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

5 of 66 sheets Page 17 to 20 of 155 02/26/2026 05:17:42 PM 17 record, please.1 THE PUBLIC: Good evening. Dr. Art2 Butensky. Rappleye Court. B-U-T-E-N-S-K-Y.3 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to4 tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the5 truth.6 THE PUBLIC: Sure do.7 MS. McGOVERN: Thank you.8 THE PUBLIC: Good evening and thank you for9 this opportunity to present. I've been a resident of10 West Orange since 1958. I've lived in various locations11 in town over the years, Pleasantdale, the Main Street12 area and currently at The Grand. I have attended most13 all these sessions virtually. Some of the issues14 presented have been touched on, health topics, like the15 effects of blasting on hearing and the toxic effects the16 project would have on local residents drinking water.17 I come to you tonight to present an18 additional vital health issue not previously discussed19 for your consideration. I'm a local pediatrician20 licensed in New Jersey for over 40 years. My patients21 are from West Orange and all the local communities. I22 have significant concerns that this project will23 negatively impact the health of my patients, especially24 those with respiratory conditions. The information I25 18 present is from well accepted sources, like the Center1 for Disease Control and the American Academy of2 Pediatrics, as well as my own experiences. The3 incidences severity of asthma and respiratory problems4 in children has been increasing in the recent decades.5 Many factors are involved but experts in this area6 explain the damage to young airways by air pollution,7 carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, ozone and climate8 changes are involved.9 I grew up in the shadow of the construction10 of Route 280, 50 yards from the mountain created on11 Suburban Drive. My dad had me wash his car twice a week12 from all the dust and particulate matter in the air.13 The blasting, whistles and booms with shaking ground14 were constantly in the background. Much of what I have15 heard about the proposed project construction reminds me16 of that.17 I have done some calculations as to the18 effects this might have on the pediatric population of19 this area. My population figures come from the 202620 census. Disease estimates from the CDC and the Academy21 of Pediatrics. The local population of West Orange and22 neighboring towns about 70,000. 21 percent of New23 Jersey

igures come from the 202620 census. Disease estimates from the CDC and the Academy21 of Pediatrics. The local population of West Orange and22 neighboring towns about 70,000. 21 percent of New23 Jersey populations are kids, are children. The24 incidence of asthma in children is about 8 percent. The25 19 math with these figures means about 1,200 local children1 have asthma. The toxic effect of the proposed project2 with air pollution from heavy equipment exhaust,3 particulate air pollution from dust fallout fowling the4 air and also the felling of over 6,000 oxygen producing5 carbon dioxide eating trees will negatively affect these6 1,200 asthmatics and also consider hundreds more with7 nonasthmatic cardiopulmonary conditions like preemies8 and congenital heart disease kids.9 There's several schools just down hill from10 this site. The high school athletic fields is within11 fallout range where outdoor sport participants would be12 in jeopardy, especially those participants with exercise13 induced asthma, which is a separate entity. I have not14 even considered the adult population as they are beyond15 my expertise, but you can bet there are significant16 numbers to be negatively impacted as well. Thus your17 decisions will directly impact thousands of vulnerable18 individuals, many are my patients. I assume this19 project will become a legal system entanglement whatever20 the board decides.21 Mr. Plocker has done a fine job representing22 his client and we've been schooled in what his client23 believes to be his legal justifications. However, just24 adhering to certain presumed statutes might dictate what25 20 he feels is allowed, but not what is proper. The very1 agreements in which Mr. Plocker refers, which led to2 this fiasco, was penned in the shadows of one of the3 worst health crisis in modern history and to take4 advantage of that, I believe, makes this entire5 agreement immoral.6 Dear members, you have the power to make a7 decision. The distinction for what might be allowed or8 to do what is moral and just in service to the people of9 this and local towns. Be on the right side of this10 argument. Deny this proposal. Protect our town,11 protect your neighbors, friends and family and my12 patients. Do the right thing. I implore you, for God's13 sake, do the right thing.14 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Okay.15 Please come up and state your name for

protect your neighbors, friends and family and my12 patients. Do the right thing. I implore you, for God's13 sake, do the right thing.14 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Okay.15 Please come up and state your name for the16 record.17 THE PUBLIC: My name is Pavan Sharma.18 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to19 tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the20 truth.21 THE PUBLIC: Yes.22 MS. McGOVERN: I think I interrupted you,23 what was your address?24 THE PUBLIC: 9 Bakley Terrace.25