Schmitt and Wilson Exchange ‘Blasts’

Last Friday, Carmel Supervisor candidate David McKay Wilson made public his discovery of a 35-year-old blasting ordinance in the Carmel town code, and called for an immediate moratorium on blasting in Carmel. “For years, the town has allowed illegal blasting throughout Carmel,” Wilson said. “That has to end. It’s time to end the free pass that developers are given at a time when the town’s building department has stepped up enforcement of the building code for homeowners.”

The following Monday, Brennan Construction proceeded with six blasts at its construction site, adding urgency to the emerging issue in Carmel.

Supervisor Ken Schmitt told the Courier that once he became aware of the blasting code, he contacted the town’s lawyers. “We need to find out whether the language of this code was still applicable,” Schmitt said, “since it is thirty-five years old, and may be superseded by state regulations.”

Schmitt explained that the blasting ordinance fell under the authority of the “Fire Inspector” a position which does not currently exist in Carmel. “We’d have to appoint a Fire Inspector, and then he would have the authority to issue permits and collect permit fees related to blasting,” Schmitt said.

“This shows the incompetence of the Schmitt administration.” Wilson said, “They’ve forgone huge amounts of money for the taxpayers. These guys are firing off these blasts all the time. Meanwhile they are nickel-and-diming residents. They are out to protect the developers, not the residents. ”

Schmitt said that he had already scheduled a meeting with the town’s lawyers, the code enforcement officer, and representatives from Pulte Homes for next Monday to discuss the implication of the blasting ordinance.

Schmitt said that the ordinance may have to be updated, and that it currently does not include language about notification. “I would want to see it requires notification for residents who will be affected by the blasting,” Schmitt said, “preferably face-to-face notification 24 hours before the blasting event.” The Carmel supervisor said that the town would follow “the most stringent code, town or state, that is applicable.”

The blasting done along Stoneleigh Avenue by Brennan Construction under direction of Pulte Homes has intermittently been a campaign issue as residents have confronted Supervisor Schmitt during debates about blasting near their residences.

“This s a prime example of why we need representation of another party in our government.” Wilson said. “It took a Democrat to point it out to them.”

Schmitt dismissed his opponent’s charges to “the demands of campaign season.”