TOWN OF OTIS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
5/20/2024 MEETING MINUTES
Location: Otis Town Hall, One North Main Road, Otis – Zoom Meeting
Conservation Commission Members present: Dave Sarnacki, Bruce Wall, Jeff Laramy, Roger Meyer
Conservation Commission Members absent: Domenic Battista, Jennifer 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. The deadline for applications for the June 18th, 2024 6:00 pm meeting is on Wednesday June 5th, 2024 by 3:00pm. The next office hours, for the June 18th, 2024 meeting, is on Wednesday, June 5th, 2024 from 8:00am –3:00pm. Dave introduced the members of the commission, and asked everyone to turn off/down their cell phones for the duration of the meeting.
Meeting Minutes: Dave made a motion to approve the minutes from the April 16th, 2024 meeting; BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes for the April 16th, 2024 meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Tesrbloa Inc. c/o Jane Dahle., 0 Brookman Drive., map 401A lot 076 regarding covering exposed tree roots with loam, seed and hay to prevent erosion, within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. After discussion in regards to this property the Commission determined that this property is not owned by the person who submitted the RDA. The commission has requested that the owners of the property are to be notified by the applicant for their approval, this will then need to be filed with the DEP. With that being said, Bruce made a motion to continue this RDA to the next meeting, DS second the motion.
Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Lindquist Family Trust c/o Edward Buckbee., 11 Old Pease Road., map 11F lot 15 regarding the removal of a dead evergreen tree in close proximity to the home, within the BZ of Big Pond. With all the being said, Dave made a motion of a -3 determination with standard conditions and to cut flush trees and remove all materials the day the tree is removed. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination.
Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Francisca Heming., Route 8 Sandisfield to Otis, regarding the resurfacing and related work on Route 8, the project abuts woodlands, residential homes & business enterprises. 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 Francisca Heming., Route 8 Becket to Otis, regarding the resurfacing and related work on Route 8, the project abuts woodlands, residential homes & business enterprises. 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
EMERGENCY CERTIFICATIONS:
Emergency Certification: Submitted by Michael & Cheryl Cunningham, 23 Pleasant Drive, map 15D lot 133, regarding the removal of 2 dead trees that are falling and endangering their home and their neighbor’s home. Dave made a motion to ratify this emergency certification. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to ratify the emergency certification.
Emergency Certification: Submitted by Chaffee Excavation, LLC on behalf of Robert Long, 133 Vine Street, map 16C lot 25, regarding the removal of a large pine tree that snapped into Otis Reservoir and drifted into docks causing damage to the docks. Dave made a motion to ratify this emergency certification. JL 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to ratify the emergency certification.
EXTENSION OF OCC
Request for an Extension of OOC – Submitted by Wendy C Gendron, Aquatic Restoration Consulting, LLC (ARC), on behalf of Otis Wood Lands Club, regarding a three-year extension of OOC MassDEP file #254-0410 to conduct winter water level drawdowns, apply algaecides/herbicides and perform mechanical removal of nuisance vegetation in and surrounding OWL Lake. Dave made a motion to grant a 3 year extension of OOC. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to grant a 3 year extension of OOC.
.
Enforcement Orders:
Forest Cutting Plan(s):
Any other topics not reasonably anticipated by the Chair:
Next Office Hours: Wednesday, June 5th, 2024 – 8:00 – 3:00 p.m. @ Otis Town Hall
Deadline for June 18th, 2024 meeting Applications is Wednesday June 5th, 2024 by 3 PM – NO EXCEPTIONS!
Next meeting: June 18th, 2024 – 6:00 pm
*** Please Note: The order of the posted agenda, may not necessarily represent the order of
Applications heard at our meeting **