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

08/07/2025 02:56:42 PM Page 61 to 64 of 175 16 of 70 sheets 61 guidance helps them through the development of those.1 MR. KLEIN: There are programs that an2 engineer or a blast specialist would use based on the3 type of soil, type of rock, distance, do they model4 something?5 THE WITNESS: Correct.6 MR. KLEIN: They model something that says7 this is where the blast will go based on what rock needs8 to be removed and this is what we can expect the9 vibration, you can dampen that vibration somehow. You10 can do smaller blasts as opposed to one big one, all11 that kind of stuff?12 THE WITNESS: Correct. There are a number13 of different parameters that can be adjusted to limit14 the amount of energy that's released and resulting in15 the amount of noise.16 MR. KLEIN: So it's not just we are going to17 blast, somebody complains about noise, we're going to18 stop blasting and try and figure it out. You're going19 to know before the blasting starts that they have met20 the vibration amounts, the levels and they dampened it a21 certain way or whatever they do to make it work to get22 the rock out but not to be vibrating so far away that it23 effects the neighbors?24 THE WITNESS: That's generally the way it25 62 works. To make sure that they achieve the goals of the1 design.2 MR. KLEIN: So they'll put some sort of3 vibration monitor at 15 or 13 Howell, maybe 61 Howell,4 to see what the vibrations are when the first set of5 blasts go off and if there's a problem they'll, oop,6 let's shut this down. We have to recalculate?7 THE WITNESS: Correct. The seismographs are8 placed in various locations and they monitor it in real9 time.10 MR. KLEIN: Okay.11 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Mr. Seel, is it true that12 a plan has to be presented to the town for approval for13 blasting and where monitors would be?14 THE WITNESS: That has typically been my15 experience. That a blasting plan is developed and16 presented to the Township for approval.17 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Go ahead.18 THE PUBLIC: But the question is, since none19 of us are experts on the actual toxic level of decibels,20 so you got a monitor there, what if it does exceed your21 theoretical, because I can tell you, 85 decibels is22 toxic. You haven't given me a single even hypothetical23 about what one set of blasting charge in your experience24 elicits and that's what I'm trying to get. A baseline25 63 from your experience, and so

ic. You haven't given me a single even hypothetical23 about what one set of blasting charge in your experience24 elicits and that's what I'm trying to get. A baseline25 63 from your experience, and so what's the, what if, what1 if it goes higher, you know, the project starts and2 we're stuck?3 MR. PLOCKER: I don't know what the question4 is.5 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: I do. I think she's6 asking for the monitor and make sure that everything,7 indifference to Mr. Afran's --8 THE PUBLIC: You said you would get9 measurements.10 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: There are layers of11 standards that the applicant will have to live with and12 so will the Township and we do believe the Township will13 make sure that these things are monitored and the public14 also will be notified before any blasting is done by15 standard and if there's an issue they will contact the16 Township immediately.17 MR. PLOCKER: Mr. Chairman, if may I add,18 and I don't know the specific provision right now, so I19 do apologize. But in the settlement agreement there is20 an obligation from my client to not only inform the town21 but to maintain a website about ongoing construction22 activities, including blasting.23 THE PUBLIC: Okay. Thank you.24 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you, ma'am.25 64 Ma'am.1 THE PUBLIC: Rachel Klein, Howell Drive.2 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.3 THE PUBLIC: I guess my first question, to4 piggyback on the controlling of the sound and blasting,5 are we, for those who live below it, is there going to6 be an excessive amount of dust or is there a way you7 have to control that to keep it from our properties?8 MR. PLOCKER: Again, I think this is outside9 the scope of his testimony. I think that's the10 construction building department.11 MR. AFRAN: Could I ask the member of the12 community to repeat the question again.13 THE PUBLIC: About if there are controls14 when they're blasting, if there would be a way to15 control dust and debris from our properties, since we16 live directly below it.17 MR. AFRAN: Sounds like -- sounds to me as18 though that's something that's not outside the witnesses19 scope of expertise. An engineer, geotechnical engineer20 is not limited to only sound and energy input, certain21 effects of the blasting is something that he must have22 expertise and experience in, that would include the23 spread of blasting particularly. So I don't think it's24 outside his scope at all.25