TOWN OF OTIS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
6/20/2016 MEETING MINUTES
Location: Otis Town Hall, One North Main Road, Otis
Conservation Commission Members present: David Sarnacki, Roger Meyer, Domenic Battista, Bruce Wall and Jeff Laramy
Conservation Commission Members absent: None
Staff and others present: Kristen Brown Secretary; Tim/Lee Reynolds; Ralph Giangregorio; Michael Conboy; Mike Kulig (Berkshire Eng.);
Opening items/Introduction of Commission members and staff. Dave Sarnacki opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. He noted that the meeting is being recorded. The deadline for applications for the July 18th meeting is July 5, 2016 @ 3:00 PM. The next office hours, for the July meeting, is July 5th 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 the minutes from our May 26th meeting; RM 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes from the May 26, 2016 meeting.
Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Lee Reynolds on behalf of Timothy Reynolds, 48 Point Rd., map 15A lot 15, regarding the addition of a 7’ x 30’ concrete patio spanning the back side of the house, under the existing deck, within 100’ BZ of OR. Dave opened the hearing and invited applicants to address the commission. Tim Reynolds was in attendance for this meeting and addresses the commission. The plans for the work were reviewed; Dave asked the commission if there were any questions stemming from the site visit, RM indicated that there were no issues and that plans are clean and cover all aspects. Dave made a motion for a -3 determination with the following conditions: any EC must be installed and inspected by OCC prior to work start, call 413.454.1193 for inspection; no equipment serviced or stored within the BZ; all debris to be removed from BZ and covered, or removed from site; OCC reserves the right to inspect work/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.
Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Wheeler Building, on behalf of Michael & Yvette Morneau, 557 Pine Rd., regarding the removal of existing main house, dig new foundation, grade around foundation and removal of 2 trees in the BZ of OR. Dave invited applicant to address the commission. Dave asked if any questions stemming from the site visit, per RM, plans look good and there were no questions on the work or EC. Dave made a motion for a -3 determination with the following conditions: Install EC and call OCC at 413.454.1193 prior to work start; cover or remove debris daily from the BZ; service all equipment outside the BZ; veg. oil only in the chainsaws; OCC reserves the right to inspect the work/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.
Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Wall Holdings LLC, 152 S. Main Rd., map 10F lot 50, regarding the removal of several trees; grading of back lot; no confirmed wetlands on this lot but adj. lot has IVW. Dave invited applicant to address the commission; Bruce recused himself from the vote as is his property. Dave asked the commission if any questions stemming from the site visit, per Roger – no questions, and further, the isolated vegetative wetland is not on this property but adjacent and is not relevant to this hearing based on the distance between the IVW and location of the work being done. Therefore, no filing was necessary but done anyway to be a part of the record and property file. Dave made a motion for a negative 1 determination; RAM 2nd the motion and the commissioners voted unanimously (besides Bruce who is recused) to issue a -1 determination.
Public Hearing – NOI – Continuation – Submitted by Justin Hyland, on behalf of Steve Cloud, 257 Brookman Drive, map 18C lot 32, regarding the rebuilding of existing dock in the same footprint on OR; techno metal posts will be used for the footings/pilings. Dave opened this hearing and invited applicant to address the commission; applicant not in attendance yet so Dave made a motion to close the hearing; RM 2nd the motion and the commission closed the comments on this hearing. Dave then made a motion to change the order of business and table this hearing until the end of the meeting to allow for applicant attendance. RM 2nd this motion and the commission voted unanimously to change the order of business and table this hearing until the end of the meeting. Dave reopened this hearing and applicant asked for a continuance of this hearing (via email) until the next meeting on July 15th. Dave made a motion to continue this hearing until July 15thth per request; RM 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously to continue this hearing until the July 15thth meeting.
ENFORCEMENT ORDER(S):
Ralph Giangregorio Jr., 1279 East Otis Road, map 15A lot 21, regarding installation of a new dock without approval from OCC nor MA DEP. Dave opened this hearing and invited owner to address this EO. Ralph was in attendance and addressed the commission. The commission explained the WPA and the issue of doing work without prior approval from OCC. Owner was not aware that he was required to file and was also not aware that a Chapter 91 license was required for his docks but was going to file an RDA for the next meeting, and that he would follow up with MASS DEP in regard to the chapter 91 license. Dave made a motion to ratify this Enforcement Order; BW 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously to ratify this EO, with the condition that owner file an RDA for next meeting in July 2016 and that he FU with MA DEP on Chapter 91 licensing.
EXT. OF ORDERS OF CONDITION:
Request for Extension of OOC – Submitted by Michael Conboy, 535 Dimmock Road, Map 1, lot 37, regarding the extension of OOC issued under MA DEP File 254-0316. Dave opened the hearing and invited applicant to address the commission. Michael Conboy addressed the commission and indicated that an extension was needed only because he has not finished the work – he is not deviating from the plans originally approved in any way. Dave made a motion to extend this OOC for an additional 3 years; RM 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously to approve the extension for 3 additional years.
FOREST CUTTING PLAN(S):
EMERGENCY CERTIFICATIONS:
Steve Cloud, 257 Brookman Drive, Map 18C, lot 32, regarding the issuance of an EC for the following work: Tree will be climbed and limbs dropped below tree and hand carried to be chipped out of the buffer zone, any larger pieces will be carried out by mini excavator or skidsteer that will be driven only on matts to prevent damage to the ground beneath. Stump will be ground below the surface. Vegetable oils will be used in place of petroleum based oils, if possible, in any equipment being used. Silt fence will be installed prior to removal; tree is marked with orange ribbon. Dave opened this hearing and made a motion to ratify this emergency certification; RM 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously to ratify this emergency certification.
CERTIFICATES OF COMPLIANCE:
Submitted by Mike Kulig with Berkshire Engineering, on behalf of David Crosier, 461 Pine Road, Map 17B, lot 52, regarding request of a COC for work completed under OOC issued for MA DEP File 254-0384. Dave opened this hearing and invited Mike Kulig to address the commission. Dave asked the commissioners if site was stable, based on their site visit, and RM indicated that it is complete and the site is stable. Dave made a motion to issue a COC for this order of conditions; BW 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously to approve the COC.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Discussion of 2017 Schedule. Dave made a motion to discuss the 2017 Schedule at the next commission meeting. BW 2nd the motion and the commission voted to discuss the 2017 schedule at the next meeting.
Next office hours: Tuesday, July 5, 2016 from 6-9 p.m. at Otis Town Hall.
Next meeting: Monday, July 18, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at Otis Town Hall.
Meeting adjourned at 8:01 PM.