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Otis Conservation Commission issues three negative determinations, accepts dock withdrawal and finds two maintenance activities exempt
Summary
At its Feb. 18 meeting, the Otis Conservation Commission issued three negative-3 determinations with standard conditions for proposed projects affecting local waterbodies, accepted the withdrawal of a dock application, and determined two right‑of‑way maintenance items were exempt from filing.
Dave Sarnacki, chair of the Otis Conservation Commission, opened the Feb. 18 meeting at 6:00 p.m. and led the commission in a series of procedural and permit decisions affecting local waterbodies.
The commission voted unanimously to issue a negative-3 determination of applicability for Massachusetts Department of Transportation drainage repairs along Route 8 near mile marker 10. A MassDOT representative explained the work, which lies within the 100-foot riverfront area of the West Branch Farmington River and mapped buffer and priority-habitat zones; commissioners said standard conditions will apply to the determination.
During the same public hearing portion of the agenda, applicant Marc Bergeron withdrew an RDA for docks and a boat lift on Otis Reservoir and said he will submit a Notice of Intent for the March meeting. The commission took no formal action on the docks beyond accepting the withdrawal.
The commission also issued a negative-3 determination, with standard conditions, for a replacement septic system and new well at 245 D'Wolfe Drive (property held by Patricia Walker Trustee). Fred Sears, speaking for the trustee, described the project as occurring within the bordering zone of Watson Pond; the commission required that a silt fence be installed before work begins.
A separate negative-3 determination with standard conditions was issued for replacement of rotting deck boards at 98 Telephone Road (owner Henry Devault), a project located within the bordering zone of White Lily Pond.
Commission members reported follow-up research on two additional items. They determined that Eversource Energy's right-of-way vegetation maintenance activities are exempt from filing with the commission, and that the Blandford/Otis work on Miller Swamp Road/South Otis is likewise exempt.
Earlier in the meeting the commission unanimously approved minutes from its Jan. 21, 2025 meeting. Sarnacki moved to adjourn and the meeting ended at 6:25 p.m. The commission reminded applicants that the deadline to submit materials for the March 18, 2025 meeting is Wednesday, March 5 at 3:00 p.m., and that office hours for that cycle are also scheduled for March 5.
