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

17 of 70 sheets Page 65 to 68 of 175 08/07/2025 02:56:42 PM 65 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: But he didn't testify to1 that in his report.2 MR. AFRAN: Well, maybe the witness is3 suggesting -- the community member suggesting that it4 was not addressed but needs to be a part of the report5 and that's why she's raising it.6 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: She asked the question,7 let's see if the witness can answer it.8 THE WITNESS: So the question, if I may9 paraphrase, are there techniques available during10 construction to suppress dust. Is the question, is11 during construction are there methods available to12 suppress dust?13 THE PUBLIC: Yes, specifically the downhill14 flow of it. Because we're directly below, some of us15 are directly below where the buildings going to go and16 when they're blasting --17 THE WITNESS: Sure, I understand. So dust is18 airborne.19 THE PUBLIC: Airborne and things come20 tumbling down the mountain.21 THE WITNESS: It goes up and comes down22 under gravity. So there are methods available for23 contractors to suppress dust during blasting, yes.24 They're masked with water for example.25 66 THE PUBLIC: And then on a different note.1 Did you compare the slope stability here with the slope2 stability when the Seton Hall sports complex was3 approved?4 MR. PLOCKER: Objection. That's clearly not5 in his report.6 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Can you say that again.7 THE PUBLIC: Did you compare the slope8 stability here to the slope stability when the Seton9 Hall sports complex was approved? I believe you worked10 on both, that's why.11 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Two different things.12 That's out of the scope of the Planning Board right now.13 THE PUBLIC: Okay. Thank you.14 MR. AFRAN: Wait, wait. Mr. Chairman --15 MR. PLOCKER: Bruce, let's continue. This16 is getting obstructive.17 MR. AFRAN: No, no, no. Excuse me, the18 Chair continues to interject opinions.19 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: The Seton Hall project is20 not part of this application, nor are we going to21 compare and contrast anything.22 MR. AFRAN: Well, I agree it's not part of23 the application. But the witness was simply asked a24 question, he's capable of answering whether he did. So25 67 whether it has relevance later in the proceeding is1 another issue. The witness shouldn't be denied to2 answer the question.3 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: That has absolutely4 nothing to do with the Planning Boards, any information5 leading about that

roceeding is1 another issue. The witness shouldn't be denied to2 answer the question.3 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: That has absolutely4 nothing to do with the Planning Boards, any information5 leading about that project. I believe it's in6 litigation that project and the Planning Board has7 nothing to do with the Seton Hall project.8 MR. AFRAN: No, the Planning Board may not9 but the professional geotech engineer may very well.10 And in the course of studying that project and problems11 it may be that the expert has knowledge from that.12 That's relevant to the general opinion, that's why the13 community member was asking the question. Now, if he14 didn't compare it and doesn't know anything about it,15 he's quite capable of saying so. It isn't the Chairs16 role to essentially block the witness and that's not17 appropriate.18 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: It's the Chairs role to19 make sure we focus on the application here and not20 something else. You can ask the question, he may have21 an answer, but the board --22 MR. AFRAN: I have done my job to raise my23 objection to that position.24 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Go ahead.25 68 MR. AFRAN: It is my job to do that, so I1 have done it.2 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Okay.3 THE PUBLIC: Seth Weisleder. I will be4 quick.5 I guess a question is, which is more6 important, decibels or vibration levels? So it's come7 up several times, I am curious which it is. Seems like8 people are concerned with decibels versus vibration, are9 they equally important?10 THE WITNESS: They effect different things.11 So they effect different things. Noise or decibels12 effect human hearing and it's a function of perception13 largely, but also natural impact. Where as vibrations14 typically people can feel them but they tend to,15 depending of the level of them, may have an impact on16 structures.17 THE PUBLIC: So if it could have an impact18 on structure of homes that are within 200 to 150 feet of19 the blasting zone or did you come across any other20 critical structure, could that cause critical failure to21 other structures like sewer, methane gas lines, anything22 in that area?23 THE WITNESS: Typically buildings are most24 susceptible. Utilities tend to be more resilient to25