October 22 2025, Planning Board Regular Meeting - WEHI Transcript

9 of 17 sheets Page 33 to 36 of 40 10/28/2025 12:18:39 PM 33 comment on the 29th in person in town hall.1 And Ms. McGovern, you want to talk about the2 Master Plan.3 MS. McGOVERN: Right. So the Master Plan4 revision that came about as a result of the comments5 from the public and the board, if you recall we had our6 public comment session on September 10. We will be7 getting a revised Fourth Round Plan probably Monday or8 Tuesday the board will have it, it will also be put up9 on the website, the board is going to get it at the same10 time as the public and because of notice requirements to11 make sure it's in the newspaper or get it to the parties12 that need to have it and serve it on contiguous towns13 around us. On November 10, which is a Monday, at 6:0014 PM in person we will have a hearing to hopefully15 finalize the Fourth Round Plan with those revisions and16 the board and public comments are limited to the17 revisions, we already had three hours of public comment18 on the entire plan.19 (Whereupon, a short recess is taken.)20 THE PUBLIC: Mr. Chairman, if I may. I have21 a question.22 Seth Weisleder, 17 Howell Drive. As you23 stated we're here for the public comment, can you24 provide additional transparency on public comment on how25 34 much time residents will be allowed. We sat through 211 hearings, we have all given our time, once again this2 evening, and for some reason there always seem to be3 some disagreement and this is frustrating because we've4 been here 21 meetings and we have a lot to say and we5 would like to understand the expectations of public6 comment and how much time we will have and if we will be7 able to yield time to another member or how that's going8 to work. Thank you.9 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: So right now you get three10 minutes, which is what we normally get, and as we have11 seen before there have been areas of public comment12 throughout the entire application. The people have had,13 and the board has listened, to the public comment. So14 we will limit it to three minutes and we're going to ask15 that, there will probably be many people who want to say16 things that people will have the right to say them and17 not a second time. So if everybody's completed then we18 can hear something else. But the goal is that public19 comment is the comment and if everybody is saying the20 same thing then we'll ask you to raise your hand if

So if everybody's completed then we18 can hear something else. But the goal is that public19 comment is the comment and if everybody is saying the20 same thing then we'll ask you to raise your hand if you21 all say the same thing because the goal of public22 comment is that the board hears the comments and takes23 that into consideration. So saying it 17 times does not24 help the public and there's always people who don't get25 35 to say what they need to say. So we want to give those1 people their voice for the board to hear. So we want to2 be fair to the public and also listening, people who3 have a lot to say, but most of the people said before4 and if not, then we're going to give them their three5 minutes and we'll go from there. And if the board feels6 that they need more time, then the board will adjust and7 we will give them more time. So it's going to be what8 these comments are, how the board can use that9 information and the board will then always adjust it10 based on the public need. We have been very, very11 forthcoming and we're members of the public too. So as12 Ms. McGovern said, on the 10th we will start --I'm13 sorry, on the 29th we will start public comment, after14 our experts and the objectors testimony.15 THE PUBLIC: Thank you for allowing me to16 address that. Thank you.17 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: You're very welcome.18 Mr. Afran.19 MR. AFRAN: Do we know when the CME report20 comes in on the structural issues?21 MS. MCGOVERN: I'm told, I'm told within the22 next day.23 MR. AFRAN: Okay. So it's expected that24 would be presented on the 29th?25 36 MS. McGOVERN: Right.1 MR. AFRAN: Okay. I wanted to know that2 because it was alluded to just now.3 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Yes.4 MR. AFRAN: We will have that and I would5 like to get a copy of it sent that day, if I can.6 MS. McGOVERN: I will do that.7 MR. AFRAN: I appreciate that.8 But there is one other matter brought to my9 attention, there's a representative from the Montclair10 Environmental Commission who wishes to make a statement11 on the record.12 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Public comment. Public13 comment. That's where it belongs. Public comment.14 MR. AFRAN: Well, it's --15 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you. Public16 comment.17 MR. AFRAN: At what time tonight --18 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Public comment.19 MR. AFRAN: Just so that the individual20 understands, they're coming back on the 29th to make a21 statement that

ic16 comment.17 MR. AFRAN: At what time tonight --18 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Public comment.19 MR. AFRAN: Just so that the individual20 understands, they're coming back on the 29th to make a21 statement that they're here for right now?22 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: If we have public comment23 on the 29th, yes, absolutely. It can go to public24 comment.25