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

08/07/2025 02:56:42 PM Page 45 to 48 of 175 12 of 70 sheets 45 I'm a neuroscientist, so bear with me for a minute. Are1 there objective measures for the impact of various2 decibel levels on the human brain?3 THE WITNESS: I can't speak to the science4 behind it but there are levels above which you hear5 things or that are harmful to the human ear.6 THE PUBLIC: So are you aware of studies7 within your expertise, we'll stay with that, are you8 aware of studies that actually quantify the amount of9 sound that qualifies as nuisance or threshold levels?10 THE WITNESS: I am aware of studies and I11 can't cite the exact levels, but I am aware of the12 different levels that relate to various thresholds of13 harm or nuisance.14 THE PUBLIC: Got it. Thank you.15 Are there experts in that field that can16 testify perhaps to specifics regarding the effects of17 sound upon humans living within particular areas of18 nuisances like blasting?19 THE WITNESS: I suppose there are. I would20 imagine there are. I don't personally know any, but I21 am sure there is someone with the proper training and22 education that can speak to that.23 THE PUBLIC: Okay.24 And I think we're okay for now.25 46 Thank you very much.1 MR. PLOCKER: For the record, could we get2 Mrs. Pannullo's address?3 THE PUBLIC: I'm sorry.4 MR. PLOCKER: Your address. It's a5 legitimate question.6 THE WITNESS: I don't think -- am I allowed7 --8 MR. PLOCKER: I can look it up the deed, but9 I --10 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Are you within 200 feet?11 MR. PLOCKER: I'd would like to know the12 address, because I'd like to show where Mrs. Pannullo13 lives.14 THE PUBLIC: I'm in the 200-foot notice15 area, if that's what you would like to know.16 MR. PLOCKER: I can look up my notice, but I17 think I want, for the record, where Mrs. Pannullo lives18 in relationship to Building D.19 MR. AFRAN: Well, wait a second. The member20 of the community wasn't speaking necessarily only for21 herself.22 MR. PLOCKER: I didn't say she was.23 MR. AFRAN: She's entitled to raise -- so24 why does it matter where she lives and it seems to me to25 47 be an intrusion --1 MR. PLOCKER: Because every board meeting I2 go to people are required to give addresses. I can look3 up my notices.4 MR. AFRAN: There's absolutely no law that5 says a citizen coming here or any other municipal held6 meeting must do that.7 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Mr. Plocker can look

e addresses. I can look3 up my notices.4 MR. AFRAN: There's absolutely no law that5 says a citizen coming here or any other municipal held6 meeting must do that.7 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Mr. Plocker can look it8 up.9 MS. McGOVERN: Okay. There is some rational10 for asking people their address, because there is the11 presumption of whether you have standing to object to12 something. It's granted that you have standing if you13 are in the 200-foot radius. There are other reasons why14 you might have standing, but it is germane to the issues15 to find out where somebody lives if it's been requested.16 MR. AFRAN: I must respectfully disagree.17 And the reason is very simply that there is no18 requirement as an -- to be an objector that one must19 live within the 200-foot range. I'm not sure where, Ms.20 McGovern, you get that from. Anyone in the community21 can stand as an objector. Our standing rules are22 extremely broad.23 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: We're not arguing.24 MR. AFRAN: My point though is, that the25 48 question was asked as a general matter of the impact of1 the project and it doesn't matter whether this witness2 lives near where the blasting will be or not. She's3 asking a question about the impact on the community. To4 start focusing on where people live is intrusive and5 certainly suggests some people have more rights than6 others and that would be wrong.7 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Mr. Afran, she stated8 herself she lives within 200-feet of the area. It9 wasn't that anybody's putting it upon her.10 MR. AFRAN: Whether she said that or not11 doesn't mean it's relevant to ask where people live when12 they asked a question. The entire community is13 concerned with these issues.14 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: It may be relevant, she15 brought it up as a matter of fact, but I am not arguing16 the point. We are going to move on.17 I am going to say one thing for the record.18 That blasting and safe operations are covered by MSHA19 and OSHA and the township will make sure that the20 decibel levels fall within the prescribed guidelines.21 Can you hear me?22 THE PUBLIC: Now we can.23 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Blasting is covered by the24 guidelines and will be monitored by the applicant and by25