Open Space, Natural Resources, and Trails Committee

Open Space, Natural Resources & Trails Committee Meeting OSR Plan Virtual Presentation and Public Forum April 16, 2020, 6:30pm via Zoom Present: Jonathan Sherwood (Chair), Councilor Nick Wheeler, Alina Michelewicz, Councilor Adrienne Lennon, and Vanessa Johnson-Hall Tom Borrasso, John Lopez, City of Amesbury Gillian Davies, Jeannette Tozer, Ale Echandi, BSC Group Ale Echandi explained the mechanics of the forum on the Zoom platform. Tom Borrasso initiated the presentation, framing the Open Space and Recreation plan update in the context of the Municipal Vulnerability Plan (MVP) grant context. Jonathan Sherwood explained the role of the Open Space, Natural Resources, and Trails Committee in this project updating the OSR Plan for the City. He explained the broad definitions of ‘Open Space’ used by the Commonwealth for OSR plans. He also provided an overview of what OSR plans are and what they do, as planning documents to guide decision-making over the next 7 years (the plan will be for 2020 -2027). Giliian Davies provided a summary of climate change projections for the Merrimack Watershed Basin, including Amesbury. Improving the resiliency of local natural resources to respond to projected changes is the primary objective of the Commonwealth’s MVP program. Open spaces can provide ‘environmental services’ to a community, such as minimizing floods, improving water quality, metal and physical respite, and cleaning the air. Examples include Woodsom Farm, Battis Farm, the Town Forest and Great Swamp area, and the Powow River watershed. Improvements include pursuing nature-based solutions and strengthening green infrastructure. Ale Echandi reviewed the interactive resources for this project: • Story Map: https://arcg.is/viizT0 • Project website: https://amesburyosrp.wordpress.com/ • GIS Map Viewer https://arcg.is/0euLGO • Online Survey https://bit.ly/amesburyosrp Jonathan Sherwood reviewed questions from the Zoom chat and ACTV Facebook feed: • Relation of new survey to the OSNRTC survey in the Fall of 2019 – new survey, focusing on specific questions for this project. The 2019 survey results will be incorporated into the OSR plan. • Instructions for interacting with the GIS Map Viewer – instructions will be added to the project website. • Clark’s Pond – Tom Borrasso confirmed that Clark’s Pond is a part of this plan. • Next steps for public – there will be a presentation to the Planning Board, aiming for June. OSNRTC meetings are public and the plan will be under review at meetings now through the end of June. • Project leadership contact information was provided to the public. • Drainage at Woodsom Farm related to new school at Cashman and new fields – Tom Borrasso confirmed that this is an important part of permitting on these projects. • The City has a lot of small plots. What consideration has been given to connect plots? – Jonathan Sherwood pointed to recent aggregation of multiple plots related to Woodsom  Farm for Article 97 protection as an example of this. Town Forest presents a similar opportunity. Tom Borrasso pointed out that linking Riverwalk resources, connecting to regional network, is a City priority. • Explain what ‘private’ open space means – John Lopez reviewed some of the various restrictions that a private landowner can enter into, including conservation restrictions and protective easements. • Distinction between protected and unprotected ‘open space’ – John Lopez clarified that ‘open space’ refers to municipally owned land and may or may not be protected at some level. Sherwood pointed out that OSR maps will reflect different types of lands. Ale Echandi reviewed the GIS Map Viewer and how it shows different types of restrictions and ownership. No business was conducted at the meeting. Forum concluded at 7:30 p.m. Submitted by: Jonathan Sherwood Zoom Meeting Chat Log: 18:38:02 From Patrick Clifford : everything seems good. first time doing zoom live meetings thanks 18:54:35 From Jonathan Sherwood : Link: https://bscgroup.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=226c2d10933a4a67bf9830 69804c8f7f 18:55:33 From Tracey Chalifour : thanks 18:55:41 From Bruce bruce.mcbrien@amesburyma.org : Thanks…got it. 18:56:06 From DJohnson : Yes please , town park ! 18:56:15 From DJohnson : get the stream out from under the park 18:56:15 From Jonathan Sherwood : Shorter Link: https://arcg.is/viizT0 18:57:46 From Jonathan Sherwood : NOTE: All links will be available after the session on the Committee's Facebook Page and a dedicated project website. 18:59:45 From Jonathan Sherwood : LINK: https://amesburyosrp.wordpress.com/ 19:00:41 From Tracey Chalifour : Is this the same survey that was distributed a couple of months ago? 19:00:42 From Jonathan Sherwood : Survey LINK: https://bit.ly/amesburyosrp 19:01:15 From Jonathan Sherwood : Tracey, this is a supplemental survey, building on the one from the Fall. 19:01:17 From Jeanette Tozer : This survey is different and builds on the previous survey 19:02:15 From macbookpro : Will there be directions on how to provide the comments on the map somewhere? 19:02:49 From Jeanette Tozer : We can add directions to the dedicated WordPress site 19:06:58 From Bruce bruce.mcbrien@amesburyma.org : IS Clark’s Pond an area of mitigation concern for the floodplain behind it? 19:08:10 From Tracey Chalifour : this is great stuff - kudos to the team that worked on this. 19:08:10 From Alina Michelewicz : Could you share what the next steps are for the public after May 1st? How will folks be able to see keep in touch about the MVP program and the open space plan? 19:10:51 From Tracey Chalifour : the days are all the same right now...spring, summer..... :-) 19:12:22 From Jonathan Sherwood : June Planning Board date, for presentation of draft plan and report 19:13:55 From John : Also on a regional basis 19:14:14 From Bruce bruce.mcbrien@amesburyma.org : Is drainage from the Cashman School area something that is being considered, in terms of a long term solution? 19:15:10 From DJohnson : Review of the GIS data and the assessor's database show there are a lot of small city plots, 19:15:53 From nwheeler : Bruce - That came up at the last AES SBC Meeting; I know the DPW is looking at it. it's not being addressed under the school project. 19:16:01 From DJohnson : what consideration have there been given to creating access or linking these smaller assets, which when taken as a group is a large area 19:17:41 From Great Bay NERR : Can you explain the "private" open space? Is that open space that is a part of an easement or deed restriction on private property? 19:19:12 From macbookpro : This map does not distinguish between protected and unprotected open space. I think that might be misleading. 19:19:59 From Bruce bruce.mcbrien@amesburyma.org : Thank you, Nick. I recall….my hope was that it would be part of a longer term, wider lens solution. 19:21:54 From Tracey Chalifour : YAY for the Riverwalk and Coastal Trails! 19:22:10 From Jeanette Tozer : Yes - the map title is misleading. There is a separate map that shows level of protection, not included in this presentation. 19:24:06 From Tracey Chalifour : FYI, speaking of connecting - last night the MC just approved a $15K grant from CTC for Carriagetown Connector! 19:25:14 From Tracey Chalifour : PNF and PIF work 19:27:45 From Bruce bruce.mcbrien@amesburyma.org : Thanks, Jonathan! 19:28:03 From Tracey Chalifour : thanks! 19:28:30 From Great Bay NERR : Thank you, I look forward to digging in! 19:29:05 From Alina Michelewicz : Thank you!