July 16, 2025, Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 101 with that. We'll use the rule of reasonableness in terms of how far in advance. MS. McGOVERN: At least -- well, should be ten days, but at least a day or two before the meeting. MR. AFRAN: We'll work on that. CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: This is stressing our staff to get everything perfect. MR. AFRAN: We don't want that to happen. The staff has really been great and we really appreciate it. We have one final witness, Marea DePalma. MS. MCGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth the whole truth nothing but the truth. THE WITNESS: Yes, do. MS. McGOVERN: Give us your name for the record and spell your last name. THE WITNESS: Marea, M-A-R-E-A. DePalma, D-E-P-A-L-M-A. CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Go right ahead, ma'am. MR. AFRAN: Ms. DePalma, there is a video starting on the screen, are you familiar with this video? THE WITNESS: Yes, I am. MR. AFRAN: And what scene does this video depict?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 102 THE WITNESS: It's the day the fire broke out on the golf course. MS. MCGOVERN: We're going to mark this video O-19. MR. AFRAN: And there's smoke evident in the video as it's playing. CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: I'm sorry, for clarity, please state the name of the golf course? MR. AFRAN: What is the name of the golf course, are you aware of it? THE WITNESS: Essex Fells County Club. CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you. MR. AFRAN: And there's smoke in the scene we're seeing, can you describe what that scene represents? THE WITNESS: I was trying to leave the complex because I got a call from my mom who lives in West Caldwell that she felt dizzy, so I hurried out. I tried to get out of the Warner/Oval exit, but I couldn't because when I got there, there was a fire engine and it was tapped off. So I went around to Baumgart and Oval and found out that I couldn't leave by foot or by car and they couldn't give me a how long, just that the fire chief told me to go back behind the lines. So nonetheless I was trapped. I couldn't get out. Neither

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 103 of my mother's neighbors were home and I panicked. So I am the emergency call for my mom and I couldn't get there. So this was going on, I don't know how long before I tried to make an attempt to get out, but I smelled fire and we didn't know where it was coming from. So there was a fire engine on the golf course, there was a fire engine down at Warner and Oval and everybody that lived there couldn't get in or out for probably two and a half to three hours. MR. AFRAN: And how long were you delayed in leaving at that length? THE WITNESS: A little over two hours. MR. AFRAN: Is there any doubt in your mind that this video reflects accurately the scene on that occasion? THE WITNESS: Absolutely. MR. AFRAN: Absolutely no doubt or absolutely -- THE WITNESS: No, that is what happened. I videoed it. MR. AFRAN: Thank you very much. We have no further questions. CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you. MR. AFRAN: I'm sorry, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the boards attention today and the staff.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 104 That concludes our witnesses for this evening. CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you. Do you have anything to say, Mr. Plocker? MR. PLOCKER: Nothing. CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Okay. Good. MR. AFRAN: Ms. DePalma said to me that the whole thing was not played. The red dot went to the end. It's like two minutes long at least. CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: The problem that we have when it is presented that evening we have technical difficulties. MR. AFRAN: We'll check and if there's more relevant we can bring it back. Thank you. MR. FAGAN: I only have one minute 50 seconds. CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Next Planning Board special meeting will be held July 30, 2025 at 6:30 PM. Council chambers and available on zoom. There will be no further notice required. (Hearing concludes at 9:14 PM.)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 105 C E R T I F I C A T E I, ERIC S. FISHMAN, a Shorthand Reporter and Notary Public of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and accurate transcript of the testimony as taken stenographically by and before me at the time, place and on the date hereinbefore set forth, to the best of my ability. I DO FURTHER CERTIFY that I am neither a relative nor employee nor attorney nor counsel of any of the parties to the action; and that I am neither a relative nor employee of such attorney or counsel; and that I am not financially interested in the action. --------------------- ERIC S. FISHMAN, S.R. Dated:__________________

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 106 SIGNATURE PAGE/ERRATA SHEET WITNESS: CASE REFERENCE: INSTRUCTIONS TO WITNESS After you have read your transcript, please note any errors in transcript on this page. Do not mark on the transcript itself. Please sign and date this sheet as indicated below. If additional lines are required for corrections, attach additional sheets. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ERROR OR AMENDMENT/REASON FOR CHANGE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page Line ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have read my transcript and subscribed to its accuracy, to include the corrections or amendments noted above or hereto attached: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Signature of Witness Date

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