2015-03-04CITY 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
March 4, 2015
Charlie Mann (Chairperson), David Brewster (Vice Chair),
Elizabeth Dunne, David Gardner, Barbara King, David
Long, James Matz, Marilyn McCrory, and Sandra Stacey
Bill Squibb
Amy Maxner, Environmental Planner
Rachel Abell, Ayers PTO, resident
Jane Dooley
Mann calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Rachel Abell from Ward 1 introduces herself says that she has lived in Beverly since 2003 and is
interested in potential for a future trail at Greens Hill and Open Space & Recreation Plan.
Principal Items of Business
Open Space & Recreation Plan Update — Synthesize Survey & Public Hearing Feedback,
Continue Drafting Next 7 -Year Action Plan
Members provide comments to Maxner for next 7 -year action plan and extensive discussion
ensues as to overarching goals and objectives. Members consider adding new goals and related
objectives and clarifying old ones. Discussion addresses numerous topics: i.e., conservation
restrictions, agricultural land /community gardening and monitor zoning to allow for urban
gardening, urban pocket parks and connectivity to open spaces, trail creation/maintenance and
signage, map updating, active recreation, land acquisition, action to increase awareness through
public forums, articles, social media, collaboration with educational organizations; surveys for
public engagement, public access to waterfront /hand carried watercraft, trail share as payment in
lieu of taxes with private schools coordinated with Parks and Recreation, regional trail with other
communities and organizations such as ECTA and NEMBA. Discussion ensues about which
goals should be in plan based on what can realistically be accomplished along with Planning
Department and MAPC assistance. Maxner will collate revisions as discussed tonight and edit
the draft 7 -Year Action Plan table in time for the next meeting. She will inquire with Allison
Crosbie as to whether she can attend the next meeting to provide an overview as to her progress
on updating other sections of the plan.
Open Space & Recreation Committee
March 4, 2015 Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 3
2015 Earth Day Walk Events — Coordination & Planning
Discussion ensues on how the Council on Aging is interested in partnering on Earth Day walk
events and Stacey will get a contact name. In addition, if "trails and tails" walks could be done
where a limited number of adults bring friendly dogs on leash for a stroll in the woods. Maxner
reports that Moraine Farm's science program department is interested in participating in the
Earth Day Walk events with activities in May or June for kids such as guided nature hike, water
coloring painting on Wenham Lake shore, bees /pollinator education and beeswax candle making,
citizen science activity, birdwatching, scooping up invertebrates, learning how to use a key for
plant identification, nature journaling, and fairy house building. Also noted is Russ Cohen was
planning to do a wild foods foraging walk during the evening, mid -week. The Community
Gardens group will be investigated for a potential walk date, time and topic. James Matz offered
to do geology and CSA walks. Discussion ensues about how there could be a social walk to show
participants Beverly's open space. McCrory and Brewster offer to form a subcommittee to work
on moving the walk events planning forward.
Signage — Subcommittee Report on Activities
This subcommittee will meet in two weeks on Wednesday. Mann will draft an outline for a sign
to be reviewed at the meeting.
Other Business & Updates
Community Preservation Committee (CPC) — Update on 2 nd Round Application Process
- OSRC Pre - Application Re: Map 19, Lot 27A
Maxner reports that she and Gardner met with Mr. and Mrs. Ewing last week and got their
blessing to submit the pre - application and have an appraisal done of which the City has funds
available. She notes the property is currently assessed at $41,500 and owner verbally quoted a
$260,000 market analysis performed in 2012 with neither number establishing fair market value.
The City will be obtaining a formal appraisal which would be associated with a full CPA
application submission. She will keep the Committee updated on the progress of this.
She believes the project is CPA eligible and the CPC will be making a determination by the end
of the month. The Mayor is aware of this action.
Draft semi - annual OSRC report to City Council
Maxner highlights items from report including Open Space Plan Update efforts, on -line survey,
7 -year action plan update, trail improvements at Norwood Pond, NEMBA trail improvements,
keeping right of ways open, ECGA trail run at Beverly Commons, input on OSRD project at
Kelleher's pond, community garden relocation, land acquisition CPA pre - application, Earth Day
walks planning, social media. Other items to be included are Waring School land swap
mediation, trail signage program, and regional trail coordination. The report could be presented
to City Council on one of its upcoming meetings. Discussion suggests that details from survey
such as more access to waterfront should be mentioned.
Open Space & Recreation Committee
March 4, 2015 Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 3
Planning Board Update
Matz reports on the OSRD subdivision plan at Standley Street and the need to advocate for
community garden site and preservation of deeded right of way that is vehicular access. He
mentions that OSRC could present to the Planning Board to describe the issues in detail. Mann
and King offer to attend the upcoming Planning Board meeting.
Acceptance of Previous Minutes: December 3, 2014, January 7, 2015, and February 4, 2015
The Committee tabled this action to its next meeting.
Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss, Gardner moves to adjourn at 9:02 p.m. Seconded by
Matz. The motion carries 9 -0.
The next meeting of the Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee will take place on
Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at City Hall, 3 d Floor Conference Room at 7:00 p.m.