TOWN OF OTIS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
05/16/2018 MEETING MINUTES
Location: Otis Town Hall, One North Main Road, Otis
Conservation Commission Members present: Dave Sarnacki, Roger Meyer, Bruce Wall,
Conservation Commission Members absent: Jeff Laramy, Domenic Battista and Rene Dube’.
Staff and others present: Kristen Brown OCC Admin Secretary; Shannon Boomsma with White Engineering; Mark Boomsma with M & M Site Services; Chris Tryon with Berkshire Geo-Technologies.
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 June 19th meeting is June 6, 2018 @ 6:00 PM. The next office hours, for the June 19th meeting, is June 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 April 17, 2018 meeting; BW 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes from the April 17, 2018 meeting.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by White Engineering, on behalf of Dan Zenkel/Larkum Lake RE Co., LLC, 620 Reservoir Rd., map 15 lot 60, regarding the construction of components of new/supplemental Perc Rite Drip System, in the 100’ BZ of BVW, and intermittent stream. Dave opened this hearing and invited applicants to address the Commission. Shannon Boomsma with White Engineering was in attendance on behalf of the applicant. Shannon provided the plans for the Commission, and explained the current layout. Shannon continued to show where the tank and pump chambers are located, and pointed out the proximity to the BZ. The return lines will be installed outside the BZ. Shannon also noted the location of all erosion control, and that they planned to not take away any trees or vegetation unless absolutely required. All other work is outside the BZ. RM clarified where the tank is going, and Shannon clarified. Dave asked if any other questions stemming from the site inspection and BW indicated none as the owner was on site, and very clear with project plans. Dave made a motion for a -3 determination with the following conditions: EC to be installed and inspected prior to work start, call or email for inspections; no heavy equipment in the direct resource area; no trees to be removed; all debris to be removed or covered daily; OCC reserves the right to inspect property for a period of 3 years from date of approval; RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination with the above conditions.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by M&M Site Svc., on behalf of Sandra F, and James J. Gogal, 210 Kibbe Rd., map 17C lot 56, regarding the demolition of existing structure, incl. foundation & shed, and the replacement with completely new structure, no shed, and install 1500 gallon septic for title 5. Dave opened this hearing and invited applicants to address the Commission. Mark Boomsma was in attendance from M&M Site Services. Roger asked where exactly the septic was going to be installed, and Mark pointed it out on the plans and marked it for the Commission. RM indicated that they should mark it all out and the Commission will take another look after flagged, and Dave asked to be clear, and RM indicated we can issue a finding now, but when they inspect the EC, they can inspect the flags placed as well. BW asked applicant to draw in the tank, and Mark added it to the file plans. The leach field is already installed and approved for title 5. They are also using the existing well, and RM asked him to flag that as well. Dave asked if any other questions stemming from the site inspection, and none indicated. Dave made a motion for a -3 determination with the following conditions: EC to be installed and demarcation of project to be inspected prior to work start; all debris removed from resource and/or covered immediately; no heavy equipment in the resource area; OCC reserves the right to inspect work for a period of 3 years from date of approval. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination with the above listed conditions.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Berkshire Geo-Tech., on behalf of Howard Newton, 82 S. Gate Isle. Rd., map 17 lot 17, regarding the license of existing wood dock, remove 3 trees in the 50’ BZ & 1 tree in the 100’ BZ of OR. Dave opened this hearing and invited applicant to address the Commission. Chris Tryon with Berkshire Engineering was in attendance and addressed the Commission. Dave asked if any questions from the site inspection and there are: the question is what trees are being removed, as nothing was marked out. Then we saw disturbed soil for test pits, but they really need to know which trees. Per Chris a white birch near the docks; one a little closer to the dock that is a hemlock that is leaning heavily; and also a maple in the center area, smack in the middle of the yard, for which Chris provided a pic to the Commission. BW asked why the center tree to be removed, and Chris indicated personal preference, and owner will plant some native bushes and trees. BW asked how far from the water: 3 within the 50’ and one tree within the 100’ BZ. BW asked what they propose to do for plantings, and Chris said native shrubs. The Commission is not comfortable to allow them to take down a healthy tree. Dave said that personal preference is not a good reason to remove a healthy tree, so if they will amend the RDA to remove the healthy tree from removals, then Dave will make a motion to approve. Chris said he will amend the RDA to remove the healthy tree from slated removal and inform owner. KB marked up the file, and Chris initialed. Dave then made a motion for a -3 determination with the following conditions: any EC to be installed and inspected prior to work start; for the 3 trees approved for removal, stumps to be cut flush with the ground, and bio oil only in the chainsaw(s); debris to be removed immediately; no heavy equipment in resource area and OCC reserves the right to inspect the work for 3 years from date of approval. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination with the above conditions.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Berkshire Geo-Tech., on behalf of Earl Foote, 2075 N. Main Rd., map 2 lot 18, regarding the construction of a house and septic system. Dave opened this hearing and invited applicants to address the Commission. Chris Tryon with Berkshire Geo Technologies was in attendance on behalf of the applicant. Dave asked if any questions from the site inspections, and RM indicated no questions, everything looked good, including proposed Erosion Control, as is cut and dry, and all flagged out. Therefore, Dave made a motion for a -3 determination with the following conditions: any EC to be installed and inspected prior to work start; debris to be removed immediately; no heavy equipment in resource area and OCC reserves the right to inspect the work for 3 years from date of approval. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination with the above conditions.
- Public Hearing – NOI – Continuance – Submitted by Berkshire Eng., on behalf of the Estate of Violette, 47 & 52 Hayre Isle Rd., map 17B lots 14 & 221, regarding a residential septic system upgrade. Dave opened this hearing and asked for status. Per KB, MA DCR has still not signed, nor do they intend to sign, this NOI filed by applicants. Therefore, Dave made a motion to issue a continuance until the June 19th Meeting. RM 2nd the motion, and the Commission voted unanimously to approve a continuance.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Enforcement Orders/Letters:
Emergency Certifications:
Forest Cutting Plans:
Extensions of Orders of Condition:
- 64 Drive B – Extension of OOC issued under DEP File number 254-0369 issued in 2015:
John Wagner was in attendance and would like the extension to do their dock(s). BW wants to make sure that they have done plantings as indication on the OOC issued. BW indicated they would go down and take pics, to make sure plantings are done, and add to the file. Dave made a motion to extend this OOC for 3 years from original date of approval. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a 3 year extension.
Certificate of Compliance Requests:
Unanticipated Business:
Next office hours: Wednesday, June 6, 2018 from 6-9 p.m. at Otis Town Hall.
Next meeting: Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at Otis Town Hall. Meeting was adjourned by Dave at 7:01 PM.