January 29, 2025 Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

17 of 57 sheets Page 65 to 68 of 143 02/13/2025 11:25:53 AM 65 MS. MCGOVERN: The question can be, why1 didn't he test there.2 THE PUBLIC: Correct.3 Why are we focused on this neighborhood and4 not that neighborhood? And previous testimony this is5 an important area that affects this neighborhood as6 indicated by deer fencing that was proposed to be7 extended. And there was no slope testing done and the8 residents there are, myself as a resident, is highly9 concerned. I would like to understand why this area was10 not taken into consideration?11 THE WITNESS: At the time we were asked to12 look at the, our interpretation is, what we -- is in the13 area that was shown in the report.14 THE PUBLIC: Okay.15 So you were not asked at all to approve the16 area?17 THE WITNESS: I wouldn't say asked. Our18 understanding of what the concern was, was the slope.19 THE PUBLIC: So in your professional opinion20 would you think that slope would be important when you21 get to blasting, being that the buildings only closer22 here than it is here. We're talking 200 feet, 300 feet23 to these homes. Would you think that would be important24 to test?25 66 THE WITNESS: Well --1 THE PUBLIC: Yes or no, please.2 MR. PLOCKER: Let him answer the question,3 please.4 THE WITNESS: I don't know if there's rock5 to blast in the north end of the building.6 THE PUBLIC: I'm sorry.7 THE WITNESS: I don't believe there's rock --8 I don't believe there's rock to be excavated at that9 north end of the building. From what I recall that end10 of the building is bearing on soils.11 THE PUBLIC: So there's no rock here but12 there's rock over here? I'm not understanding.13 THE WITNESS: There was borings that were14 done by another engineer within the building and rock,15 as I recall, that was six to eight feet deep but what I16 recall is that end of the building it steps down as you17 go from north to south. So I don't believe that there18 was rock intended to be excavated at that north end of19 the building.20 THE PUBLIC: So, again, I was not here for21 your whole complete testimony, I apologize if I sound22 repetitive. But this was to, whatever we're blasting to23 see the effect on the slope and understand what could24 potentially happen or not happen, is that correct?25 67 THE WITNESS: Generally that's correct. To1 understand how the construction of the building affects2 the slope.3 THE PUBLIC: So

tand what could24 potentially happen or not happen, is that correct?25 67 THE WITNESS: Generally that's correct. To1 understand how the construction of the building affects2 the slope.3 THE PUBLIC: So couldn't blasting over here4 affect other parts of the slope that are closer than 7005 feet away? I mean, even if we came from this point to6 those homes that's approximately -- how far would you7 say that would be? If I took that line and turned it, I8 think we're about 700 feet, about, would you agree?9 THE WITNESS: Perhaps less. 600.10 THE PUBLIC: Right. So could blasting have11 an effect on the slope here, in the neighborhood here,12 "yes" or "no"?13 THE WITNESS: Again, I don't control the14 blasting, but if controlled blasting methods were15 utilized then I suspect there would be no impacts from16 it.17 THE PUBLIC: I'm sorry.18 THE WITNESS: I said, I'm not involved in19 the blasting, my recommendation is that if anything is20 done that they use controlled techniques to prevent any21 damage to any adjacent structures.22 THE PUBLIC: So would you suggest that this23 area of the slope be tested given that could be 35024 feet? So we have 350 feet and then over here as well to25 68 mitigate any possible issues? Would you recommend that1 as a professional.2 THE WITNESS: We don't have data up here, so3 if that's a concern in the area then additional borings4 could be done to evaluate stability.5 THE PUBLIC: I think the points made,6 there's no data there to sense what could happen to that7 neighborhood. Thank you.8 THE PUBLIC: Hi. Just a couple of points of9 clarification due to some of the other questions that10 came out since I was last here.11 So did you say sir, that the portion of the12 building that's 200 plus feet away from that13 neighborhood at the top of the map will not be secured14 to anything but soil? Did you say it's not going to be15 blasted or anchored in, its just going to be on soil, is16 that what you said?17 THE WITNESS: No, that's not what I said.18 THE PUBLIC: What did you say?19 THE WITNESS: First of all, I'm not the20 geotechnical engineer of record for the building.21 THE PUBLIC: I know but you testified on22 something.23 THE WITNESS: What I understand is that part24 of the building is going to be on soil.25