Expert testifies on

Indian Fields blasting By Rosa Kasper hardyston - If the town planning board approves the next phase of construction at Indian Fields, blasting of bedrock will not cause the same problems experienced during previous phases, a blasting engineer said. The engineer, Karl Kist of Fairfield, has been retained by developer Joe Lipari and testified at the July 28 meeting of the board. Kist said if the board approves Lipari's request to build the fourth phase of the townhouse complex, he would follow proper blasting techniques that should not disrupt the lives of people already living in the project. Blasting during the third phase of the project brought homeowners to the board, complaining of damage to their property and respiratory problems caused by dust raised by the detonations. After listening to complaints at the June 23 meeting, board members agreed unanimously to postpone giving Lipari approval to proceed with the building plan until the board could hear from an explosives expert and reach a deeper understanding of the issues involved. Kist testified that he had been associated with several successful major urban blasting projects, including the construction of an underground library annex at Cornell University in New York State. The blasting caused no damage to nearby buildings, he said. He said that he could not respond to questions about problems residents believe phase three blasting caused, but would focus upon the techniques he would employ in phase four to protect property and health. "In these regions, bedrock is near the surface, and there is a good chance you will have to blast," he said. "We have a lot of government studies to determine parameters that ensure blasting will cause no damage." "What should the residents expect?" board member Jim Armstrong asked. Kist replied that people would feel a vibration when walking across the floor, but should not see rattling china or cracked plaster. "If we are fortunate enough to do this blasting when construction starts, we'll have an independent engineering firm do a preblast basement inspection of all houses within blasting range." Kist explained that he would begin by blasting in the areas most distant from existing buildings so that he can monitor the effects and adjust procedures and techniques to minimize adverse effects. The blasting probably would take about three months to complete, he said. "We mean to do everything conservative to respect the neighborhood, and we won't blast at night or over weekends," Kist continued. "We also will notify residents in any reasonable way the board suggests. The preblast survey would include the first row of houses next to the blasting area. "We understand the concerns and we want to minimize impact. We would be monitoring every blast with fine instrumentation to reach a higher level of confidence." Kist said anyone who feels the blasting is causing damage should contact the N.J. Department of Labor, the agency that monitors such activity. Reacting to Kist's testimony, long-time Indian Fields resident Valley Cicerale said that Kist's testimony about the skilled blasting is nothing but "smoke and mirrors." "What guarantees do we have that no damage will occur?" Cicerale asked. At the June 23 meeting a crowd of more than 40 furious homeowners testified that unannounced blasting during phase three construction had knocked pictures off walls, cracked walls, broken window seals, popped studs and frightened children and pets. The residents also complained that the developer had not done preblast inspections of their homes. Board chairman Carl Miller explained that the planning board has no authority to regulate blasting, because state law preempts local law . The development, which originally was approved in the mid-1980s, is located just off Route 94 in Hardyston. Since then, home construction has continued sporadically, and now the developers want to resume construction. At least three more development phases are in the works. "Most of us moved here to enjoy rural peace and quiet," one resident said. "Kids have been born, educated, and moved away and in their entire life have never been away from construction noise."