June 30, 2025, Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

11 of 70 sheets Page 41 to 44 of 175 08/07/2025 02:56:42 PM 41 report.1 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: He didn't testify to that.2 THE PUBLIC: Thank you.3 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.4 Do any another members of the public -- come5 right up. State your name for the record, please.6 THE PUBLIC: Hi. Thank you. I'm Susan7 Pannullo and I'm within the 200-foot zone. I have a8 quick question for something you testified to a few9 minutes ago. If I understood correctly you were saying10 that there is no way to measure the difference in the11 blasting of different materials, and my understanding is12 there's objective measures to measure that. There are13 decibels, I think it's called, that would help us to14 determine whether the blasting is different in terms of15 sound volume and impact on people around there.16 THE WITNESS: So can we read that back17 because I don't recall saying anything like that, at18 least not intending to.19 MR. PLOCKER: Again, this subject matter is20 not in the purview of the board, it's not in his report,21 he didn't testify and just for the record, I just want22 to confirm that Mrs. Pannullo is an Essex Fells23 resident?24 THE PUBLIC: Yes.25 42 MR. PLOCKER: Okay. I believed so, I just1 didn't hear you say that.2 THE PUBLIC: Yes, Essex Fells. Thank you.3 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: He didn't testify to that.4 THE PUBLIC: It was a few minutes ago, your5 question was whether there was basalt or other materials6 for volume, I think was the word or something like that.7 You did not use the word decibels that came from me.8 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Okay.9 THE PUBLIC: Yes, thank you.10 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Let him answer.11 If you can, you can answer.12 THE WITNESS: I don't recall specifically13 what I said.14 THE PUBLIC: I recall. Do want to read it15 back.16 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: No, he can't do that.17 MS. McGOVERN: Okay.18 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Why don't you ask the19 question and if he can answer the question, he will go20 ahead and answer the question.21 THE PUBLIC: So the question that I asked22 was, are there objective measures, as you alluded to, to23 quantify how that blasting is for people that are within24 earshot of the property?25 43 THE WITNESS: Yes, there are.1 THE PUBLIC: Thank you.2 MR. PLOCKER: Again, I'm going to object to3 the line of questioning. The decibels or the sound or4 whatever effects of blasting, as the Chairman dully5 stated, they are controlled by ordinances.

you.2 MR. PLOCKER: Again, I'm going to object to3 the line of questioning. The decibels or the sound or4 whatever effects of blasting, as the Chairman dully5 stated, they are controlled by ordinances. There are6 state regulations possibly and my client will work with7 the town and follow those guidelines and listen to it's8 own professionals in that regard.9 THE PUBLIC: So I guess my question -- go10 ahead, please.11 MR. AFRAN: Well, I think it's relevant for12 the members of the community to go into this subject.13 It may well be that the applicant intends to adhere to14 zoning codes and rules, but that doesn't mean the15 information about the extent of sound and blasting16 noises is not relevant to the application. Certainly is17 and it's certainly within the scope of the testimony in18 general. The witness says he's aware of those objective19 measures, so clearly it's within the scope of his20 knowledge and it relates.21 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Nobody's arguing except22 that I asked her to ask her question. If he can answer23 the question he'll answer the question.24 MR. AFRAN: No, I'm just responding to Mr.25 44 Plocker's position. They may adhere to every rule but1 still relevant subject for the members of the community.2 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: I'm asking him to answer3 the question. If he can't answer, he can't. If he can,4 he will.5 MR. AFRAN: Okay.6 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.7 Go right ahead.8 THE PUBLIC: Thank you.9 So is this within your area of expertise?10 MR. PLOCKER: Is what?11 THE PUBLIC: Is the sound of blasting within12 your area of expertise?13 THE WITNESS: I believe so. You can ask a14 question and I will answer it.15 THE PUBLIC: So now the next question is,16 are there objective measures of the amount of noise17 that's made for the people that live in the community18 surrounding the development?19 THE WITNESS: There are -- there are sound20 levels which are measured in decibels and some of them21 are nuisance levels, some of them are threshold levels22 or beyond which it becomes a nuisance.23 THE PUBLIC: Okay.24 And are there objective measures, you know,25