FIVE STAR STUDENT
Emerson • Hillsdale • Montvale • Park Ridge • River Vale • Township of Washington • Westwood • Woodcliff Lake VOLUME 23 ISSUE 49
ARTISTIC ACTION
Westwood Regional’s Charlotte Flynn takes on race in America. SEE PAGE 15
RIVER VALE
LATTERI
PA S C AC K VA L L E Y ’ S BEST H O M E TO W N N E W S PA P E R
BY JOHN SNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS
HILLSDALE—Bergen County Clerk John S. Hoganʼs foundation has recognized Hillsdaleʼs Julia Scozzafava, an 11th grade high honor roll student at Pascack Valley High School and a Girl Scout in Troop 318, as a Five Star Student. Hogan announced his award program in January 2019, saying he would honor one student from kindergarten through college every three months. Awards are distributed in March, June, September, and December. “Our goal is to reward students who continually strive to learn and better themselves within their communities in some unique fashion,” Hogan told Pascack Press at the time. He said, “We are interested in student volunteers who dedicate their time to helping others as well as student entrepreneurs who have
If you are a part of the Pascack Valley region, then there is a good chance you knew or have heard of Zack Latteri, a former Pascack Valley High School freshman whose contagious laugh and positive attitude filled the hearts of many. Zack, who was diagnosed with leukemia at 10, beat the disease several times following transfusions, chemotherapy treatments, and hospital stays. But he ultimately lost his courageous battle with cancer in July 2015. In the wake of his passing, his friends and family helped to create the Zack Latteri Foundation (ZLF), which works with the Hillsdale and River Vale communities to donate goods, raise money for those battling cancer or facing difficult struggles, and keep Zackʼs memory going strong.
See LATTERI on page 94
BY JOHN SNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS
TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON— Most of the governing body convened at a special meeting on Feb. 12 to discuss the 2020 budget, taking a first pass through trust fund items and approximately $2.7 million in new capital expenses. Mayor Peter Calamari, Council President Stacey DeMarco-Feeney, and Borough Attorney Kenneth Poller were absent. Town CFO Judy Curran stepped down Jan. 31, following
HILLSDALE
PLAN TO
REDEVELOP INDUSTRIAL ZONE BEING DRAFTED BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
BERGEN COUNTY CLERK John Hogan presents Hilldale’s Julia AMBASSADORS Scozzafava, 16, with a certificate and $500 check. Concerned with aniContinues on page 6 mal shelter overpopulation, Scozzafava aspires to become a veterinarian. REACH OUT TO FRESHMEN Township enters 2020 budget talks without CFO, auditor BY JOSH SHIFFMAN SPECIAL TO PASCACK PRESS
FEBRUARY 17, 2020
lively exchanges at the dais with Poller and without being given an exit interview. She had offered to stay for two weeks but was let go immediately. Interviews are ongoing for town auditor. In the mix are previous town auditors Gary J. Vinci of Lerch, Vinci, and Higgins; and Louis C. Mai CPA and Associates. Calamari recently named Township Administrator Robert Tovo as Finance Director. It was the governing bodyʼs first meeting since Feb. 3, when most members agreed with Desserie Morganʼs call to scut-
tle a $10,000 forensic accounting of the town finances, which was approved and funded in 2019, the work briefly going to Chakonis & Pettit LLC of River Edge. The about-face prevailed in a 3–2 vote, with members Michael DeSena and Steven Cascio voting for the work to continue and Art Cumming supporting newcomers DeMarco-Feeney and Morgan. The call for forensic accounting was made by for-
Continued on page 27
A consultant tasked with redeveloping 14 acres in an industrial area is gearing up to present a range of options for the public and officials here to consider. The scope of work includes 24 affordable housing units mandated under the boroughʼs affordable housing settlement. The public will get several opportunities to weigh in on redevelopment options. Meanwhile, the townʼs legal action opposing Waste Managementʼs transfer station activity in the borough is on hold at Hillsdaleʼs request. DMR Architects of Hasbrouck Heights is crafting a redevelopment plan for 17 of 23 lots in the industrial area, which were declared in need of redevelopment in September 2019 following a redevelopment study the firm conducted. After the Planning Board and governing body signed off on the study, DMR was awarded a $19,140 contract for planning services to produce a redevelopment plan on Nov. 12. The plan will look at 17 lots bounded by Knickerbocker Avenue, Prospect Place, and Patterson Street, including Brookside Place and Piermont Avenue. The firm prepared a 154-page preliminary investigation for determination of an area in need of redevelopment in May 2019. This was approved by council in September.
See HILLSDALE on page 114
SUCH HOTCAKES!
B ck in time...
Kol Dorot’s first annual pancake breakfast was a huge hit, and an auspicious start for the merged reform temples Beth Or and Beth El. SEE PAGE 19
A large house stands there today, but in the 1930s the property at 5 Ridgewood Road in the Township of Washington was home to Eggert’s Service Station. SEE PAGE 4