A proposed athletic field in Ridgewood has turned into a toxic situation that will now cost taxpayers another $1.5 million.

Since 2009, the Village of Ridgewood has been trying to turn the Zabriskie–Schedler property on West Saddle River Road into an athletic field. But the project was stopped in its tracks last year when the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection found that the village trucked in soil that tested above the legal limit for mercury and lead. Residents who live near the property are concerned.

“We are scared about our health and our safety and our well-being,” says Cynthia Keefe.

“I'm very fearful of my well,” echoes Linda Marticek. “I just don't want anybody else getting hurt or getting sick or worse."

“It should be stressed that there is no public health concern, and at no time has the NJDEP… required the property to be closed to the public," says Ridgewood Village Manager Keith Kazmark.

But there are serious questions about just how the contamination came to be there. The village says six years ago, it built a berm on the site, using dirt it took in from six other construction sites. However, dirt from two of those sites was too contaminated to use, according to NJDEP regulations. Documents reviewed by Kane In Your Corner show the soil was tested prior to it being trucked to the site, making the decision to use it inexplicable.

Because the village is legally responsible for contaminating the property, taxpayers are now on the hook to remediate it, and some are not happy about it.

“It’s like, ‘Let's just clean up this mess that we made, no big deal’. No one's held accountable,” says Amy McCambridge, a Ridgewood resident.

The proposed athletic field has been controversial since it was first proposed. Some residents have complained about everything from its size to the planned use of artificial turf, to its location next to a historic building. The added cost isn’t likely to make it any more popular.

The $1.5 million to remediate the field is part of a $4.99 million bond due to be approved by the village council Wednesday night.

Ridgewood has until 2030 to get the area fully remediated, which means the athletic field, already long delayed, won’t be completed anytime soon.

Do you know something that needs to be investigated? Here’s how to get Kane in Your Corner.