Council to Hold Closed Session on Passaic River Suit

Last week city officials announced that a closed session resolution would be considered at a council meeting at 7p.m., tonight. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss "Passaic River Litigation relative to DEP v. Occidental Chemical, et al".

In 2005, the state directed three companies (Occidental Chemical Corporation, Maxus Energy Corporation and Tierra Solutions, Inc.) to pay $2.3 million to develop a plan to dredge contaminated sediments in a six-mile stretch of the Lower Passaic River, the first step in reducing dioxin contamination levels, .

According to an NJDEP release, for more than two decades Occidental Chemical Corporation, its predecessors and others intentionally discharged dioxins and various other pesticides and chemicals into the Passaic River.

The council will meet with the public at 9p.m. Tuesday night to discuss the city's position on the suit. In the event the closed session meeting runs too long, a public special meeting is planned for Wednesday at 7p.m. in the Council Chamber.