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2015-11-04CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: Open Space and Recreation Committee SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: November 4, 2015 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Charlie Mann (Chair), David Brewster (Vice Chair), Elizabeth Dunne, David Gardner, Barbara King, David Long, Marilyn McCrory, David Brewster arrived (7:34 p.m.), Bill Squibb BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Sandra Stacey, James Matz STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Darlene Wynne, Assistant Planning Director OTHERS PRESENT: Wayne Miller, Planning Board member, Beverly Conservation Land Trust president RECORDER: Jane Dooley Mann moves to open the meeting at 7:05 p.m. Seconded by Long. The motion carries, Brewster had not arrived. Approval of Previous Minutes McCrory moves to approve the October 7, 2015 meeting minutes as amended. Seconded by Brewster. The motion carries 7 -0 -2 with Mann and Gardner abstaining, Brewster had not arrived. Principal Items of Business Open Space & Recreation Plan Update -- Update on Status of Draft, OSRC Follow Up Discussion ensues about next steps for the updated plan including edits associated with the equitability of open space as well as information about forestry, acceptable ratios of park space to population, and funding sources (i.e., REI, statewide trails grant program). Discussion addresses accessible paths where there is potential access for a wheelchair on level trails, and if there are handicapped parking spaces near trails. Suggestion was made to include the identification of accessible parks and parking in the signage discussion. Signage — Subcommittee Report on Activities Discussion on the initiative to get signage developed for trails and for wayfinding within the trails. The Subcommittee will work with designer Maria Arcieri in the Engineering Department. Community Preservation Committee (CPC) — CPA Plan - Open Space Section Discussion, Update on 2nd Round Application Decisions, OSRC Assistance with Permitting Greens Hill Trail Improvement Project Open Space & Recreation Committee November 4, 2015 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3 Discussion addresses CPC's interest in developing a plan that outlines goals and objectives in each of the CPA reserves categories to guide decisions about project applications for CPA funding. A summary of language from the updated Open Space & Recreation plan was used for the draft CPC plan's open space section. Also included in the draft was a description of open space needs for Beverly, and survey results about open space (i.e., connecting large and small areas for a continuous trail network). Discussion was on potential for purchase of open space with CPA funds including easements. The plan should include language as to steps to acquire land and note the importance of having money available to take advantage of real estate goals. The open space goals from the Open Space & Recreation Plan would be included in CPC plan. Discussion addresses how the bond for Camp Paradise purchase is taking $50,000 a year of CPA open space and recreation reserve where payments will begin in 2017. This leaves approximately $30,000 annually of the open space reserve available for other open space purposes. Discussion ensues about how the Committee needs to work on deals for open space acquisition early on in the process even before properties become available. There was discussion about if a Committee member should start conversations related to potential donations or acquisitions, and the importance of including Greenbelt in the discussion (i.e., the non - profit is interested in contiguous parcels that are five acres or more) relative to land conservation. In addition, investigation will be done if CPA funds can be used for research costs associated with open space land acquisition. The City has 1,700 acres of possibly protected acreage including CRs, Chapter 61, City -owned (including cemeteries), and non - profit land protection as well as Article 97 protection (i.e., Sally Milligan Park — this could be a candidate for CR, although there would be endowment costs). The Committee notes that school properties have a great deal of land that could be considered for protection. The OSRC mentions that it has a list of 100 properties that could be considered for open space acquisition. Specifics about community gardens will be included in the CPC plan. Discussion addresses pocket parks, urban garden clubs and play areas. The City Council approved the recommendations from the CPC for 10 CPA funded projects (3 recreation projects were not funded). The CPC approved CPA funding for the Greens Hill trail. The CPA funding that would allow the applicant to get the trails project done is contingent upon approval from the Conservation Commission. Discussion ensues about the survey done by the City of 27X parcel. For the CPA project application for the Greens Hill trail a survey needs to be done illustrating plan of marsh area including wetland flags, and mean high water as part of Chapter 91 jurisdiction. The legal ad could be paid for with contingency funds. The wetland scientist flagged the wetland area (two hours of a 10 -hour job, the determination of resource area and narrative for NOI remains to be done for a cost). Discussion was on budget for the trails project and if there are specifications about how CPA funds have to be spent for trail improvements. Priority Parcel List Sub - committee has begun to rank a list of potential priority parcels based on criterion including if a property is (a) important and (b) available, but not necessarily that it is the most valuable property. Will likely rank only the top 30 to 40 properties on the list. Expect to have a list after two more meetings. Open Space & Recreation Committee November 4, 2015 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3 Other Business & Updates OSRC Semi - Annual Report to City Council — Preparation for October presentation Mr. Mann reported back on his presentation to the City Council, including what types of questions the Council asked of the Committee. Community Gardens and Conservation Commission land Discussion addressed the expected 2 to 3 year timeline for the establishment of the new community gardens. Ms. King provided a summary of the neighbor conflict and management challenges among the Community Garden Council. Ben Zoba, of the Food Project, has recently taken over management of the Garden Council to assist. Earth Day Walk publicity in Recreation Department brochure The Parks and Recreation Department can include a' /4- or 1 /2-page advertisement for the Earth Day Walks in the Winter /Spring Recreation Department Brochure. Ms. Dunne offered to prepare a draft that includes a list of last year's activities and how to learn more. Planning Board and Great Estates Committee updates Ms. Wynne provide a summary of the content and timing of the Great Estates Zoning Ordinance. Ms. Wynne described the Site Plan approval of the Sunnycrest Open Space and Residential Design (OSRD) subdivision. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Brewster moves to adjourn at 9:15 p.m. Seconded by Dunne. The motion carries 9 -0. The next meeting of the Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee will take place on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at City Hall, 3 d Floor Conference Room at 7:00 p.m.