TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J.—The township’s insurance carrier is reviewing the potential liability of Lisko Environmental for remediation costs at the 6.1-acre former swim club property, following the discovery of PCBs by another consultant during a pre-demolition survey last October.
Administrator Mark DiCarlo told council on June 2 that the township filed a claim with its insurer, Bergen Joint Insurance Fund, in early November after Boswell Engineering detected elevated levels of PCBs and pesticides at the site.
Two prior surveys conducted by Lisko Environmental found no such contaminants before the township’s April 2022 purchase of the property.
Before Boswell’s findings, officials had discussed a passive recreation proposal—possibly a “great lawn”—for the site.
DiCarlo’s update followed a question from Council President Michael DeSena, prompted by residents asking whether Lisko could be held liable after performing two earlier environmental studies that reported no PCBs.
Following Lisko’s Phase I and Phase II environmental assessments, DiCarlo said, “There was no information located leading the environmentalist to believe that PCBs were used.”
He explained that a Phase I study typically involves researching historical use to identify “recognized environmental conditions” (RECs), which, if found, lead to a Phase II assessment involving soil and groundwater testing. He said Lisko’s Phase I identified historical fill material dated between 1955 and 1970, prompting a Phase II study. That study involved testing the area for toxic substances, and, DiCarlo said, “did not locate anything further.”
The question of Lisko’s liability is now with Bergen JIF, which is awaiting Boswell’s final reports, investigation, and cost analysis.
For background, see “At swim club site, township waits for answers as contamination testing expands” (May 15, 2025), and “Who should be liable for toxin cleanup at swim club site?” (May 26, 2025), both by this reporter at thepressgroup.net.
Several council members delayed voting on a $3 million bond ordinance for a new DPW facility over concerns about cleanup costs at the swim club site. The ordinance was eventually approved in February.
DiCarlo said he had sent a “lengthy email” with attachments to council members detailing the status of the environmental review. Pascack Press filed a public records request for the email.
He added that Bergen JIF consultant Sunita Dhar, a senior scientist at First Environment (Butler), had written a report and was awaiting additional information from Boswell.
No council members asked questions after DiCarlo’s update.
Three-quarters of homes have been reviewed for revaluation
In unrelated news, DiCarlo reported that Appraisal Systems Inc., which is conducting a town-wide property revaluation, had reviewed 2,571 residential properties—76% of the total. Councilman Michael Ullman had requested regular updates on the process.
DiCarlo said assessors had been granted access to 60% of homes visited, and that 120 appraisal estimates were issued where access was not granted. Once initial visits are complete, the company will mail letters to homeowners requesting a second opportunity to inspect.