2015-04-01CITY 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
April 1, 2015
Charlie Mann (Chairperson), David Brewster (Vice Chair),
Elizabeth Dunne, David Gardner, Barbara King, David
Long, Marilyn McCrory, Bill Squibb (arrived at 8:20 p.m.)
James Matz, Sandra Stacey
Amy Maxner, Environmental Planner
Allison Crosbie, Associate Planner
Rachel Abell
Jane Dooley
Mann calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Principal Items of Business
Acceptance of Previous Minutes: December 3, 2014, January 7, 2015, February 4, 2015,
March 4, 2015
Gardner moves to accept the minutes for December 3, 2014 as amended. Seconded by King.
The motion carries 7 -0. McCrory provided Maxner with amendments.
Members provided Maxner with amendments for January 7, 2015 minutes. Gardner moves to
accept the minutes for January 7, 2015 as amended. Seconded by McCrory. The motion carries 7
-0.
Members provided Maxner with amendments for February 4, 2015 minutes, and sign -in sheet is
attached with list of others present. McCrory moves to accept the minutes for February 4, 2015
as amended. Seconded by King. The motion carries 5 -0 -2, with Mann and Gardner abstaining.
Brewster moves to accept the minutes for March 4, 2015 as presented. Seconded by Mann. The
motion carries 7 -0.
Open Space & Recreation Plan Update —Finalize Draft 7 -Year Action Plan, Identify Ward
Specific Priorities/Projects
Crosbie summarizes her updates to the Open Space & Recreation Plan such as infrastructure,
land development patterns, demographics, list of hazardous sites, etc. Discussion ensues about
breaking down OSRC accomplishments by Ward including the opportunity for trails in Ward 3,
27X in Ward 1 since the City closed on that parcel. Maxner notes that the Ward priorities is the
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next part of the plan that need updating by the Committee. The Committee members agree do
develop list for their own Wards with comments from at -large members per OSRC goals and
accomplishments to provide to Crosbie.
Maxner notes that she revised the 7 -year action plan based on last OSRC meeting discussion.
Members mention Ancient Highway in Wards 3 and 4 as well as how the Committee could
interface and serve as liaison to bicycle committee and show support for City -wide complete
streets program. Maxners points out that she assigned year 2 and 7 for posting surveys.
Discussion addresses which year is most appropriate to start the regional trail network goal and
associated activities. Members agree to start in year 1 to get discussions going with abutting
towns.
Members discuss Goal E involving coordination with local colleges and other private schools to
share facilities. Members agree the goal of facility usage seems ambitious, but that trail
easements and usage should be pursued. Alternative language for this goal is discussed, with
Maxner and Crosbie agreeing to make final edits.
2015 Earth Day Walk Events — Coordination & Planning
Discussion ensues as to planning efforts for Earth Day Walk schedule. McCrory offers to follow
up with Matz on a walk at Moraine Farm and Maxner will contact Waldorf School and TTOR to
understand possible dates for other themes and walks. Maxner agrees to contact the newspapers
once the schedule is finalized.
Planning Board Request for Comments — OSRD Site Plan Application, initial review —
Application #6 -15 for 30 Foster Street— Lindallwood Realty Trust
Members review the proposed 2 -lot OSRD plan for 30 Foster Street. Maxner provides a brief
history on the property relative to a previously approved 5 -lot subdivision. Pursuant to the
project engineer's narrative, the applicant is amenable to gifting a portion of the site (open space
parcel) to the City that connects to Camp Paradise. A No Disturb Zone parcel will be owned by
the most interior house and will not have public access. Maxner explains that the Conservation
Commission will be submitting comments regarding the No Disturb Zone parcel being protected
permanently by some mechanism so it will be left in its natural state. The OSRC is in favor of
conveying the parcel to the City and adopting the language about the No Disturb area being
permanently protected by some mechanism, boundaries of open space parcel should be clearly
marked in the field and on plans and recorded.
