to Cove Elementary School. Discussion ensued about fill being dumped into the retention basin and that this is Con Com and Planning Board jurisdiction. Maxner notes that she will write a letter addressing the trail access. Matz mentions when the access trail is in to the City's satisfaction then the Planning Board will release the bond. Bathing Beach Lane — Right of Way Access Maxner reports that she spoke with B. Munroe and offered to write a letter referring to the situation using the OSRC's concise description. Greens Hill — Parcel 27X Gardner offers to speak to Mayor about this at a meeting he has on Monday to discuss another matter. Open Space Encroachment off Standley Street — Waring School Maxner notes that she has not had a recent update from school on this matter but mentions that school is working on open space encroachment. Wood Lane Encroachment Maxner states that Committee was of opinion that hemlock trees could remain and she is working with B. Munroe on a license for these trees with the resident. The trees were installed to give neighbors screening and they did not block City's walkway. She notes that if a tree does block the walkway, City would take it down. Norwood Pond yard waste dumping Open Space & Recreation Committee April 4, 2012 Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5 Discussion ensues about "No Dumping" sign being removed at Norwood Pond and that there are piles of yard waste at Elnew Avenue. Tall Tree Drive Easement Maxner notes that Tall Tree Drive Easement is on the April 24, 2012 Conservation Commission agenda. Discussion ensues as to possible workdays to blaze the trail. Members agree to tentatively schedule for Saturday May 19 in the morning. Committee discusses maintaining an email list of people interested in working on trails and setting up service workdays that could be useful for future projects (i.e., Cummings or Endicott easements). Essex Street to YMCA trail Dunne provides update on OSRC site walk and notes that the existing pathway should not be followed because it veers onto private property owner's land. Discussion ensues as to the best approach in reestablishing an open path along the right of way. Next meeting agenda items and scheduling The Committee's next meeting is scheduled for May 2, 2012. OSRC suggests agenda items and scheduling consist of possible parcels for list to pursue for trails linkage, Norwood Pond easement at Cummings property, OSRC plan revision — aquifer resources, and possible Tall Tree trail blazing day at Fox Hill on May 19 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Discussion ensues about flooding at Pole Swamp Lane due to beaver activity and that investigation is underway on possible solar panel use at Cailin Road property past Vitale site that abuts Beverly Airport brook. Coffey motions to adjourn, seconded by Mann. The motion passes 9 -0. Meeting adjourns at 8:47 p.m.