Verona Community Fights Back Tonight Against Developer Who Plans To Blast, Pollute, Snarl Traffic and Endanger the Health and Safety of the Residents

Editor, The Times:

The proposed building project on Bloomfield Avenue/ Westview Road/Montclair Avenue by DMH2 has been before the town zoning/planning boards for two years. It involves blasting the quarry area behind residential homes, as well as tearing down the densely wooded area to build a two story residential/commercial building with extensive parking. Blasting will consist of 5-6 blasts per day covering for six months or more. In addition, there will be jackhammering to break up the rock from 8am-5pm less than 50 feet from residential homes. The amount of noise and dust pollution will be extensive. Bloomfield Avenue traffic and utilities will be disrupted. Inadequate soil samples have been taken to determine what material will be blasted. Fine dust particles (possibly containing toxic material) will be disseminated across a wide area of town including Everett Field where many town children play sports daily. Anyone with asthma or breathing difficulties will most likely experience an increase in symptoms. No experts have testified at the Planning Board to convince us that DMH2 is capable of blasting in a safe manner that will not damage our health. Houses will shake and household items may be damaged during this process. Residential foundations are at risk. This is not a NOT IN MY BACKYARD issue. It is a Verona town issue. All citizens of Verona are entitiled to a safe environment and quality of life. That is why we live here. The next Planning Meeting is August 29th where all town residents can finally come and speak out on this proposal.

Kim Shafer, Respiratory Care Practitioner, MA, Environmental Health
Terry Moore, MA, Education
17 Westview Road
Verona, NJ 07044
973-641-9441