TOWN OF OTIS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
4/18/2023 MEETING MINUTES
Location: Otis Town Hall, One North Main Road, Otis – Zoom Meeting
Conservation Commission Members present: Dave Sarnacki, Roger Meyer, Bruce Wall, Jeff Laramy.
Conservation Commission Members absent: Domenic Battista, Jenn Cole.
Staff and others present: Kristen Brown OCC Admin Secretary; Amer Raza & Jessika Myler w/MA DOT; Matt Puntin w/SK Design.
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 5/16/2023 meeting is on Wednesday May 3, 2023 @ 6:00 PM. The next office hours, for the May 16, 2023 meeting, is on Wednesday May 3, 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 April 4, 2023 make-up meeting; RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes for the April 04, 2023 meeting.
Note: Dave also made a motion to change the order of business to allow for the following submittal to be addressed first, due to time issues with applicant: 88 S. Lake Ave., map 18B lot 8.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Francisca R. Heming, on behalf of MA DOT-HWY DIV, Route 8 MM11.32 @ Benton Brook Crossing, regarding the stabilization of failing slope supporting Route 8 embankment, within the 200 FT resource area of Benton Brook. Dave opened this hearing and asked if any questions stemming from the site inspection. No issues, BW just wanted to ensure EC would be installed – per Amer Raza – yes, EC will be installed between the embankment & the water, and work is planned to commence next week. Dave made a motion for a -3 determination with standard conditions; BW 2nd the motion & the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination with standard conditions.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Berkshire Geo-Tech on behalf of Wendy & Dave Peterson, 26 N. Gate Isle Rd., map 17 lot 24, regarding a proposed subsurface septic system upgrade, within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. Dave opened this hearing and asked if any issues. RM asked about erosion controls & per the plans, both EC & wattles will be utilized on this site. Dave made a motion for a -3 determination with standard conditions; JL 2nd the motion & the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination w/standard conditions.
- Public Hearing – NOI – Submitted by SK Design Group, on behalf of Jeffrey & Carol Burke, 88 S. Lake Ave., map 18B lot 8, regarding the demo & removal of existing house & reconstruction of a new house, within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. Dave opened this hearing and asked if any questions or concerns stemming from the site inspection. Per RM, no issues, submittal is very thorough. Therefore, Dave made a motion to issue an OOC for this NOI with standard & special conditions; BW 2nd the motion & the Commission voted unanimously to issue an OOC with standard and special conditions.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Continued from 2/21/23 Meeting – Submitted by Nancy Spencer, 996 Reservoir Road, map 15C lot 42, regarding the removal of 10 trees & planting of shrubs, within the BZ of OR. Dave opened this hearing and asked if the info had been received yet; per KB applicant is out of town and due to return next week and will be able to supply OCC with the info requested. Dave made a motion to continue this hearing to the 5/16 meeting; JL 2nd the motion & the Commission voted unanimously to continue this hearing to the 5/16/23 meeting.
- Public Hearing – RDA – 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 OR. Dave opened this hearing and asked if applicant has submitted any of the ordered supporting documentation yet, per KB – nothing has been received, nor has OCC received any communication from applicant. Dave made a motion to deny this NOI, and to issue an EO to demand applicant attend the next meeting to address the work conducted within the BZ of OR, and the lack of attention to the submitted NOI. RM 2nd the motion & the Commission voted unanimously as outlined above.
OTHER BUSINESS
Enforcement Orders/Letters:
-
- 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 we have not received the RDA submittal to date. Bruce made a motion to issue another EO to get applicant to submit the ordered RDA; JL 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue an EO to demand applicant submit the ordered RDA application.
Emergency Certifications:
Forest Cutting Plan:
Extensions of Orders of Condition:
Certificate of Compliance Requests:
Unanticipated Business:
Next office hours: Wednesday, May 3, 2023 from 6-9 p.m. at Otis Town Hall.
Next meeting: Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at Otis Town Hall, or Remote via Zoom.
Dave made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:04 PM. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.