Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes 10/17/2023

By Otis Town ClerkConservation Commission Minutes
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TOWN OF OTIS

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

10/17/2023 MEETING MINUTES

 

Location:  Otis Town Hall, One North Main Road, Otis – Zoom Meeting

Conservation Commission Members present:  Dave Sarnacki, Bruce Wall, Jeff Laramy, Domenic Battista

Conservation Commission Members absent:  Roger Meyer, Jenn Cole

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 11/21/2023 meeting is on Wednesday November 1, 2023 @ 6:00 PM. The next office hours, for the November 21, 2023 meeting, is on Wednesday October 1, 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 September 19, 2023 meeting; DB 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes for the September 19, 2023 meeting.

 

  • Public Hearing – NOI – Submitted by SLR Intl. Corp., on behalf of The Town of Otis, Reservoir Rd., map, regarding the replacement of 2 existing 6ft diameter culverts, stream restoration up and down of culverts: repair of roadway crossing the bridge (Reservoir Rd). Dave opened this hearing by asking if anyone from SLR was in attendance. 2 people were present. Dave told them that before presenting anything to us he is requesting a peer review to be done. SLR agreed to this.
    DS made a motion for a 3rd party peer review. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3-determination w/standard conditions.

 

  • Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by MassDOT Highway Division, on behalf of Erica Larner, N Main Rd., regarding the proposed pedestrian curb ramps & sidewalks, bordering land subject to flooding. With all that being said, Dave made a motion for a -2 determination with standard conditions; DB 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -2-determination w/standard conditions.

 

  • Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Heather Gray, 575 East Otis Rd., map 11 lot 145, regarding the removal of 7 trees, within 200 ft of Dimnock Brook. With all that being said, Dave made a motion for a -2-determination with standard conditions; BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -2-determination w/standard conditions.

 

  • Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by John W. Fields Tree Service, Inc. on behalf of Katherine Koloski, 799/813 Tolland Rd., map 17 lot E14, regarding the removal of 5 dead trees in close proximity to 2 cabins within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. With all that being said, Dave made a motion for a -3-determination with standard conditions; with addition that the trees must be flushed cut and native plantings are required to replace the existing trees. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3-determination w/standard conditions.

 

  • Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by W. Scott Harrington, 68 S Lake Ave., map 18 lot 5, regarding the removal of 5 dead trees on property, within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. With all that being said, Dave made a motion for a -3-determination with standard conditions; with addition that the trees must be flushed cut. JL 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3-determination w/standard conditions.

 

  • Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Ted Stein, 907 Algerie Road, map 12 lot 26, regarding the removal of an unsafe tree, within the BZ of Big Pond. With all that being said, Dave made a motion for a -3-determination with standard conditions; with addition that the stumps will remain 3ft to 5ft BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3-determination w/standard conditions.

 

  • Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Morton Irrevocable Trust/Kellie Biggs Trustee, 327 Brookman Drive, map 118C lot 24, regarding the removal of a damaged maple tree, within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. With all that being said, Dave made a motion for a -3-determination with standard conditions. JL 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3-determination w/standard conditions.

 

  • Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Todd Brouillette, 280 Kibbe Road, map 17C lot G5, regarding the removal of 6 dead trees, within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. With all that being said, Dave made a motion for a -3-determination with standard conditions with addition that the trees must be flush cut and replant with arborvitaes. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3-determination w/standard conditions.

 

 

  • Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Michael Orszulah, Lion Hill Association, regarding the replacement of 2000ft of main waterline along Lion Hill Road, within the BZ of Big Pond. 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.

 

 

  • Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Jonathan Lewis, 57 Hayes Pond Road, map 9A lot 37, regarding the replacement existing swimming dock on Hayes Pond. With all that being said, Dave made a motion for a -2-determination with standard conditions. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -2-determination w/standard conditions.

 

 

  • Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Chaffee Construction, on behalf of Amy B Humphrey, 19 Pine Grove Ridge, map 15D lot 92, regarding an addition to the rear of the house, second floor, foundation, and a new deck, within BZ of Otis Reservoir. 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.

 

 

Public Hearing – NOI – Submitted by Salvini Associates, on behalf of William Holland, 10 Reservoir Heights Rd., map 15C lot 11/12, regarding the replacement and repair of existing dock, within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. This item is on the agenda for follow up because it was approved in September without file number. File number has since been provided. With all that being said, Dave made a motion to reapprove the NOI. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to reapprove the NOI.

 

 

 

 

Public Hearing – NOI – Submitted by White Engineering, on behalf of Robert Gentile/White Lily Pond Assn., Lee/Westfield Rd., map 8 lot 13, regarding the seasonal drawdown of water level by 19”. With all that being said, Dave a motion to approve the order with special conditions. Drawdown must be started by November 1st 2023 and completed by December 1st 2023. Fill up will start on April 1st 2024 unless ice is present fill up can start on April 15th 2024. Order is good for one year from date submitted which is 10/24/2023 and it will expire on 10/24/2024. BW 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously to issue the order with special conditions.

 

 

  • Enforcement Orders:

 

  • 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. This item is on this agenda for follow-up. With all that being said, Dave made a motion for the applicant to submit an RDA by November 1, 2023. Applicant agreed to the motion. BW 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously in favor of amendment.

 

  • Enforcement Order – Reservoir Heights Road – Rudolph & Lori Mazzeo, 7 Reservoir Heights Road, map 15C lot 17, Richard & Dora Bleier, 9 Reservoir Heights Road, map 15C lot 18, Peter & Jeri L. Rybacki, 42 Reservoir Heights Road, map 15C lot 21, William J. Holland, 10 Reservoir Heights Road, map 15C lot 10/15/18, regarding improper storm water drainage within the BZ of Otis Reservoir, which is causing materials to cross Reservoir Road, and run into Otis Reservoir. This item is on the agenda for follow-up. With all that being said, Dave made a motion for the applicants to submit an RDA by Decembers 8th. Applicants agreed to motion. DB 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously in favor of amendment.

 

Forest Cutting Plan:

Extensions of Orders of Condition:

Certificate of Compliance Requests:

Unanticipated Business:

 

 

Next office hours:  Wednesday, Novemerber 1, 2023 from 6-9 p.m. at Otis Town Hall.

Next meeting:  November 21, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at Otis Town Hall, or Remote via Zoom.

 

Dave made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 PM. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.