TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J. (May 15, 2025)—A second round of soil contamination testing by Boswell Engineering was conducted in early May at the former Washington Township Swim Club to determine how far PCB and pesticide contamination extends—and what kind of cleanup might be required.
Township Administrator Mark DiCarlo told the council May 5 that Boswell was testing seven new locations near the 15 sites previously sampled. The property was shut down last fall after Boswell found elevated levels of PCBs and banned pesticides such as DDT.
In one sample, PCB levels reached 40.6 parts per million—more than 160 times the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP) remediation limit of 0.25 ppm. Boswell said all 15 original samples were delineated to a maximum depth of 3 feet below ground, where no further exceedances were found.
Pesticide analysis detected 4,4-DDT, dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide, and chlordane above NJDEP standards in several samples, prompting the need for further delineation.
“PCBs and pesticides are not particularly mobile in the subsurface environment,” Boswell wrote in its April 9 proposal. “On similar projects we found that almost all contaminants were encountered in the 0’–5′ soil interval. Based on our previous work, we will collect soil samples from the first three 1′ soil intervals in the 5′ core.”
The additional testing is expected to cost $13,850, which appears to fall within Boswell’s original $78,000 investigation contract. Costs include $2,520 for Target Compound List pesticide analysis, $2,100 for PCBs, $2,500 for a drilling subcontractor, $4,600 for lab work, and $2,500 to tabulate and report the data.
Officials still do not have a remediation cost estimate. DiCarlo said in February that an estimate is not expected until 2026, when actual site remediation work may begin. Boswell’s Feb. 18 memo confirmed the timeline and noted the firm would begin drafting plans and specifications to submit to the EPA’s Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Program—a process they warned could be lengthy.
“On-site remediation will not likely begin until 2026,” wrote Frank Rossi, the township’s licensed site remediation professional with Boswell.
In October 2023, Mayor Peter Calamari issued a press release confirming PCBs had been detected in caulk on the building’s windows and doors, as well as in soil around the site.
“The PCB sample results exceeded 50 parts per million,” he said—triggering a mandatory NJDEP Suspected Hazardous Substance Discharge Notification. But, he added, “Any potential hazardous contact would come from direct disturbance of the ground. The suspected area of contamination is surrounded by two fences, secured with locking mechanisms and chains. Pre-existing ‘No Trespassing’ signs remain on the fence, observable to the public. The DPW has been informed not to access the property.”
Calamari also said the pre-demolition survey detected asbestos in floor tiles, mastic, and window caulking, along with lead-based paint in the building and the pool area. Universal waste such as fluorescent lights and electronics also needs to be properly disposed of. No underground storage tanks were found on site.
“Due to the age of the Swim Club, the presence of asbestos and lead-based paint was expected,” Calamari said.
He also emphasized that the township had complied with all required environmental reviews prior to its 2022 purchase. Lisko Environmental conducted both Phase I and Phase II assessments and found no contamination above state standards.
The township acquired the 6.1-acre property for $735,000 in April 2022, just before it was to be put up at a sheriff’s sale. An earlier purchase agreement between the privately owned club and another buyer had fallen through.
Calamari, a longtime advocate for the acquisition, said the township acted to keep the site out of the hands of multifamily housing developers. Officials last summer proposed turning the property into a “great lawn” with a walking track, but those plans remain on hold.
Uncertainty over cleanup costs initially delayed council approval of a $3 million bond ordinance for a new Department of Public Works facility. When it became clear that a remediation estimate wouldn’t be available for months, Vice President Steven Cascio changed his vote to support the DPW bond. Councilmembers Tom Sears and Daisy Velez joined him, citing budget concerns. Council President Michael DeSena also voted in favor; Councilman Michael Ullman voted no.
CORRECTION: In our April 19, 2025 print edition, the story headlined “Former Swim Club Site Cleanup Remains Murky” incorrectly stated that the former Washington Township Swim & Recreation Club, at Ridgewood Boulevard N., was acquired through a sheriff’s sale. In fact, as we previously reported, the township acquired the property prior to a scheduled sheriff’s sale, which was ultimately postponed as a result of the township’s action.
According to the township’s May 6, 2022 Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund grant application, officials moved to secure the 6.1-acre property after foreclosure proceedings had begun and a real estate developer had shown interest in the site. The application states the township acted quickly to prevent the sale to a private party and passed a bond ordinance to purchase the property for up to $750,000.
We regret the error and are committed to accurate reporting.