The mayor of Fair Lawn says that the implosion of the former Nabisco factory has been delayed and not canceled. But he says that a new date won’t be set until all the asbestos and hazardous materials are gone.

The iconic tower has mostly been reduced to its steel skeletal structure. The landmark dates back to 1958.

Fair Lawn Mayor Kurt Peluso says that the delay lies with developer Greek Development. He says that the company has still not obtained the state permits it needs from the state Department of Labor and Department of Environmental Protection. The main concern is the removal of asbestos which could pollute the air.

“We obviously don’t like to see delays, but this is also reassuring for us to show that the process is working and that nothing is coming down with hazardous materials until it gets state approval,” Peluso says. “Until they get the all-clear sign, you won’t get any set dates of when the tower is coming down.”

There was some confusion as to whether the implosion was called off altogether after the Hawthorne mayor put out a letter saying such. But Peluso assures it is only delayed.

Some who live near the plant wanted to see the implosion canceled due to health and safety concerns.

This issue was addressed by Sessler Wrecking when they reported, “In Sessler’s review of the main Nabisco Tower structure, their third-party engineer identified structural deficiencies that would put Sessler personnel at risk under mechanical demolition methods of that tall structure.”

Peluso also says that he wants to put an end to concerns that the site would be turned into residential development. He says that the plan is for jobs and an operation that'll start paying taxes.

“That parcel of land is so large that anything residential would be at a mammoth scale, so we are happy it’s not going in that direction,” Peluso says.

A planning board meeting will be held Monday in Fair Lawn. Greek Development is expected to reveal some designs.