TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J.—The long-neglected house and barn at 450 Pascack Road are history.
Shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, an 18-wheeler pulled away from the property carrying debris from the roughly 1,860-square-foot home that had stood there for more than a century.
As an excavator’s steel bucket tore into the deteriorated structure, workers from Sandra Scanlon LLC sprayed water over the rubble. The barn, measuring about 600 square feet, also was demolished.
Mayor Peter Calamari told Pascack Press, “I am happy the structures are coming down. It is another step in the process of maintaining the green space we accepted the grant for.”
Asked about passive-recreation uses for the property, Calamari said, “I look forward to discussing the possibilities with the council and the Rec Advisory Board.” The demolition cost $32,000, while asbestos remediation cost $10,000, Administrator Mark DiCarlo said. The work will be paid for through a state Department of Community Affairs Local Recreation Improvement Grant.
Workers said asbestos-containing materials were removed before demolition. An inspection by New Wave Engineering LLC found asbestos in floor tile, linoleum flooring, window caulking, and exterior shingles. Six of 13 samples tested positive for chrysotile asbestos. Samples of wall and ceiling plaster, floor mastic, and the attic storage room tested negative. No asbestos previously was reported in the barn.
A Scanlon supervisor said demo, removal, and cleanup were expected to be completed by Wednesday, July 29. The contractor was required to remove the footing and foundation, cart away demolition materials, and level the property with existing soil.
Acquiring the property was long a goal of Calamari’s and predecessor Janet Sobkowicz’s administrations. The township purchased the 3.2-acre property in May 2025 for $750,000. A seller’s escrow agreement set aside $250,000 for possible testing, cleanup, and remediation costs.
The tract contains nearly 700 trees, including about 200 mature trees, and is considered one of the largest remaining tree canopies in town. It also forms a buffer between homes on Ridgewood Boulevard East and Jackson Avenue and the adjoining Memorial Field and Washington Elementary School properties.
In 2020, Lakos Construction Inc. proposed a 48-unit independent senior living complex at the site but withdrew it.
Calamari recently said the township’s vision for the property includes a nature trail, exercise area, landscaping, benches, sidewalks, and parking.
Other project updates
At the July 13 council meeting, DiCarlo said the town was awaiting results from samples taken at the former private swim club the township purchased in April 2022. PCBs and banned pesticides were found there.
He said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also was reviewing Boswell’s remediation plan for the property, although no timetable had been provided.
DiCarlo also reported that the $4.9 million DPW facility now has a “substantial completion” date of Dec. 8. He described progress as “extremely slow” because of extenuating circumstances and said officials hoped to receive a recovery schedule from the contractor.
DiCarlo said the township’s engineers and architects have the “best interests of the township” in mind and maintain a “good working relationship” with general contractor Premier Construction.