Neighbors of a New Jersey construction site say the explosives a builder intends to use to remove bedrock could be harmful to them and their properties.
The practice is legal under state law if a town fire inspector approves a permit, but residents who are against the developer's plans for the Dorison Drive site in Short Hills are pressing their case at a community meeting Tuesday night.
“We have learned about toxic fumes that are released with blasting of the dynamite as well as toxic gases that can come underground and into our homes,” said Ronnie Weinstein, who lives nearby and says the builder is proposing to use explosives twice a day for at least 20 days.
She and other neighbors are also concerned about having to cover possible damage to their properties -- such as pool cracks or trees coming down -- which the builder will not be responsible for as long as the force of the blasts does not exceed regulated levels.
State Sen. Richard Codey, who supports the worried residents, plans to introduce a bill to change the law and says developers should look into "alternatives" such as hydraulics or jackhammers.
The builder had no comment.
