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2016-01-06CITY 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 7:07 p.m. Approval of Previous Minutes Open Space and Recreation Committee January 6, 2016 Charlie Mann (Chair), David Brewster (Vice Chair), Elizabeth Dunne, David Gardner, Barbara King (arrived at 7:10 p.m.), David Long, Marilyn McCrory, Bill Squibb Sandra Stacey, Wayne Miller Darlene Wynne, Assistant Planning Director Jane Dooley McCrory moves to approve the December 2, 2015 meeting minutes as amended. Seconded by Brewster. The motion carries 7 -0. Principal Items of Business Open Space & Recreation Plan Update -- Update on Status of Draft, OSRC Follow Up Allison Crosbie is working on updates on inventory of open space for latest version of draft plan which will be reviewed by the Committee with changes identified. The only outstanding piece is environmental justice issue. The action table will highlight where funding could be found. The goal is to get the plan done ASAP working with the Committee and state. Mann asked for a status draft be provided to the Committee, showing the changes. Signage — Subcommittee Report on Activities No update. Community Preservation Committee (CPC) — Representative Report on Activities CPA Activities The Committee is planning for round three of funding. The annual public hearing will be held on February 4, 2016 at City Hall. Pre - applications are due up to March 4, 2016 which are used to determine eligibility of CPA funding. Applications for eligible projects are due May 26, 2016. Open Space & Recreation Committee January 6, 2016 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3 Discussion ensues about what open space parcels the Committee could possibly bring forward for CPA projects. Gardner offers to contact property owners to see if there is interest for the City to purchase potentially unbuildable parcels with CPA funds designated from open space reserve or undesignated CPA funds. The CPC will need an appraisal for any property where the Committee identifies interest. The building inspector would issue findings as to what is an unbuildable lot. The OSRC subcommittee will reconvene to discuss potential parcels. David Brewster asks if any potential open space projects have come up in the Planning Department. Discussion addresses how Camp Mitchman property owner is interested in keeping the property in educational use rather than selling to developers, while maintaining the residence on the site. Discussion ensues about future of community gardens in Beverly and if there remains potential at Standley Street development. The Committee will continue to support the community gardeners in their effort to find a new garden location in the City. A future subdivided Waring School parcel is discussed, but not likely an open space candidate. Greens Hill Trail Improvement Project Discussion addresses how a second surveyor has identified a 9 -foot discrepancy on property line resulting in higher engineering costs (more than the $900 the OSRC has budgeted for surveying). The City engineer has benchmarks for Green Street. The Memorandum of Understanding agreement is being drafted by Amy Maxner and should be done at the end of the month. A trail with a boardwalk is planned for the site and drainage will be addressed. CPA funding is allocated for the project. Discussion ensues on site visit at Greens Hill and trail in from Green Street to the marsh already exists. There was also mention that encroachment is happening on the City's open space with one resident's driveway on Green Street. Planning Board — Representative Report on Activities Discussion was on Essex Street (Kelleher Pond and the parcel behind Essex Crossing) conveyance to open space that went before City Council which has been referred to the Legal Affairs Committee. The path will be gravel and grass and connected to Essex Street, and a gate will be put in the back at the field to Hannah School. The developer provided a $10,000 endowment for Parks and Recreation for maintenance. The Committee will draft a letter recognizing the positive outcome of the OSRD and supporting the open space conveyance. Discussion addresses open space in the back of the Boyles Street parcel which will be maintained in a natural state. Six to eight new pine trees are being planted along the back border. A walking easement will be put in place for a path around the perimeter of the property. Also, the Jewett Street subdivision public hearing was continued. Discussion ensues on language that would be used for signage describing City easement access off of the private way to Sally Milligan Park. Review of Modification to Special Permit and Site Plan Review for 10 -12 -16 Congress Street Ventron Discussion addresses how the 10 foot walkway is the same size as originally planned (within the powerline easement) and there is public access. Wynne will research who is responsible for Open Space & Recreation Committee January 6, 2016 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3 maintaining the walkway. There will be 5 public parking spaces available. The underground parking will not be developed. 62 units are planned for the site, instead of the 72 prior. Discussion ensues about how clean up was done at the site. Also, if any amenities such as benches are planned for the walkway. Committee will draft a letter expressing their recommendations to the Planning Board. Discussion ensues on work progressing for walkway where Sylvan Menezes memorial bench will be located at the Beverly Harbor shoreline. Priority Parcel List — Subcommittee Report on Activities The Subcommittee is going to meet in a week. Other Business & Updates Jonathan Salt Jonathan Salt was not available to attend the meeting and is interested in connectivity of bicycle rides and walking trails. Scheduled Walks Discussion was on need to determine dates for Earth Day walks. Brewster offered to coordinate and receive walk ideas from OSRC members (i.e., geocaching and mountain bike ride, Moraine Farm, trail work at Norwood Pond). Publicity for the walks will be done including on the OSRC Facebook page. New Business Discussion ensues about need to relocate Sally Milligan Park trail off of potential private property and to circumvent heavy underbrush. If the Committee does a site walk it would be posted. Discussion addresses Pole Swamp Lane and interest in establishing a public right of way for walking path. The Committee notes how some properties along Ancient Way have blocked off access and this could occur with a new house proposed to be built on Brackenbury Lane that is being reviewed by the Conservation Commission. David Gardner offers to write a letter to the Conservation Commission in support of preserving the Ancient Way. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Gardner moves to adjourn at 9:10 p.m. Seconded by Dunne. The motion carries 8 -0. The next meeting of the Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee will take place on Wednesday, February 3, 2015 at City Hall, 3 d Floor Conference Room at 7:00 p.m.