Loading...
2013-09-04CITY 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 September 4, 2013 Charlie Mann (Chairperson), Nancy Coffey (Vice - Chairperson), David Brewster, Elizabeth Dunne, David Gardner, Marilyn McCrory, Sandra Stacey, Bill Squibb James Matz Amy Maxner, Environmental Planner Eagle Scouts Jesse and Max Manfree, Ben Rich and his father Herb Rich Jane Dooley Chairperson Mann calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., Conference Room A, 3 rd Floor Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot Street. Principal Items of Business Members welcome new member Sandra Stacey The Committee introduces themselves to and welcome new OSRC member Sandra Stacey, Ward 5 representative. Proposed Eagle Scout projects Eagle Scout Jesse Manfree describes to OSRC his proposal for an Eagle Scout project to build 10 bat houses with assistance from his Boy Scout Troop 2 and notes that bats eat many mosquitoes. Manfree suggests Sally Milligan, Fox Hill, Birch Plains Park as possible locations for the boxes. He mentions that bats select trees as their habitat, which he learned from Internet research. Brewster recommends Manfree speak to Jane Winchell, Curator of Natural History at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, noting that Winchell's research was in bats and she could offer insight on the proposed bat house building project. Manfree describes how he visited the City's parks where he has considered locating the bat houses and he photographed trees. Coffey suggests that the bat houses should be on the edge of a grassy opened area. Mann recommends that the bat houses be near an open field up high to prevent vandalism. Discussion ensues about how the boxes should be painted with dark colored paint or not painted at all. Maxner notes that Fox Hill is off of Tall Tree Drive and is a Conservation Commission property. She recommends Manfree provide a presentation to the Commission once the properties are Open Space & Recreation Committee September 4, 2013 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 7 identified for the project. She adds that the Parks and Recreation Department should be consulted regarding Sally Milligan Park. Maxner states that she does not foresee any problems as long as the project goes through the proper process relative to stewardship of properties where the bat houses might be located. Discussion ensues about Manfree writing a paragraph that could be included on the OSRC website explaining the project and importance of bat houses. Discussion ensues about how the bat houses should be installed on trees in such a way to ensure that the trees do not grow around and engulf the boxes. Dunne suggests a book that outlines details associated with bat house construction and placement. Manfree discusses project paperwork with the Committee and notes he would start the project as soon as possible. OSRC members ask Manfree to take photos to update the Committee. In addition, members inquire if the Scouts would be interested in assisting with any video production that could be done on the project to be shared via local cable television access station as a means to promote the work accomplished by the Scouts. Eagle Scout Ben Rich describes his project proposal to clean up overgrowth mainly at the beginning of the Norwood Pond trail as well as to work on the gate off of Dodge Street to make it more attractive, install four signs that will indicate distances for parts of the trail (based on his estimates), install walking platforms over muddy areas (using non - pressure treated wood), and disassemble a fire pit that should not be located on the trail. Discussion ensues about if Roland Adams, City GIS Coordinator in the Engineering Department, has the coordinates that Rich needs for the trail distances and Maxner suggests it is likely. Discussion addresses need for Adams to plot distances and that Rich could meet with Adams. The Committee addresses what work cannot be done on private property noting that access to Norwood Pond is over a private lot on Elnew Avenue that is for sale so the trail needs to be cut on City land to intersect with the existing trail. Rich notes that he was not planning on working on the entrance trail. Brewster suggests a crew could be added to do work at a similar time. Rich mentions that he has a few years to do the project since he is 16 years old and hopes to do the work in the fall or next spring. Discussion ensues about walkway proposed for construction in wetland that would require a presentation to the Conservation Commission. Dunne recommends Rich take a look at the walkway done off of Greenwood Avenue that is used by mountain bikers and notes that there is room for horses to get through. Mann mentions that a clean up day is scheduled by mountain bike association at 8 a.m. on Sunday at Greenwood Avenue gate that Rich could attend to observe trail maintenance. Discussion addresses what type of lumber would be used and that pressure treated could be used, another possibility is cedar but longevity might not be as great. Mann recommends the Committee decide upon a background color and font to be used for signage so it has a uniform look. He suggests Rich consult with the Committee before he works on signage. Maxner explains that when Eagle Scout Gabriel Buchsbaum did his signage just a Open Space & Recreation Committee September 4, 2013 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 7 white background was used. The Committee notes that they should get a copy of the files that Buchsbaum used to update signage when it weathers. Brewster suggests a backup copy of signage graphic file be provided to the Committee for any signage generated. Discussion ensues about lawn refuse that was seen on the property near the trail at Norwood Pond that could be privately owned. The Committee also addresses how Rich could check in with Maxner to keep his project moving forward. Brewster recommends the kiosk map at Norwood Pond be refreshed. Discussion ensues about the recent trail run that occurred on ECGA and City land at the Beverly Commons. Eagle Scout Max Manfree speaks to his proposed project where he would be building and putting up two picnic tables at Sally Milligan Park near the Cross Lane