January 29, 2025 Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

02/13/2025 11:25:53 AM Page 21 to 24 of 143 6 of 57 sheets 21 table, we did modify the water table as part of our1 analysis. We brought it up close to the ground surface.2 So in other words, full saturation of the ground and it3 was still stable.4 THE PUBLIC: Okay.5 And looking at the full saturation of the6 ground would that also account for completely atypical7 such as four or five times amount of rain that normally8 falls on it at the same time, would it also account for9 that, the weight of water on top of it?10 THE WITNESS: Well, we don't look at the11 intensity of the storms, this is for the slope. We're12 looking at water within the core spaces and the slope13 profiles are about as strong as it gets.14 THE PUBLIC: Okay.15 Well, the part of West Orange that collapsed16 had stood for my entire lifetime and my mother's entire17 lifetime, so we can't really use what were typically18 happening in those kinds of situations, but I'll move19 on.20 The next question I have is, you said21 several samples were taken around the area but not in22 the area of Howell Drive, is that correct?23 THE WITNESS: Correct. Nothing between the24 building and Howell Drive. It was taken between25 22 Building D and along the slope.1 THE PUBLIC: And you said in your testimony2 that you expect them to be the same and consistent with3 the samples that you took from the other side, is that4 correct?5 THE WITNESS: Yeah. We expect that the6 conditions are generally very stable. We also analyzed7 a relatively weaker soil profile that the data showed8 us.9 THE PUBLIC: But what do you expect or what10 do you base that expectation on, other than gumption?11 THE WITNESS: It's professional experience12 and our observations of the site conditions.13 THE PUBLIC: So your professional experience14 allows you to know what's going on 30 feet under the15 ground, 40 feet from the blast sample? Just to throw of16 random numbers.17 THE WITNESS: No, I wouldn't say that.18 THE PUBLIC: Okay.19 How many samples did you take, sir?20 THE WITNESS: So we did four borings and21 eight test pits.22 THE PUBLIC: Four borings, eight test pits?23 THE WITNESS: Yes.24 THE PUBLIC: Okay.25 23 And based on four borings and eight test1 pits you feel as if you have a complete understanding2 and faith in the stability of an area that's something3 like 36 acres, is that correct or how many acres, I'm4 sorry?5 MR. PLOCKER: I

eight test1 pits you feel as if you have a complete understanding2 and faith in the stability of an area that's something3 like 36 acres, is that correct or how many acres, I'm4 sorry?5 MR. PLOCKER: I just want to make it clear6 that his report was limited to the stability of the7 location of Building D.8 THE PUBLIC: Building D.9 MR. PLOCKER: For a clear record, sir.10 THE PUBLIC: Sure.11 What's the acreage of that area? He knows.12 THE WITNESS: I don't know the exact13 acreage.14 THE PUBLIC: But you feel that the four15 borings and eight test pits were sufficient to16 understand the area given that if this --17 THE WITNESS: In my professional opinion.18 MR. PLOCKER: Only one person can talk at a19 time.20 THE PUBLIC: Sure. So you feel confident to21 that point that nothing can happen that would cause any22 of this to cause an avalanche or anything like that or23 cause anything to sheer off and endanger the lives of24 the citizens of our town? Based on that you feel25 24 extremely confident, 100 percent.1 THE WITNESS: I would say considering all the2 investigations that we did and the fact that the slope3 was very gentle, I would say a 17 degree slope at most,4 which is three on one and the balance of it is much5 lighter than that, that there is, that the risk that you6 just described doesn't exist.7 THE PUBLIC: Okay. Based on that area?8 THE WITNESS: Correct.9 THE PUBLIC: Okay. All right.10 That's it for now.11 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.12 Come on up. State your name, please.13 THE PUBLIC: Rachel Klein. Howell Drive as14 well.15 I have a couple general questions and then a16 specific. I guess the first one would be, could you17 provide some, I can see where you took the borings from18 my house because it's marked in a bright pink and you19 can obviously see that. But I think some people, your20 crews actually took it, would it be possible to provide21 the public with a map of the site looking down?22 THE WITNESS: There is -- within our report,23 there is a figure that shows the locations.24 MS. MCGOVERN: Do you want to put it up.25