96-25 Exhibit A.pdf

Matrix New World Engineering, Land Surveying and Landscape Architecture, P.C. 26 Columbia Turnpike Florham Park NJ 07932 973.240.1800 Fax 973.240.1818 www.mnwe.com May 20, 2024 Ms. Zayibeth Carballo Municipal Engineer 25 Lakeside Avenue West Orange, New Jersey 07052 96-25 Exhibit "A" Mr. Peter Smeraldo Assistant Business Administrator 66 Main Street West Orange, New Jersey 07052 RE: PROPOSAL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES WEST ORANGE ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER 590 MT. PLEASANT AVENUE PORTION OF BLOCK 170, LOT 17 TOWNSHIP OF WEST ORANGE, ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY MATRIX JOB NO. P24-0446 Dear Ms. Carballo and Mr. Smeraldo: At your request, Matrix New World Engineering, Land Surveying and Landscape Architecture, P.C. (Matrix) is pleased to provide the Township of West Orange (Client) this proposal for the performance of Environmental Services for the West Orange Environmental Center located at 590 Mt. Pleasant Avenue in West Orange, New Jersey (Site). Specifically, this proposal presents a scope of work (SOW) and costs to complete a Preliminary Assessment (PA) and geotechnical engineering services to investigate subsurface conditions. The PA will be completed in accordance with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Technical Requirements for Site Remediation (N.J.A.C. 7:26E), and the March 2018 Preliminary Assessment Technical Guidance. The performance of a PA is the necessary first step to getting a Site Wide Response Action Outcome (RAO). SITE BACKGROUND The Site is a portion of one large parcel (portion of Block 170 Lot 17) and is located in a commercial/residential area of West Orange, with the West Orange Environmental Center located on the rest of the large parcel. Historic Fill Material (HFM) according to the NJDEP Geoweb Database is mapped on the Site. According to Township Representatives, the Site was historically occupied by the Town Dump with an incinerator. The incinerator is still present on the Site. PROPOSED SCOPE OF SERVICES The following sections provide a description of the scope of work to be completed at the Site. The proposed work will be completed in accordance with the Site Remediation Reform Act (SRRA), N.J.S.A 58:10C-1 et seq., the Administrative Requirements for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites (ARRCS), N.J.A.C. 7:26C, and the TRSR, N.J.A.C. 7:26E. Task 1 – Preliminary Assessment Landowners seeking to avoid

-1 et seq., the Administrative Requirements for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites (ARRCS), N.J.A.C. 7:26C, and the TRSR, N.J.A.C. 7:26E. Task 1 – Preliminary Assessment Landowners seeking to avoid liability under the New Jersey Spill Compensation and Control Act, N.J.S.A. 58:10-23.11 for prior discharges of hazardous substances can attempt to do so by affirmatively establishing the elements of the “innocent purchaser” defense. Establishing “innocence” depends largely, in part, on meeting due diligence requirements to establish that “all appropriate inquiry” into prior ownership and uses of the property was made before acquisition. If an owner knew of a discharge of 1

