Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes 08/16/2022

By Otis Town ClerkConservation Commission Minutes
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TOWN OF OTIS

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

8/16/2022 MEETING MINUTES

 

Location:  Otis Town Hall, One North Main Road, Otis – Remote via Zoom

 

Conservation Commission Members present:  Dave Sarnacki, Roger Meyer, Bruce Wall, Domenic Battista, Jeff Laramy and Jennifer Rivers Cole.

 

Conservation Commission Members absent:  None

 

Staff and others present:  Kristen Brown OCC Admin Secretary; Kevin & Heather Fusick; Patrick O’Brien; others unknown due to not entering their names in the Zoom App.

 

Opening items/Introduction of Commission members and staff.  Dave opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m., and noted that the meeting is being recorded. The deadline for applications for the 09/20/2022 meeting is on Wednesday September 7, 2022 @ 6:00 PM. The next office hours, for the September 20, 2022 meeting, is also Wednesday September 7, 2022 from 6:00 –9:00 PM. Dave introduced the members of the commission, and asked everyone to turn off/down their cell phones for the duration of the meeting.

 

Minutes:  Dave made a motion to approve minutes from the July 19, 2022 meeting; BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes from the July 19, 2022 meeting.

 

  • Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Gail Seeger, 19 Circle Drive, map 17D lot 59, regarding the removal of a total of 5 pine trees within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. Dave opened this hearing and asked if any questions or concerns stemming from the site inspection. BW stated no issues but that the Commission should order native bush or shrub plantings to replace the tree removal. Dave then made a motion for a -3 determination with standard conditions, to include that applicant must plant two native bushes or shrubs to replace the vegetation that is being removed. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination with standard conditions and to include above additional condition.
  • Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Dennis Aube, 71 North Lake Ave., map 17A lot 34, regarding the removal of a tree & expansion of existing deck within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. Dave opened this hearing and asked if any issues stemming from the site inspection.  With none being stated, BW made a motion for a -3 determination with standard conditions; DS 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously for a -3 determination with standard conditions.

 

 

 

 

  • Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Kenneth E. Taylor, 75 Partridge Road, map 16A lot 16, regarding the removal of a tree within the BZ of Big Pond. Dave opened this hearing and asked if any questions or concerns stemming from the site inspection; with none being stated, Dave made a motion for a -3-determination w/standard conditions. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3-determination w/standard conditions.

 

  • Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by J. Scott Hansen, 147 Long Mountain Road, map 9A lot 22, regarding the installation of a dock, within the BZ of Hayes Pond. Dave opened this hearing and asked if any issues stemming from the site inspection. BW stated that no issues, but that applicant must apply for and obtain a Chapter 91 license through MA DEP, and any permits required by MA DCR. Therefore, Dave made a motion for a -3-determination with standard conditions, and including that applicant must apply for and obtain a Chapter 91 license, as well as any permits required by MA DCR, prior to work start. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3-determination with standard conditions, and including that applicant must apply for and obtain a Chapter 91 license, as well as any permits required by MA DCR, prior to work start.

 

  • Public Hearing – RDA – Continued from 7/19/22 Meeting – Submitted by Town of Otis Highway Dept., Reservoir Road, map 15C/16B, regarding the removal of nine trees along the roadway, removal & replacement of 12 cross culverts that are in poor condition & full depth reclamation of exiting road to rebuild asphalt surface. Dave opened this hearing and asked if any issues stemming from the site inspection. Per KB, BW spoke w/Derek (highway manager) and the culverts would be replaced with the same size culverts; the work will be done late summer/early fall but only one end of the road will be closed so people will still be able to access the Marina and EC will be used for the culvert replacements. Dave then made a motion to issue a -3-determination w/standard conditions; JL 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3-determination w/standard conditions.

 

  • Public Hearing – NOI – Continued from 7/19/22 Meeting – Submitted by Kevin & Heather Fusick, 408 Pine Rd., map 17B lot 46, regarding the repair of existing seawall & addition of a patio and firepit on the south side of property, all within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. Dave opened this hearing and asked if there are any questions or concerns stemming from the site inspection. Per KB, revised plans were received that accommodate DCR requirements that work not conducted on state land (patio/firepit). Therefore, Dave made a motion to issue an Order of Conditions w/standard and Otis Special Conditions.

 

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

Enforcement Orders/Letters:

 

    • Enforcement Order – 52 Drive G, map 18C lot 6, regarding tree removal & other work being conducted within the 100’ buffer-zone of Otis Reservoir, without the appropriate permits and/or approvals. Dave opened this hearing and asked if anyone in attendance representing homeowner; with no response forthcoming, Dave made a motion to continue this item to the 10/18/22 meeting, and asked KB to remind applicant that he must address this matter. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to continue and for KB to contact owner and remind them to attend next meeting to address unauthorized work.

 

Emergency Certifications:

 

    • Emergency Certification – 47 North Lake Avenue, map 17C lot 26, regarding the removal of a tree within the buffer zone of Otis Reservoir. Dave opened this hearing and made a motion to ratify this EC as issued; BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to ratify this EC.
    • Emergency Certification – 85 North Lake Avenue, map 18A lot 32, regarding the removal of three (3) trees within the buffer zone of Otis Reservoir. Dave opened this hearing and made a motion to ratify this EC as issued; DB 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to ratify this EC.
    • Emergency Certification – 1 Drive B, map 18B lot 10, regarding the removal of four (4) trees within the buffer zone of Otis Reservoir. Dave opened this hearing and made a motion to ratify this EC as issued; RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to ratify this EC.

 

Forest Cutting Plan:

 

    • Several Approved Forest Cutting Plans have been received as issued by MA DCR, as follows: Dave announced the following forest cutting approvals for the record.
      • Rocky Top Road – 21.5 Acres
      • Becket/Johnson Road – 108 Acres

 

Extensions of Orders of Condition:

Certificate of Compliance Requests:

Unanticipated Business:

 

 

Next office hours:  Wednesday, September 7, 2022 from 6-9 p.m. at Otis Town Hall.

Next meeting:  Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at Otis Town Hall, or Remote via Zoom.

 

Dave made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:03 PM. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.