2015-06-03CITY 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
June 3, 2015
Charlie Mann (Chair), David Brewster (Vice Chair),
Elizabeth Dunne, David Gardner, David Long, Marilyn
McCrory, Bill Squibb and Barbara King (arrived 8:10 p.m.)
James Matz, Sandra Stacey
Amy Maxner, Environmental Planner
Jane Dooley
Mann calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Approval of Previous Minutes
Members provided Maxner with amendments for May 6, 2015 minutes. Brewster moves to
accept the meeting minutes as amended. Seconded by Gardner. The motion carries 6 -0 -1 with
Long abstaining.
Principal Items of Business
Open Space & Recreation Plan Update — Staff report on progress
Maxner reports the draft plan is being assembled and should be submitted to Conservation
Commission next week and the Commission will report back at its June 30th meeting. The plan
will also be discussed at the Planning Board's June 16th meeting, and with City Council later in
June. Focus will be on 7 -year action plan table. A pdf copy of whole plan will be presented to
City boards. Discussion ensues about how the OSRC could review the plan in a cloud file.
Discussion addresses redlined update of Ward Priorities section of the document. Maxner will
incorporate information about Pole Swamp Lane. Maxner notes that a working draft should be
ready for the Committee's review at the July meeting.
Conservation Commission Agenda Item — 98 Valley Street
Mann notes that the Commssion received an application for 98 Valley Street which is within the
Pole Swamp Lane right of way. Maxner displays the project plan and members compare to Open
Space Reference Map. It was determined that the subject property shares a boundary to the north
with Pole Swamp but the Lane is not within the parcel itself. Members discuss a comment letter
to make people aware of keeping the Lane open for pedestrain access. Dunne offers to draft a
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comment letter with Maxner. Members agree noting that the project or any future plans for the
property by the owner should not impeded the Lane.
Signage — Subcommittee Report on Activities
Mann reports that signage design is nearly ready for Engineering Department's Clerk Maria
Arcieri's help in graphic design. He notes that United Sign still has the graphics for the grant -
funded kiosks.
Planning Board Request for Comments — OSRD Site Plan Initial Review for 50 & 54 Bow
Street — Symes Development & Permitting, LLC
Members review the concept plans for 50 & 54 Boyles Street OSRD subdivision. Discussion
ensues about keeping area outside of lawns as untreated, mowed meadow to maintain that type of
habitat. The Committee specifies content for a letter from OSRC to the Planning Board that
Option 2 is preferred, can Lot B be excluded from open space calculation (Lots 50 and 54 are the
parent lots), is the gap between 4 and 5 for access to the open space behind, if so it should be
maintained as access, and field area should be maintained as natural fields with mowing twice a
year.
Gardner moves for the Commission to write letter to Planning Board including the points as
discussed. Seconded by McCrory. The motion carries 7 -0.
King arrives.
Other Business & Updates
Community Preservation Committee (CPC) — Update on 2 nd Round Applications
McCrory expaloins that the CPC has received 14 project applications for CPA funding with
historic building survey pre- approved under an out -of -cycle application for $12,500 for Historic
District Commission. The CPC will review the remainder of the applications in June, July, and
August with a plan to make recommendations of the Council by mid - September. McCrory
estimates that the CPC budget for Round 2 is about $825,130 and this does not include FYI 6
budgeted funds which will become available in July as well as the State match.
Discussion ensues about the Committee's interest in having 27X property surveyed in
preparation for trail improvement activities. Mann explains that he contacted LeBlanc Survey
asking for an estimate, which came to $900, which was more expensive than Mann anticipated.
Discussion ensues as to the need for proper survey on the ground and possible funding sources.
Maxner reminds the Commission of the $1,000 profit shared by Greenbelt as part of the first
Commons Trail Run.
Dunne moves for the Committee to spend $900 of the OSRC's $1,000 on the survey. Seconded
by Gardner.. The motion carries 8 -0. Discussion followed on timing of survey and if it could
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possibly be funded with CPA money for recreation. Also, if the $1,000 should be spent to update
trail kiosks around the City
2015 Earth Day Walk Events — Recap on events so far
Discussion ensues about good turnout on recent walks. Maxner notes that Jenny Helmick from
Waldorf School at Moraine emailed a rundown on their events held the week of May 8t'', she
forwarded the email to the OSRC. McCrory notes that the Edible Plant Walk with Russ Cohen
has been rescheduled to June 8t' due to the rain on original date.
Standley Street Conservation Land Waring School Field Encroachment
Maxner reports that the donor family of the conservation land is pleased with the land swap
proposal with Waring School. She notes that a working plan to accomplish all of the next steps is
being prepared with the assistance of Waring's attorney. She notes that the steps to transition the
community gardens could perhaps occur simultaneously. King notes that the community garden
group is still coalescing and will work out a more defined plan for the site to take to the
Conservation Commission.
New England Mountain Bike Association trail work day — June 6/7 weekend
Maxner notes that NEMBA is doing trail work this coming weekend at the Commons which is
part of the planned trail improvements previously reviewed by the OSRC.
ECGA preservation projects
Mann notes that Greenbelt and Trustees have larger projects in Hamilton and Ipswich that are
pending which may pose competition for the Moraine Farm project.
Next Meeting Agenda
OSRC will review draft Open Space & Recreation plan, and potential CPA funded projects at the
next meeting.
Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss, Gardner moves to adjourn at 9:05 p.m. Seconded by
McCrory. The motion carries 8 -0.
The next meeting of the Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee will take place on
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at City Hall, 3 d Floor Conference Room at 7:00 p.m.