06-23-16 CPC MinutesCITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
COMMITTEE OR COMMISSION: Community Preservation Committee
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: June 23, 2016
LOCATION: Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot Street
MEMBERS PRESENT: Wendy Pearl — Chair, Marilyn McCrory — Vice Chair,
Heather Richter, Christy Edwards, Robert Buchsbaum,
Thomas Bussone, and James Matz
MEMBERS ABSENT: Henry Pizzo & Jon Paddol
OTHERS PRESENT: Randy Warren, John Rush, David Foss & Leslie Houghton
Pearl calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Consultation and Q& A with CPC (7:00 p.m. -7:15 p.m.)
Pearl welcomes members of the audience and asks for introductions all around.
Randy Warren of 278 Essex Street, John Rush of 284 Essex Street and David Foss of 4 Aileen
Way introduce themselves, noting they are abutters to the YMCA Trail project.
Pearl suggests that since no other members of the public are here for the Q &A portion of the
meeting, the Committee should turn attention to the YMCA Fitness Trail Project.
YMCA Fitness Trail Project
Members review the application and share their thoughts. The properties involved (280 & 282
Essex Street) appear to be vacant and not buildable. Neighbors in attendance explain that the Y
made no attempt to reach out to abutters about this project, similar with its previously purchasing
a lot on Essex Street and paving it without any communication a few years ago.
McCrory notes that CPA funding may require long -term restriction on the property to keep it in
the originally proposed use /status.
Foss notes that the trail will be very close to his back yard and notes there may also be a potential
conflict with the daycare currently operated at the Y He notes that the vicinity contains wetlands
and he worries about negative impact to the wetlands.
Discussion ensues as to the issues raised tonight and the Committee agrees that the Y should be
invited to the next meeting to field questions.
CPC Recommendations to City Council — Ellis Square additional funding & BG &T Out of
Cycle
Buchsbaum reports that he attended the Council meeting this past Monday and there weren't any
questions he had to field. The Council referred to Committee.
Pearl asks for an update on the running budget figures. Members review the numbers.
Leslie Houghton (member of the public to observe) arrives.
Beverly Recreation Department — Pete's Park Renovation
McCrory notes she is impressed with this project leveraging a lot of money, with Matz agreeing
noting that this park needs total rebuild. Bussone notes this serves a large part of the community
and is not just a pocket park.
Discussion ensues as to other sources of funding and whether the PARC grant would require
permanent protection, City ownership and the Recreation Department's capacity to undertake a
project this size.
Bussone moves to award $75K to this project. Seconded by Buchsbaum. Richter notes her
concern that public process for final design is not clear, and moves to amend the motion to make
CPA award conditioned to require public process and contingent upon other funds being
awarded. The amended motion carries 7 -0.
McCrory would like for the Recreation Department to provide information on the park's
protected status.
Beverly Recreation Department— Vitorri Park— New Playground Equipment
McCrory notes the geographic location of this park and is in an area that has not benefited from
CPA project funding yet. Members review the project, noting the application lacks letters of
support. Matz notes that he has observed this park being heavily used and it could greatly
benefit from new structures. Discussion ensues as to long -term maintenance of the equipment,
with Pearl asking if the CPC would be able to fund annual park play structure replacement.
Buchsbaum notes this might be misconstrued as maintenance. Edwards notes that all applicants
should be required to present projects formally in compliance with the CPC's process.
Matz moves to award $20K to this project. Seconded by Edwards. McCrory notes her
preference to provide a 50/50 split to increase award to $25K. Matz moves to amend his motion
to award $25K as McCrory suggested. Seconded by Edwards. The motion carries 7 -0.
Beverly Emergency Management Agency —Nike Missile Site Project
Matz moves to award $25K to this project. Buchsbaum seconds. Discussion ensues.
Pearl reviews the HDC's determination, which included specific buildings on site. Member
review and share their thoughts, with Edwards asking if fencing is eligible and her concerns as to
whether the Secretary of the Interior's Standards can be met. She notes that this project should be
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June 23, 2016 Meeting Minutes
Page 213
perhaps split into stages, with the site reconnaissance and planning coming first and then
implementation.
Matz rescinds his motion. McCrory notes that the status of the land should be known and
permanent protection as parkland is required if public trails are developed. Members discuss the
need for a planning document.
McCrory moves to award $12K for the development of a property reconnaissance and project
planning report. Seconded by Matz. The motion carries 7 -0. McCrory asks if the Planning
Department (via the HDC ?) would assist in this report/planning stage.
Beverly Harbor Management Authority — Congress Street Beach Access Improvements
Members review the project, with McCrory appreciating the various sources of funding
leveraged and the potential for much improved recreation access to the waterfront. Edwards
questions the need for a bubbler and whether its long term maintenance is realistic. Pearl
wonders if the ADA accessibility can be better maximized.
Ownership of the parcel and permitting for the project are discussed. Members agree to invite
the HMA to the next meeting to field questions.
Members schedule the next CPC meeting for Thursday July 14, 2016.
Adjournment
Edwards moves to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Buchsbaum. The motion carries 7 -0. The
meeting is adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
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June 23, 2016 Meeting Minutes
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