hazardous substances and did nothing or should have known but did not because the owner failed to conduct an appropriate inquiry, the defense is defeated. Like many other states, New Jersey has enacted its own innocent purchaser defense that requires a property owner to demonstrate that it did not know and had no reason to know of discharges of hazardous substance by performing an “all appropriate inquiry” prior to purchase of the property. However, contrary to most states, New Jersey has not adopted the federal All Appropriate Inquiries rule (which requires a standard Phase I assessment) but instead has its own unique definition for satisfying “all appropriate inquiry.” Under N.J.S.A. 58:10-23.11g(d)(2), an “all appropriate inquiry” is defined as “the performance of a preliminary assessment, and site investigation if the preliminary assessment indicates that a site investigation is necessary.” Items included in the Preliminary Assessment include a review of the following items: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • General environmental permits Enforcement actions Storage pad including drum and/or waste storage Surface impoundments Dumpsters Loading docks (tanks only) Process area sinks and piping which receive process waste Roof leaders when process operations vent to the roof Drainage swales and culverts Storm water detention ponds and fire ponds Surface water bodies Waste disposal areas, dumps, landfills, or land-farms Spray-fields Open pipe discharges • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Burn pits Incinerators Loading or transfer areas Waste treatment areas Boiler rooms Air vents and ducts Open areas away from production areas Underground piping including industrial process sewers Compressor vent discharges Non-contact cooling water discharges Areas which receive flood or storm water from potentially contaminated areas Rail lines, spurs, or sidings Wastewater discharge history Radioactive materials Protectiveness evaluation of approved remedies Order of magnitude analysis As applicable, the PA data-gathering activities includes the identification, review and summary of investigation and remediation activities previously conducted or currently underway at the Site that have not received a No Further Action (NFA) or Response Action Outcome (RAO) determination. The review includes dates of discharges, remedial actions taken, and existing sample results

t the Site that have not received a No Further Action (NFA) or Response Action Outcome (RAO) determination. The review includes dates of discharges, remedial actions taken, and existing sample results concerning contaminants that remain at the Site. The PA report will include a narrative discussion of the remediation activities that have been conducted at the Site and of known changes in Site conditions and new information developed since completion of the October 2023 ESI Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. The PA will evaluate past ownership, current and historical site usage, and improvements to the site. Chain of Title data and any other specific information related to the property is to be provided to Matrix by the owner. Access to the Site for site inspection activities must also be provided. Our proposal does not include file reviews of adjacent facilities, if needed, ground penetrating radar, or sampling activities (Phase II). 2

The PA is designed to meet the diligent inquiry requirements of the Technical Requirements for Site Remediation (Technical Regulations) at N.J.A.C. 7:26E-3.1 and 3.2 to determine if there may be potentially contaminated areas of concern (AOCs) that require further investigation. PA Report An electronic DRAFT report will be issued for your review and comment. Upon receipt and consideration of your comments, the FINAL report will be issued upon your authorization. The FINAL report will be provided in electronic format via electronic mail, or via a cloud-based link if the file size is too large to email. Task 2 – Geotechnical Engineering Services Matrix will review any available documents pertaining to the site which may include pertinent information to be used in this task. Matrix will provide geotechnical engineering services to investigate subsurface conditions and evaluate their impact on proposed construction. Matrix will prepare the subsurface exploration program which will include a boring location plan on a CAD base plan (to be provided by the client) and proposed sampling depths and intervals. The planned scope of services is described below. Subsurface Investigation Prior to the subsurface investigation, the client shall provide a site location plan detailing utility locations currently servicing the site. Matrix anticipates completing 2 to 3 geotechnical borings to depths of 30 to 50 feet below grade (unless refusal is encountered shallower). Matrix has allotted for 1 day of drilling and an anticipated program will be determined prior to mobilization. It is anticipated that a rubber track ATV or truck rig will be utilized for the borings and that access to the boring locations is assumed to be feasible. Standard split spoon sampling will be conducted in each boring continuously to a depth of 12 feet below the ground surface (bgs), and at nominal five-foot intervals thereafter, if the conditions warrant. Split spoon samples will be collected using the Standard Penetration Test (SPT) in accordance with ASTM D1586, Standard Method for Penetration Test and Split-Barrel Sampling of Soils. Matrix will lay out the borings by taping and line of sight measurement using mapping provided by the client and will provide full-time technical observation of the field operations, including logging of the subsurface materials and collection of samples. Samples

