Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes 10/19/2021

By Otis Town ClerkConservation Commission Minutes
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TOWN OF OTIS

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

10/19/2021 MEETING MINUTES

 

Location:  Otis Town Hall, One North Main Road, Otis ** Remote Meeting Via Zoom ***

 

Conservation Commission Members present:  Dave Sarnacki, Roger Meyer, Jeff Laramy, Domenic Battista, Jennifer Cole (new alternate Commissioner).

 

Conservation Commission Members absent:  Bruce Wall

 

Staff and others present:  Kristen Brown OCC Admin Secretary; Shannon Boomsma w/White Engineering, Inc.; Steve Cope; Chris Cortigiano; Donnie Chaffee w/Chaffee Construction; David Peak; Jim Buckley; Julie Judd; Mary Fischer; Joe Tremblay; Others in attendance but unknown, as not announced/confirmed, nor signed-in with a full name on the Zoom application.

 

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 November 16, 2021 meeting is on Wednesday November 3, 2021 @ 6:00 PM. The next office hours, for the November 16, 2021 meeting, is also Wednesday November 3, 2021 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 21, 2021 meeting; RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes from the September 21, 2021 meeting.

 

  • Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Berkshire Engineering, Inc., on behalf of Steve Cope, 1831 No. Main Rd., map 22 lot 8, regarding the repair, upgrade and replacement of retaining wall & landscape features, within the BZ of Hayden Pond. Dave opened this hearing and asked if any issues from the site inspection, only thing is applicant added a shed to this RDA, which OCC is adding for the record here in the minutes. Therefore, Dave made a motion for a -3 determination with the standard conditions, and including the addition of a shed to the RDA. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination with standard conditions.

 

  • Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Clyde D. Small, Jr., 569 Pine Rd., map 17D lot 10, regarding the removal of two trees below HWM, and within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. Dave opened this hearing and asked if any issues from the Commission, per Jeff, only three trees are allowed to be removed, nothing more. Therefore, Dave made a motion for a -3 determination with the standard conditions. JL 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination with the standard conditions.

 

 

 

 

  • Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Chris Cortigiano, on behalf of Lake Avenue West Association, ROW between Crawford Way & Pine Grove Ridge, map 15D lot 98/99, regarding the repair of existing retaining wall, stairs & railing that are in disrepair, within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. Dace opened this hearing and asked if any issues from the site inspection, and per RM & JL this needs to be an NOI, based upon the location and scope of work. Therefore, Dave made a motion to issue a positive 1 determination, and requires and NOI. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a positive 1 determination.

 

 

  • Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Barbara B. Case, 62 Ryan Lane, map 15 lot 101, regarding the replacement of an existing deck, levelling of the back yard & re-seeding of the existing lawn, within the riverfront area of the Farmington River. Dave opened this hearing and asked if any issues from the site inspection, and per DB, erosion controls are required along the entire back across the length of the resource, as well as at least 20’ up each side. Therefore, Dave made a motion for a -3 determination with the standard conditions and to include EC required entire length of resource in the back and at least 20’ up each side; DB 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination with standard and special condition as outlined above.

 

 

  • Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Diane Langevin, 587 Pine Road, map 17D lot 16, regarding the removal of several trees, within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. Dave opened this hearing and asked if any issues from the site inspection. No issues at all; therefore, Dave made a motion for a -3 determination with the standard conditions, and to include stumps cut flush with the ground. JL 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination with standard conditions, to include stumps cut flush with the ground.

 

 

  • Public Hearing – NOI – Submitted by David & Pamela Peak, 21 Poplar Lane, map 16B lot 18, regarding the 12’ x 12’ addition to existing dock, within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. Dave opened this hearing and asked if any issues stemming from the site inspection. Per JL no issues but they need to update and/or revise their Chapter 91 license as required by MA DEP. Therefore, Dominic made a motion to issue an OOC with standard and special conditions as applicable. DS 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue an OOC with standard and special conditions.

 

 

  • Public Hearing – NOI – Submitted by R. Levesque Associates, Inc., on behalf of Michele Zalot, 752 Tolland Road, map 17 E lot 10, regarding the demo and rebuild of existing home & septic system with associated site improvements, within the BZ to bank of Otis Reservoir. Dave opened this hearing and asked if any issue from the site inspection and per JL, DCR will not allow this project to move forward as is, as the new house will be on state land. Therefore, Dave made a motion to continue this hearing to allow for a revision to the site plans. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to continue this hearing until the November 2021 meeting.

