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Otis Conservation Commission issues several -3 determinations for shoreline and property work, delays one application
Summary
At its Jan. 21, 2024 meeting the Otis Conservation Commission approved multiple Requests for Determination of Applicability (RDA) for sheds, docks, tree work and repairs within buffer zones around Otis Reservoir and local ponds; one deck-repair application was continued for missing payment. The commission agreed to research two property/exemption questions.
The Otis Conservation Commission met Jan. 21, 2024, at Otis Town Hall (also on Zoom) and issued a series of negative-3 determinations for property repairs and shoreline work in buffer zones around Otis Reservoir and nearby ponds. The meeting opened at 6:00 p.m.; Chair Dominic Battista introduced members and announced the application deadline and office hours for the next meeting.
The commission approved minutes from its Dec. 17, 2024 meeting after a motion by Dave and a second from Bruce Wall. In the public hearing portion the commission considered multiple RDAs and voted unanimously on the applications it decided the same night.
Among the approvals, the commission issued a -3 determination for a shed rebuild at 58 South Lake Ave. (submitted as by Domenic Battista), finding the proposed 10-by-16-foot replacement within the Otis Reservoir buffer zone acceptable subject to standard conditions; Dave moved the determination and Chris Chaffee seconded. The commission granted a separate -3 determination for a floating dock extension and two jet-ski lifts at 117 Vine St. (Vincent and Amy Caruso) on a motion by Dave and a second by Dominic Battista.
The commission also approved tree removals at 47 North Lake Ave. (Deborah Kane), authorizing removal of an 80-foot rotting oak and two pine trees with flush stumps as moved by Dave and seconded by Jeff Laramy. J. Scott Hansen’s request to trim branches on roughly 10 trees at Long Mountain Road near Hayes Pond received a -3 determination with standard conditions plus a requirement that debris be cleaned up and removed daily; Dominic Battista seconded that motion.
A proposal to clear backyard brush at 767 Algerie Rd. (represented by Justin Hyland for Sheila Gschwind) received a -3 determination with standard conditions and the board’s recommendation to install waddles for erosion control; Chris Chaffee seconded. Chaffee Construction Inc., on behalf of 183 Pine Rd. LLC, received a -3 determination for siding, porch and foundation repairs and for replacing a rotted deck with new stairs, with standard conditions and waddle installation required; Dominic Battista seconded the motion.
One application — submitted by Herbert Eichstedt on behalf of Henry Devault for replacement of rotting deck boards at 98 Telephone Rd. (White Lily Pond) — was continued to next month because payment for the filing was not received.
The commission also noted a follow-up RDA from December by Paula Mercier (Moody Goodman Road) for a seawall replacement and deck repair/extension and recorded two non-application items for further research: Eversource Energy right-of-way vegetation maintenance activities and a parcel on Miller Swamp Road/South Otis (possible exemption status). Chair Battista said the commission will research whether those properties or activities are exempt from filing an application.
The meeting ended at about 6:45 p.m. The commission announced the deadline for applications for the Feb. 18, 2025 meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, by 3:00 p.m., and the next office hours are the same date/time.
Notes on attribution and transcript inconsistencies: the meeting roster listed "Dominic Battista" among members, while one application packet in the transcript is labeled "Domenic Battista." The article uses the spelling "Dominic Battista" consistently to match the member roster entry in the meeting minutes.
