Loading...
2013-02-06CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT Open Space and Recreation Committee February 6, 2013 Charlie Mann (Chairperson), Nancy Coffey (Vice - Chairperson), David Brewster, Elizabeth Dunne, David Gardner, James Matz, Marilyn McCrory, Bill Squibb Pam Kampersal STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Amy Maxner, Environmental Planner OTHERS PRESENT: Josh Moody - Scout Master Troop 2, John, Debbie and Justin Tramonti, Ian Beckman — Eagle Scout, John Beckman, Scott Houseman — Ward 4 Councilor RECORDER: Jane Dooley Chairperson Mann calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m Principal Items of Business Presentation by Eagle Scout Candidate — proposed trail blazing at Whitehall Circle open space parcel — Justin Tramonti The Committee and Maxner introduce themselves to the attendees. Justin Tramonti describes his proposed Eagle Scout project to blaze a trail in the open space near Whitehall Circle. He says it would be a walking trail to be used by citizens, residents in the area and students at Cove Elementary School. Tramonti explains that the major aspects of the project are filling in holes along the trail to level uneven terrain, clear brush and bramble to make the trail walkable, and pick up trash. Tramonti notes that he met at the trail site with Ms. Maxner and Scott Houseman about the proposed trail. The proposed workdays are April 6 and 7 with backup dates of April 27 and 28. He states that labor for the project will be drawn primarily from his Boy Scout troop with 15 to 30 people participating daily for one to two days. He adds that scouts, including Webelos, and their parents as well as friends and relatives will be volunteer workers. Tramonti mentions that materials and supplies will include fill from the City and general tools such as tarps, barrels and trash bags to collect cleared debris, work gloves for the volunteers, rakes, shovels, clippers, wheelbarrows and several electric tools. He adds that a weed whacker or heavier machinery to cut through brush may be rented. He says that once approval for the project is received the trail would be marked or flagged in the field and this designation will stay up for the term of the project to identify where scouts should Open Space & Recreation Committee February 6, 2013 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 6 clear. During the possible two workdays, Tramonti says that volunteers will be broken into groups focusing on trash cleanup, filling of holes and brush removal. He notes that the volunteers will provide their own transportation to the site. Tramonti addresses safety issues explaining that only the adult leaders would use the electric power tools. He will also prepare a safety demonstration for the volunteers on proper clothing to wear during the workdays such as boots, long pants and long sleeved shirts, and work gloves. Tramonti states that he will also provide information to volunteers on how to protect themselves against ticks and dangerous vegetation. In addition, Tramonti will be notifying the Cove School about how they could use the trail as an educational tool and he will create flyers about the area to notify residents. Tramonti describes the path the trail will take through the area and how the wetlands will be avoided. In response to McCrory, he clarifies that the trail will be on the open space parcel at Whitehall Circle. Tramonti notes that there would be a temporary entrance during the project work and that a more permanent entrance would be defined. Discussion ensues about significant briar that has to be cleared at the entrance of the trail. Gardner suggests that the path could be finished to the north first. Maxner explains that there would be an intersection at Tramonti's trail and the trail that the developer was required to build. Squibb suggests a "T" be placed in Tramonti's trail at the stonewall opening since clearing would be done on the other side and this would define access to trail on other side. Discussion addresses use of flags on the trail tied to trees versus paint on trees since it takes a long time for paint to clear away. Mann suggests that paint could be used. Tramonti concurs with Mann that trail would be flagged early on in the project before work begins so Committee could walk the trail. Discussion continues on whether or not Tramonti would use paint on trees to mark trail and the importance of complying with AMC trail recommendations. Tramonti says the marking is still being debated for the trail. Also, the length is being determined in the 5.9 acres of open space. Tramonti explains that cleared material would be spread in the area outside of the trail. Maxner notes that if there are larger pieces of debris Mike Collins would ask the scouts to drag it to a certain spot for the public works crew to pick up. In response to McCrory, Tramonti mentions that he took "before the work begins" photographs of the area to identify holes that would be filled in and he notes that he is mindful