 

 

  • Public Hearing – RDA – Continued from 9/21/21 Meeting – Submitted by James & Zoe Buckley, 27 N. Main St., map 10D lot 6, regarding the removal of several more tree(s) within the riverfront of the FR & associated BVW. Dave opened this hearing and asked if all was resolved with exactly what is being taken down, and per RM, yes – they can remove marked trees, but the large bush must stay put, and OCC will do a follow-up visit to ensure the bush remains. Therefore, Dave made a motion for a -3 determination with the following conditions: Tree removals approved however the large bush approx. 50’ behind the house MUST STAY; OCC will do a FU site inspection to ensure this bush is saved; no heavy equip. within any resource area; bio-oil inly in all chainsaw(s); stumps cut flush; debris to be removed; OCC reserves the right to inspect property for 3 years from date of approval. DB 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination with the above conditions.

 

 

  • Public Hearing – NOI – Continued from 9/21/21 Meeting – Submitted by White Engineering, on Behalf of Julie Judd, 5 S. Gate Isle. Rd., map 17C lot 22, regarding a septic system upgrade within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. Dave opened this hearing and asked if any issues and the only thing commented is that 7 trees are OK for removal, and the septic is all set. Therefore, Dave made a motion to issue an OOC with standard and special conditions as applicable. DB 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue an OOC with standard and special conditions.

 

  • Public Hearing – RDA – Continued from 9/21/21 Meeting – Submitted by Patrick & Carla Patterson, 142 Kibbe Rd., map 17C lot 46, regarding the removal of asphalt on ramp (driveway), within the BZ of OR. Continued as additional info (supporting documentation) required in order to move forward. Dave opened this hearing and asked if issues resolved, and yes, this one is all set, but cannot be completed until the abutting neighbor upgrades his septic system. Therefore, Dave made a motion for a -3 determination with standard conditions, and noted that this will stay on the agenda as a reminder for now. DB 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously for a -3 determination with standard conditions.

 

  • Public Hearing – RDA – Continued from 9/21/21 Meeting – Submitted by Mary Fischer, 355 Stanley Road, map 16A lot 2, regarding the renovation and addition to existing home within the BZ of Big Pond. Continued as additional info (supporting documentation) required in order to move forward. Dave opened this hearing and asked if any issues from site inspection, and per RM, this one is all set, he knows the area well and has no issues with the proposed work. Therefore, Dave made a motion for a -3 determination with the standard conditions. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination with standard conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Public Hearing – RDA – Continued from 9/21/21 Meeting – Submitted by Joe Tremblay w/Tremblay Mason, on behalf of David DelVecchio, 73 D’Wolfe Dr., map 7B lot 5, regarding the rebuilding of existing dwelling within the BZ of Watson Pond. Continued as additional info (supporting documentation) required in order to move forward. Dave opened this hearing and asked if any issues from the site inspection, and per RM, none – they are all set now with the plans and work narrative that was submit to the Commission. Therefore, Dave made a motion for a -3 determination with the standard conditions; RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination with standard conditions.

 

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

 

 

Enforcement Orders/Letters:

 

 

  • Enforcement Order – James & Cheryl McIntire, 512 North Main Rd., map 6 lot 127, regarding unauthorized clearing of trees, brush and vegetation within the 200’ resource area of the west branch of the Farmington River. Dave opened this hearing and asked if the Commission was all set with the plans submit by SK Design, as a result of the delineation that was done for this property, and per RM – yes, the Commission is satisfied with the proposed restoration proposed, and will require a one-year site inspection to see progress of re-growth. Dave asked if we needed to submit any additional paperwork, and per KB, we would add this all into the EO, and document as such with the minutes, to simplify. Therefore, Dave made a motion to allow the restoration as outlined, and for KB to book a one-year follow-up site inspection on progress of growth. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously in agreement with above.

 

  • Enforcement Order – David Roffo, 134 Kibbe Road, map 17C lot 45, regarding unauthorized paving within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. Dave opened this hearing and addressed the fact that this owner will need to replace their septic and then remove the paved ramp (which is the subject of the EO), in conjunction with the abutting neighbor who owns half of the ramp. Dave made a motion to keep this on the agenda as a reminder to follow-up for now.

 

 

Emergency Certifications:

 

Forest Cutting Plan

 

Extensions of Orders of Condition:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Certificate of Compliance Requests:

 

    • Public Hearing – Request for COC – Submitted by Fox Homes, on behalf of Sally Laufer, 20 Soucie Lane, map 6 lot 116, regarding the request for COC for work completed under DEP File 254-0418, regarding the removal of trees, demo of existing home, and construction of new modular home by Fox Homes, within the riverfront of the west branch of the Farmington River. Work is certified to be completed, by Fox Homes. Dave opened this hearing and asked the Commission if any issues with issuing a COC, and per DB no issues. Therefore, Dave made a motion to approve and issue a COC for the above referenced Order. DB 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously in agreement.

 

Unanticipated Business:

 

 

Next office hours:  Wednesday, November 3, 2021 from 6-9 p.m. at Otis Town Hall.

Next meeting:  Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. at Otis Town Hall, or Remote via Zoom.

 

Dave made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:26 PM. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.