TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J.—Township officials have yet to release the results of a second environmental survey conducted at 450 Pascack Road, a 3.2-acre property the township has been negotiating to purchase. The survey, focusing on the presence of “historically applied pesticides,” was expected to shed light on whether the property requires costly remediation.
Despite public records requests from Pascack Press, township officials have kept the findings confidential, only sharing vague details with the public.
On March 27, Township Administrator Mark DiCarlo told Pascack Press that although the environmental report has been completed, “the official report was given by the township’s environmental consultant in closed session.”
DiCarlo explained that while the township is eager to comply with the public records request, it must carefully vet the documents to ensure they comply with Open Public Records Act (OPRA) exceptions due to confidentiality clauses in the purchase agreement for the property.
“Any documents related to the purchase agreement must remain confidential unless subpoenaed or required by law to be released,” DiCarlo noted. This heightened caution has delayed the release of the second study’s results.
In the meantime, Pascack Press was unable to receive comment from the owners of 450 Pascack Road or from Mayor Peter Calamari on the status of the environmental findings.
Previously, the township released the first environmental report, which revealed contaminants such as lead-based paint and asbestos insulation, but none of the levels were deemed to exceed state environmental standards.
Concern on Remediation Costs
The township’s purchase of 450 Pascack Road was agreed upon last year for $750,000, but the deal has been under scrutiny due to the potential costs of remediation. At a February council meeting, DiCarlo indicated that the township was not expected to incur remediation costs, thanks to provisions in the purchase agreement.
However, some council members expressed concerns about the potential expenses of cleanup, especially after a report on the former Swim Club property revealed significant contamination, including PCBs, asbestos, and lead-based paint. The cost of remediation for the Swim Club property has yet to be determined, with estimates not expected until late 2026, but the situation has already raised alarms about the impact on the township’s finances.
Enviro Investigations Continue
The second environmental study at 450 Pascack Road, conducted by Lisko Environmental, aimed to determine whether pesticides applied historically on the property exceed New Jersey’s soil remediation standards. The survey was authorized in closed session in November 2024 and is part of the township’s due diligence before finalizing the purchase.
While no major contaminants have been found in previous tests, including the first Lisko report, the township has committed to additional investigation to ensure the property is suitable for future public use, such as passive recreation and potential expansion of Memorial Field.
In addition to the property’s environmental concerns, the township has applied for state and county funding to help offset the purchase price and prepare the site for its intended use.
In February, the township was awarded $550,000 in Open Space land acquisition funds, and it also secured a $66,000 state grant for preliminary site improvements.
Efforts to Finalize Acquisition
Despite the ongoing negotiations and environmental reviews, there remains no clear timeline for when the township will finalize the purchase. Township officials have not disclosed the status of those negotiations, nor have they provided any updates on the potential price adjustments based on the results of the environmental studies.
As the community waits for more information, the 450 Pascack Road site remains a focal point for local development discussions.
The township has been seeking a balance between protecting public health and advancing long-term community goals, such as expanding recreational spaces and enhancing Memorial Field.
For more updates on the status of 450 Pascack Road and the ongoing environmental investigations, follow Pascack Press.