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

08/07/2025 02:56:42 PM Page 157 to 160 of 175 40 of 70 sheets 157 describing it.1 MR. ALPER: Have any of those floods caused2 your water pump to actually stop or slow by flooding so3 far?4 THE PUBLIC: So far, no. But it's a tough5 question because that pump currently is off. The pump6 is off since 2021 because it's contaminated by the7 PFOAs. The aquifer is contaminated basically. So as a8 result we're not allowed to deliver that water, so we9 have been using other wells that we own in the area. So10 as a result I would say the visual I'll show you, I'll11 submit it supplementally, will show you, I'll point out12 where the pump is and where the well is. You know, it's13 only about 50-feet deep but basically you'll see the14 water at the foundation of this well. If it goes above15 a certain level it's in the door of that facility.16 Basically then it's in the well, then we have to shut it17 down. So it would contaminate that particular well.18 We'd have to shut it down and look for guidance from the19 regulator, DEP.20 MR. ALPER: What about the road, part of21 Oval Road that comes close to, if not goes into Essex22 Fells, has that flooded?23 THE PUBLIC: Yes.24 MR. ALPER: How many times has Oval Road25 158 flooded there?1 THE PUBLIC: It's similar, not as frequent2 as just the Canoe Brook flooding because the road itself3 is a little bit higher, but not much. So I would say4 it's over a dozen times in general flooding. Oval Roads5 flooded at least five times. I am not there every6 storm, I am there frequently. When I get a resident7 concern I go out there because I like to see it for8 myself and yeah, I would estimate five or so for the9 road.10 In addition though part of the issue is11 greater than that, if you talk about -- talk about the12 Sewer Uplift Station, that's a little further, it's13 along Oval Road, it's in a culvert along the Country14 Club. There's a concrete channel in there basically15 that's necessary for the property of this sanitary sewer16 facility. Right. That concrete is basically17 compromised. The wall basically needs to reenforce the18 foundation, so that is not five storms worth of19 flooding. That is basically every time it rains there's20 a backup into that channel and basically it's slowly21 over long periods of time eroded the concrete. And so22 that's why it needs to be replaced. That's why we23 budgeted for it this year.24 MR.

's20 a backup into that channel and basically it's slowly21 over long periods of time eroded the concrete. And so22 that's why it needs to be replaced. That's why we23 budgeted for it this year.24 MR. ALPER: And in terms of past flooding,25 159 does it flood to the extent it interferes with the cars,1 the traffic?2 THE PUBLIC: Well, the roads closed between3 Essex Fells and West Orange. There's no flow through4 traffic. So it's emergency access only. The only one5 allowed to use the road, and again, I think came up in6 some questions, been this way for 30 years. This is not7 related to this application but the only people that go8 through that gate are pedestrians, are police and fire,9 mutual aid.10 MR. ALPER: Okay. Thank you.11 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Mr. Cardoza?12 MR. CARDOZA: Thank you for the informative13 testimony. My colleagues on the board asked all my14 questions.15 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Council Person Scarpa?16 COUNCIL PERSON SCARPA: Thank you, Mayor.17 No questions. I have concerns about stormwater and Oval18 Road safety and the ordinance as well as our19 responsibility as public officials, what specific plans20 would you like the developer and West Orange to provide21 to make sure that we are, your town is protected and I22 would like to see the video. I would like it to be put23 up at our next meeting so we can explore the24 knowledgeable concerns.25 160 THE PUBLIC: My immediate request is1 respectfully, I understand this is West Orange. Right.2 So it's up to this board to protect us and the West3 Orange residents and fellow community members. I4 believe you need to do more due diligence than you have5 done to date. I think specifically you demand this6 application provide you answers that have been raised by7 the public and by yourself over the days. Right. So8 for instance to me, despite the reference from the9 Borough engineer, I disagree basically that you10 discharge that obligation legally. The reality is11 nobody from West Orange has looked at the property just12 downhill in Essex Fells, Borough of Essex Fells and the13 water department owns. You can come any time you want.14 We'll arrange access when it rains, I will bring15 umbrellas, you can see it with me. I think that's16 required, as a public official that's required of me and17 I think that's a reasonable expectation for all of you18 and your experts. And by all means, I don't know

an see it with me. I think that's16 required, as a public official that's required of me and17 I think that's a reasonable expectation for all of you18 and your experts. And by all means, I don't know what19 the result of that expert analysis is going to be, but20 do the work. That's my request of you guys.21 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Okay. Thank you.22 I think we are getting redundant, but we23 hear you.24 You have anything to say?25