2015-12-02 (2)CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD:
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE:
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
OTHERS PRESENT:
RECORDER:
Mann opens the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
Approval of Previous Minutes
Open Space and Recreation Committee
December 2, 2015
Charlie Mann (Chair), David Brewster (Vice Chair, arrived
at 7:20 p.m.), Elizabeth Dunne, David Gardner, David
Long, Marilyn McCrory, Bill Squibb
Barbara King, Sandra Stacey
Darlene Wynne, Assistant Planning Director
Wayne Miller, Planning Board member, Beverly
Conservation Land Trust president
Jane Dooley
McCrory moves to approve the November 4, 2015 meeting minutes as amended. Seconded by
Gardner. The motion carries 7 -0.
Principal Items of Business
Open Space & Recreation Plan Update -- Update on Status of Draft, OSRC Follow Up
Discussion ensues about how any edits or additional information need to be submitted to Wynne
or Allison Crosbie. Discussion addresses Massachusetts Moves program as a potential funding
source providing access to funds for trails and athletics; however, Beverly is not currently a
member. Also that Article 97 protection of city parks is not permanent. McCrory asked for
verification of the protection status of parks in Section 5.
Signage — Subcommittee Report on Activities
No update.
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
Discussion addresses CPC doing revisions on its plan for CPA project applications assessment
which includes open space goals. CPA funds from FY' 15 were recently awarded. The FY' 16
funds are in the $1 million CPA budget. Discussion ensues about process for submitting an off-
Open Space & Recreation Committee
December 2, 2015 Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 3
cycle CPA application. The CPC dealt with this recently related to Planning Department
submitting a $25,000 CPA application request for a housing production plan.
Discussion was on the Greens Hill trail improvement project and money has been approved.
Mann and Rachel Abell are going to sign Memorandum of Understanding. Mann is going to
meet with City Solicitor on the matter. The trail has been roughed in with planks over the stream
and dead wood moved to allow access. The wetlands have been flagged, and survey will be
started soon. A benchmark is needed on mean high water. A boardwalk will be installed to allow
access during high tide.
Discussion ensues about the Committee walking the Greens Hill trail on Saturday at 1 p.m. An
email will be sent to OSRC members not in attendance about the site walk.
Priority Parcel List — Subcommittee Report on Activities
Discussion ensues about possibility of bundling tax title properties working with Mayor's office.
Discussion addresses if Audubon has trails and if there could be any trail connection between
parcels.
Other Business & Updates
Open Space parcel in front of Briscoe Middle School
Discussion ensues on potential to preserve open space parcel in front of the Briscoe Middle
School if the School is demolished and if this would be a good use of resources relative to trying
to put a CR on the small piece of land. A restriction could be put in the deed to preserve the small
triangle of land when the ownership for the parcel transfers.
Estate Planning Outreach Grants
Discussion addresses $350 estate planning outreach grant that could be applied for through the
Planning Department to use to educate private land owners about land stewardship.
Proposed letter to Dr. Wylie about trail easement on Endicott College campus
Discussion was on possibility of sending a letter to Dr. Wylie to request a permanent trail
easement on the Endicott College campus in the back of the property. The Conservation
Commission is seeking easements on all trails on the School property.
McCrory moves to approve sending the letter on behalf of the Committee and for Chairman
Mann to meet with Endicott College. Seconded by Dunne. Discussion addresses clarity of letter.
Wynne will check with Aaron Clausen regarding the proposed meeting with Dr. Wylie. Brewster
moves to amend motion in reference to letter as discussed. Seconded by McCrory. The motion
carries 7 -0.
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December 2, 2015 Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 3
1 -lot subdivision at Jewett Road
Discussion addresses definitive subdivision plan for a 1 -lot subdivision on Jewett Road that
includes 75' extension of the road for frontage. The paved portion of extension will be 25' and
hammerhead turning area for large vehicles will be included. The site is cleared and utilities
installed. The property is surrounded by City land. Discussion ensues on how this is a private
way and not an approved, public road. The Committee agrees to do a site walk after it visits
Greens Hill trail on Saturday. Discussion was on how private way signs should not be allowed or
anything obstructing access to City's open space. In addition, that a gravel parking space in the
area for access to public land would be desirable. Discussion concludes that Wynne should draft
a letter for OSRC review that will go to the Planning Board on the matter.
Scheduled Walks
Discussion ensues on ideas for Scheduled Walks (i.e., Greens Hill trail), if destination or linked
walks would be done including mountain biking, and if regular walks could be done year round.
Agenda item will be added to schedule a walk for the following month.
Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss, Gardner moves to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. Seconded by
Dunne. The motion carries 7 -0.
The next meeting of the Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee will take place on
Wednesday, January 6, 2015 at City Hall, 3 d Floor Conference Room at 7:00 p.m.