TOWN OF OTIS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
10/15/2024 MEETING MINUTES
Location: Otis Town Hall, One North Main Road, Otis – Zoom Meeting
Conservation Commission Members present: Dave Sarnacki, Bruce Wall, Roger Meyer Chris Chaffee
Conservation Commission Members absent: Jeff Laramy, Domenic Battista, Jennifer Rivers Cole
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. Dave introduced the members of the commission, and asked everyone to turn off/down their cell phones for the duration of the meeting. The deadline for applications for the November 19th, 2024 6:00 pm meeting is on Wednesday, November 6th, 2024 by 3:00pm. The next office hours, for the November 19th, 2024 meeting, is on Wednesday, November 6th, 2024 from 8:00am –3:00pm.
Minutes: Dave made a motion to approve minutes from the September 17th, 2024 meeting; BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes for the September 17th, 2024 meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by John W Fields Tree Service, Inc., on behalf of James & Carol Kauffman, 529 Pine Road, map 17D lot 2, regarding the removal of 1 dead tree, all within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. With all the being said, Dave made a motion of a -3 determination with standard conditions. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination.
Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by John W Fields Tree Service, Inc., on behalf of Geoffrey Aronow & Melinda Halpert., 67 Lake Shore Dr., map 10F lot 10, regarding the removal of 2 dead trees, all within the BZ of Owl Pond. With all the being said, Dave made a motion of a -3 determination with standard conditions. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination.
Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Benjamin Zipursky, 7 Chestnut Ln., map 16C lot 4, regarding grinding 9 stumps & building natural stone steps to dock/deck, all within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. With all the being said, Dave made a motion of a -3 determination with standard conditions with the addition of installing waddles around the proposed walkway that goes to the water’s edge. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination.
Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Patrick Patterson, 142 Kibbe Rd., map 17C lot 46, regarding the installation of a boat lift, all within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. With all the being said, Dave made a motion of a -3 determination with standard conditions. Applicant must make sure they have all applicable state permits. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination.
Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Justin Hyland., on behalf of James & Carol Kauffman, 529 Pine Road, map 17D lot 2, Dig out backside of wall and install filter fabric & clean stone. Cover disturbed areas with topsoil, seed & hay, all within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. With all the being said, Dave made a motion of a -3 determination with standard conditions. CC 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination.
Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Justin Hyland., on behalf of Patty Westine, 172 Kibbe Rd., map 17C lot 49, regarding the removal of soils behind wall, install of filter fabric, clean stone & approx., 6 landscape timber steps all within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. With all the being said, Dave made a motion of a -3 determination with standard conditions with the addition of installing waddles around the proposed construction area. CC 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination.
Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Joanne & David Russell, 18 Moody Goodman Rd., map 17B lot 6, regarding a kitchen expansion of (20’x6′) resulting in the deck and patio to bump out, all within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. With all the being said, Dave made a motion of a -3 determination with standard conditions. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination.
Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Joanne & David Russell, 18 Moody Goodman Rd., map 17B lot 6, regarding a kitchen expansion of (20’x6′) resulting in the deck and patio to bump out, all within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. With all the being said, Dave made a motion of a -3 determination with standard conditions. CC 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination.
Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by James Moltenbrey, 43 Bay Point., map 17D lot 105, regarding the repair of existing stone wall, all within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. With all the being said, Dave made a motion of a -3 determination with standard conditions with the addition of installing waddles around the proposed construction area. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination.
Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by David Wheeler, 25 Bay Point, map 17D lot 102, regarding the removal of existing concrete wall and replacing it with a new stone wall, all within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. With all the being said, Dave made a motion of a -3 determination with standard conditions with the addition of installing waddles around the proposed construction area. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination.
Public Hearing – NOI – Submitted by Berkshire Geo, on behalf of Gate Island Association C/O Kenneth Fishman, Gate Island Causeway, regarding the replacement of a concrete culvert, all within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. With all the being said, Dave made a motion to grant the NOI with the understanding they will resubmit to add another foot and a half to the footing for frost protection. RM 2nd the motion to and the Commission voted unanimously to grant the NOI.
ENFORCEMENT ORDERS:
64 South Gate Island, Joshua & Lisa Warren. In regards to work that is being done in the resource area without approval. Homeowners could not attend the meeting and has requested an extension to next month’s meeting. With all that being said, Dave made a motion to grant the extension. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to grant the extension.
Dave made a motion to ratify the enforcement order. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to ratify the enforcement order.
Dave made a motion to adjourn. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn at 6:45.