entrance in left -hand side clearing and another nearby clearing. M. Manfree also offers to produce carry -in, carryout signs to post at the park entrances and areas throughout the park. Lumber for the picnic tables will be donated (i.e., from Gove Lumber or Home Depot), the tables would be partly assembled before hand with the remainder of assembly completed onsite. Gardner explains that as a resident of the area he periodically picks up trash at the park and he is not entirely sure that picnic tables are an appropriate project since some youth abuse the park and generate trash especially in the area suggested for the picnic tables. He recommends that blue bird boxes could be built for installation in the park. Mann concurs and notes that the City does not have a maintenance budget for the open spaces. Mann states his opposition to encouraging people to hang out in the park since it could exacerbate the trash and abuse problems (i.e., lean - tos, vandalism and fire) that are causing a negative impact. He encourages trail building, maintenance, signage or birdhouse building as well as possibility of blazing the Elnew Avenue trail near Norwood Pond. Discussion ensues about how the carry -in, carryout signs generally get defaced. Brewster notes that it is essential to have more signage. He concurs that the Elnew Avenue trail could be a good project. Maxner suggests that Bruce Doig could recommend City parks that could work and have maintenance budgets for Eagle Scout projects. Discussion ensues about possibility of Eagle Scout project work on property near school department properties such as Hannah Elementary School, Ayers Ryal Side Elementary School, Centerville Elementary School, Bald Hill and Harbor Master area. Coffey mentions that locations that are visible from street in a busy place would be best for locating picnic tables. M. Manfree will reconsider his options and speak to Doig for ideas to ensure there is longevity for his project. He has until November 30 to finish his project so he'll check in with Maxner with his project ideas. Gardner suggests that Doig may have benches that M. Manfree could install for him. Acceptance of Previous Minutes — Au2ust 7, 2013 Open Space & Recreation Committee September 4, 2013 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 7 Members provide Maxner with amendments. Coffey moves that the August 7, 2013 minutes be accepted as amended. Seconded by Dunne. The motion carries 5 -0 -3 with McCrory, Gardner and Stacey abstaining since they did not attend. Acquisitions: Letter to Landowners Mann explains that subcommittee was unable to meet between OSRC meetings. He mentions that he sent a draft letter to ECGA's David Santomenna and spoke to him regarding what ECGA does with landowners and properties the organization has interest in. Mann describes how Santomenna had offered to do a joint letter with OSRC and notes that the City would not do a joint project with ECGA the intent is to flush out joint interest (i.e., City of Gloucester using CPA funds) and states that OSRC would have more interest in a greater number of properties than ECGA. Mann states that there is a list of properties that are of interest to OSRC including tax taking but notes that the list should be re- prioritized now that CPA has come into the picture. Norwood Pond Trail Easement Options Discussion ensues about action item to contact the Cummings Foundation about the easement at the Dunham Road property and if OSRC should ask the Mayor to contact the Foundation. Discussion addresses how there is a small piece of North Shore Music Theatre property that could connect to the Norwood Pond trail and that the easement would be along the side of the pond. Gardner offers to speak to the Mayor about a natural walking and bicycling pathway easement along the Cummings property to the pond. Brewster notes the frequent use of the Shoe pond easement /walking trail. Maxner states that if the easement were acquired then this could blossom into the importance of protecting City -owned land. Mann suggests that the only liability for Cummings with the easement is that the public would be on its property. Discussion on potential trail si2nne Mann refers to his photographs of Salem's Forest River trail signs that contain a green background and logo. He notes that OSRC has discussed where trail signage could be located and mentions the benefit to identify the number of trails in Beverly. Discussion ensues about the use of the OSRC's frog and fern on signage. Discussion addresses natural colors used for signage by other environmental organizations such as brown for AMC. Mann suggests the Committee members peruse signs on the Internet to identify those that they find attractive and recommends they print out examples for the next Committee discussion. Mann describes the effectiveness of a trail sign in Salem at a trailhead. Discussion addresses looking ahead for the Committee to agree upon a signage design and possibly create a graphic file, then the OSRC could possibly pursue grants to pay for the signs since CPA funds might not be available to fund signage. Open Space & Recreation Committee September 4, 2013 Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 7 Discussion on Pole Swamp Lane Coffey relates to Committee her email conversation with realtor /attorney related to issue of privately owned streets and City as an abutter who said he would have to look at deeds. Mann notes a similar discussion with his business colleague who thinks if the City is an abutter to a right of way that is for abutters and the City residents to access. He adds that City Solicitor Roy Gelineau could opine on specific areas (i.e., Bathing Beach Lane, Pole Swamp Lane) for recreational uses. Mann summarizes that these situations involve access to some City property where City residents would have to pass over a private way. OTHER BUSINESS Community Preservation Committee update McCrory reports that there have been two CPC meetings and next step is to develop guidelines in a six -month timeframe to review and accept projects. She notes that CPC is reviewing examples of project review criteria that are used by Gloucester, Newburyport, Hamilton, etc. that will be discussed at the next CPC meeting. Maxner