of the wetlands. Discussion ensues about making the trail accessible to people nearby. Scott Houseman, Ward 4 Councilor and Board member for Beverly Land Trust explains that a conservation easement is jointly held with the Beverly Conservation Commission and the Land Trust, notes that Mike Collins suggested that the trail entrance be made handicap accessible, but that may be another phase for another scout's project. He adds that another phase of this project could be to build a bridge that would join across the wetlands and the two trails. He refers to a photograph of a bridge in the Harold Parker state forest in Andover. He adds that Land Trust has modest funds that could be contributed to pay for building materials. Open Space & Recreation Committee February 6, 2013 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 6 Maxner mentions that Tramonti was before the Conservation Commission last week and Con Com intends to write a support letter for the project. She suggests the OSRC could do the same. Mann agrees to write a support letter. Tramonti states that David Lang, the Con Com's Chairman signed the project beneficiary sheet, and asks if Mann could do the same. Mann signs the beneficiary section. Maxner states that she would email letters from the City's boards to Tramonti. Tramonti thanks the Committee for its time and support. Discussion With Other Eagle Scout Candidates — Potential Proiects Ian Beckman describes to the OSRC how he needs to have a project done before May. Discussion ensues about Eagle Scout trail project that Matt Akerman did on Standley Street, clearing the trail and putting up a sign to mark the trail. Mann suggests that Ian could review the OSRC priority list and he could walk areas to decide his preference on a proposed project. Discussion ensues where Mann recommends that Ian could finish Tanzella Hill trail and describes where the five -acre parcel is located. Mann notes that a fair amount of clearing is needed and there are cross camber slopes. Maxner shows Ian the trail area on the GIS system denoting City -owned property. Gardner states that he believes the project would be good for Ian's timeframe since it could be completed quickly. Mann describes how he has roughed the trail and mentions access and frontage on Bathing Beach. Houseman mentions that the bridge he proposed is a quick project and that this was mentioned to Con Com in a future context that could be presented to the Commission. Maxner recommends Ian take a walk on Tanzella Hill. She mentions that there are houses being constructed in the area so this prompts putting in the trail sooner than later when the neighborhood is in flux. Discussion ensues about how spring is the time for scout projects when there is need for cleanup especially with fallen trees. Also that Eagle Scout projects are done by individuals, for example, where one scout clears a trail and another builds a bridge. Mann and Moody exchange emails for future reference. Acceptance of Previous Minutes — January 2, 2013 Members communicate amendments to Maxner. Gardner moves to accept the minutes as amended. Seconded by Coffey. Motion carries 8 -0. Parcel/Linkne List for Land & Trail Access /Acquisition — Update from Sub - Committee, Priority List Mann explains that the Sub - Committee is no longer meeting and that the priority list of parcels is in good shape regarding possibilities for land and trail access /acquisition. He offers to email list to OSRC again. Gardner also agrees to email his priority list to Maxner for OSRC distribution. Sally Milligan Park — Follow Up Re: Fort Structure Brewster describes how he approached the builder of the fort structure, told him about OSRC vote that it should be taken down and offers the individual opportunity to take fort down. Open Space & Recreation Committee February 6, 2013 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 6 Brewster reports that the person is not interested in doing that so he told the individual that someone else such as an Eagle Scout would take the fort down. Discussion ensues about scout troops that have expressed interest in projects and Dunne will reach out to her contact. Also that fort material could be carried down to parking area for M. Collins to have removed. Discussion addresses how members believe that projects, such as the fort structure, are vandalism of City property and Committee decides it would not write an article in the newspaper about the issue at this time. Earth Day Nature Walks — Discussion/Planning Events/Review Article for Beverly Life Magazine Discussion ensues about Robert Buchsbaum being willing to do a walk although it would not be connected with any of the low tides. Gardner offers to speak with Paul Ericson, marine biologist, to see if he is interested in a walk possibly on April 20, 21 or May 18 or 19. Coffey mentions that Erika Sonder would be doing tree identification and mushroom hunting on her walk and she offers to email Maxner related language. She also says she is flexible about her history