03-24-16 CPC MinutesCITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
COMMITTEE OR COMMISSION: Community Preservation Committee
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: March 24, 2016
LOCATION: Beverly City Hall, Third Floor Conference Room B
MEMBERS PRESENT: Wendy Pearl — Chairperson, Marilyn McCrory — Vice
Chair, Heather Richter, Christy Edwards, Robert
Buchsbaum, Thomas Bussone, James Matz, Jon Paddol
MEMBERS ABSENT: Henry Pizzo
OTHERS PRESENT: Environmental Planner Amy Maxner, Beverly Golf and
Tennis Commission Bill Lowd, Beverly Director of
Emergency Management Mark Foster, Purchasing Agent
David Gellineau, Beverly Historical Society Sue Goganian
RECORDER: Aileen O'Rourke
Pearl calls the meeting to order at 7:03pm.
Administrative Business
There is no administrative business.
Pre - applications review - continued
Beverly Historical Society — Hale House Landscape Restoration
Pearl announces the Historic District Commission met last night and clarified it's protocol in
regarding the CPC determinations it has made so far, the determinations cover the entire property
unless otherwise specified, so for the Hale House, it is the entire property.
Pearl notes this is the 3 d part of a multi -phase project. The first phase was to repair the chimney,
the second phase was to repair the exterior of the house and the 3 d phase covers the landscaping.
The first two phases have already received CPA funding. Goganian goes over the history of the
property. It was once a 100 -acre farm and then it transitioned to a summer estate. The property
used to have English beeches and tulip trees in the 19 century which has influenced the natural
environment seen today though many of those trees are located outside the boundaries of the
current Hale property. BHS would like to restore the elements of the landscape associated with
the Bancroft periods of the late 19 20 century period in a historically appropriate way
(Bancroft is the direct descendent of Hale because after the second generation all the Hales were
female). BHS would like to improve public access and provide an educational experience with
interpretive signs and programming to include: community gardens, cultural events, and a public
park. The public would be welcome anytime to explore the gardens and pathways while the Hale
House would only have limited hours when the staff is there.
McCrory asks about how this project fits into the Open Space category under creation. Goganian
responds they will be creating pathways, places to sit, signs, and a mural with how the view
would have been to the ocean, all of which does not exist right now. Bussone read the case where
creation is defined. McCrory explains CPA funds can be used to buy land to dedicate to open
space or to create open space. In theory, there is public access now, but it will be more
welcoming and easy to access. Additionally the grounds will be wheelchair accessible since the
house cannot be made wheelchair accessible. McCrory states this is private property so there has
to be some land protection to ensure it remains as a public benefit in perpetuity. Goganian
responds their mission as a non - profit is to provide public benefit and access. But McCrory adds
if the property changed hands they would need to ensure the protection remains. Pearl is not sure
it is creation, since this is not land acquisition. If the landscape is deemed historic, then the
project would fit in historic preservation- rehab. If it deemed for recreation, then it would fall
under rehab. Recreation to create paths and community gardens might be better category for
public use. Pearl states it could come in under Historic preservation if landscape is historic.
McCrory advises it will likely need a conservation restriction under open space or recreation.
McCrory makes a motion that the CPC determine the Hale House landscaping is eligible for CPA
funding under Historic Preservation - rehab /restoration and that signage is not eligible for CPA
funding. Bussone seconds. Motion approved 8 -0.
Beverlv Golf and Tennis Commission
Lowd provides an update on Round 2 application, design for the ADA bathroom improvements,
noting the architect submitted the design to HDC and MHC for approval. The project is now on
the central registrar for companies to bid. Bids are due back by the end of April. Construction
estimate will be adjusted when bid comes back. He also states because this is a small job and the
cost of construction has gone up, and if you spend $20K or more have to put in for sub -file work
so the bids will likely be high, especially plumbing work. Gelineau notes the Clubhouse is open
and available for public meetings.
Lowd presents his Round 3 pre - application. The clubhouse consists of 3 floors, the basement,
first floor, and the second floor great room. The heating is only 1 zone, so in order to get heat
upstairs, they must heat the entire building. Lowd approached Mike Collins about replacing the
boiler but Collins stated he could make separate heating zones by adding a heating coil to the
existing A/C unit and reduce the cost of heating the building. Lowd notes Collins also stated
they could generate hot water without having to redo the plumbing and firing up the steam boiler.
He does not have cost estimates yet but working with Mike Collins to get the numbers.
Pearl asks if there are any code compliance issues. Gelineau asks if financially preserving the
building and the old boiler counts. The old boiler is held together with duct tape and clamps.
Once the boiler goes, they will need to take out walls and likely need to replace the wiring.