Gardner moves that the OSRC write a comment letter to the Board encapsulating this discussion
with the following points:
• The OSRC supports conveyance of the 1.72 acre open space parcel to the City, as it will
expand the contiguous Camp Paradise soon to be purchased by the City.
• The open space parcel should be clearly marked /monumented at regular intervals in the
field to ensure this area is not encroached upon or altered by neighbors or others. Said
monuments should be clearly marked on the final approved plans and recorded at the
Registry so as to alert any potential and future owners of the lots within this development.
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The .82 acre no- disturb parcel should be protected by a permanent restriction or some
other perpetual recordable device.
Seconded by King. The motion carries 8 -0.
After looking at the plan and the associated no disturb zones, King moves to amend the motion
to include a possible condition that the no cut zone be extended to coincide with the building
envelope setbacks around the outer perimeter of the house lots. Seconded by McCrory. The
motion carries 8 -0.
Other Business & Updates
Community Preservation Committee (CPC) — Update on 2 nd Round Application Process
- OSRC Pre - Application Re: Map 19, Lot 27A
Discussion ensues as to Ryal Side PTO having submitted a pre - application for $30,000 for trail
improvements to the CPC, which was approved as eligible for CPA funding. Mann explains that
there are many groups interested in trail improvements at Greens Hill and he suggested
scheduled a meeting with those groups to address this so that there is a united vision for the
space. He notes that a meeting is set for tomorrow and will bring the Committee's concerns to
the table. Mann updates in regard to 27A, noting that the property owner Mrs. Ewing has agreed
to allow the City to perform an appraisal, which will be funded by Harbor Management
Authority. Robert Murphy is performing the appraisal and expects that it will be delivered in the
next couple of weeks. Maxner notes that the Committee's CPA pre - application for this parcel
acquisition has been approved as eligible.
Signage — Subcommittee Report on Activities
Mann provides an update as to the progress made. He notes that there are three components
needed for comprehensive signage: 1) street way finding; 2) trail head signage; 3) trail
intersection directions. He has worked with Roland Adams, City GIS Coordinator, on a map to
show locations of street signage. He lays out the map and provides an overview. Members
discuss strategic locations for street signage. Mann agrees to email the map to members for their
review and input. Maxner reminds the Committee that Maria Arcieri in the City's Engineering
Department is a graphic designer and would be happy to assist with the signage design.
Semi - Annual Report to City Council
Mann will present semi - annual report on April 6. There will be mention of Conservation
Restriction on Norwood Pond moving forward.
Waring School field encroachment resolution
Maxner explains that at its meeting last night, the Conservation Commission voted on a final
resolution package and she will email this information to the Committee. Maxner anticipates
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getting the material to Ed Becker for his presentation to the donor family. She will keep the
Committee apprised of his progress.
Planning Board update
Mann and King explain that the public hearing on the OSRD subdivision on Standley Street was
continued without much discussion or comment from the public. King notes that she had a good
conversation with the project engineer after the meeting, in which she communicated the need
for continuous access off the end of the cul -de -sac and water connection. She notes that the
applicant and engineer seemed amendable to both ideas. Mann and King agree to attend the next
Planning Board meeting to make sure the Board understands the OSRC's position and
recommendations.
Project Adventure — Application for Variance from Zoning Board of Appeals for Lot at
Moraine Farm
Mann explains that Project Adventure (PA) has submitted an application to gain a variance from
frontage on a lot within Moraine Farm, which was encumbered by an Agricultural Preservation
Restriction placed by PA. Discussion ensues as the consequences of granting the variance and the
City and TTOR's efforts to preserve the integrity of Moraine Farm open space complex.
Members agree the OSRC should write a letter in opposition. Squibb moves for the Committee
to write letter. Seconded by McCrory. The motion carries 8 -0. Members give Mann, Gardner and
Maxner permission to draft and finalize the letter.
Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss, McCrory moves to adjourn at 9:20 p.m. Seconded by
Brewster. The motion carries 8 -0.
The next meeting of the Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee will take place on
Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at City Hall, 3 d Floor Conference Room at 7:00 p.m.