surement using mapping provided by the client and will provide full-time technical observation of the field operations, including logging of the subsurface materials and collection of samples. Samples obtained during the exploration program will be returned to Matrix’s office for further examination and testing, as warranted. If contaminated soil or groundwater is encountered that is deemed detrimental to the health and safety of the field staff, the boring will be terminated and backfilled and the client notified. Matrix will prepare a supplemental proposal for completing the investigation with the required increases in PPE and additional environmental precautions. The drilling subcontractor will contact the One Call service for general utility mark-out. Additionally, a GPR survey will be conducted to clear all proposed test borings. Borings advanced greater than 25 feet in depth will be grouted to the ground surface. Excess drill cuttings will be raked adjacent to the borehole. Soil samples collected during this evaluation will be discarded after six months of the completion of the subsurface investigation unless the client arranges to retrieve the samples from Matrix’s storage facility prior to that time. 3

Geotechnical Laboratory Testing Matrix will subcontract and arrange for appropriate geotechnical laboratory tests on selected representative soil samples recovered during the field operations. We anticipate performing geotechnical laboratory tests for moisture content, grain size analysis, and Atterberg limits (plasticity indices) to determine the engineering index characteristics of the soils. Engineering Evaluation Matrix will evaluate the field and laboratory data to determine the impact of subsurface conditions on the planned construction. Reporting Matrix will prepare a geotechnical report of the investigation which will include: • Boring location plan • Boring logs including descriptions of the subsurface materials, standard penetration test data • Description of subsurface conditions • Laboratory testing results • Recommendations for excavation and controlled fill • Recommended geotechnical design parameters • Foundation recommendations PROJECT COST AND SCHEDULE The total cost to conduct the above tasks for the Site is $22,260. Task 1 – Preliminary Assessment Labor .................... ............................................................................................................ $ 7,500.00 Direct Expenses (NJ PA - EDR package) ......................................................................... $ 1,260.00 Task 1 Estimated Costs..................................... $ 8,760.00 Task 2 – Geotechnical Engineering Services Labor and Direct Expenses (Driller, Analytical, Travel).................... .................................. $ 13,500.00 Task 2 Estimated Costs..................................... $ 13,500.00 TOTAL COSTS ................................................. ….$22,260.00 The above work will be completed in accordance with Matrix’s Terms and Conditions (Attachment 1). Matrix is prepared to start work on this project immediately after receipt of the notice to proceed. The return of a signed copy of this letter shall constitute authorization to proceed. We thank you for the opportunity to be of service to you on this project. ASSUMPTIONS AND EXCLUSIONS This proposal is based on the following assumptions: • Costs assume that all areas are accessible for inspection; • No additional assessment, investigation or remediation activities are included; • No client meetings will be required; • Costs do not include any

assume that all areas are accessible for inspection; • No additional assessment, investigation or remediation activities are included; • No client meetings will be required; • Costs do not include any environmental soil sampling activities; • Costs do not include future soil or groundwater remediation; • Costs exclude any NJDEP inspections; 4

• • • • • • • Costs do not include additional borings or test pits if required beyond the scope of work provided above; Costs do not include foundation, slab, or pavement design; Costs do not include Site specific seismic evaluation; Costs do not include preparation of drawings; Costs do not include construction oversight or inspection services; Costs do not include any additional NJDEP notification or reporting fees; and All external costs will be charged at cost plus 15%. We thank you for the opportunity to be of service to you on this project. If you have any questions or require any additional information, do not hesitate to contact me at (973) 240-1800 or at amolnar@mnwe.com. Sincerely, Allison Molnar Project Manager 5

PROPOSAL ACCEPTANCE The signature below, by a duly authorized representative of Client, indicates acceptance of the above referenced proposal and all attachments including the Terms and Conditions without exception. Acceptance is limited to the terms stated in this proposal, and any additional or different terms are rejected unless expressly agreed to in writing by Matrix. Name (please print) Title (please print) Signature Company Name (please print) Phone Number E-mail Address Date Contact Information for Invoice (if different than above): Name (please print) Title (please print) Signature Company Name (please print) Street Address, City, State, Zip Phone Number E-mail Address Date 6