TOWN OF OTIS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
11/19/2019 MEETING MINUTES
Location: Otis Town Hall, One North Main Road, Otis
Conservation Commission Members present: Roger Meyer; Domenic Battista; Bruce Wall.
Conservation Commission Members absent: Dave Sarnacki; Jeff Laramy.
Staff and others present: Kristen Brown OCC Admin Secretary; Bob Mason with MA DCR; Ryan Nelson w/R. Levesque; Peter & Julie Pappas; Ronald & Jane Dable; Daniel Szenda.
Opening items/Introduction of Commission members and staff. Domenic Battista is going to be chairman of the Commission tonight, since the regular chair could not be in attendance. Therefore, Domenic opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. He noted that the meeting is being recorded. The deadline for applications for the December 17th 2019 meeting is on Wednesday December 4, 2019 @ 6:00 PM. The next office hours, for the December 17, 2019 meeting, is December 4, 2019 from 6:00 –9:00 PM. Domenic introduced the members of the commission, and asked everyone to turn off/down their cell phones for the duration of the meeting. Domenic also introduced Bob Mason with MA DCR who was also in attendance as representative for the state.
Minutes: Domenic made a motion to approve both the revised October 22, 2019 meeting minutes; RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to approve the revised minutes from the October 22, 2019 meeting minutes.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Carroll Raymond, 1954 East Otis Road, map 16 lot 56, regarding the installation of a 16’ x 8’ deck, attached to existing house and deck, in the BZ of OR. Domenic opened this hearing and invited applicant to address the Commission. No one was in attendance, as there were no questions on this project, since it was a downgrade from the originally approved project, and will not disturb any areas of concern. Domenic made a motion for a -3 determination with the following conditions: no heavy equipment in the resource area; debris to be removed or covered immediately; staging and prep of materials to be done outside the resource areas; OCC reserves the right to inspect property for 3 years from date of approval. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination with the above conditions.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by R. Levesque Assocs., Inc., on behalf of Peter Pappas, 0 Brookman Dr., map 18C lot 57, regarding associated cutting of trees and brush, within the BZ and Bank of OR. Domenic opened this hearing and invited applicant to address the Commission. The RDA was received only days after the enforcement order was issued for unauthorized cutting, so this hearing will be in conjunction with the Enforcement Order that appears later on this agenda. The Commission reviewed the proposed further cuttings, in addition to what was already cut and observed. Based on site inspections, and the plans submit, only 2 additional trees will be allowed to be cut, and nothing more, due to the already seen extensive cutting that has taken place on subject property. Therefore, Domenic made a motion to ratify the enforcement order; RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to ratify the issued Enforcement Order. Domenic then made a motion to issue a -3 determination for the two tree removals approved on this RDA, with the following conditions: no other work allowed under this order besides the removal of the two identified trees; bio-oil only in chainsaw(s); no heavy equipment in the resource area; all debris to be removed or covered immediately; OCC reserves the right to inspect property for 3 years from date of approval. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination with the above conditions.
OTHER BUSINESS
Enforcement Orders/Letters:
- 408 Hayes Pond Road – Observation by a Commissioner, of extensive, unauthorized cutting, done in the BZ of Hayes Pond in Otis. Ratified in September 2019; on November 19, 2019 agenda for reminder to Follow Up. Domenic opened this item, and asked if there were any updates at this time, and per KN, not yet, and we do not expect one until the December 17, 2019 meeting, as agreed to with property owner’s representative Emily Stockman. Domenic made a motion to keep this item on the agenda as follow up, until we receive the paperwork in December 2019. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to leave this item on the agenda as follow up reminder.
- 46 South Gate Island Road, John Benevento – Unauthorized work done in the BZ of Otis Reservoir. Ratified in September 2019; on November 19, 2019 agenda for reminder to Follow Up. Domenic opened this item and asked if there were any current updates from property owner, and per KB, not yet, but we gave owner until the December meeting to get his paperwork filed. Domenic then made a motion to keep this item on the agenda in follow up, until we receive the agreed upon filing and survey in December 2019. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to leave this item on the agenda as a reminder to follow up.
- Peter Pappas, 0 Brookman Dr., map 18C lot 57, regarding associated unauthorized cutting of trees and brush, within the BZ of OR, and on state land. Domenic opened this hearing and invited property owner to address the Commission. Property owners were in attendance along with their representative Ryan Nelson with R. Levesque & Assocs., and approached the Commission. See above RDA for same property owner.
Emergency Certifications:
Forest Cutting Plan
Extensions of Orders of Condition:
Certificate of Compliance Requests:
- Public Hearing – COC Request – Submitted by Otis Woodlands Club, Inc. C/O Andrea Ammendola, Scarafoni Associates, Lakeshore Drive, map 10 (roadway), regarding work done to the road under OOC issued by this Commission, 254-0414.Domenic opened this hearing and asked the Commission if the project was completed and grown in, as observed at the site inspection, and per RM, everything is completed as approved and the area is well regrown and the COC is all set. Domenic made a motion to issue the COC for this Order; RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to approve and issue the COC for this Order.
Unanticipated Business:
Next office hours: Wednesday, December 4, 2019 from 6-9 p.m. at Otis Town Hall.
Next meeting: Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at Otis Town Hall.
Domenic made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:42 PM. RM 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.