HILLSDALE, N.J.—School trustees approved two new charges June 22 for environmental testing and asbestos abatement at George White Middle School, adding about $2,000 and bringing total extra environmental cleanup and remediation costs at the century-old school to $216,270.
With the two extra charges approved — $890 for lead-based paint screening and $900 for monitoring unanticipated asbestos removal — the revised agreement with T&M Associates totals an extra $216,270, according to a resolution approved at the June 22 school board meeting.
The extra $890 charge, or modification No. 6, was to provide lead-based paint screening utilizing X-ray fluorescence (XRF) methods to investigate the lead content of priority and specialty paint applications.
In addition, an extra $900 charge, modification #7, was for T&M Associates to perform monitoring of B&G Restoration for the removal of 70 square feet of asbestos-containing floor tile and mastic. Those two changes increased extra environmental costs to a new total of $216,270.
In addition, school trustees approved a fourth project payment to Dobco Inc. of Wayne for $1,835,364.34, following review and certification by construction manager Epic Management and project architect BWS Architects, formerly DiCara Rubino. Project architect Joseph DiCara remains on the project until completion, district officials previously told Pascack Press.
The revised Dobco Inc. contract total to date is $37,187,350, said the resolution. The total increased from $33,557,000 to $37,057,700 on March 23 when trustees approved a $3.5 million increase for unanticipated demolition work and a new project recovery schedule.
See “$3.5M increase on George G. White School overhaul,” by Michael Olohan, March 30, 2026, Page One, Pascack Press and thepressgroup.net.
Unrelated to the George White project, school trustees also approved nearly $6,000 for two separate asbestos abatement projects by B&G Restoration Inc. at Meadowbrook Elementary School. The resolutions note one remediation project costs $2,100 and one $3,800, for a total of $5,900.
Neither resolution provided project details. However, Lombardy said the remediation work was needed due to a burst pipe at Meadowbrook that involved old asbestos insulation requiring remediation.
He said officials were also “evaluating ceiling paint” that was disturbed over winter due to burst pipes.
George White project update
Lombardy said current George White site work includes crews excavating the area in front of the middle school to install new storm drains and underground drainage systems. He said new structural steel for footings and foundations is in place and steel for the new construction is scheduled to arrive in two to three weeks. Once it arrives, crews will begin erecting the new addition framework.
Moreover, he said, electric and plumbing rough-in work is moving forward, as crews install underground electrical conduit and plumbing lines before they begin pouring interior and exterior concrete slabs.
Lombardy said working with a century-old building presents daily challenges that require attention from a team of architects, engineers, construction personnel and district officials.
“We are staying focused on delivering a modernized building within our budget and timeline,” he said in a letter to residents.