TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J. (May 9, 2025) — The Township Council on May 5 unanimously adopted a $16.5 million municipal budget for 2025, reflecting a 1.11% increase over last year. The local tax levy rose 2.39%, translating to an average annual property tax increase of $89 per household—$70 for municipal operations and $19 for the library.
Mayor Peter Calamari told Pascack Press the spending plan offers real community value.
“I presented a solid budget to the council, and they made only minor adjustments,” Calamari said. “The residents will benefit from this practical budget, which restarts the Local Road Improvement Program, adds two new garbage trucks to replace older ones for the DPW, provides Automatic License Plate Recognition systems for police enforcement, and improvements to our parks and fields, to name a few. The DPW employees will also receive their long-awaited building.”
Employee Raises Approved in Split Vote
In a 3–2 vote, the council also approved a 2% raise for municipal employees. Council President Michael DeSena, who had previously opposed the measure, voted in favor this time. Councilmen Steven Cascio and Michael Ullman opposed the increase.
Neither Cascio nor Ullman commented publicly on their vote. Pascack Press reached out for comment but did not receive a response by press time.
Bond Ordinance Introduced for Capital Improvements
The council introduced a $2.35 million bond ordinance to fund a range of infrastructure and equipment projects, including:
- Road resurfacing
- New vehicles for police, fire, and DPW
- Two garbage trucks and a front-end loader
- Fencing at Sherry Field
- New backstops at Memorial and Clark fields
- Upgrades to police lockers, bathrooms, body cameras, license plate readers, and laptops
Councilman Ullman was the lone dissenting vote on the bond ordinance.
Swim Club Testing, Streambank Grant Revisions Underway
Township Administrator Mark DiCarlo reported that Boswell Engineering is continuing soil testing at the former Washington Township Swim Club site. It’s unclear whether this work falls under the $78,000 study approved in November 2024.
DiCarlo also said Boswell is submitting a revised grant application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for streambank restoration along Musquapsink Brook, where erosion has exposed sanitary infrastructure. Specific changes requested by the state and their cost implications are not yet known.
Township Finalizes 450 Pascack Road Purchase
Calamari also announced the township has finalized its $750,000 acquisition of 3.2 acres at 450 Pascack Road. The site will feature a nature trail, outdoor exercise area, benches, and parking.
“Much of the cost [was] covered by a grant from the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund,” Calamari noted. Cleanup will begin soon.