TOWN OF OTIS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
12/6/2023 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: 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 December 19th 2023 meeting is on Wednesday December 8th, 2023 @ 6:00 PM. The next office hours, for the December 19th, 2023 meeting, is on Wednesday December 8, 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 October 17th, 2023 meeting; BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes for the October 17th, 2023 meeting.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by John W. Fields Tree Service Inc., on behalf of Rino Nori, 24 S. Gate Island Rd., map 17 lot 6, regarding the removal of 2 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 flushed cut. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination w/standard conditions.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by LeGrand Trust & Trustees, 59 Pine Grove Ridge., map 15D lot 7, regarding the removal of a half dead tree, 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. DB 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination w/standard conditions.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Elisa Romm, 23 N. Lake Ave., map 18A lots 39, 40, & 41, regarding the removal of 4 dead trees, within the BZ of Otis Reservoir. After discussion the board requested a 5th dead tree to be removed as well. Dave made a motion to amend the Originally RDA to include the removal of a 5th dead tree. DB 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously to amend the RDA to include the 5th dead tree. With all that being said, Dave made a motion for a -3 determination standard conditions with the amended RDA; with addition that the trees must be flushed cut. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3 determination w/standard conditions with the amended RDA.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Eric Hollander, 52 Drive G., map 18C lot 6, regarding the replacement of previously removed trees with shrubs, within the BZ of Otis Reservoir and BVW. With all that being said, Dave made a motion for a -3 determination with standard conditions with addition that there is a planting plan. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3-determination w/standard conditions.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Chaffee Construction, on behalf of Tom Demontigny, 164 Kibbe Rd., map 17C lot 48, regarding the rebuilding of existing seawall, addition of a block wall w/2 sets of steps, tree removal, installation of patio, and installation of sod on all disturbed lawn areas, within the 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 – RDA – Submitted by 66 Mallard LLC, 66 Mallard Rd., map 11F lot 95, regarding the upgrading of landscaping and the addition of a stone patio, 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 a suggested (not a necessity) planting plan be put in place in area by new patio area. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to issue a -3-determination w/standard conditions.
- Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Richard Bleier, on behalf of Scott Paquin, 9 Reservoir Heights Rd., map 15C lot 12, 16, 17, 18, 21, 58 regarding maintenance to driveway to mitigate storm water erosion within the 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 SLR Intl. Corp., Continued from 10/17/23 meeting 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). This is a follow up. New NOI with peer review was not submitted. With all that being said, Dave made a motion to continue waiting on the submission of the peer review. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to continue waiting for the submission of the peer review.
OTHER BUSINESS
- Discuss email received from Nicolas Pietroniro, in regards to hiring an outside agent to conduct site visits to assist in the WPA permitting process. After discussion, Dave made a motion to invite Nicolas to next meeting pending conversation with Town Admin on this matter. BW 2nd this motion and the commission voted
Forest Cutting Plan:
Extensions of Orders of Condition:
Certificate of Compliance Requests:
Unanticipated Business:
Next office hours: Wednesday, November 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 6:33 PM. BW 2nd the motion and the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.