TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—Despite some 16 residents protesting the town leasing a large lot behind Bethany Community Center for temporary DPW storage, the Township Council voted, 3–1, on Dec. 2 to approve the 18-month pact.
It was a second attempt after the council “approved” the $104,400 agreement, 2-1, in November, lacking a quorum.
Officials say the 1.25-acre site is needed to relocate DPW vehicles and equipment now parked behind town hall and, at taxpayer expense, at Our Lady of Good Counsel church on Ridgewood Road, which lacks space.
The move clears the way for construction of the township’s $4.9 million DPW facility, replacing the former facility razed over longstanding contamination.
Upward of 50 residents packed council chambers for the proceedings. The loudest objections came from residents of quiet Woodfield Road, where a new driveway was built to allow DPW trucks to reach the rear Bethany lot. Neighbors noted the plan will bring industrial traffic onto quiet residential streets, close to a walking trail and the Musquapsink Brook.
The vote followed nearly 90 minutes of discussion, including public comment and a 30-minute response session from business administrator Mark DiCarlo. Members Tom Sears, Michael Ullman, and Daisy Velez voted yes; Council president and recent mayoral candidate Michael DeSena voted no. Veep Steven Cascio recused himself without explanation. (He later told Pascack Press he faced two conflicts of interest, and so bowed out.)
Following the vote, several residents called out in protest. “We’ll remember this in November,” warned one.
Cleveland Avenue resident Glenn Bartlett told the governing body he has retained an attorney, welcomed others to join in, and is exploring a cease and desist complaint. He said his attorney will consult with the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Critics voiced concerns ranging from pedestrian safety to environmental risks, including runoff contamination flowing toward Washington (Schlegel) Lake and impacts on Musquapsink Brook.
DiCarlo said the DPW will install hay bales and filter socks to prevent sediment runoff and noted the lot has no storm drain outlet.
Several residents questioned why DPW trucks could not use Bethany’s Pascack Road entrance instead of Woodfield Road. This, Bethany officials told us, was a non-starter.
The town regularly partners with Bethany, as with its summer rec program and most recently as the town polling site.
In a related, unanimous, vote, the council approved a nonexclusive revocable license with Valley National Bank allowing municipal employees to park in the last row of the bank’s lot during DPW construction. The arrangement is free and will free up parking behind town hall for residents.
Alternative sites rejected
Residents urged the council to continue storing vehicles at OLGC or to approach neighboring towns for alternatives [Editor’s note: Our reporting shows Mayor Peter Calamari has been seeking related solutions since at least 2019, when as a new mayor he identified Department of Municipal Facilities soil remediation and a replacement facility as among his top priorities. In 2020 the DMF was renamed DPW.]
DiCarlo said OLGC cannot accommodate the full fleet and that nearly a dozen alternatives have been evaluated and ruled out. He declined to name the rejected sites: “I’m certainly not conveying that this is a perfect option. However, it is the best option considering all the more than reasonable approaches the township took to look for alternatives.”
DiCarlo said DPW has 25 vehicles in its fleet, plus a couple light towers, and 10 full-time employees. He provided a rundown of possible DPW site activities at Bethany for residents. He said the administration consulted engineers and the police.
In case DPW facility construction should run longer than 18 months — it’s expected to be done in 12 — he said the lease allows three extensions of two months each.
John Reutershan questioned the council’s lack of transparency and its spending of $57,700 on Bethany lot improvements for new fencing, a new driveway, and privacy screening without a signed lease in place.
DiCarlo said that after council resolved Oct. 6 to authorize the mayor to sign a lease, he moved ahead with improvements, mindful of time constraints to move vehicles there.
He said officials realized the lease required approval by ordinance, which was introduced on Oct. 20. It was “approved,” 2-1, without quorum, on Nov. 10, then reintroduced and another public hearing held. That occurred Nov. 17, with a required second read on Dec. 2.
DiCarlo asserted going ahead with improvements after the Oct. 6 resolution was approved unanimously was “most prudent,” and that a signed lease was not required to begin. He said funding was in place.