| Author | Message | ||
     mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 542 Registered: 5-2001 |
At tonight's BOT meeting, it was discussed that Pulte wants to work on Saturday in the quarry. Matthews noted that technically there was no present ordinance to prevent this. After much debate on what to do, it was concluded that the BOT would maintain the position that they do not want them to work on Saturday. Several months ago, John Gross stated during a BOT meeting that if they asked to work on weekends that request would not be granted. I commend the BOT (especially Dr. Rosen and even Ms. Theroux) for taking this position & I hope they will stand firm with this position. Meanwhile, I hope they begin work on crafting an ordinance to enforce this position should the developer challenge it. The additional construction noise, traffic, trucks etc on weekends is not something that is needed on a site that is surrounded on all sides by residential neighborhoods. It's bad enough we have to deal with it during the week...let's give the weekends a rest. P.S. Yes....I know it's hard to believe, but this was a post "praising" the BOT (well OK...except for Steglitz).  | ||
| Sylad Citizen Username: Sylad Post Number: 51 Registered: 6-2002 |
Which is worse, weekend work, or the project taking longer to complete? Plute does not wait for the lot/house to be sold before they build, they keep building and when is sells it sells. Five saturdays cuts out a week. | ||
| bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 3871 Registered: 5-2001 |
Does Pulte have another project in SO? I noticed an add in last Sunday's Ledger that gave the impression that completed or near completed homes were for sale on Tillou Road. Sorry to go off thread | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 544 Registered: 5-2001 |
Sylad, What's the rush? I think working on weekends will disturb many more people since the site is surrounded on all sides by residents. Bobk- the ad in the Ledger was for the 7 houses that will be built on Harding/Underhill. The ad says "only 7 homes" implying that this is all they are doing. However, once those 7 houses sell, then they will begin marketing the 62 townhouses within the "pit" of the quarry. | ||
| peteglider Citizen Username: Peteglider Post Number: 353 Registered: 8-2002 |
Having lived in central NJ -- where every square inch of farmland was developed around us -- I think its pretty standard practice for builders to work on week ends. Particularly when they're trying to beat out the weather. And, I might add -- when we were having our house built -- to meet our deadline for closing so we could move in -- they worked week ends! ;-) Personally, I'd choose to have the work done more quickly. Although my house is nearby, it does not border on the quarry -- so I wouldn't be impacted as others who are right there would be. Have the neighbors been asked? Pete | ||
| bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 3873 Registered: 5-2001 |
Mayhew, thanks. Anyone stopped by and found out the projected taxes? | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 545 Registered: 5-2001 |
Pete, I also grew up in Central NJ and know that the lot sizes were typically much larger and that new developments were typically on much larger sites(with a greater buffer around them from the surrounding properties). Bill Calabrese last night expressed frustration about being awoken at 7am every day during the week & said he did not want the same thing on Saturday. Sure...he probably should recuse himself, but at least that is one neighbor who has weighed in on the subject. I can't imagine any neighbors who border the property or the truck routes would be in favor of Saturday work, though feel free to take a survey. | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 546 Registered: 5-2001 |
Bobk - I haven't yet, but I plan to go hear what they are telling people. Did anyone see the article in today's Star Ledger about the enormous houses they are building in Middletown, NJ that are selling for $10 million+ but the taxes are "only" $50,000? That would mean that Woodstock could buy a $5 million house & pay the same amount of taxes as he does now in South Orange. | ||
| Howard Levison Citizen Username: Levisonh Post Number: 8 Registered: 10-2003 |
This is a message I posted with John Gross this morning: John, I was somewhat surprised last evening over the discussion of controlling the construction activity on weekends. Below is a copy of ordinance from Web site which is by my interpretation - "or at any time on weekends or legal holidays" means they cannot use the equipment. Opinion? Howard Levison § 104-5. Prohibited acts. (6) Construction and demolition: operating or permitting the operation of any tools or equipment used in construction, drilling, earthmoving, excavating or demolition work between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following day on weekdays or at any time on weekends or legal holidays, provided that such equipment is equipped with a functioning muffler, except for emergency work, by variance issued pursuant to § 104-7 or when the sound level does not exceed any applicable limit specified in Table I. | ||
