January 14, 2026, Planning Board Special Meeting - WEHI Transcript

02/03/2026 04:49:05 PM Page 21 to 24 of 122 6 of 53 sheets 21 522 PSF. Do you have any expert knowledge as to whether1 the slope is a "very mature older growth woodland2 setting?"3 No, I don't.4 A. So sitting here today you couldn't say whether or5 Q. not it's correct for him to be using this old growth PSF6 resistance capacity in his analysis, whether he's right7 or wrong, you couldn't say?8 That's correct.9 A. Okay.10 Q. Just so the board understands, I want to go back11 into the root cohesion question for a second. When we12 talk about resistance capacity derived from root13 cohesion, is it fair to say we're talking about the14 capacity of a root structure emanating from a tree to15 resist the force of gravity pushing a slope downward?16 It is.17 A. So the -- and it's fair to say, as far as you18 Q. know -- well, do you know how one calculates root19 cohesion in terms of the age, height of trees?20 I understand that it has to do with the frequency21 A. of roots. If you took a cut through the soil and the22 frequency of the roots and then a whole bunch of23 biological stuff that would pertain to the tensile24 strength of the roots.25 22 Right. In other words, it's fair to say that at1 Q. a certain point the older a tree is the more extensive2 and thicker it's root structure and that lateral3 structure may create a higher resistance capacity, is4 that fair to say?5 It seems fair to say. I am not an expert.6 A. That seems to be the general concept of root7 Q. cohesion, is that correct?8 That's correct.9 A. Okay.10 Q. As best as you can say.11 But other than that you're not in a position to12 evaluate the correctness or accuracy of Mr. Seels13 comments either on December 2 or on December 9, is that14 fair to say?15 That's fair so say.16 A. MR. AFRAN: I just need a moment, Mr.17 Chairman. I want to check my notes.18 Mr. Chairman, that concludes our additional19 cross-examination.20 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.21 Mr. Afran, do you have any other witnesses22 that you're going to present before the Planning Board?23 MR. AFRAN: No. I have a nice and firm24 e-mail from Ms. McGovern saying we are done. No, we25 23 don't have any other witnesses.1 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Okay.2 MS. McGOVERN: Don't blame it on me you3 don't have any other witnesses.4 MR. AFRAN: I am sure we could of found some5 but it wouldn't be kind.6 MS. McGOVERN: That's okay.7 Brian, do you have any?8 MR.

MS. McGOVERN: Don't blame it on me you3 don't have any other witnesses.4 MR. AFRAN: I am sure we could of found some5 but it wouldn't be kind.6 MS. McGOVERN: That's okay.7 Brian, do you have any?8 MR. PLOCKER: No.9 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Okay. Thank you for that10 glorious moment.11 So ladies and gentlemen, we are going to12 start public comment this evening. The goal of public13 comment is that the public has listened to all of the14 testimony with documents and wish to provide to the15 Planning Board information that they feel is important16 in our deliberations. Each person will be given five17 minutes, one shot, to present whatever you have as long18 as it's focusing on this application. If for any reason19 you don't -- you go off the application we are going to20 bring you back. If you go off a second time we'll bring21 you back unfortunately, we can't do it for a third time22 because there are many people who wish to have comments.23 There will be another night which we will schedule for24 public comment, we didn't -- we expected this to go25 24 longer, but it didn't, so there are a number of people1 here who I see have been here throughout the application2 process. We want to make sure your voices are heard.3 If somebody says, I like this or I don't like this and4 the next person says the same thing, we are going to5 say, thank you and we'll move on, because, again, many6 people have things they want the board to hear, and the7 board wants to hear everything the public has to say8 about this application.9 So to that end, does anybody have any public10 comment?11 MR. AFRAN: Mr. Chairman.12 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: One second.13 As you have no more questions of Mr.14 Kleinberg, Mr. Kleinberg the board thanks you very much15 for your testimony. You may have the rest of the16 evening off or you can join us, whatever your privilege.17 MR. KLEINBERG: Thank you. This has been18 quite an experience.19 MS. McCARTNEY: Always welcome.20 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Mr. Afran, you would like21 to say something.22 MR. AFRAN: Yes. My client and his officers23 just made a point. You very graciously said there would24 be another night for public comment and that's25