TOWN OF OTIS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
9/19/2023 MEETING MINUTES
Location: Otis Town Hall, One North Main Road, Otis – Zoom Meeting
Conservation Commission Members present: Dave Sarnacki, Bruce Wall, Roger Meyer, Jeff Laramy, Jenn Cole
Conservation Commission Members absent: Domenic Battista
Staff and others present: Kristen Brown OCC Admin Secretary; Candy Chaffee OCC Admin Secretary
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 9/19/2023 meeting is on Wednesday October 4, 2023 @ 6:00 PM. The next office hours, for the Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. meeting is on Wednesday October 4, 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 August 15, 2023 meeting; RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes for the August 15, 2023 meeting.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by MassDOT Hwy. Div., on behalf of Francisca R. Hemming, Rt. 23 near 159 Monterey Rd, regarding the installation of 5ft flushed concrete sidewalks on both sides of the roadway, within the 100 FT riverfront area. Dave made a motion for a -3-determination w/standard conditions. BW 2nd the motion & the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3-determination w/standard conditions.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Berkshire Geo Tech., on behalf of Craig Tighe, DeWolfe Dr, map 7A lot 51, regarding a proposed subsurface disposal system upgrade, within the BZ of Watson Pond. Dave made a motion for a -3-determination w/standard conditions. RM 2nd the motion & the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3-determination w/standard conditions.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Berkshire Geo Tech., on behalf of Carol Blakeslee, 106 Leonard Rd, map 11 lot 50, regarding the replacement of septic system tank, pump and chamber, within the BZ of Big Pond.
- Public Hearing – NOI – Submitted by Salvini Associates, on William Holland, 10 Reservoir Heights Rd, map 15C lots 11/12, regarding replacement and repair of the existing dock.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by MADOT Hwy. Div., on behalf of Francisca R. Hemming, 29 E. Otis Rd., map 10D lots 37 & 41, regarding cleaning of existing headwalls, uncover, cleaning & excavation of existing swales, all within the BZ & within the 100 YR Floodplain. With all that being said, Dave made a motion for a -3 determination with standard conditions; BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3-determination w/standard conditions.
OTHER BUSINESS
Enforcement Orders/Letters:
- Enforcement Order –Eric Hollander, 52 Drive G, map 18C lot 9, regarding the observed work conducted within jurisdictional areas; NOI was submitted, however, has subsequently been continued as a courtesy for several months, due to non-receipt of the requested documentation, nor attendance of recent meetings. Moved to Executive session.
- Enforcement Order – Rudolph & Lori Mazzeo, 7 Reservoir Heights Road, map 15C lot 17, regarding improper stormwater drainage within the BZ of Otis Reservoir, which is causing materials to cross Reservoir Road, and run into Otis Reservoir.
- Enforcement Order – Richard & Dora Bleier, 9 Reservoir Heights Road, map 15C lot 18, regarding improper stormwater drainage within the BZ of Otis Reservoir, which is causing materials to cross Reservoir Road, and run into Otis Reservoir.
- Enforcement Order – Peter & Jeri L. Rybacki, 42 Reservoir Heights Road, map 15C lot 21, regarding improper stormwater drainage within the BZ of Otis Reservoir, which is causing materials to cross Reservoir Road, and run into Otis Reservoir.
- Enforcement Order – William J. Holland, 10 Reservoir Heights Road, map 15C lot 10/15/18, regarding improper stormwater drainage within the BZ of Otis Reservoir, which is causing materials to cross Reservoir Road, and run into Otis Reservoir.
- Emergency Certifications:
- Emergency Certification: Submitted by Mark Bergeron, 81 Vine Street, map 16C lot 1, regarding the request to remove 2 dead/dying trees that represent a danger to persons and/or property, within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. Dave opened this hearing and asked if there were any questions regarding the tree removal with none being stated he made a motion to ratify this EC as issued; BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to ratify this EC.
Forest Cutting Plan:
Extensions of Orders of Condition:
Certificate of Compliance Requests:
Unanticipated Business:
Next office hours: Wednesday, October 2 , 2023 from 6-9 p.m. at Otis Town Hall.
Next meeting: Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at Otis Town Hall, or Remote via Zoom.
Dave made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 PM. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting and go into Executive Session.