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2014-01-08CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT Open Space and Recreation Committee January 8, 2014 Charlie Mann (Chairperson), Nancy Coffey, David Brewster, Elizabeth Dunne, David Gardner, Sandra Stacey, and James Matz arrived at 7:20 p.m. BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Marilyn McCrory & William Squibb STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Amy Maxner, Environmental Planner OTHERS PRESENT: David Long potential At -Large OSRC member, Scott Houseman Ward 4 City Councilor RECORDER: Jane Dooley Chairperson Mann calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Principal Items of Business Acceptance of Previous Minutes — November 6, 2013 Members review with Maxner previously discussed amendments to the November 6, 2013 minutes. Coffey moves the minutes be accepted as amended. Seconded by Brewster. The motion carries 6 -0 since Matz had not arrived yet. Draft Semi - Annual Report to Council — Review and Approve Members discuss additional language for draft semi - annual report. Maxner will try to have this placed on the City Council's January 21, 2014 agenda. Request for Support Letter from Kestrel Education Adventures — Discussion /Approval Discussion ensues as to Kestrel's search for a facility that could be used for their Education Adventures programming. Maxner notes that Jessica Kagle asked for a letter of support. Mann agrees to contact Kagle to understand what would be helpful to her. Potential Open Space Acquisition Projects: Priority Parcel List Mann explains the Trustees of Reservation's acquisition priorities relative to parcels as the Moraine Farm. Matz arrives at 7:20 p.m. Ward 4 City Councilor Scott Houseman arrives and joins the audience. Open Space & Recreation Committee January8, 2014 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3 Discussion ensues as to the comparative benefits of acquiring Camp Paradise vs. preserving parcels at Moraine Farm, with Mann asking that the OSRC members send a list of pro's and con's for each based on this discussion so that he can assemble and present to Mayor Cahill. Mann agrees to provide Mayor Cahill with the Committee's list of priorities for open space acquisition. Discussion ensues about upcoming Community Preservation Committee meetings on January 23 (informational meeting), February 14 (pre- application deadline), followed by the CPC's deliberation of eligibility for a full CPA project application. OSRC members discuss whether the Committee should write a letter of support for TTOR's application for CPA funding. Gardner offers to work on a motion for the Committee's consideration. Mann moves on to explain that Ward 1 City Councilor David Lang is interested in moving forward on protecting Parcel 27A on Greens Hill, and Mann suggested securing funds for a formal appraisal on that parcel. Mann reports that he, Coffey and Gardner met with R. J. Lyman, a real estate attorney in Beverly, to discuss public access over private rights of way where the City has frontage. Discussion ensues as to the avenues that are available to the City for securing access rights. TTOR Moraine Farm CPA Pre - Application to CPC Gardner asks to read his motion for consideration. Gardner moves that the OSRC support the acquisition of land of the Moraine Farm complex for open space for use of the citizens of Beverly since this parcel is the highest open space priority and that the Committee supports TTOR in preparing pre - application eligibility determination and a full application for CPA funding. In addition, the OSRC shall write a letter of support to accompany TTOR's applications. Seconded by Coffey. The motion carries 7 -0. Si2nne — Discuss Developing Sign Template and Grant Application Package Discussion ensues as to the low probability of finding pro bono graphic design work from Montserratt College of Art and the Committee notes that all that is needed is selection of a color and a graphic for signage. Members agree to search online for examples of signage that include signage for main streets, trail head and trail intersections. Other Business & Updates Coffey explains that this meeting will be her last as she is stepping down from her At -Large seat on the OSRC. The Committee members thank Coffey for all her hard work and valuable contributions to the OSRC and the City through the years. Expanding Publicity of OSRC Activities — Discussion /Action Items The Committee agrees to address this at a later time in favor of concentrating on the immediate open space acquisition priorities as discussed this evening. Open Space & Recreation Committee January8, 2014 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3 Other Business Brought Forward by Committee Members — If Any Mann asks members for their thoughts as to open space priorities to present to the Mayor. Discussion ensues as to priorities that this Committee has been working on. Mann agrees to package this list into a letter to present to the Mayor. Next Meeting Agenda Items of Business Maxner summarizes homework for members, including research signage for street, trail head and trail intersections. In addition, OSRC members will send Maxner thoughts on pros and cons of Camp Paradise versus Moraine Farm. Adjournment Matz moves to adjourn at 8:55 p.m. Seconded by Gardner. The motion carries 7 -0. The next meeting of the Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee will take place on Wednesday, Februarys, 2014 at City Hall, 3 rd Floor Committee Room at 7:00 p.m.