HILLSDALE—By spring 2023, residents can expect to get some options and cost estimates from the borough engineer as to the best ways to protect the Department of Public Works building, at 371 Washington Ave., from floodwaters.
Borough Engineer Craig Zimmermann, Colliers Engineering & Design, said that he anticipated recommending improvements to harden the DPW facility from flooding, which previously caused extensive damage to the garage and salt storage buildings.
“I’d say the second quarter [of 2023] would be a goal to see what we could do down there and then take it to the next step,” Zimmermann told the council Nov. 11.
He said he anticipated upcoming Flood Hazard Rule changes from the state environmental department that might affect whether the facility can be made flood-resistant.
Asked what he thought the engineer’s proposal should include, Mayor John Ruocco told Pascack Press, “It should address as many mitigating actions that we can reasonably take to protect the DPW assets. The solution may be impacted and made easier by what arrangements we can make for salt storage and vehicle repair with other municipalities.”
In his written report presented Nov. 11, Zimmermann said the engineer “continues to clarify the environmental constraints associated with this area of Hillsdale” and notes a proposal is contingent upon “direction on scope, cost and timing.” He points out that “certain upcoming stormwater reforms” may make the DPW’s current location “unfeasible to exist.”
The report notes multiple discussions between the engineer and business administrator David Troast related “to possibly co-sharing a new DPW location with other municipalities.”
(Neighboring Township of Washington has for years been trying to find a new site and/or a partner on a DPW, after razing its facility over soil contamination, and is now reviewing estimates for a new structure at its municipal complex. See story, page 8.)
Updating the planned $3.5 million in Centennial Field upgrades, Zimmermann reported that Colliers Engineering & Design would provide geotechnical and environmental coordinating services first, followed by design services through the winter season, with project bid specifications available by February/March 2023.
An environmental report appears to be an upcoming priority.
“On Oct. 3 we discussed the current project scope and timeline with The Environmental Group and asked for a proposal in regards to their environmental services,” wrote Zimmermann. The Environmental Group, based in Woodcliff Lake, is an environmental consultant specializing in environmental investigations and remediation.
Ida left her handprint
It was just over a year ago when Ruocco said the Borough of Hillsdale needed to do more to educate residents — particularly new arrivals — about its evacuation procedures after Category 4 Hurricane Ida slammed into Louisiana and its remnants then chewed their way northeast, including through the flood-prone Pascack Valley.
Ruocco told Pascack Press on Sept. 7, 2021 that the DPW building suffered damage in the flood — it took “a direct hit” — and that hundreds of tons of salt were lost. The recycling center was closed temporarily.
Of response crews and cleanup efforts, he said “I cannot say enough about our OEM, fire, and police staff, who responded to the challenge posed by Ida. While not as severe in Hillsdale as was Floyd and Irene, the sudden increase in water surge that occurred over a short period of time late Wednesday night into Thursday morning posed its own tactical challenge.”
He said that Hillsdale, no stranger to high water, suffered some of its worst flooding as the remnants of Hurricane Ida worked their way up the Northeast.
“The Pascack Brook overflowed its banks and the Glenbrook Park neighborhood took on several feet on water. Several families evacuated with the assistance of our Fire Department, Police Department, DPW, and OEM personnel,” Ruocco said.
He said “Some used our library as a refuge.”
Ruocco said of the DPW compound, “Although we moved our equipment out of harm’s way beforehand, the garage was flooded.”
As well, he said, “Several streets in the center of town had to be closed but are being reopened as conditions permit.”
Separately, Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo and the 10-member Pascack Valley Mayors Association have been pushing for legislation to force water utilities statewide to make changes that could protect property and quality of life as well in the Pascack Valley — from major storms and their no-name kin.