Response to Concerns On Hospital Demolition Frustrates Residents

As the demolition of the former Princeton Hospital progresses, so do complaints by residents of the neighborhood about noise, air quality, contaminants, and debris. While members of the municipal staff have responded courteously to many of the residents problems, there is a concern that the towns actions are more reactive than proactive.

It really shouldnt be for the neighbors to make recommendations, said Anita Garoniak, whose Harris Road house is close to the site. But thats whats been happening.

Ms. Garoniak was referring to a communication between another resident and the municipal staff about spraying down only the lower level of the building while the upper level was being demolished. The problem was corrected. Its concerning that this has to come from somebody in the neighborhood whos keeping an eye on things, Ms. Garoniak said.

A report by a resident who said she experienced a metallic taste in her mouth and an irritated throat and nasal passages when walking by the site was taken seriously by the towns health officer Jeffrey Grosser. After investigating, Mr. Grosser said he is not overly concerned but will continue to look into the situation.

We spoke to one individual who had the symptoms, but nothing told us it was actually coming from the site, he said. There are a lot of reasons to have a metallic taste in your mouth. Some are environmental. Based upon interviewing different people at the site as well as checking the monitors, and asking around, we didnt have any reason to believe there was a problem. But we havent ruled it out, either. Well continue to check the air monitor reports.

Mr. Grosser and other members of the staff visit the site every Monday morning and do spot checks during the week. Some neighborhood residents have suggested that those checks be stepped up, with someone be on site at all times to anticipate problems.

Noise is another source of complaints. AvalonBay, the developer that plans to build a 280-unit rental complex on the site, has an acoustical consultant there during the demolition and the repair work to the parking garage. Monitoring has revealed that noise has exceeded acceptable levels. Bob Kiser, Princetons engineer, said the Mercer County Health Department has been asked to take additional noise measurements.

They have the ability to enforce the noise requirements, Mr. Kiser said on Monday. We expect them to take measurements within the next few days. They have been out twice but were hoping to get them back very soon.

Ms. Garoniak said the noise can be deafening on her property. It is very disruptive. Its tiresome to keep calling and complaining about it, she said. And when somebody on Moore Street is calling the day after Thanksgiving to say they are being disturbed by it and they can do nothing, something is wrong.

Mr. Kiser said that acoustic measurements are now being taken at the residential properties abutting the demolition site. One of the things Jeff [Grosser] has asked for is that these measurements be taken right at [Ms. Garoniaks] property line, and other locations as well, he said.

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Response to Concerns On Hospital Demolition Frustrates Residents