| Guesswho Citizen Username: Guesswho Post Number: 67 Registered: 9-2003 |
or when the sound level does not exceed any applicable limit specified in Table I. This is the line that allows work on the weekends as long as the work doesn' cause noise to exceed whatever that applicable limit is specified in Table 1 (which you did not include). | ||
| Sylad Citizen Username: Sylad Post Number: 53 Registered: 6-2002 |
My kids are up at 6:00, so sleeping to 7:00 would be awesome. I say, let them work, let them finish, hope they sell fast...and for all those that have bashed the development, hope that the home owners never see these postings, not a very nice welcome to town. | ||
| Howard Levison Citizen Username: Levisonh Post Number: 9 Registered: 10-2003 |
It is my interpertation that it being under the clause: "104-5. Prohibited acts." means they cannot perform these operations on weekends. | ||
| Guesswho Citizen Username: Guesswho Post Number: 68 Registered: 9-2003 |
except for emergency work, by variance issued pursuant to § 104-7 or when the sound level does not exceed any applicable limit specified in Table I. Howard, you are failing to read the operative works EXCEPT and OR. | ||
| Dan Shelffo Citizen Username: Openspacer Post Number: 75 Registered: 6-2001 |
At a previous BOT meeting John Gross that he is the point man regarding any problems that residents have relating to construction including blasting concerns, dust and animal control. Mr. Gross also said that no construction should occur on the weekends. If it did, people were to contact the Police. Last night I did not get the impression that those instructions should be changed but that maybe enforcement would be more difficult. However, there are state standards that must be adhered to regardless of local laws. Today I called the Essex County Regional Health Department at 1-973-325-3212 and spoke to Tony D’Agusto. Tony said that if people feel that the noise level is excessive at any time they should call. While they are only open during normal office hours, you can call and leave a message anytime. Tony says they will come out with their equipment, start monitoring and cite them the next time they are in violation. Tony also said that he thought that blasting must adhere to the same standards. You can also call 1-877-WARN-DEP but often times the DEP response is so delayed it becomes moot. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 785 Registered: 4-2002 |
Dan: Pulte must coordinate any blasting with the Fire Department. I think we made it clear we did not want any blasting on weekends. I think Pat Joyce suggested that the only work Pulte should be allowed to do is on the interiors of homes after the frames are put up. | ||
| Dan Shelffo Citizen Username: Openspacer Post Number: 76 Registered: 6-2001 |
Mark, When Pulte starts to do work on the weekend what are you going to do to get them to stop? Dan | ||
| Sylad Citizen Username: Sylad Post Number: 54 Registered: 6-2002 |
Am I missing something, why not just let them do it and be done. If they could shave off a few months of the total construction time, wouldn't you be willing to put up Saturday Construction? The houses are going up, like it or not, why keep fighting? | ||
| Howard Levison Citizen Username: Levisonh Post Number: 10 Registered: 10-2003 |
Dan, I take exception to your response and maybe we obtain Ed Matthews' opinion. What I read from your interpertation is that they could work anytime as long as they stay below the db level. | ||
| Dan Shelffo Citizen Username: Openspacer Post Number: 77 Registered: 6-2001 |
Howard, That was my interpretation based on what I heard at the meeting last night. I hope I am wrong. Please let me know Ed's opinion. Dan | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 786 Registered: 4-2002 |
Dan: I am not sure what you are expecting. The BOT can pass an ordinance that would prevent them from working on weekends. The problem as pointed out last night is that the same restrictions would apply to homeowners. I said I would not have a problem passing such an ordinance or one that restricted the work (interior, no heavy equipment, etc). What would you like to see done? Is your complaint that they would be working? or would it be excessive noise? or is it something else? Either way, it is a BOT decision and not mine alone. |
