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.

This meeting was the third where those with party status were allowed to address the zoning hearing board with regard to issues concerning the proposed quarry. There are approximately 125 people with party status. In alphabetical order they were allowed to speak.

Laurie Rose

Concerned about noise, nighttime illumination, dust and her well.

Johanes Tyhuys

Concerned about his well drying up and the blasting effects on his home that was built in 1774.  Also concerned about the bald eagle population and dust.

James Jessum

He is a registered respiratory therapist and is concerned, among other things, with the effects of dust on the approximately 96 students at New Hanover Elementary and PVA who have asthma.  Using Flederback’s tables, he said that the quarry is not meeting the national standards.

Tammy Wagner

Very concerned about the issue of dust on her daughter, who has asthma and acute allergies.

Beatrice Johnson

Concerned about the effects of the quarry on TMCA outdoor activities. He father had silicosis and worked at a quarry.

This was the end of four months of open testimony by those (residents in the community) with party status.  Julie Von Spreckelsen, attorney for the township, introduced her next set of witnesses. Ms. Von Spreckelsen will present people who live near existing quarries.

Von Spreckelsen’s first witness was Mr. Doug Orth. Mr. Orth lives in East Norriton Township near the Gill Quarry. His house is ¼ mile form the quarry pit.  He mentioned vibrations in his basement and showed photos of quarry-related effects to his home and property.

Orth showed:

A map of the Gill Quarry and the surrounding homes

Exhibit T42-A – A sinkhole in his front yard

Exhibit T42-B – A crack in dining room wall

Exhibit T42-C – A corner in his living room with a tape joint. Notice how wall has dropped about 1 inch.

Exhibit T42-D – Same corner showing ceiling

Exhibit T42-E – Door and jam

Exhibit T42-F – Wider shot of same door

Exhibit T42-G – Same doorway

Orth also testified that over 14 years there were often two blasts per day. Sometimes they were unnoticed, but most often they shook the walls,

Orth mentioned the dust that accumulated in his swimming pool on the white surfaces.  He had to clean it daily. While in operation the ph ran high, but since the quarry has stopped he’s had to add acid.

Orth mentioned that his main problem with noise was the back-up beepers from trucks.

Von Spreckelsen next introduced Mrs. Bev White.  Mrs. White also lives near the Gill Quarry.  She talked about the first time she heard a blast---she thought her heater had exploded.  She also talked about calling the DEP and hearing that the quarry was always in compliance. She talked about one sustained blast that lasted more than 15 seconds. She talked about cracks in her stucco, concrete patio, and walls

The next GR 1 meeting is August 5, 2004 at the New Hanover Township Building, 7:00 PM.

See Also:
Summary of the previous meeting (June 3, 2004)