TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J.—The township administrator said July 13 that the revised “substantial completion date” for the new $4.9 million, three-bay DPW facility behind Town Hall is Dec. 8, 2026, and agreed that progress on the new building appeared to be “extremely slow.”
However, Township Administrator Mark DiCarlo noted that the substantial completion date was changed in mid-January due to a delay in clearing DPW vehicles from the construction site. The vehicles were moved on Jan. 1 at the start of the township’s lease with Bethany Community Center for use of a rear parking lot.
The township signed an 18-month lease for a 1.25-acre lot behind Bethany for $5,800 per month to store DPW vehicles and equipment. Moreover, officials approved approximately $60,000 in spending for a new driveway gate, fencing and privacy screening around the Woodfield Road site.
In his report to the town council, DiCarlo said he and the mayor agreed that progress on the DPW facility was slow-moving but assured residents that the township’s engineers and architects have the “best interests of the township” in mind and a “good working relationship” with Premier Construction, the project’s general contractor.
“There have been extenuating circumstances that have led to some delays and (we) are working on receiving a recovery schedule from the general contractor,” said DiCarlo.
DiCarlo said the unspecified delays have not had “negative financial implications” for the township. “If that shall change, the township is fully prepared to pursue what is called ‘liquidated damages’ when appropriate and if necessary,” added DiCarlo, concluding his report.
DiCarlo said he, the township engineer, architect, DPW superintendent and general contractor meet every two weeks at Town Hall to monitor construction progress. He said the council regularly receives meeting minutes and updates when appropriate.
He said three change orders have affected the project so far: two monetary and one nonmonetary. He said the council approved a $6,670 change order in May for removal of a septic tank discovered while footings were being dug. In addition, he said a second change order, not to exceed $15,000, has not yet been finalized because the engineer and architect are disputing invoice costs submitted by subcontractors.
Moreover, he said he and the project’s architects and engineers have denied some requested change orders.
Municipal, project updates
DiCarlo said some residents may be confused by recent letters from the tax assessor seeking physical inspections of their homes following last year’s revaluation, when homeowners were asked to allow inspectors from Appraisal Systems Inc. into their homes.
He said the council approved a revaluation program in 2024 that provides for a five-year “rolling reassessment” of local homes and commercial properties. After inspecting 100% of properties last year, the appraisal company will inspect 25% of local properties each year for the next four years to keep assessments close to market value. He said annual reassessments make the “tax burden” more equitable among property owners.
In other news, the township promoted and honored police officers (story, page 22); and DiCarlo said he and the mayor would review recommendations from the Bergen County Engineering Department for an emergency beacon at the Emergency Services Building and safety upgrades at the Washington Avenue–Van Emburgh Avenue intersection. They will report to the council at its Aug. 10 meeting.
DiCarlo said this year’s audit had no recommendations for the township and that he would ask the auditor to present at the Aug. 10 meeting.
Swim Club, 450 Pascack, brook restoration
DiCarlo said the township was awaiting the results of test samples taken two weeks ago at the former township Swim Club, which the township purchased in April 2022. He did not say which contaminants were being tested for, although PCBs and banned pesticides were previously found at the site.
Simultaneously, he said, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was reviewing Boswell’s remediation plan for the site, with no timetable for completion.
He said demolition of the deteriorated house and barn at 450 Pascack Road, at a cost of $42,000, was awaiting scheduling by the demolition company. He said another quote was required before the demolition contract could be awarded and that the quote was “in excess” of $78,000. He said the township was “waiting patiently” for a demolition date.
He said the Musquapsink Brook streambank restoration project was scheduled to begin two weeks ago but was delayed by thunderstorms that caused major tree damage in surrounding towns. He said work recently began behind the high school. The project is scheduled to last two to three months and is not expected to interfere with the community.
DiCarlo noted that updates on major capital projects, listed on the township’s home page, are posted monthly using information he provides to the web designer.