CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION: City of Beverly Open Space & Recreation Committee
DATE: May 13, 2026
LOCATION: Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot Street, 3rd Floor, Council Chambers
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair David Alden-St. Pierre; Vice Chair David Brewster; Charlie Mann; Todd Callaghan; Gregory Sharp; Grace Charles; Elizabeth Dunne; Wayne Miller; Stacey Rogers
MEMBERS ABSENT: Jamie Jamieson; Mario Tricomi
STAFF PRESENT: Kenneth Clawson, Assistant Director of Planning & Development
RECORDER: Kristan Patenaude
1. Call to Order
Alden-St. Pierre called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Public Outreach
a. Jessica Kagle – Concerns about wetlands impacts around the City
Jessica Kagle, Director of Kestrel Educational Adventures, explained that she has a conservation club which is concerned with wetlands around the City, particularly in terms of specific properties: Bartlett Gardens, Camp Paradise, and others. There is a vernal pool along a marked trail in Camp Paradise that should be considered. She suggested closing the road that leads to the vernal pond area, only to be opened for those with mobility needs, as there are animals being run over along the road. There are compost and plastic wastes running into the vernal pool on a regular basis. She reviewed buckets of salt that have been dumped in the area.
Justin Freedman, 8 Thomas Road, stated that he cleaned up the road salt after it was dumped. He does not believe this was not homeowner salt.
There was discussion regarding the ability to have public nature centers on Article 97 land.
There was discussion regarding potential action items, including No Mow area signs. Mann stated that he would work with Tricomi to bring back additional information for the June meeting. There was discussion regarding reviewing the Beach Management Plan for certain items, along with a potential Wetland Management Plan, regarding the compost site and better protections for the soon-to-be certified vernal pool.
b. Margaret Griffin – Concerns at Beverly Commons
Clawson explained that this concern deals with there being no numbering on the north side of Beverly Commons. There was also concern regarding a footbridge being underwater. The Committee confirmed that the concerns would be reviewed and looked into.
3. Updates from Boards and Commissions
a. Planning Board
No updates at this time.
b. Conservation Commission
Charles noted that some neighbors on Cross Lane wanted to extend a sidewalk in the area of a vernal pool. This will be reviewed by the City Solicitor.
c. Community Preservation Committee
No updates at this time.
d. Harbor Management Authority
Callaghan stated that the group came up with a permit process with the Recreation Department for the concrete pad behind the Mission Boathouse.
e. Parks & Recreation Commission
No updates at this time.
4. Open Space Conditions/Issues
a. Ward 1
i. Discussion about Open Space parcel for The Commons at Trask Lane, 0 Trask Lane. Assessors Map 28 Parcel 126.
Charles exited the meeting.
Mann stated that the Mayor and Greenbelt visited the site. Greenbelt is not willing to hold a CR on the property if there is also an HOA involved, but they will if the City owns it. The developer is willing to let the City do a friendly taking of the land in order to allow the CR to move forward. This will allow for 61 acres of open space for the City which abuts other City land. There is a great opportunity for trails in the area.
Brewster: Motion that the Committee draft a letter to the Mayor advocating for the City's ownership of the 61 acres of land with Greenbelt holding a Conservation Restriction, as it is in the best interest of the City. Callaghan seconds. Motion carries (8-0).
b. Ward 2
No updates at this time.
c. Ward 3
No updates at this time.
d. Ward 4
i. Update about trails on Endicott College property. Multiple properties owned by Endicott College.
Alden-St. Pierre stated that the new President of Endicott College would be open to having a conversation about this item, though there has been no further progress.
e. Ward 5
i. Update on Norwood Pond Bridge construction. Assessors Map 82-9.
The Committee reviewed the work on the Norwood Pond Bridge construction. Along the railing system, some mesh fencing is requested.
ii. Discussion about creating a kiosk(s) and maps for the Hannah School/Solar Farm Trails. Assessors Map 56 Parcel 36.
Clawson stated that this item will be on hold for a bit.
f. Ward 6.
i. Update about replacement of footbridge at Beverly Commons. Map 61 Parcel 1A.
Alden-St. Pierre stated that work on this is ongoing.
ii. Discussion about possible trail extension in Sally Milligan to Cross Lane/Boyles Street intersection and trail rerouting/improvements on Cross Lane Soccer Field Trail. Assessors Map 33 Parcel 7 and Assessors Map 33 Parcel 6.
Mann stated that this has been flagged.
Rogers exited the meeting.
iii. Discussion of another set of stairs/steps leading into Sally Milligan at the Pearl St. Extension/Lake Shore Avenue location. Assessors Map 32-138.
Clawson stated that this item is still ongoing.
5. Discussion about Committee Goals for 2026 from the annual Open Space plan.
The Committee discussed its goals for 2026 from the annual Open Space Plan.
6. Approval of Minutes
a. March 4, 2026
Brewster: Motion to approve the March 4, 2026, meeting minutes, as presented. Mann seconds. Motion carries (7-0).
7. Adjourn
Brewster: Motion to adjourn. Mann seconds. Motion carries (7-0).
Meeting adjourns at 8:58 p.m.