TOWN OF OTIS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
2/21/2023 MEETING MINUTES
Location: Otis Town Hall, One North Main Road, Otis – Zoom Meeting
Conservation Commission Members present: Dave Sarnacki, Roger Meyer, Bruce Wall, Domenic Battista, Jeff Laramy.
Conservation Commission Members absent: Jenn Rivers Cole.
Staff and others present: Kristen Brown OCC Admin Secretary; unsure of whom else was in attendance due to Zoom.
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 3/21/2023 meeting is on Wednesday March 1, 2023 @ 6:00 PM. The next office hours, for the March 21, 2023 meeting, is on Wednesday March 1, 2023 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 December 20, 2022 meeting; RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes from the December 20, 2022 meeting.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Carryover from January Agenda – Submitted by Nancy Spencer, 996 Reservoir Road, map15C lot 42, regarding the removal of ten trees & planting of shrubs, within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. Dave opened this hearing and asked if any questions or concerns from the site inspection. BW indicated that there are a couple questions about a few trees that have already been removed, and to confirm that the trees to be removed are indeed on applicant’s property as they seem to be very close. Dave made a motion to continue this hearing to the 3/21/23 meeting; RM 2nd the motion & the Commission voted unanimously to continue this hearing to the 3/21/23 meeting.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Carryover from January Agenda – Submitted by Kelly, Granger & Parsons & Assocs., Inc., on behalf of David & Linda Hamill, 23 Tyringham Rd., map 13A lot 13, regarding removal of existing septic tank & installation of new tank, and a level mound system, all within the BZ of Loom Brook. Dave opened this hearing and asked if any questions or concerns stemming from the site inspection. Per BW, looks good, no issues. Dave made a motion for a -3 determination with standard conditions; RM & BW 2nd and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination w/standard conditions.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Scott Paquin, 242 Kibbe Rd., map 17C lot 61, regarding the repair of the existing dock & stone raised garden wall, within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. Dave opened this hearing and asked if any questions or concerns; per BW, there are some questions about this project, and with no one in attendance, Dave made a motion to continue this hearing to the 3/21/23 meeting. RM 2nd the motion & the Commission voted unanimously to continue this hearing to the 3/21/23 meeting.
- Public Hearing – NOI – Continuation from the 10/18/22 meeting – Submitted by Eric Hollander, 52 Drive G, map 18C lot 9, regarding the replacement of existing seawall, restoration of storm drains, plantings and regrade, all within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. Dave opened this hearing and asked if OCC had received any supporting docs as yet, and KB stated that he is working on getting the survey/delineation completed – no further updates. Dave made a motion for the Commission to do another site inspection to see if anything else has been done, and for KB to send Eric another reminder and ask when the survey should be received by OCC, and to continue this hearing to the 3/21/23 meeting; RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to continue this hearing as outlined above.
OTHER BUSINESS
Enforcement Orders/Letters:
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- Enforcement Order – Tree removal within a protected area w/o prior Permission – Gary Belanger, 20 Pine Road Extension. On this agenda for follow-up on RDA required. Dave asked for an update on receipt of the RDA, and per KB applicant has been sent 3 reminders for this RDA by email and USPS, and have not received the submittal to date. Dave made a motion to send another reminder to applicant that RDA must be received in time for the 3/21/2023 meeting; RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to send another reminder for RDA by 3/21/23 meeting.
Emergency Certifications:
Forest Cutting Plan:
Extensions of Orders of Condition:
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- Request for Extension of Order of Conditions – Submitted by MA DCR, f/k/a Dept. of Env. Mgmt., to request an extension to the Order of Conditions issued under DEP File 254-156, for the seasonal Draw-Down of Big Pond. Dave opened this hearing and asked if any issues with the draw-down extension for both OR & BP, and with none being stated, Dave made a motion to extend the OOC for the draw-down for both OR & Big Pond; BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to extend the OOC as outlined above.
Certificate of Compliance Requests:
Unanticipated Business:
- Bruce addressed that he received and inquiry regarding the Marina Project on Reservoir Road, if an additional dead tree could be added to the OOC; BW stated he took a look and has no issues with this, and that we should handle the amendment by recoding permission to the minutes. Therefore, Dave made a motion to add a dead tree removal to the Order issued for the Marian Project. BW 2nd the motion & the Commission voted unanimously to approve above.
Next office hours: Wednesday, March 1, 2023 from 6-9 p.m. at Otis Town Hall.
Next meeting: Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at Otis Town Hall, or Remote via Zoom.
Dave made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:39 PM. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.