2014-05-07CITY 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
May 7, 2014
Charlie Mann (Chair), David Brewster (Vice Chair),
Elizabeth Dunne, David Gardner, David Long, Marilyn
McCrory, Barbara King arrived 7:15 p.m., and James Matz
arrived at 7:20 p.m.
Sandra Stacey, Bill Squibb
Amy Maxner, Environmental Planner
Heather Camiko, and Eagle Scout candidate Ben Casolla
Jane Dooley
Chairperson Mann calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Acceptance of Previous Minutes — April 2, 2014
Maxner will provide the Committee with the April 2, 2014 meeting minutes at its next meeting.
Principal Items of Business
Potential Open Space Acquisition Projects: The Trustees Of Reservations (TTOR) and
Moraine Farm
Discussion ensues about how TTOR is not moving ahead with their CPA application. Mann
explains that TTOR met with the Mayor who expressed concern about the project if it does not
include immediate public access. TTOR determined that public access couldn't be achieved
within that timeframe and decided to table the application for this year. Discussion ensues as to
whether the idea of community gardens on the lots along Route 97 is off the table without the
CPA application. Mann suggests that this be discussed with TTOR to see if it is still possible.
Maxner agrees to contact Rob Warren about this and report back.
Mann goes on to note that the City has moved ahead with Camp Paradise and has an agreement
with Girls Scouts for purchase price of $950,000. He explains the property will be leased this
summer by the City and used for camp programs organized by Recreation Director Bruce Doig.
He notes that funding for this project will come from CPA and the PARC Grant.
Discussion ensues about whether the Committee should request that the 10% open space set
aside should be reserved for true open space projects and not committed to the Camp Paradise
project. Members agree that Camp Paradise is a worthy recreation project. Gardner notes that
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May 7, 2014 Meeting Minutes
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the CPC would need to be aware that the OSRC is interested in these funds next year for
acquisition of other open space parcel(s).
Concurrently, the Committee acknowledges that the community gardens space on Cole Street is
going away and there is gardener interest in finding a new space. In addition, Matz reports on 20
people attending walk at Moraine Farm during Earth Day event. Also, that the headmaster at
Waldorf School had attended and expressed interest in her students doing community service
work for OSRC (i.e., trail restoration) including at the Phillips estate. Brewster offers to ensure
laminated maps at Phillips estate are maintained.
Mann interrupts this discussion to address Eagle Scout Ben Cassolla and his project. Mann
explains that there is a more urgent need to reconfigure the trail to Norwood Pond off of Elnew
Avenue and asks if Cassolla would be interested in pursuing this. Cassolla notes that he is open
to the idea. Mann offers to walk the trail with Cassolla.
Discussion resumes on CPA funds and concludes with Mann offering to write a letter from
OSRC stating its interest in the annual 10% open space reserve for projects it has been analyzing
so funding would not be tied up in other projects for multiple years in the future. Maxner notes
that bonding can only be based on the local CPA surcharge (and that the state disbursement of
23% cannot be bonded).
Gardner moves that the OSRC write a letter to CPC. Seconded by King. Discussion ensues on
how the letter will voice OSRC support for Camp Paradise as a worthy recreation project and
express the Committee's expectation about future use of CPA funds for open space relative to
potential bonding. The motion carries 8 -0.
Maxner states that the CPC would be receiving public comments through June 6 th at noon, and
that all 14 CPA project applications are posted on the CPC's website. The next CPC meeting is
on May 15.
232 Essex Street — OSRD Site Plan — Review/Discussion for Planning Board Request for
Comments
Maxner explains that the Planning Board will be meeting on May 20 and holding a public
hearing on the OSRD site plan design for 232 Essex Street. She explains that OSRD replaces
conventional subdivision process and is aimed to be more sensitive to natural resources, historic
sites, vistas, etc. She notes that the applicant submitted a definitive plan to the Conservation
Commission and the Commission issued an Order of Conditions allowing the project granting a
waiver from local 25' No Disturb Zone relative to grading of shoulder of new roadway. The
applicant subsequently filed an open space site plan with the Planning Board. The Planning
Board solicits comments from the various boards and commissions on the conceptual plans.
Two conceptual OSRD plans were reviewed and discussed at length. The following
recommendation and comments of interest were highlighted:
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May 7, 2014 Meeting Minutes
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Recommendations:
1. The project proponent should guarantee public access to Kelleher Pond by way of gift to
the City or other permanent mechanism. The Pond has been used by the public for
decades for fishing, skating and for walking around its edge. This access should be
allowed to continue.
2. Access between Hannah School and the Pond via the existing trails should be maintained
and an opening in the fence should be installed north of the Pond for this purpose. This
would also provide ready access to Hannah School property for future residents of the
subdivision, as their children will no doubt be attending there.
3. The access trail that follows the perimeter of the Pond should be kept open to the public
as well.
General Comments:
➢ The OSRC discussed whether the yield plan could actually produce 19 lots considering
steep slopes and wetland resources on site that may reduce the number of buildable lots.
This should be thoroughly vetted as every lot impacts the final amount of open space
available for protection.
➢ Sidewalks on both sides of the proposed street are an important safety feature especially
for the young children likely to be resident in the subdivision. The OSRC recommends
that, to maintain the integrity of the resource area along the pond at the entry road, no
sidewalk be installed along the pond in that location, but at the bend in the road entering
the new subdivision, where the houses are, the sidewalks on both sides of the road should
be installed.
McCrory moves that Maxner draft a letter based on Gardner's draft letter as amended by this
discussion to be reviewed by Mann. Seconded by Gardner. The motion carries 8 -0.
2014 Earth Day Walk Event Planning — Update on Events/Planning
Maxner outlines commitment from Lea Morrissey to do an Olmsted landscape - themed walk at
Moraine Farm on Saturday, May 24 at 10:30 a.m. Also, on Thursday, May 15 there will be a tour
of Central Cemetery walk with Darren Brown and Brewster beginning at 6 p.m. at Hale Farm.
Discussion ensues about walk at Camp Paradise. In addition, Robert Buchsbaum may do a flora
and fauna walk on May 31 at Sally Milligan.
Other Business & Updates
Expanding Publicity of OSRC Activities — Discussion /Action Items
King explains that she has established a Facebook Page for the OSRC, and notes that the
Committee members can be administrators of the page and asks for their email addresses to enter
them into the page as such. She notes that Kevin Harutunian, Mayor's Chief of Staff, is aware of
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May 7, 2014 Meeting Minutes
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this and has received the link and has no problems with the Committee running this page.
Members thank King for her efforts in this regard.
Discussion revisits the community gardens and how Waring School is willing to look at their
campus for space. King notes that some of the gardeners are planning to attend OSRC meeting
next month to address this topic. Discussion ensues on City owning 17 acres at Memorial School
site that could be a good spot for community garden. Also, that there could be multiple urban
"satellite sites" in the City.
Maxner states that the Open Space & Recreation Plan expires in April 2015 and this will be a
work project that is undertaken late this summer through the winter.
Adjournment
McCrory moves to adjourn at 9:25 p.m. Seconded by Gardner. The motion carries 10 -0.
The next meeting of the Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee will take place on
Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at City Hall, 3 rd Floor Committee Room at 7:00 p.m.