West Orange Secures Up To $1.56 Million For Cleanup At Former Barton Press Site

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange has secured a grant that will help pay for cleanup at the former Barton Press Inc. site at 55 Lakeside Avenue, town officials announced earlier this week.

According to a municipal news release, the Township of West Orange has been approved to receive a grant of up to $1,566,750 from the New Jersey Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund to support environmental cleanup efforts at the site.

“This is a significant investment in the future of West Orange,” Mayor Susan McCartney said.

“Securing this level of funding allows us to continue addressing environmental challenges and move this site closer to productive reuse,” McCartney added.

The township’s news release included the following details about the grant:

“The funding, approved by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority in coordination with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, will be used to advance the remedial action phase of the proposed film production studio project, including the preparation of all required environmental reports. The Barton Press site, identified as Block 115, Lots 15 and 17 in West Orange has been a focus of the township’s ongoing efforts to address environmental concerns and promote responsible redevelopment.”

There are some conditions, officials added:

“Under the terms of the grant, the township is required to complete the project in accordance with its submitted application and adhere to all timelines and reporting requirements. Funding designated for certain phases of environmental work must be expended within established timeframes, unless extensions are granted by the state.”

Additional conditions include compliance with grant documentation, submission of required schedules, and maintaining a valid tax clearance certificate through the state of New Jersey.

The township must also meet all legal and administrative requirements to finalize and close on the grant, officials said.

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