TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—Mayor Peter Calamari says the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, which operates the Garden State Parkway, conveyed it is interested in a traffic signal at GSP Exit 168 and Washington Avenue “as soon as possible.”
He reported at the Nov. 8 meeting of the governing body, “After reaching out to me, the Township Police Department and Bergen County regarding the request, Boswell [Engineering] is drafting a letter of support for the Township to forward to the Turnpike Authority as soon as possible.”
GSP notes online, “From this junction, traffic can only enter going northbound. Traffic can only exit going southbound. Tolls are not charged or collected at this junction. The next exit northbound is Chestnut Ridge Road/Glen Road, approximately 2.6 miles away. The next exit southbound is Washington/Highland Ave/Linwood Ave E, approximately 1.6 miles away.”
Calamari did not elaborate. We reached out to NJTA for comment but did not hear back by press time.
NJTA notes on its website that new toll rates and an updated long-range capital plan went into effect in May 2020 and that it is spending approximately $1 billion a year on capital projects “to boost mobility and safety for generations of New Jersey drivers to come.”
Here are highlights of the remainder of Calamari’s report.
Intersection progress
The mayor delivered an update on the pending overhaul of the intersection of Pascack Road and Washington Avenue, saying that on Oct. 14, the Township received a commitment from Bergen County Executive James Tedesco III that the county will advertise for bids this fall or winter, with construction commencing in spring 2022.
He said utility poles along Pascack Road have been relocated and wiring is being placed and relocated, and that Boswell Engineering has staked pole relocations along Washington Avenue.
He said Township Administrator Robert Tovo and Boswell Engineering met with PSE&G on Oct. 21 to resolve minor issues with pole relocations.
Road program
The mayor discussed the 2021 Road Improvement Program.
“DLS Contracting, Inc. is performing the work through a base bid of approximately $690,000 and an Alternate Bid A of approximately $68,000, resulting in a total amount of approximately $758,000,” he said.
He said the scope of the work includes the following roads for which the Township has received grants from the NJDOT:
- FY 2020 grant of $200,000 for improvements to the Ridgewood Road extension from East Glen Avenue to Linwood Avenue, and,
- FY 2021 Grant of $210,000 for improvements to Hudson Avenue, Bridge Street and the Municipal Complex Parking Area.
And the following streets and work:
- Calvin Street from Maple Avenue to Bergen Avenue Hickory Street from Ridgewood Road to northern terminus;
- Hickory Street from Washington Avenue to southern terminus;
- Asphalt Path Replacement from Jessie F. George School to Calvin Street; and
- Alternate Bid A will cover Palm Street from Beech Street to Hickory Street.
Calamari said the Township has funding available from the 2021 road paving program for another phase of paving: “Boswell Engineering will prepare the specs for advertisement at the end of 2021 to commence in the spring of 2022.”
He added that “The sewer main beneath the center of Salem Road has extensive cracking and needs to be lined or replaced, with replacement being the most likely option.”
He said Boswell will prepare a proposal for engineering design and inspection services.
Weathering the storm
Calamari praised the town’s emergency services workers, who responded ably to the recent nor’easter that came through the area, “dumping 3–5 inches of rain on our already soaked town.”
He said, “Our emergency services personnel were kept busy during the storm, and as always, they stepped up to the tasks they were forced to deal with.”
He noted the resultant flooding at Washington School, which we reported Oct. 29 in “Towns team up as nor’easter drives school evacuation.”
Council members later discussed a transfer of appropriations over storm response, and agreed that weather trends were such that it would be prudent to lay in funds for rain contingencies as already happens with snow in mind.
Department of Public Works
In DPW news, the mayor said:
- The soil remediation project has been completed.
- Garden and household debris collections for 2021 are complete.
- The next metal and white goods collection will be scheduled after the leaf collection season.
- Catch basins continue to be cleaned and dug out where necessary.
- Two tons of asphalt were used to fill potholes utilizing a demonstration model of a Falcon hot asphalt patch trailer.
- The department took delivery of a new 20-yard leaf vacuum and began prepping all the equipment for the leaf season. “Please check the town website and Facebook page for updates on when the crews will be in your neighborhood.”
- A new bench was installed at the Clark Field playground.
Veterans Day, Hannukah, Christmas events
Calamari promoted the Veterans Day memorial service on Thursday, Nov. 11 at the Veterans Memorial Monument at the library.
He also said “We have ordered a new menorah that we are hoping will be here in time for our menorah lighting ceremony on Nov. 28; our tree lighting ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 3.”
Fire Department
In Fire Department news, Calamari said the department took delivery of new Scott packs and air bottles. “They are much improved from the current ones. They will be placed in service after training is complete.”
He noted the Oct. 10 morning at call of smoke emanating from a house on Ridgewood Boulevard East, and said the WTFD was dispatched and arrived on the scene quickly, and upon arrival made entry to the garage to find the contents fully involved with fire.
The department thanked the quick-acting neighbor who reported the smoke condition. “Thanks to that person, the fire was contained to the garage, with minimal damage to the home,” Calamari said.
He said mutual aid was provided by the Woodcliff Lake Fire Department. The Westwood and Ho-Ho-Kus fire departments were assigned to the township’s firehouse as standby. “The Hillsdale Ambulance Corps and an ambulance from Valley Hospital were also on the scene, but thankfully were not needed, as no injuries were reported. We thank all the mutual aid partners who responded to the call.”
Calamari said the fire likely was caused by the spontaneous combustion of rags from floor staining that took place the previous day.
On Oct. 16, he said, the department responded to a mutual aid call from Hillsdale for a reported structure fire. They were released shortly after arriving.
Police Department
“On Oct. 16, Corporal Santa, Officer Ferrazzano, and SLEO II Parisi received the 200 Club Valor award at their annual awards ceremony,” Calamari said.
He noted the call that led to the arrest of an accused murderer on Lexington Court on Oct. 24. (See “Resident is charged in brutal murder at condo; had self-inflicted stab wounds.”)
“A thorough investigation was conducted by our police department along with the Bergen County Prosecutors Office. The investigation was successful, with the help of the Westwood, Hillsdale, Emerson, Ridgewood, Paramus police departments along with the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office,” Calamari said.
He added that WTPD officers began training for New Jersey’s new use of force policies, Tasers, and body-worn cameras.
And he reminded residents “to please remove key fobs from vehicles when they are not in use,” as this will help prevent vehicles from being stolen, which is a serious problem in the region.
Recreation Department
Calamari lauded the new K-1 cheerleading program. “These programs would not be possible without the volunteers who take time from their busy schedules to make them happen.”
He said, “Speaking of volunteers, basketball season is quickly approaching, and the program needs people to support all the age groups. Please call the Recreation Department at (201) 383-9768 for more details.”
Other news
Calamari lauded the Public Affairs office under Daisy Velez for recent town events, and said he aimed to have the township lead on a petition seeking pilots’ buy-in on flight path changes to lessen area noise pollution from air traffic connected to Teterboro Airport.