Waldwick planning board approves soil-moving permits for high school field and parking after residents raise truck, testing and drainage concerns

The Waldwick Planning Board on Tuesday approved soil-moving permits for a proposed synthetic-turf athletic field and two parking lots at the high school, after engineers described the quantities of material to be removed and imported and residents raised safety, notification and environmental concerns.

Presenter testimony described the field work as primarily topsoil stripping — about 5,100 cubic yards removed — and import of roughly 5,200 cubic yards of clean stone to form a structural, stormwater-mitigating base for the synthetic turf. The engineer said the stone base will sit on a minimum 9-inch layer plus a 3-inch leveling course and that in low-grade areas the stone thickness increases to 2–3 feet; a perforated collection pipe will route water to an outfall. He said the plans follow New Jersey DEP guidance published in 2023 and that the materials would come from local quarries (he cited Tilcon or similar suppliers and offered to provide source submittals).

Residents at the hearing pressed for more information on notification and site logistics. Joan Fytelson, who lives on Oak Place, said she received no notice that large trucks would be using neighborhood streets and described daily blockages that left homeowners unable to leave their driveways. David Fytelson asked whether soil was being tested for contaminants such as metals or PFAS and whether results would be published; the presenter said manufacturer submittals and sampling data can be provided and that imported material must be certified as clean before use.

Board members asked for precise construction routing and enforcement steps; the presenter said contractors were instructed to use Wyckoff Avenue for ingress and egress, that the school and contractor discussed routes with police, and that the borough and board of education share responsibility for annual stormwater O&M inspections required by DEP. Several residents said trucks had nevertheless been using Oak Place; the presenter said the contractor would be reminded and the board noted mechanisms exist to report violations to police or building department inspectors.

Before the vote, board members debated the practical problem that some work had already begun. The board then moved and seconded a motion to approve the soil-moving permits covering both the athletic field and the parking-lot soil work; the roll call recorded at least two "Yes" votes (Mister Clemente and Mayor Giannano). The motion passed and the permits were approved as a board action; the board noted that inspection and O&M compliance remain ongoing obligations. The record did not include a complete named vote tally for every member.

The board and project representatives agreed to provide additional documentation after the hearing: provider/source certifications for imported stone, environmental sampling submittals for turf materials and a copy of the stormwater O&M plan required for annual reporting to DEP. The board also asked the borough to monitor truck routing and to enforce the town's hours and street-cleaning protocols.