Blasting activities near our homes, part of the redevelopment of the Tri-County Regional Vocational School, have caused unexpected challenges for neighbors and abutters. While the project promises significant benefits for students and the community — the blasting process has led to property damage, including cracks in walls, foundation shifts, and structural stress.
Many of us were caught off guard by these impacts, with little notification or preparation to mitigate risks or document our property’s condition beforehand.
We’re committed to seeking accountability from all parties involved, including Dore + Whittier (Project Manager), Consigli Construction Co. (Construction Manager) and Maine Drilling and Blasting (Blasting Contractor).
Why Is Blasting Happening in Our Community?
About the Project
The Tri-County Regional Vocational School is undergoing an ambitious redevelopment project to build a state-of-the-art facility for students. This new school promises modern learning environments, advanced career training opportunities, and the chance to shape the future of education in our community.
The Role of Blasting
Blasting was selected as the primary method to remove bedrock and prepare the site for construction because it was the cheapest and fastest option.
While alternative excavation methods were available that could have minimized risks to nearby properties — the decision to prioritize the bottom line came at the expense of the surrounding community. This choice has left residents dealing with significant property damage and unanswered questions about how this could have been better mitigated.
Our Frustrations: A Lack of Notification and Pre-Blasting Engagement
Missed Opportunities for Transparency
As abutters to the Tri-County property, many of us were notified about wetland mitigation and related surveys during the early stages of the project.
However, no notice was provided about the intention to use blasting—a high-impact construction method that directly affects nearby homes.
Impact on Residents
The lack of transparency left us unprepared to protect our homes or document their condition before blasting began, many of us now face an uphill battle to prove that the damage to their homes was caused by blasting.
This lack of engagement was not just an oversight—it reflects a failure to prioritize the community most directly impacted by the project.
Documenting the Impact of Blasting
Visible Damage
The decision to prioritize blasting as the fastest and cheapest option has left nearby residents facing visible and costly damage to their homes.
- Cracks spreading through walls and ceilings.
- Shifting doorframes and windows that no longer align or close properly.
- Foundations showing signs of stress and deterioration, threatening long-term structural integrity.
In the above photographs, from October 16 and October 31, 2024, show new and worsening damage. The damage appeared during a period of multiple nearby blasting events, with recorded vibration and air overpressure levels approaching regulatory thresholds.
These issues are not merely cosmetic—they represent tangible harm to the safety and value of our homes, harm that could have been avoided with more careful planning, construction methods and community engagement.
Data from Seismograph Reports
The seismic data provided by Maine Drilling and Blasting, intended to demonstrate compliance with industry standards, reveals troubling inconsistencies. While the reports claim that vibrations and air pressure levels remained within regulatory thresholds, closer inspection shows:
- Calibration Issues: Seismographs used to monitor blasting activity experienced documented calibration problems. In at least one instance, equipment required recalibration during the project, yet there was no confirmation that this was completed before subsequent blasting resumed. These lapses cast doubt on the reliability of the recorded data.
- Missing Frequency Data: Critical frequency (hertz) data was incomplete for some blasting events, preventing a full analysis of potential resonance effects on nearby structures. Resonance—the amplification of vibrations at certain frequencies—can cause significant damage even when peak particle velocity (PPV) appears within acceptable limits.
- Data Gaps: Seismograph logs for specific dates show gaps in recorded measurements, leaving unanswered questions about the true extent of the impact during those periods.
The decision to rely on blasting as the cheapest option, combined with inconsistent monitoring, has left neighbors without reliable data to substantiate claims. This lack of accountability and precision raises serious concerns about the commitment to protecting the surrounding community by Dore + Whittier (Project Manager), Consigli Construction Co. (Construction Manager) and Maine Drilling and Blasting (Blasting Contractor).
Balancing Progress and Accountability
The redevelopment of the Tri-County Regional Vocational School is an important step forward for future students. However, this progress must not come at the expense of the surrounding neighborhoods.
The choices made by Dore + Whittier (Project Manager), Consigli Construction Co. (Construction Manager), and Maine Drilling and Blasting (Blasting Contractor) have left many residents grappling with property damage and unanswered questions.
We believe it is not too late for these key stakeholders to address the harm caused and take meaningful steps toward restoring trust with the community.
Our Goal
While we support the vision and purpose of the Tri-County School project, we firmly believe there is room for improvement in how such projects engage with and protect nearby communities. Residents impacted by blasting deserve acknowledgment, accountability, and action.
What We’re Asking For
We are calling on Dore + Whittier, Consigli Construction Co., and Maine Drilling and Blasting to:
- Provide Greater Transparency: Notify residents and abutters early and comprehensively about blasting schedules, expected impacts, and safety measures in future projects.
- Conduct Pre-Construction Surveys: Ensure residents have the opportunity to document their property conditions before high-impact activities like blasting begin.
- Repair Damages Caused by the Project: Take responsibility for the visible and structural damage caused by continued blasting and construction activities, ensuring affected residents are made whole.
This is not simply about rectifying past mistakes—it’s about setting a higher standard for how development projects should treat the communities they affect.
Share Your Story & Add Your Voice
If you’ve experienced property damage or other impacts from the blasting near the Tri-County project, we want to hear from you. Sharing your story helps us build a stronger case for accountability and ensures that no voice is left unheard.