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 25 102 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