Blasting At New Waltham High School Sparks Concern, Surveys

WALTHAM, MA — The city said it would conduct a free property condition survey for anyone worried that the blasting at the site of the new high school would damage their own property.

"If you have concerns about your property relating to the new Waltham High School blasting site, the City of Waltham is offering to conduct a property condition survey for you," the city said in an alert Tuesday.

Residents have complained to the city in recent weeks about the blasting happening at the site of the new high school, saying they didn't realize the blasts would be felt so much, and expressing concern about potential damage to their homes.

Before the blasting began in January, the city reached out to those living next to the new high school property within 500 feet of the site to do property surveys.

But those who live beyond that, say they definitely feel the vibrations.

"The blasting is really quite disruptive, and I live outside of the 500 foot line," Kristin B, posted to Patch. "These blasts feel like earthquakes, and we were told that they would not damage our homes. I guess we'll see. I cannot imagine that people living inside can even tolerate it. I find it remarkable that it will need to continue for 8 months, given that this was the only possible location that was acceptable for the school."

Others agreed.

"The blasting shakes my house, and I’m also on the other side of Lincoln St," Mary B. posted to Patch. "My dogs get anxious, start barking, and my cat actually hid after yesterday’s blast for 2 hours! I can’t imagine this won’t have some effect on the foundation of my house. I’m writing a letter to the city. Everyone should."

The city said those who want to take them up on the offer for a property condition survey should contact David Falvey, who is the principal of Falvey Associates, at 508-328-8789 or dfalvey50@yahoo.com.

Falvey did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Read more>> Blasting For New Waltham High School To Last Until Late ...

The city has previously said those who want to be notified directly just prior to every blast can call 603-647-0299 and be added to the text, e-mail, or call list. The company said more than 100 people had already been put on the list.

The blasting schedule for this week:

For years, the superintendent's office has been beating the drum about a need for an upgrade to the high school in order to accommodate increased enrollment and fix deteriorating building conditions. After contentious back and forth about the ideal location, which included conversation about just renovating on the current high school land, the city eventually agreed to acquire the property of the Stigmatines, a religious order close to the current high school.

Crews broke ground on the site of the $375 million new high school in September 2020.

Several people asked questions about the blasting when the city put together its environmental impact report to the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Agency in August.

The city said the actual noise from blasting during drilling would be similar to typical construction site noise, with occasional louder, but very short peaks at the immediate moment of blast shot ignition.

"Technical provisions for controlled blasting will require the contractor to comply with the rules and regulations of the commonwealth," the city responded. "On site rock crushing will be mitigated with earth berms or other sound barriers."

Previously: Blasting To Start In January For New Waltham High School
Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.