TOWN OF OTIS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
1/16/2018 MEETING MINUTES
Location: Otis Town Hall, One North Main Road, Otis
Conservation Commission Members present: Dave Sarnacki, Roger Meyer, Domenic Battista and Jeff Laramy.
Conservation Commission Members absent: Bruce Wall, Renee Dube’
Staff and others present: Kristen Brown OCC Admin Secretary; Bob Mason with MA DCR; Shannon Boomsma with White Engineering; Sara Gapinski with SK Design Group; Ryan Nelson with R. Levesque; John Wagner.
Opening items/Introduction of Commission members and staff. Dave Sarnacki opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. He noted that the meeting is being recorded. The deadline for applications for the February 20th meeting is February 6, 2018 @ 6:00 PM. The next office hours, for the February 20th meeting, is February 6th from 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Dave introduced the members of the commission, as well as Bob Mason with MA DCR, and asked everyone to turn off/down their cell phones for the duration of the meeting.
Minutes: Dave made a motion to approve the minutes from our December 19, 2017 meeting; RM 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes from the December 19, 2017 meeting.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by White Engineering on behalf of Steven & Kathy Cloud, 257 Brookman Drive, map 18C/18B lot 32/6, regarding the reconstruction of existing dock in identical footprint & elevation, using techno-metal post with Trex decking, on OR. Dave opened this hearing and invited applicants to address the Commission. Shannon Boomsma with White Engineering was in attendance on behalf of applicants. Dave indicated right away that he believes this work should be filed under an NOI, not an RDA as it involves work directly within the resource area, as per WPA regulations. That being said, Dave asked applicant to request a continuance so that KB can confirm with MASS DEP that OCC should in fact require an NOI filing for the proposed work. Shannon requested a continuance. Dave made a motion to continue this hearing until the February 20, 2018 meeting; RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to continue the NOI until the 2/20/18 meeting, and pending confirmation of required filing with MASS DEP.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by SK Design Group, on behalf of Gary & Alicia Belanger, 20 Pine Rd., map 17C lot 94, regarding the demolition of existing dock & stairs, and installation of new, including a boat lift located centrally on the lot, on OR. Dave opened this hearing and invited applicants to address the Commission. Sara Gapinski with SK Design Group was in attendance on behalf of applicants. Dave indicated right away that he believes this work should be filed under an NOI, not an RDA as it involves work directly within the resource area, as per WPA regulations. That being said, Dave asked applicant to request a continuance so that KB can confirm with MASS DEP that OCC should in fact require an NOI filing for the proposed work. Shannon requested a continuance. Jeff made a motion to continue this hearing until the February 20, 2018 meeting; RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to continue the NOI until the 2/20/18 meeting, and pending confirmation of required filing with MASS DEP.
- Public Hearing – NOI – Continuation – Submitted by Robert Levesque, with R. Levesque Assocs., Inc., on behalf of Ralph J. and Joan M., D’Amato, 6 Blandford Dr., map 18C lot 59, to renovate & construct an addition to existing single family house, along with associated site improvements, in the BZ of OR. Dave opened this hearing and invited applicants to address the Commission. Ryan Nelson was in attendance for this hearing on behalf of the applicants/owners. Ryan reminded the Commission that everything was already reviewed and OK’d last meeting, but was continued to allow for MASS DEP to issue a file number. File number has been issued so we are all set. Dave made a motion to approve and issue an OOC for this project, with the standard conditions, including special conditions as follows: Install EC as outlined on plans; plantings to be done as outlined on plans and approved; OCC has the right to inspect property for 3 years from date of approval. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to approve and issue an OOC with the above standard and special conditions.
- Public Hearing – NOI – Continuation – Submitted by Donald Torrico, on behalf of Michael & Ellen Granoff, 22 Loop Dr., map 15A lot 49, regarding the replacement of existing stairs from rear of house to lake edge in the existing location, in the BZ of OR. Dave opened the hearing and invited applicant to address the Commission. Donald Torrico was in attendance and provided the project info needed; stairs will be done by hand. No heavy equipment in the resource area. Dave made a motion to approve and issue an OOC with the standard conditions, including special conditions as follows: OCC has the right to inspect the property for 3 years from date of approval. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to approve and issue an OOC with above conditions.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Enforcement Orders/Letters:
- 64 Drive B, Wagner, Unapproved Tree Removal: OOC issued in 2015. Dave opened this EO that was issued, and made a motion to ratify the EO. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to ratify the EO. John Wagner was in attendance and said that he will plant more trees when they finish this spring. He accidentally removed another tree and while it was coming down, it took out another tree that was not slated to be removed under the OOC. The Commission is OK with Mr. Wagner adding additional trees to his planting plan for the spring. He was also reminded that his OOC expires in May of 2018, so he will need to request an extension if not done by the. He understands this information.
Emergency Certifications:
Forest Cutting Plans:
Extensions of Orders of Condition:
Certificate of Compliance Requests:
Unanticipated Business:
Next office hours: Wednesday, February 7, 2018 from 6-9 p.m. at Otis Town Hall.
Next meeting: Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at Otis Town Hall. Meeting adjourned at 6: 28 PM.