notes that there was consensus at the last CPC meeting that a few pages of criteria can be developed to evaluate and review projects and will include an application sheet to get project review underway. McCrory states that guidelines will include how to evaluate open space projects so she suggests it would be valuable for OSRC to weigh in on the draft criteria. Mann concurs with process of evaluating projects already done by other communities. Gardner suggests once OSRC prioritizes its list of potential projects then it could provide that to the CPC. Discussion ensues as to if the City would be interested in acquiring 17 acres in conjunction with Trustees of Reservations from Project Adventure, which already contains a Conservation Restriction. The Committee also discusses Gloucester's success with CPA funds for projects. Gardner offers to contact the Trustees personnel and possibly add discussed acquisition to the OSRC subcommittee's parcel list. Discussion addresses how OSRC would convene in executive session to converse about potential acquisitions outlined on subcommittee parcel list. Discussion on National Grid walkway Discussion addresses National Grid site after recent work was completed including a 10 -foot versus 4 foot fence and location where a walkway was supposed to have been situated on the site. Maxner explains that she emailed the National Grid project engineer and referred to the cryptic note on the approved plan about the walkway. She adds that Mann drafted a letter to the Conservation Commission stating that the OSRC had a plan that is approved and he explained that what is being built out in the field is not compliant with this plan. The letter asks the Conservation Commission to bring the discrepancy to the attention of the applicant and asks the applicant to remedy the situation. Open Space & Recreation Committee September 4, 2013 Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 7 Discussion ensues about the impact of the Utility's current fencing at the site on the abutting boat yard property. Maxner notes that the Conservation Commission will be staying on top of the National Grid project noting the importance of riparian plantings survival at the site. Publicity for OSRC activities Discussion addresses conversations members had with BevCam, representatives relative to publicizing OSRC but membership and camera operation training time by OSRC may be required. Coffey offers to write letters to Monserrat College of Art and Endicott College to identify if there are any film production students that would be interested in a publicity project. Mann suggests mountain bike cyclists could film a trail ride with narrative or background music. Discussion on future of Camp Paradise Maxner notes she will work to schedule a meeting with David Santomenna at Greenbelt to discuss Camp Paradise. Mann summarizes how the Committee was split 50/50 about whether or not it was worth pursuing acquisition of 12 -acre Camp Paradise site. He notes that ECGA is not interested since it is not contiguous to any of its property groups and the price of $1.5 million. Mann concurs with ECGA's position on the property for similar reasons such as it is not contiguous to the City's land, it is landlocked and the parcel contains a building. Discussion ensues about if the appraisal is correct for the parcel that would have seven buildable lots and that the appraisal matches the assessed value. Gardner refers to a map he developed of the parcel and illustrates how to get to the rail trail in Danvers if OSRC could get an easement to the property. Maxner states that if the property did go to a developer, OSRD would be triggered so 50% of buildable area, not including wetlands, would be set aside as open space. The Committee notes that OSRD does not mandate a public access easement. McCrory opines how open space is not all for trail use and recreation but is to preserve land especially for wildlife habitat. Gardner notes that the adjacent property at 30 Foster Street is already approved for a 5 -lot cluster subdivision. Maxner explains that OSRD is predicated on a by -right plan compared to what would be allowed under a conventional subdivision. Mann mentions that ECGA had recommended the appraiser. Gardner suggests that the property on the Bass River (27A) is a lot more valuable since it would complete a circuit and the return on investment for the City. Dunne notes that there is a pond on the Camp Paradise site and questions if it should be preserved. The Committee will revisit the Cape Paradise discussion after a meeting with ECGA. Other Business Mann reiterates the New England Mountain Bike Assoc. Trail Clean up Day on September 8 at the Beverly Commons. On another topic, he expresses dismay about fire and related damage that occurred at Sally Milligan Park relative to the young adults that are partying and leaving trash on the City trail Open Space & Recreation Committee September 4, 2013 Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 7 property. Discussion ensues about how enforcement action relative to the abuses (i.e., teepees) in the City park property can prove difficult. The Committee describes how friends of the parks organizations could walk the properties to survey if there are abuses. Mann stresses the importance of dismantling the teepees immediately after they are discovered on City property. Mann reports on how to move the 27A acquisition forward by having an appraisal done and his discussion with a contact that could provide a quote on the cost to develop a formal report. Coffey suggests before the next OSRC meeting, the Committee develop questions it would ask the mayoral candidates relative to open space concerns and issues (i.e., Brimbal Avenue and Norwood Pond). Mann explains that neighbors at Marion Avenue have paved a section of the Leech Street right of way and using it as their personal vehicle parking. Maxner suggests that this be brought to the attention of the City Solicitor. Mann agrees to get the photos and information to Maxner to pass along to the Solicitor. The Open Space and Recreation Committee's next meeting is on October 2, 2013. Gardner moves to adjourn. Seconded by Coffey. The motion passes 8 -0. Meeting adjourns at 9:10 p.m.