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2014-04-02CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: Open Space and Recreation Committee SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: April 2, 2014 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Charlie Mann (Chairperson), David Brewster, Marilyn McCrory, Sandra Stacey, James Matz, Bill Squibb arrived at 7:25 p.m., David Gardner arrived at 7:40 p.m., Elizabeth Dunne arrived at 7:45 p.m. BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Amy Maxner, Environmental Planner OTHERS PRESENT: David Long — At -Large member candidate, Barbara King — Ward 3 representative candidate, Steve Sloan & Peter Pinciarro — Trustees of Reservations, Ben Cassola — Troop 2 Eagle Scout candidate, Janice Cassola (Ben's mother) RECORDER: Amy Maxner Chairperson Mann calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Principal Items of Business Eagle Scout Proiect — Discussion with Ben Cassola, Troop 2 Cassola introduces himself and explains that he is looking for ideas for an Eagle Scout project, which he is hoping to complete this summer. Members recommend and discuss the following possible projects for Cassola to consider: ➢ Re- routing trail of Elnew Avenue into Norwood Pond trail system ➢ Clean up and trail maintenance at Sally Milligan Park ➢ Develop trail maps for open spaces that do not have posted maps on the OSRC web site ➢ Coordinate with New England Mountain Biking Association for projects at Beverly Commons — Mann notes that NEMBA will have a trail maintenance weekend on April 26 & 27 ➢ Working with BevCam to develop video materials on the OSRC's mission and activities Mann offers Cassola his contact information to help further define the project he chooses to pursue. Cassola thanks the Committee for its time. Squibb arrives. Open Space & Recreation Committee April 2, 2014 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3 Potential Open Space Acquisition Projects: The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR) and Moraine Farm Steve Sloan and Peter Pinciarro are present on behalf of TTOR. Sloan explains that he and Rob Warren (also of TTOR) had met with Mayor Cahill earlier today and they got a good sense of the administration's priorities. He notes that full public access would be a priority for the Mayor as part of the TTOR's CPA application. Sloan notes phasing the project, and potential methods of funding by the City through CPA were discussed. Sloan and Pinciarro provide clarification as to the current status of public access to the farm as well as the logistics of gaining full public access over the Project Adventure parcel, which is not straightforward. Gardner arrives. McCrory inquires as to the elements of the CPA application and status of past /current appraisals of the parcels up for acquisition. Sloan notes that the most recent appraisals are from 2011 and 2013. Discussion ensues as to TTOR's CPA application and the OSRC's role. Members agree that a support letter from the Committee is appropriate. Stacey moves that an OSRC support letter be drafted by Mann and Maxner to accompany the TTOR's CPA application. Seconded by Gardner. The motion carries 7 -0. Dunne arrives. Acceptance of Previous Minutes — March 5, 2014 Members review the draft March 5, 2014 meeting minutes and offer minor amendments. McCrory moves to accept the minutes as amended. Seconded by Brewster. The motion carries 7 -0 -1 (7 in favor, none opposed, Matz abstaining as he did not attend that meeting). Earth Day Walk Event Planning Discussion ensues about the possible locations and themes for the 2014 Earth Day walks. Matz and Brewster offer to lead a walk at Norwood Pond. Other ideas include a walk at Moraine Farm with Matz and Gretta Anderson as themed last year, an Olmsted themed walk at Moraine Farm, a walk with BUT at the Whitehall open space parcel, photography walk at Long Hill. Maxner agrees to follow up with TTOR on the Moraine Farm walks and contact BUT about a Whitehall walk. Nomination of Vice -Chair & Secretary After some discussion, Brewster indicates his willingness to serve as Vice Chair. Dunne offers to serve as Secretary. Matz moves to nominate Brewster as Vice Chair. Seconded by McCrory. The motion carries 7 -0 -1 (7 in favor, none opposed, Brewster abstaining). McCrory moves to nominate Dunne as Secretary. Seconded by Stacey. The motion carries 7 -0 -1 (7 in favor, none opposed, Dunne abstaining). Open Space & Recreation Committee April 2, 2014 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3 Other Business & Updates OSRC Publicity & PR Stacey notes that she'd like to explore the possibility of setting up a FaceBook page for the Committee. King offers to coordinate with Stacey on that front. Stacey reviews the potential content of the page and links to other sites /organizations. Members agree this would be a great avenue for the OSRC to increase its visibility. Maxner agrees to check with the IT and Solicitor departments to inquire as to whether there are any issues to be concerned with. Community Preservation Committee — Update on Committee Activities/Meetings This was covered during discussion with Sloan and Pinciarro. Community Garden Relocation Update Maxner notes that the TTOR CPA application may have a community garden component, which would identify a new location for the Cole Street Community Gardens. She explains the background relative to the Conservation Commission held land off of Standley Street and discussions with Waring School relative to the gardens. King notes that she is a part of the garden community, and explains that they are anxious to establish the new location, as they need lead -time in the fall to prepare for the next year's planting season. Update from Chair Mann explains that he met with Council President Guanci and discussed the Moraine Farm CPA project. He notes that Guanci appreciated the overview and understood the value of the project from the open space, public access and watershed protection aspects. Mann also notes that he was able to sit down with Solicitor Williams to discuss Bathing Beach Lane, Leech Street right of way encroachment and the list of unknown properties of open space interest. He notes that Williams is up to speed on these issues and he will follow up as to the progress thereto. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Gardner moves to adjourn at 9:15 p.m. Seconded by Squibb. The motion carries 8 -0. The next meeting of the Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee will take place on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at City Hall, 3 rd Floor Conference Room at 7:00 p.m.