Buchsbaum likes the energy savings implications of this, and wonders if they could look into
Mass Save programs to obtain funds. Gelineau states the City is utilizing green community
funds for other projects. Paddol interjects stating Mass Save would want the boiler replaced for
maximum efficiency. Paddol expresses his concern about the lack of leverage regarding how
much money the Golf and Tennis Commission is asking from CPA versus what the
Commission /Golf Management Company was chipping in. Lowd states they still don't know
Community Preservation Committee
March 24, 2016 Meeting Minutes
Page 214
the total costs and the golf management company has been doing a lot of improvements to the
golf course without charging the labor to the City, they have only asked for supplies. Pearl
recommends creating a Friends of the Golf Course non - profit group to help offset the
operations /maintenance costs because there is no way CPA funds or the City could pay for all the
renovations. Matz recommends checking in with USGA Golf house recommends for preserving
the golf course. Edwards doesn't think upgrading the hot water is eligible as preservation of the
building as she interprets it as more of an efficiency project. Buchsbaum makes a motion that
the heating improvements of adding a heating coil to the A/C unit is eligible under Historic
Preservation/rehab but the generating of domestic hot water is not eligible. Paddol seconds. All
in favor, motion carries 6 -0 -2 with Edwards and McCrory opposing.
Nike Missle Site Walking Tour Proiect
Mark Foster, Beverly Emergency Management Director explains there were two military bases
in Beverly which stored missiles in underground silos during the cold war era. The bases were in
operation from 1954 -1964. The military left, and the back side of the property was left dormant.
The property is owned by the City of Beverly. The underground silos and 2 buildings in the front
were deemed historic by the HDC. He would like to get public access and retain the items that
are historic and create a historic narrative and walking tour, as most of the other sites like this
around Boston were destroyed. Foster notes most of the work will be done by volunteers, asking
for $25K for a site design plan to create a safe and accessible space for the public and create a
museum and fountain. They will likely get some donations from the Search and Rescue team
located there as well. This site plan will drive funding and future reuse of the property. Pearl
mentions this is one of the properties that will be inventoried by the HDC. Pearl asks what the
City's interest is in this property. The airport doesn't want it but the City could find some use for
it. Pearl thinks this could be a heritage trail and provides access to the property as a recreation
project, noting that they will likely need some site planning to determine the active uses and
where the park or trail will work best. Foster is confident the Emergency Management
Department can manage the project. Edwards makes a motion that project is eligible for funding
for Historic Preservation under rehabilitation /restore and eligible under Recreation for creation.
Buchsbaum seconds. McCrory advises that the Historic Preservation category comes with
restrictions such as conforming to the Sec of Interior Standards. All in favor, motion passes
unanimously 8 -0.
First Parish Church —Accessibility Improvement Project
Pearl notes the application is to design and construct an elevator for ADA accessibility. Maxner
notes that no one from the organization was able to make the meeting tonight. Maxner received
an email from the applicant stating the RFP for the design for the elevator was received and they
are hoping to select an architect at the next meeting and then submit an application out of cycle
to fund the design. Members are not sure if a structural analysis was done and are confused what
the application is actually for. Buchsbaum makes a motion that installing an elevator and making
the entryway accessible is eligible in the category of Historic Preservation /rehabilitation. Richter
seconds. The motion carries 7 -1 with Matz opposed. Maxner will advise the applicants to come
in to the next meeting to clarify the project. Pearl notes CPC may need to coach the applicant as
Community Preservation Committee
March 24, 2016 Meeting Minutes
Page 314
to what to bring in and advise them that they will want to find a design familiar with the
Secretary of Interior Standards.
Cooney Field — Stadium Bleachers and Lighting
Maxner notes the City Solicitor provided guidance regarding Cooney Field and determined it is
not a stadium. Because games do not need to be played at night, McCrory states lights are not a
necessary requirement for functionality. Matz notes it expands the uses and it's important for
players argues several members and allows leagues to play at night. Bussone argues lights
enhance the use and expands the playing time and allow other fields to be used for other sports,
and notes that stands do not add to the functionality, for spectators, he would vote for lights over
the stands. Buchsbaum makes a motion that the stands and lights be determined eligible under
Recreation rehabilitation. Paddol seconds. The motion carries 6 -2 with Matz and McCrory
opposed.
Pearl notes that Pizzo hasn't been at the meetings in a long time and they really need a rep from
the Recreation department. Maxner explained that he has said that he won't be seeking re-
appointment.
The next CPC meeting is scheduled for April 28t'', 2016. The focus will be on the CPA plan.
McCrory will invite Stuart Saginor from the CPA Coalition to speak about acquisition of open
space and the complications involved. First Parish will be invited clarify their application.
Adjournment
Edwards makes a motion to adjourn the CPC meeting. Paddol seconds. Motion carries
unanimously 8 -0. The March 17, 2016 CPC meeting is adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Community Preservation Committee
March 24, 2016 Meeting Minutes
Page 414