By R.J. LIBERATORE Jr.
Staff Writer

PLEASANTVILLE – City officials are examining their options now that the approved redeveloper of the 20-acre California Tract has opted out of its agreement, citing concerns about possible contamination from a nearby Superfund site.
City Administrator Marvin D. Hopkins informed City Council during its Oct. 29 meeting that Eastern New Homes has said it would not go ahead with the project because a Department of Environmental Protection report cited groundwater contamination from Price’s Landfill, also known as Price’s Pit.
Hopkins said he received a letter Oct. 19 from the Department of Environmental Protection that indicated a 2006 well sample detected benzene and chlorobenzene — both solvents — at levels that exceed acceptable standards.
Eastern New Homes was also notified, Hopkins said, and company officials replied they were no longer interested in developing the location.
The contamination is reportedly seeping from Price’s Landfill, a 26-acre EPA Superfund site on the other side of Mill Road from the proposed redevelopment area, partly in Egg Harbor Township and partly in Pleasantville.
A 1986 report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency indicated that 9.1 million gallons of contaminants were seeping through the surrounding area toward the northeast at a rate of 200 feet per year.
Charles Price, the former owner of Price’s Landfill, was ordered to pay $18 million to clean up the area, according to the report. City officials now hope to determine if there is a way they can receive some of that money to pay for cleaning up the plume of contaminants that has affected Pleasantville.
Hopkins, however, said the city has received no direct communication from the EPA about the cleanup for 20 years.
“I want to know why we weren’t informed earlier,” Hopkins said. “We need to look at our positions and options.”
Hopkins said he met with state Department of Environmental Protection officials who said the location can be remediated in a process that could take five to 10 years.
“As of this time, I am not prepared to give you any more information,” Hopkins said to City Council. “We will meet with our legal team and decide what our options are.”
City Council named Eastern New Homes the official redeveloper of the California Tract earlier this year after repeated attempts to auction the site. Officials said they hoped to receive $1.5 million, the equivalent of about 30 cents on the tax rate in the 2008-2009 budget, as a result of the sale.
“We are solvent,” Hopkins said. “It’s safe to say that the tax rate is safe for 2008.”
Hopkins said he is looking at the 2008-2009 budget to see where cuts can be made.
Hopkins said city officials could put a freeze on purchases and hold off on filling any remaining vacancies until an analysis of the situation is complete.
Originally a sand and gravel pit, Price’s Pit ceased being a mining operation in 1968 when the pit was excavated to within approximately two feet of the water table, according to the EPA. 
“It became a commercial solid waste landfill and in 1971, and began accepting drummed and bulk liquid waste,” reads a 1986 EPA report on the site available online.
“Initial listings of wastes consisted of industrial chemicals, sludges, oil, grease, and septic tank and sewer wastes. Some of the liquid wastes were poured directly into the landfill from open tank truck spigots. Many other wastes were buried in 55-gallon drums, some of which were punctured or opened prior to disposal.
“It has been estimated that 9.1 million gallons of chemical wastes were disposed of at the site.”
To read the EPA Superfund report see www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/rods/fulltext/r0286035.pdf.