TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—Bid specifications for construction of the new DPW facility will likely go out by June as the first step to soliciting contractor bids for a new public works complex behind town hall, said the mayor on March 6.
Mayor Peter Calamari said he recently had met with Boswell Engineering, Arcari Iovino Architects, and Administrator Mark DiCarlo to discuss next steps for the facility.
The new DPW facility will replace the former DPW facility in the same site, which was razed recently due to longstanding soil contamination caused by leaking gasoline storage tanks decades ago.
An early 2022 effort to purchase 95 Linwood Ave. as a site for a new DPW fizzled when remnants of piping from gasoline tanks was detected and additional investigation was recommended. In June 2022, the council withdrew its $1.35 million offer on the site.
In December, Arcari Iovino estimated a 10,000 square foot building, although the two designs presented in February showed approximately 7,960 square feet of space.
The proposed, new two-story DPW facility includes a first floor with five vehicle bays (one is a wash bay), and also first floor space for tools, tires, a laundry, two utility rooms; two staircases, and an elevator.
On the second floor are two sleeping quarters, two offices, a meeting/break room, three lavatories, two showers, men’s and women’s lockers, and a storage and mechanical room.
In other news, Calamari said the Recreational Advisory Board and Boswell Engineering held their first on-site meeting at the former swim club on Ridgewood Boulevard North to discuss potential property uses. He said “many ideas were expressed” for recreational activities for children and adults, and Boswell is researching which ideas may be possible. He did not provide any specifics.
He said the administration would be soliciting estimates for cleanup of dead and downed trees on the 6.1-acre site. He said once those are received and evaluated, he will come back to council with a recommendation to fund a site cleanup. He said after the initial site cleanup is complete, “We’ll reach out to the community to do a more general cleanup of the property.”
Council president Desserie Morgan asked if members will get the opportunity to offer suggestions for recreation activities.
“Oh, definitely,” replied Calamari.
On the Pascack Road–Washington Avenue intersection upgrade project, he said Verizon had completed moving wires from old poles onto new poles and removed the old poles.
He said the contractor would resume work soon and anticipated a spring completion of intersection improvements.
He suggested residents check the township web page and Facebook page daily to stay updated on detours.