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Natural Resources and Public Property Committee Report, September 14, 2026

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Councilor Lewandowski submits the summary of minutes and recommendations of the Natural Resources and Public Property meeting held on September 14, 2026 for acceptance and approval

Minutes/Summary of the Natural Resource and Public Property Committee Meeting

September 14, 2026

A Natural Resource and Public Property Meeting was held on Monday, September 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers, Room 202

Committee Members Present: Committee Chair, Melissa Lewandowski, Councilor Devan Ferreira (arrived late) and Councilor Ralph Basiliere

Committee Members Absent: None

Councilors Present: None

City Officials: Mayor Melinda Barrett, Robert Moore, Conservation Department, Ben Delaware, Recreation Department, City Solicitor Lisa Mead, Richard MacDonald, Inspectional Services Department, Robert Moore, Conservation Department and Nick Alyward, DPW Department

The following items were discussed:

Chair Lewandowski stated that a previous Council discussion addressed fixed vendors and a proposal to allow multiple vendors at Riverside Park, GAR Park, Bradford Common, Plug Pond, and Riverfront Park. Concerns included pedestrian traffic, impacts on downtown businesses, and trash/debris. Councilor Basiliere stated that current demand may not support a significant increase in vendors and proposed a compromise.

Motion by Councilor Basiliere two additions and condition it with the vendors have to move their trash, remove it from the public property and dispose it of your own volition.

Councilor Basiliere stated that doubling the number of vendors and adding additional sites may be excessive. Chair Lewandowski agreed and discussed the proposed use of Plug Pond with Ben Delaware, who noted that the beach is only open for approximately two and a half months each year and may not be an ideal location for a vendor. Chair Lewandowski asked Attorney Lisa Mead to clarify the definition of a fixed vendor, and Attorney Mead explained that the ordinance definition is the same, but we would add the wording “shall not include bona fide nonprofit, civic, charitable, and youth organizations conducting occasional fundraising events”. Attorney Mead reviewed the proposed vendor locations, including two at Riverside Park, one at GAR Park, two at Swasey Park, and one outside Haverhill Stadium at Lincoln and Nettleton Avenue, with no changes proposed for Winnekenni, Bradford Common, or Washington Square and no vendors proposed for Riverfront Park or Plug Pond. Attorney Mead noted that the ordinance would remain flexible and allow a vendor to request a location not specifically listed. Chair Lewandowski expressed concern about that location being incident heavy and vendor trucks could pose additional challenges, safety wise.

Motion by Councilor Basiliere to remove the vendor at GAR Park (Section 191-11 (5).

Chair Lewandowski asked if anyone from the public wished to speak on vendor locations. No one spoke.

Nick Alyward, DPW Department addressed the committee and engaged in a discussion with Chair Lewandowski, responding to her questions and providing clarification. He noted the current plans run through 2027, with herbicide applied once a year over three nights, primarily along roadway edges to control poison ivy and overgrowth. Spraying is done overnight by a licensed contractor, and requires a 48-hour newspaper notice. Chair Lewandowski asked about specific spraying locations, signage, public input for the vegetation plan. The next update will be around the end of December 2027.

Motion by Councilor Basiliere to send the vegetation plan back to DPW and Conservation for their review of the contract and process and to have those departments notify the council for those interested in attending the meeting.

Councilor Ferreira joined the meeting

Motion by Councilor Basiliere stated I would move that we send this matter back to the appropriate departments for review of the Vegetation Management Plan and see where we would be able to make improvements and requirements relative to herbicide application.

Chair Lewandowski asked if anyone else would like to speak. No one spoke.

Councilor Ferreira raised concerns regarding the City’s yearly operating plan and the identification of a licensed pesticide applicator for vegetation management. She noted that the 2026 plan lists the City as responsible for applying and managing herbicides but does not identify a licensed applicator. Nick Alyward stated that the City does have a licensed applicator. Councilor Ferreira also noted the plan references to public notification and spray records and requested greater transparency regarding herbicide use and vegetation management. Attorney Mead clarified that the City uses herbicides rather than pesticides, while Councilor Ferreira noted that herbicide application falls under state pesticide licensing requirements. Councilor Ferreira also expressed concerns regarding an herbicide application at Plug Pond this summer and requested that the City review its procedures and consider additional public notification and opportunities for public input. She suggested that the matter could be further discussed by the subcommittee or through a public comment process.

Councilor Ferreira questioned the lack of a licensed applicator or contractor identified in the YOP. Nick Alyward stated the information is maintained in required records. Chair Lewandowski asked Nick to insert the identification of subcontractor holding license into the vegetation plan and report back to committee members on that change and we can go from there to identify other areas to tweak and enhance the plan Councilor Ferreira also raised concerns about herbicide use near Plug Pond and other public areas. Nick Alyward stated he confirmed with the City’s representative that application is permitted more than 10 feet from the water line. Chair Lewandowski suggested improved public notification and signage and requested that Conservation be involved in reviewing herbicide use, application practices, and compliance with state requirements.

  • Doc. 12-c Motion by Councilor McGonagle to refer fixed vendor locations for further discussion (discussed again with Councilor Ferreira being present)

Motion by Councilor Basiliere to send this to the full council that the modifications would be that we strike GAR Park, we add 1 at Riverside Park and 1 at Swasey Field.

Councilor Ferreira stated she prepared a PowerPoint presentation and received feedback from Recreation, Inspectional Services, and the Police Department, which expressed no concerns with the proposed increase in vendors. She noted Riverside Park is over 50 acres and stated that allowing more than two vendors is reasonable given the size and use of the park. Her proposal also included protections for city spaces, with the Clerk’s Office providing maps identifying vendor locations and any site-specific rules. Mayor Barrett suggested having Ben review the proposed locations. Councilor Ferreira added that not all vendors would be food vendors and that the additional Riverside Park spaces were intended to provide food options where there are few storefronts. Chair Lewandowski stated that four vendors inside the stadium and two outside seemed excessive and noted the motion could be sent back to the full Council for further discussion by location.

Motion by Councilor Basiliere to bring this back to City Council for further discussion. Second by Councilor Ferreira

3 YEAS, 0 NAYS
PASSED

Chair Lewandowski stated this meeting is adjourned. 20.00

Respectfully submitted,
Melissa J. Lewandowski
Chair Natural Resources and Public Properties

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