TOWN OF OTIS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
6/18/2024 MEETING MINUTES
Location: Otis Town Hall, One North Main Road, Otis – Zoom Meeting
Conservation Commission Members present: Domenic Battista, Jeff Laramy, Chris Chaffee, Bruce Wall
Conservation Commission Members absent: Dave Sarnacki, Jennifer Cole
Opening items/Introduction of Commission members and staff. Domenic opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. and noted that the meeting is being recorded. The deadline for applications for the July 16th, 2024 6:00 pm meeting is on Wednesday July 3rd, 2024 by 3:00pm. The next office hours, for the July 16th, 2024 meeting, is on Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024 from 8:00am –3:00pm. Domenic introduced the members of the commission, and asked everyone to turn off/down their cell phones for the duration of the meeting.
Meeting Minutes: Domenic made a motion to approve the minutes from the May 20th, 2024 meeting; JL 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 William Highland Property Services, on behalf of Kevin Swan, 20 Pine Hollow Rd., map 15D lot 107, regarding the installation of a retaining wall, patio and 14 steps to existing step area, all within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. With all that being said Domenic made a motion of a -3 determination with standard conditions and to put waddles up while completing the work. JL 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination.
• Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Ted Stein, 907/909 Algerie Rd., map 12 lot 26, regarding the removal of a rotting tree presenting danger to their home, all within the BZ of Big Pond. With all that being said Domenic made a motion of a -2 determination with standard conditions and to cut flush trees and remove all materials the day the tree is removed. JL 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously to issue a -2 determination
• Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Sidney Freund, 35 Poplar Lane, map 16B lots 2, 3, 4, regarding the removal of multiple trees, all within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. With all that being said Domenic made a motion of a -3 determination with standard conditions. JL 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination.
• Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Virginia Martell, BSC Group, Inc, on behalf of NSTAR Electric Company, Werden Road, regarding the removal of 22 trees due to new overhead line installation or realignment of existing overhead line along Werden Road, all within the BZ to BVW/Inland Bank. With all that being said Domenic made a motion of a -3 determination with standard conditions. JL 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination
• Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Chaffee Construction, on behalf of Brenton Greer, 55 Fern Drive., map 11D lot 48, regarding the removal of existing deck, installation of new deck, installation of patio & curtain drain, all within the BZ of Big Pond. With all that being said Domenic made a motion of a -3 determination with standard conditions and to put up a silt fence while completing the work. JL 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination.
• Public Hearing – RDA – Chaffee Construction, on behalf of Charles McGovern, 98 McGovern Dr., map 12B lot 34, regarding the addition on a foundation, all within the BZ of Big Pond. With all that being said Domenic made a motion of a -3 determination with standard conditions and to put up a silt fence while completing the work. JL 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination.
• Public Hearing – NOI – Submitted by John Scarmana, 46 Drive G, map 18C lot 7, regarding the removal of a rotting tree, all within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. Could not make a determination because applicant did not submit paper work with MassDep. Domenic made a motion to continue it to the July meeting. BW 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously to continue it to the July meeting.
• Public Hearing – NOI – – Submitted by R Levesque Associates Inc., on behalf of Cory Liptak, 116 Leonard Rd., map 11E lot 49, regarding the reconstruction of existing home with associated site improvements, all within the BZ of Big Pond. With all that being said Domenic made a motion of a -3 determination with standard conditions plus removal of trees with the planting of arborvitaes. JL 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination.
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CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
• Public Hearing – COC – Submitted by Darren M Lee Esq., on behalf of Patrick & Carla Patterson, 142 Kibbe Rd., Map 17C lot 46, regarding a Certificate of Compliance for work completed at 142 Kibbe Rd. With all that being said Domenic made a motion to pass the COC. JL 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously to pass the COC.
ANY OTHER TOPICS NOT RESONABLY ANTICIPATED BY THE CHAIR
Jeremey Rawitz came forward in regards to work that is being done on Hayes Pond. He owns property on Hayes Pond and his neighbor is completing a very large project that he is concerned with. He feels as though he is right up against the buffer zone and thinks that the swale is going to drop a lot of water on his property and affect the buffer zone as well. He has requested that the commission goes out and takes a look at the work that is being completed. The commission agreed that they will go out and take a look at the work being completed.
● Enforcement Orders:
● Forest Cutting Plan(s):
● Extension of OOC:
● Next Office Hours: Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024 – 8:00 – 3:00 p.m. @ Otis Town Hall
● Next meeting: Tuesday, July 16th, 2024 @ 6:00 pm
● Deadline for July 16th, 2024 meeting Applications is Wednesday July 3rd, 2024 by 3 PM – NO EXCEPTIONS!
*** Please Note: The order of the posted agenda, may not necessarily represent the order of applications heard at our meeting **
Adjourn