[2] It was named after Harrison Gray Otis, an influential lawyer, financier, and politician in revolutionary Massachusetts.

The town was a farming community, with several small mill industries growing along the waterways, and today is mostly rural with some tourism.

[3] Otis lies along the eastern border of Berkshire County with Hampden County, bordered by Becket to the north, Blandford to the east, Tolland to the southeast, Sandisfield to the south, and Monterey and Tyringham to the west.

Otis lies in the southern end of the Berkshire Mountains, and is dotted by several hills.

The highest points in the town are to the north, with Church Hill to the east and Kingsbury Mountain to the west.

Interstate 90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike) passes through the northern edge of town twice, with the nearest exit being in Lee.

There is no rail, bus or air service in town, with the nearest being in Pittsfield and Westfield.

The nearest national air service is at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.

Otis uses the open town meeting form of government, and is led by a board of selectmen and an administrative assistant.

The current Board of Selectmen consists of Bill Hiller, Larry Southard, and Gary Thomas.

Kris McDonough serves as the Chief of Police and Director of Emergency Management for the town.

Otis, along with neighboring Sandisfield, Tolland and Becket, is part of the Farmington River Regional School District.