Council approves more tests
on farm eyed for purchase
By karl vilacoba
Staff Writer
MARLBORO — As matters of standard procedure and protecting taxpayer money, the Township Council has authorized an engineering firm to conduct thorough environmental tests at a site the township will likely buy for open space uses.
A resolution was passed Sept. 12 contracting Schoor DePalma, Brick Town-ship, to conduct a Phase II environmental assessment at the DiMeo farm, Pleasant Valley and Conover roads. The total sum for all of the services is a price not to exceed $29,900.
While council members said they don’t anticipate any unpleasant surprises, the results of the tests could, hypothetically, be a deal-breaker. The council passed a resolution in June allowing Mayor Matthew Scannapieco to enter into a tentative $4.35 million agreement for the 77-acre tract. The deal would become official after the council passes an authorizing ordinance and a bond ordinance.
"I really don’t expect (the Phase II environmental assessment results) to be a problem," said Councilman James Mione. "I think we can pretty much expect a green light there."
Whereas a Phase I environmental assessment offered a relatively basic examination of the DiMeo farm, the Phase II work will include soil sampling and in-depth examinations of observed potential trouble spots. Some of those include:
• One above-ground and two below-ground storage tanks and their piping. Soil samples in the vicinity of the tanks will be checked for contamination.
• Waste piles/storage and discolored or spill areas. Soil samples will be taken from spots where storage of waste oil, debris, and in one area, coal, were in contact with earthen floors.
• Sprayfields/agricultural cropland. Surface soils will be checked for residual contamination from historical agricultural use. Tests will also be run on samples from areas of stressed vegetation and a pesticide mixing area.
Council President Dr. Paul Kovalski Jr. said the current owners of the property, Ralph and Gerard DiMeo, have been very helpful answering questions about the property’s history. The councilman said he does not expect results of any "significant nature" to be uncovered during the process, which he compared to a title search for a home buyer.
"We want to make sure since we’re investing the citizens tax money that we’re doing so properly," Kovalski said.
In other business:
• The council authorized the purchase of five new Ford Crown Victorias for the Marlboro Police Department.
The total cost for the vehicles, purchased from Winner Ford, Cherry Hill, is $104,065. This includes a base price of $20,058 per vehicle, plus six-way power seats at $360 each, limited slip axles at $95 each, and silicone hoses with A/C clips at $300 each.
"The total amount is a very reasonable amount, considering it’s five vehicles," Councilman Barry Denkensohn said. "It’s money very well spent."
• The master plan amendment is now available on the township’s Internet Web site, www.marlboro-twp.com. The Adobe Acrobat Reader program is required to access the 82-page document.