January 29, 2025 Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

02/13/2025 11:25:53 AM Page 61 to 64 of 143 16 of 57 sheets 61 give us a good understanding of the ground conditions as1 properly characterized and then develop our findings and2 recommendations from that.3 THE PUBLIC: So the USGS geological society,4 they have a map of areas that are susceptible or likely5 landslide sites, I can pull the exact name of the map.6 It's the US Landslide Inventory and Susceptibility Map.7 This site is in the red, designated red on that map,8 which they indicate as the highest level of9 susceptibility to landslides. So I'm asking if you10 treat it differently if it's on the US Landslide11 Inventory and Susceptibility Map and they say they use12 local data and county data and state data to come up13 with that, so knowing that the federal governments14 website thinks that's a highly susceptible site for15 landslides, do you treat it differently than say the16 area that's more orange say?17 THE WITNESS: I look at all sites objectively18 and those maps that you have just cited, they look at,19 it's a very broad brush mapping and the reason they20 paint it red is because all rock is prevalent along this21 area of the state. And it doesn't necessarily respect22 -- doesn't necessarily respect the site conditions,23 which when we do this level of investigation determine24 the strength of soils present and, again, what we found25 62 is that these soils are very dense and they're overall a1 good quality rock. So, so I guess the short answer is,2 yes, we look at all the information that's available,3 but I still develop my, our programs based on-site4 specifics.5 THE PUBLIC: Thank you.6 THE WITNESS: You're welcome.7 THE PUBLIC: Barbara White again.8 Now that I can see the full map, my question9 is, one of the biggest areas of concern as we listened10 to the testimony is that upper point of Building D, that11 one overlooks Howell Drive, etc. So with that in mind,12 I appreciate the fact that you asked to take a look at13 this property and I am curious about why there's no14 selection done at that area? Understand that's a very15 tight pinpoint. Why there as opposed to, why not the16 third test pit and boring at the top of that?17 Based on the testimony of others who spoke18 here, there's approximately, I think nine is the pinch19 point or so at the top. What you see is also one of20 those areas where people who live on Howell

Based on the testimony of others who spoke18 here, there's approximately, I think nine is the pinch19 point or so at the top. What you see is also one of20 those areas where people who live on Howell raised21 concerns, so my question of Mr. Seel is, when choosing22 where the test pits were going to be done, the borings23 were going to be done, was there any consideration to24 doing the upper area? No, down. Upper part of the25 63 building and if it was not selected the question in my1 mind is, why? Because of the slope lines around there?2 MR. PLOCKER: We just want to get a better3 idea of the area she's speaking about. In which area,4 so we have a clear record and we all understand. We5 would definitely like to address your question.6 THE PUBLIC: So if I may.7 Seth Weisleder, 17 Howell Drive.8 So my question is, the upper corner, and I9 believe we can see it better not on this map but the10 report that was submitted, on Page 2 of the letter.11 That was on, if we can go to that, that would actually12 indicate the point I think that we are all speaking13 about. It's on -- so there was a letter with that map,14 it's on page, it's not the first letter, it's the second15 letter.16 MS. MCGOVERN: It's the report, it's in the17 body of that.18 THE PUBLIC: It's -- in the beginning19 there's a little map.20 MR. PLOCKER: Page 2 of 4.21 THE PUBLIC: There it is. Yes, thank you.22 So if we look here, if I'm correct sir, this23 is 700 feet, correct?24 THE WITNESS: That's what it shows, yes.25 64 THE PUBLIC: Up here?1 THE WITNESS: Yes.2 THE PUBLIC: Okay.3 So how, up here, how would you say from this4 corner, that's where we're talking about, where I live5 here, my neighbor is here, my other neighbor is here.6 How many feet is it from here to here? Roughly.7 THE WITNESS: I would say roughly 200 feet.8 THE PUBLIC: Okay.9 I mean, right about 200 you said?10 THE WITNESS: Correct. Yes. I'm estimating11 200.12 THE PUBLIC: Right. So I think the question13 that we're all trying to understand, from Howell Drive,14 not representing all my neighbors, but since I'm right15 here and my neighbor who is here is not here this16 evening, we're worried about here, in this slope and17 previous testimony we talked about deer fencing being18 extended to protect the vegetation here, so why, why19 wasn't any testing done here? So that's, you said and I20 just -- that was 350 feet between that

s testimony we talked about deer fencing being18 extended to protect the vegetation here, so why, why19 wasn't any testing done here? So that's, you said and I20 just -- that was 350 feet between that line and that21 line and now why don't we test something over here to22 protect this neighborhood and why are we only protecting23 that neighborhood. I think that's unfair, would you24 agree?25