walk around Lynch Park. Other walks discussed include Brewster's bird walk after May 11, his Shoe Pond walk on May 26 at 9 a.m. and Coffey offers to ask Darren Brown to assist. OSRC and Maxner also discuss Moraine Farm, and how they want to showcase Fox Hill trail. McCrory offers to contact Buchsbaum about dragonfly walk during second week of June. In addition, Maxner will contact Mike Rabolvsky about a reptile show /walk as he has done in the past. The Committee also gives Maxner edits to Beverly Life Magazine article language. Discussion ensued about OSRC providing a courtesy photo. Other Business Committee Remembrance for Sylvan Menezes -- Update Dunne notifies the Committee that she is leaving early to attend to family and says once bench and base material is known she would contact Karen Menezes about language for plaque. Community Preservation Act — Update on Ordinance Committee Progress Maxner explains how the Ordinance Committee is meeting for the third time tomorrow with membership, appointment and insurance section drafted. She states that the OSRC letter about recommending that an OSRC member serve on committee should be completed and ready for consideration. Discussion ensues about how there is opposition to having an OSRC member on the committee so this would not tip the scales on specific interest in a CPA category with the remaining four seats open to people at large that demonstrate skills, expertise or interest in the four categories of CPA. Maxner states that five seats are prescribed by statute including Conservation Commission, Planning Board, Historic District Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission and Housing Authority and appointments are made from members on those individual boards. She adds that it is yet to be determined how the remaining four seats will be appointed (i.e. by the City Council and /or the Mayor). She notes that explanation was given about how Con Com is focused on Open Space & Recreation Committee February 6, 2013 Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 6 wetlands permitting rather than passive recreation and open space and that the OSRC is able to fill this gap in concentrating on open space preservation and trail connections, etc. Discussion ensues about Planning Board's role relative to plans presented to the City. Gardner emphasizes the importance of having people serving in the four seats with expertise in open space oversight. Discussion addresses the CPA categories and how 10% of funding is guaranteed for open space, historic resources, and community housing annually, and if there is money left over recreation can be a category. Discussion ensued about how OSRC's desires for land acquisition and preservation could be communicated to Planning Board and Con Com. Updates Bathing Beach Lane — Right of Way Access Maxner notes that new assistant solicitor has started working for City. Mann offers to call Roy Gelineau about list of properties in tax taking and notes that he has no response yet on Bathing Beach Lane access. He also offered to call Endicott College about how to approach trails. Greens Hill — Parcel 27X Discussion ensues about title examiner following up on next steps for 27X. Gardner moves that the Committee invite J. Dunn to its March 6 meeting to explain what is going on with Greens Hill — Parcel 27X. There was no second on the motion. Discussion continues about the importance of getting action taken on 27X to fulfill OSRC interest regardless of action that will be taken on all of the City's tax taking parcels at once. Mann offers to work with Gardner to document paper trail on the number of requests Committee has made on 27X in the past seven years. Maxner volunteers to speak to J. Dunn on the matter. Discussion addresses the protracted process with tax taking even when this moves to land court. Other rights of way and /or open space matters /issues /concerns Whitehall Trail Matz and Maxner agree to walk the Whitehall trail at some point in the spring to assess the condition of the trail leading from the street to the stonewall and open space parcel. Trail easement on 50 Dunham Road property, permanent CR for Norwood Pond Discussion ensues about need to get trail easement on 50 Dunham Road property and consideration of permanent conservation restriction for Norwood Pond area. Matz suggests a draft permanent CR proposal be prepared for presentation to City Council by analyzing what has been done before. Members discuss importance of support from City Council and Mayor on matter as well. Matz offers to get information from Kampersal. OSRC addresses how CR has to be held by a third party or transferred to the care and custody of the Con Com. Scheduling Open Space & Recreation Committee February 6, 2013 Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 6 The Open Space and Recreation Committee's next meeting is on March 6, 2013. Brewster motions to adjourn, seconded by Matz. The motion passes 7 -0 -1 since Dunne left meeting early. Meeting adjourns at 9:10 p.m.