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

41 of 70 sheets Page 161 to 164 of 175 08/07/2025 02:56:42 PM 161 MR. MacNEILL: No questions.1 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Mr. Haizel?2 MR. HAIZEl: No questions.3 MR. PLOCKER: I have one.4 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Mayor McCartney first.5 MAYOR McCARTNEY: So after listening, Mayor6 Davis compelled me to go back into my notes and back in7 April when we were listening to the Princeton Hydro8 testimony, there was, actually I asked the question9 about should the basins go deeper or wider. Do you10 recall. And now Mr. MacNeill, we are talking about when11 does that decision get made? We didn't really talk12 about specifically Verona or Essex Fells, we just talked13 in general about these basins. Are you saying that14 happens during construction or should that decision be15 made right now?16 MR. MacNEILL: So the decision has been made17 with their current design. So all the things I brought18 up are if the soil testing that they submitted is19 incorrect and the seasonal high water table that they20 have identified ends up being incorrect and way off of21 what their geotechnical engineer has testified, if22 that's the case then we're going back to a revision and23 then amended approval at the board level. But, again,24 that's all at this point speculative on what potentially25 162 could happen with the additional soil testing that will1 be performed during any potential construction. But2 right now the applicant is moving forward with the3 current design for the stormwater basin. The current4 sizes you currently see on the plans will be moved5 forward with into construction and then be verified6 during and post construction. To -- really can't7 confirm, design the seasonal high is regulated where8 they said it is, you're going to go with this basin9 design or no, based on our inspection now you have to10 address a higher seasonal high water table.11 MAYOR McCARTNEY: That's your concern,12 that's what you're saying?13 MR. MacNEILL: Yeah, that, again, this is14 what will happen. We'll be inspecting during and post15 construction to ensure all the soil testing is16 reverifying what we already submitted and reviewed.17 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Mr. Klein?18 MR. KLEIN: I don't know how to word this.19 Is there a seasonal high water table level where you20 just can't have a detention basin and infiltration?21 MR. MacNEILL: So you only did -- state22 standard you only need 2-feet from the seasonal

19 Is there a seasonal high water table level where you20 just can't have a detention basin and infiltration?21 MR. MacNEILL: So you only did -- state22 standard you only need 2-feet from the seasonal high23 water table to the bottom of your BMP. That gets24 confusing because the bottoms not necessarily the bottom25 163 of your basin, like the ground surface. It's the bottom1 of the sand layer. Or if there's an underground2 infiltration at the bottom of the stone bed it's3 technically the bottom. So you need 2-feet to the4 seasonal high water.5 MR. KLEIN: That's how they designed it now?6 MR. MacNEILL: Yeah.7 MR. KLEIN: And if they were to come up a8 foot?9 MR. MacNEILL: Then they're noncompliant10 with their BMP requirements and have to address that in11 the field as a field change. Now you have to pick it up12 6-inches then if they are way off on the submitted soil13 testing then it would be a stop work, come back to the14 board and have a completely new redesign on the15 stormwater.16 MR. KLEIN: Which may not be detention, it17 could be storage or whatever?18 MR. MacNEILL: New underground infill.19 Maybe that's more impervious pavement that would be open20 to just using BMPs that are approved by DEP.21 MR. KLEIN: Correct. And that could hold up22 construction and this project could take forever?23 MR. MacNEILL: And really in my review the24 Princeton Hydro report soil testing was the major25 164 comment that they had that could have a major impact in1 the field. So that is why in my letter we have them2 adding those notes to their plans before construction,3 that they have to verify this during and post4 construction. If the applicant submitted false5 information from their geotechnical engineer, they have6 the burden to address that.7 MR. KLEIN: Thank you.8 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.9 Mr. Haizel?10 MR. HAIZEL: I'm good.11 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Okay.12 Mr. Plocker.13 MR. PLOCKER: Just very briefly. Thank you,14 Mr. -- Mayor Davis.15 Thank you for your comments. I just wanted16 to confirm since you acknowledge you are not a17 professional engineer you are not qualified to review18 the proposed stormwater management system as part of19 this application, correct?20 THE PUBLIC: Correct.21 MR. PLOCKER: Okay.22 So you don't know whether that stormwater23 system in your personal mind would reduce, increase or24 have a net negative effect on the well water?25