Residents Press Washington Township Council Over Proposed Temporary DPW Yard at Bethany

At its Nov. 10, 2025 meeting the Washington Township Council opened a public hearing on Ordinance 25-25, a proposed lease with Bethany Church that would allow the Department of Public Works to temporarily store vehicles and equipment on Bethany property. Dozens of residents came to the microphone to oppose the plan and to demand environmental review and greater transparency.

The public hearing followed the council’s announcement of Resolution 25-350 to authorize a second reading of Ordinance 25-25. Administrator DiCarlo and other staff described the town’s immediate steps as soil remediation and demolition at 450 Pascack Road and said a deed restriction on 450 Pascack Road would require eventual passive recreation use. DiCarlo also said the town arranged a “0 cost agreement with Valley National Bank” to allow employees to park in the rear row of the bank lot during construction, and that the bank agreement specifically prohibits storage of construction equipment or vehicles.

Residents at the podium repeatedly raised two central concerns: safety for pedestrians and children where large DPW vehicles would operate near narrow neighborhood roads and a bike path, and the environmental risk of fuel or salt runoff into a nearby brook and lake. “You have not been transparent or direct about this,” resident John Reutershan said, adding that “you did $57,000 or more worth of improvements to Bethany…without having a lease,” and warning that children already play in the fenced area targeted for storage. Environmental concerns were amplified by other speakers who asked whether NJDEP had been consulted and whether any special environmental permits were required.

Lake-association members and neighbors cited the proximity of stored vehicles to vernal ponds, the brook that feeds the township lake, and the risk of hydraulic fluid, oil or salt reaching the water. Anthony Hassanante of the Washington Lake Association asked whether the town would put in writing that it would be responsible for cleaning up any contamination. Several residents said they had filed or would file complaints with environmental regulators if storage proceeded without a formal assessment.

Speakers offered alternatives and urged the council to consider them: using existing leased space at Our Lady of Good Counsel, placing equipment at Sherry Field (where residents said utilities had been stored previously), partnering with neighboring municipalities such as Paramus, or more limited use of bank parking that would not include vehicle storage. Cynthia Clark told the council that prior improvements made by the township amounted to nearly $58,000 and asked whether the town had fully explored lower-impact sites.

Council procedure recorded a roll call when the second reading and public hearing were opened; the transcript lists affirmative votes from Councilmen Casio, Sears and Oman and from Councilwoman Velez. The transcript does not record a final adoption vote on the ordinance after the public hearing concluded.

What happens next: residents urged the council to pause the matter and conduct environmental and legal reviews, provide a complete equipment list and clarify lease terms. Several speakers said they had retained counsel to pursue injunctive relief if necessary. The public hearing remains part of the record; the transcript does not show a subsequent final vote or an adopted ordinance outcome.