Residential Blasting Still Sparks Concerns in Short Hills

Millburn and Short Hills residents continued to protest the use of explosives at the residential construction site on Dorison Drive in Short Hills at Tuesday's Township Committee meeting, Mayor Sandra Haimoff said Wednesday.

The mayor said she and the Township Committee are actively trying to see if they can stop the construction plans proposed. Currently, the plans have not been approved and have been sent back to the contractor for questions.

However, if the the plans meet state laws, the local fire inspector is required to approve builders' plans. If not, the inspector would lose his or her license.

"State law governs blasting and municipalities have absolutely no to say in the matter, Haimoff said. 

She explained, a blasting license is given by the New Jersey Labor Department and New Jersey regulates the use of explosives. Currently, the contractor, Grabowski Construction, has a blasting license and its plans meet state law.

The site at 30 Dorison Drive, is currently owned Stanley and Amy Burakovsky, according to the Millburn Tax Department. 

The township is planning to hold a meeting next week with local and state legislators along with the public to discuss how the use of explosives in construction in residential areas will not be allowed in the future. 

State Sen. Dick Codey and Assemblyman John McKeon have showed support for the residents' and township's concerns and plan to introduce a bill to change the law. 

Haimoff added, "even if we get the legislatures to change the state statue it wouldn't be in time for these plans."