January 28, 2026, Planning Board Special Meeting - WEHI Transcript

13 of 66 sheets Page 49 to 52 of 155 02/26/2026 05:17:42 PM 49 up, some people in the back can't hear you.1 THE PUBLIC: Oh, sure.2 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.3 THE PUBLIC: Well, okay.4 My education is, I have a bachelor's of5 science in engineering with a speciality in metrological6 sciences from Catholic University of America. Also a7 master of science in engineering management and I8 completed an Air Force program in meteorology at Texas9 A&M University a graduate school in meteorology, which10 is basically a master's without a thesis.11 I don't claim to be an expert in hydrology12 or flood management, but I observed the weather of13 course over the decades and I'll comment on this later.14 I do have a strong appreciation for the weather,15 environmental conservation and also wildlife16 conservation. I should note that in my previous home17 before moving to West Orange, I lived right next to18 forested area, which also had a brook. Like I live19 right next to Canoe Brook. But it was a town park. But20 anyway, I frequently commented that I sure hope they21 don't build apartments, that was back in that park and22 they didn't. So that's good. Fortunately they didn't.23 But now we have a concern that apartment buildings maybe24 replacing thousands of trees in our new neighborhood.25 50 Considering the fact big storms are happening more often1 with the climate change imagine the effect of removing2 6,000 trees uphill of an HOA development, as well as the3 affects on the surrounding streets and communities to4 the east and north.5 Okay. So I was just going to say a few6 things about runoff possible affect of trees. The7 capacity of 10,000 -- 6,000 trees consumed in a rain8 deluge. 6,000 trees can manage between 300,000 and9 900,000 gallons of water in a rain deluge. Individual10 tree capacity, one mature tree can store 100 gallons of11 water and a small tree can intercept 58 gallons in a12 moderate rain event. The total capacity of 6,000 trees13 is a, the lower estimate is 300,000 gallons a higher14 estimate of 900,000 gallons.15 Key factors and -- I'm down to one minute so16 I have to skip.17 Okay. Anyway, a deluge would produce much18 more runoff to the Canoe Brook and the other areas. I19 should point out that after a fairly big rainstorm a few20 years ago, a medium sized tree from the Canoe Brook21 actually fell and was leaning on our house and of

Canoe Brook and the other areas. I19 should point out that after a fairly big rainstorm a few20 years ago, a medium sized tree from the Canoe Brook21 actually fell and was leaning on our house and of course22 it was removed.23 Also I have concerns, as other people24 mentioned, about the traffic doubling or tripling.25 51 We're in a cul-de-sac with one way in, one way out and1 more than doubling the population of this cul-de-sac for2 the first responders, I'm wondering what does the fire3 department have to say about that.4 The location for new residents, somebody5 covered that topic.6 Safety for the neighbors. There's a7 possible danger to a, with a large building on that8 cliff near neighborhoods and towns and houses.9 Wildlife conservation is important. It10 should be respected, in my opinion. I've seen, for11 example, a young gray horned owl and many other much12 wildlife.13 Anyway, in summary, I urge the committee to14 consider rejecting the planned development. I wish you15 would pursue other options for affordable and a forest16 destroyed, it would be a shame that we don't leave it17 for our children and grand children.18 I thank you for your consideration and19 letting me make my comments.20 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you very much.21 Come right up, sir. State your name for the22 record.23 THE PUBLIC: Good evening. My name is Eliot24 Ruga, R-U-G-A. I'm the policy director for the New25 52 Jersey Highlands Coalition and the Highlands1 Physiographic province, which is west of the Watchung.2 MS. McGOVERN: Do you have a business3 address or an address?4 THE PUBLIC: 713 Main Street in Boonton.5 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to6 tell the truth the whole and nothing but the truth.7 THE PUBLIC: I do.8 MS. McGOVERN: Okay.9 THE PUBLIC: I'm going to touch on something10 that Professor Stark -- I'm going to speak about11 something that Professor Stark touched on and that is12 the soils and the importance of soils. You have a13 natural resource value here that's very little14 understood, probably not protected, but it's extremely15 important. Let me go back in time a little bit.16 There were about 600 mines in northern New17 Jersey, mostly in the highlands region and there were18 hundreds of furnaces and forges associated with them.19 And before they converted to anthracite in the mid 19th20 Century they were fueled by charcoal and each one of21 these furnaces

and there were18 hundreds of furnaces and forges associated with them.19 And before they converted to anthracite in the mid 19th20 Century they were fueled by charcoal and each one of21 these furnaces consumed between one and three square22 miles of timber as charcoal every year. So that by23 1850, 1860 there was barely a tree left standing in24 northern New Jersey, but that tree cutting was all done25