02-01-17 OSRC MinCITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE:
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
OTHERS PRESENT:
RECORDER:
Mann opens the meeting at 7:05 p.m.
Guests: Boy Scout Service Proiects
Open Space and Recreation Committee
February 1, 2017
Charlie Mann (Chair), David Brewster (Vice Chair),
Elizabeth Dunne (arrived at 7:10 p.m.), David Gardner,
Marilyn McCrory, Wayne Miller
Barbara King, David Long
Darlene Wynne, Assistant Planning Director
Gregory Sharp, resident (observing) and Mario Tricomi,
BSA Troop 2 Beverly.
Jane Dooley
The Committee discusses with guest Mario Tricomi, BSA Troop 2, service projects for Boy
Scouts including boardwalk at Greens Hill trail which could require 200 hours to complete,
noting that some high school students are already planning to participate. Components of the
project include driving screws with power tools, assisting with placement of erosion control,
clearing of Greens Hill trail and construction of boardwalk over wetland. Trash pickup on the
existing Bass River path was also suggested. All funding and permitting for the Bass River
boardwalk project is in place.
Committee is waiting for High School students to follow -up about their project. Discussion
ensues about how the youths will be supervised while they are doing the volunteer work and if
the City will consider hiring a carpenter to supervise during weekday hours. An Eagle Scout
project would provide an opportunity for leadership and project management. There was also
mention of possible projects at Norwood Pond.
Approval of Previous Minutes
McCrory moves to approve the January 4, 2017 minutes as amended. Seconded by Brewster.
The motion carries 5 -0 -1 with Gardner abstaining.
Principal Items of Business
Priority Parcel List — Subcommittee Report on Activities
Any progress on a priority parcel previously discussed by Committee is at a standstill.
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February 1, 2017 Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 4
Trail Si2na2e Program — Update on grant application
Wynne indicated that the grant application has been submitted.
Encroachment Protocol — Update on progress
A meeting was held in December and the City Solicitor's office has been provided a draft of the
suggested encroachment policy. Mann noted the Solicitor's reluctance to put a time limit in the
encroachment policy, but the Committee feels follow -up is essential. There has been no follow -
up yet. Wynne will send the Committee the latest version of the encroachment policy for review
and editing. Dunne offered to lead the edits, including making it more concise and user friendly.
Gardner recommended the example he shared from Canada.
Discussion addresses if the Committee chair should request a meeting two months out with the
Mayor to discuss OSRC projects /concerns, or possibly a standing meeting every 6 weeks.
Community Preservation Committee — Representative Report on Activities
McCrory explains the CPC is reviewing pre - applications for projects and determined that 12 are
eligible. There are no open space projects. Discussion ensues about an open space application.
McCrory expressed concern that the CPC had approved the use of CPA funds for a parcel
appraisal and the acquisition of that parcel has stalled. Full applications for projects to move
forward are due in April.
Planning Board — Representative Report on Activities
No activities to report.
Coastal Resiliency Grant - Representative Report on Activities
Wynne provides an update on the Coastal Resiliency Plan and Outreach the City is conducting.
She discusses the information that has been presented to date regarding probability of inundation
(i.e., probability for 2030 and 2070). The purpose of the plan is to identify infrastructure risk and
prioritize where the City should spend its money to protect infrastructure. Data analysis and
modeling have been done, using the Woods Hole Group. Similar work is occurring in Salem and
Manchester.
Other Business & Updates
Bass River Walkway
Discussion ensues about how there have not been any Conservation Commission decisions or
Chapter 91 licenses issued so there is a need for OSRC members to speak to landlords with
property along the edge of the Bass River relative to walkway. Only the Starbucks parcel has
Open Space & Recreation Committee
February 1, 2017 Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 4
been redeveloped in the three parcel plaza. There would be benefit to shops from walking traffic
when the trail is complete. Gardner offers to draft a letter.
Sylvan's Bench
This item will be discussed further at an upcoming OSRC meeting.
Proiect Adventure Variance request
Discussion addresses ZBA variance request for an internal landlocked lot within the property,
having no frontage, and allowing for one building envelope. A prior request was made in 2014
and withdrawn. Mann notes there is a CR and APR on the land, the latter of which is a self -
created hardship associated. McCrory notes she was disappointed with how the Committee's
prior letter was portrayed as in support, and suggests the Committee submit a new letter. Mann
mentions that ECGA will be submitting a new comment letter and the Trustees of Reservations
will not.
Brewster moves to resend the OSRC's prior letter, update it to the current year and include
information on what disqualifies hardship. Seconded by Miller. The motion carries 6 -0. Mann
will draft the letter.
Presentation on living with coyotes / covwolves
Discussion addresses interest from party who is seeking financial sponsors for speaker who will
present information on living with coyotes /coywolves. As the Committee doesn't have funds,
suggestion was made that BUT may be able to fund.
Earth Day Walks
The Committee discusses how it should develop new ideas for Earth Day walks (i.e., historic
stonewalls). A number of ideas were collected, including:
• Robert Buchsbaum may be available to do an Endicott College and /or fern walk. Engage
someone from Endicott College to join.
• An Eagle Scout or high school student could potentially do research and lead a walk.
• Tie in with the Coastal Resiliency Plan; Gardner will explore ideas.
• Coyote person
• Kelleher Pond walk behind Hannah School, combined with history of ice industry
• Tracing Chubb's Brook
• Pollinators with Beverly Bees
• Dunne will call Nancy Coffey to gauge her interest in participating again.
• Stone wall walk with the Historical Society (Cove neighborhoods)
Adjournment
Open Space & Recreation Committee
February 1, 2017 Meeting Minutes
Page 4 of 4
There being no further business to discuss, Brewster moves to adjourn at 9:02 p.m. Seconded by
Dunne. The motion carries 6 -0.
The next meeting of the Beverly Open Space and Recreation Committee will take place on
Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at City Hall, 3r Floor Conference Room at 7:00 p.m.