Ridgewood council moves forward with DEP‑approved excavation plan for Schedler property as neighbors press for alternatives

Sharon Stecker, vice president and director of environmental services for Matrix New World Engineering, told the Ridgewood Village Council on Dec. 3 that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has approved a remedial action work plan calling for excavation and off‑site disposal of contaminated fill at the Schedler property, a parcel proposed for a future park.

"Excavation and disposal is the only alternative that fully removes the contaminated fill from the property, eliminating ongoing exposure pathways," Stecker said, adding that excavation provides "immediate measurable results" while alternatives such as bioremediation can take years and may not achieve the residential standards required by the DEP.

During a technical question‑and‑answer…