Note: The following is not a verbatim transcript of the Zoning Hearing Board meeting; it is simply one person’s summary of the major points made by those involved in the hearing process.  For that reason, quotation marks are not used unless a direct quote was recorded.  For information about obtaining an official ZHB transcript, contact the New Hanover Township office.

Bob Brant, attorney for New Hanover Township began his cross-examination of Douglas Rudenko, VP and NE Regional Manager and manager of technical services for Vibra Tech Engineering.    

Mr. Brant began by asking Rudenko whether quarry employees who set off blasts were required to be licensed. Rudenko said they did and that someone on the site would be licensed when a blast was detonated, possibly even an apprentice.  

Brant next asked questions regarding variables that might effect blasting. Through a series of questions, Rudenko agreed that the depth of the hole, distance to existing structures, amount of explosive, diameter of blast hole, the proximity of holes from each other, the quality of the explosion, the geology of the site, the wavelength, and the construction of material were all variables.

Brant asked if anyone from Pennsylvania monitors blasting in case someone "screws up". Rudenko said that no one, unless someone complains, and then DEP monitors (presumably the next event).

Brant next asked if anyone ever "screws up" and Rudenko said "it happens". Rudenko replied "no" when Brant asked if he could give the residents of New Hanover Township an assurance that the Silvi's wouldn't "screw up". 

When asked about numbers of blasts per day, Rudenko said one to two. Brant asked if he had ever seen a site that had more than two. He said yes, that new quarries had more. When asked how many will be typical of this quarry in the first months, he said he didn't know since he isn't a part of Silvi's company, but that the maximum could be 10/day.  When pressed, Mr. Harris, attorney for Gibraltar Rock said that he had another witness that would testify to that.

Brant next asked if Rudenko had looked at surrounding homes, and Rudenko said that he only drove around the site but did not visit the residences---that DEP has no regulations that says he must. Brant said that Rudenko told him that mistakes are made and claims come up---so wouldn't it be prudent to look at homes before he testified to the zoning board? Rudenko said that his testimony is only about the regulations.

Brant asked if it was Rudenko's testimony that if vibration levels are kept below those suggested by the Bureau of Mines, what assurances do the residents of New Hanover township have that no damage will occur to their homes. Rudenko said he could give no assurances.

Brant asked why the "brochure" that Rudenko provided to the zoning board did not have any of the negative effects of blasting. Rudenko said that what he gave was the "necessary information".

Brant next asked him if he analyzed the wells surrounding the site. He said that he did not. When asked by Brant if he could assure the residents that the wells would be effected he said "yes, he could give assurances".

Francis Recchuiti, an attorney for a local resident began his cross-examination of Rudenko.

Recchuiti asked Rudenko a series of questions effects of weather on blasting. Rudenko explained that temperature, humidity, wind, ground vibrations from thunderclaps, among other things had an effect.

Recchuiti next went off on a series of questions to question the equipment used by Vibra Tech. He asked about the seismographs---their age and frequency of calibration.  When Rudenko said that he was guessing (when trying to answer a question on the age of the seismographs), Recchuiti made a production about his "guessing again"---it seemed like all theatrics with little real substance. Recchuiti did get him to say that the seismographs were calibrated once per year and were self-calibrated after each blast. Recchuiti seemed to be trying to say that machines and computers, since they aren't human, can't do the job properly---quaint. He ended with the comment, "...so you have a self-monitoring equipment monitoring the safety of the residents of New Hanover Township without human interaction."

Dave Davis, attorney for Paradise Watchdog's was the next attorney to cross-examine Rudenko.  Davis began with a series of questions asking if Gibraltar Rock meets standards then there won't be any damage. Rudenko said "nominal damage". But, he admitted he can't give any assurances.

Davis asked if he compared the homes in New Hanover with those in the study R8507. He said he did not. Davis said, so you don't know if they are brick, stone, wood, etc. He said he did not but assumed that since they were in PA they were pretty much the same. Davis asked if homes build 100-150 years ago were the same and he said yes.

Davis next asked him to describe the damage he's seen in the last 10 years due to blasting. Rudenko said that generally there isn't much damage. Davis asked about flyrock. Note: The Pennsylvania Bulletin defines 'Flyrock'' as any material ejected from the blast site due to the force of the explosion.

Rudenko said he has only heard of one death due to flyrock, and that was a person working in the quarry. [Our internet search turned up the following report: http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/bmr/annualreport/1999/1999_fatalities_report.htm 

Rudenko said that pieces of rock can be up to the size of a softball. He also said that flyrock has been known to leave the quarry site. Davis asked him if he knew that there was an elementary school less than 1/8 mile away. He said he did. When asked if there is a risk of flyrock traveling to New Hanover Elementary School, he flippantly replied, "sure". Davis asked if air-over pressure and flyrock can kill people and he said yes. Davis asked why Rudenko hadn't mentioned flyrock in his report. He said he was only talking about air over pressure. Davis asked him what the greatest distance flyrock has been known to travel. He said 1000 feet.  [I just checked and the Perkiomenville Valley Academy is about 2/10 of a mile from the proposed site---well within the flyrock zone.

Andrew Levine, attorney for Archdiocese of Philadelphia, next questioned Rudenko. Levine asked about the groundwater studies quoted in Rudenko's report. He asked if there were any reports later that 1982. Rudenko said no. When asked if data that was newer shouldn't have been used he sheepishly noted that he used "books that were newer". Levine noted that his client wants to build a school on the Northern edge of the site, and wondered if they should modify their building plans. Rudenko said "no."

Rudenko said "yes" when Levine asked if there were any residences within 1000 feet of the blasting area. Levine's final series of questions dealt with bore holes and ground water. Rudenko's responses were always positive---nothing will ever go wrong with a quarry---no problem with water or cracks.

The meeting adjourned. 

The next meetings will be June 25, 2002.

See Also:
Summary of the previous meeting (April 2002)