Emerson • Hillsdale • Montvale • Park Ridge • River Vale • Township of Washington • Westwood • Woodcliff Lake
PA S C AC K VA L L E Y ’ S H O M E TO W N N E W S PA P E R
VOLUME 29 ISSUE 5
APRIL 14, 2025
PASCACK VALLEY
Easter Worship Guide Pages 18–21
PASCACK VALLEY
ALARM
ON MEASLES
Public health officials say itʼs time to pay attention
BY JOHN SNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS
For a disease declared eliminated in the United States 25 years ago, measles is having a remarkably stubborn afterlife. As of April 3, 607 confirmed cases have been reported across 22 states and jurisdictions, including New Jersey, according to the NorthWest Bergen Regional Health Commission. Health officials say the virus is again finding footholds—often through international travel and among those who are unvaccinated or unsure of their vaccination status. The virus, which spreads through the air and lingers on surfaces, is set to take off if we let it. “This is not something we can afford to ignore,” the Commission said in an April 8 advisory, citing CDC data. “Measles is a
See MEASLES on page 304
ROOTING FOR PRIMARY ELECTION THE FUTURE STAGE SET Borough picks up timely signs amid Arbor Fest
W
High-stakes fights over Trenton; Pascack Valley looks to Hillsdale for primary council jostling
BY JOHN SNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS
ESTWOODʼS
GREEN
thumbs had extra cause to celebrate this Arbor Fest season: a surprise delivery of two new street signs recognizing Westwoodʼs 20th consecutive year as a Tree City USA community. The signs arrived during a recent Shade Tree Advisory Committee meeting, where members also announced continued community partnerships— including Columbia Bankʼs donation of an oak tree to be planted at Nugent Park on Monday, April 14 at 2:30 p.m. Columbia Bank has donated one tree annually to Westwood, and committee members hope to grow that effort into a full “sponsor-atree” program that encourages broader community beautification. The milestone comes as Arbor Fest 2025 gets underway with tree plantings scheduled every Saturday in April. On April 5, the borough kicked off its third annual Arbor Fest with the planting of two Freeman maples in the Fairview Avenue Municipal Parking Lot. Department of Public Works (DPW) liaison Michael Murtaugh demonstrated how to score the roots to avoid girdling and promote healthy growth. The
BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
The April 5 Freeman maple plantings at the Fairview Avenue lot were hosted in partnership with the Westwood Parking Utility. Saturday. April 12, shovels are in at Borough Hall, in partnership with the Westwood Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Borough of Westwood photos.
DPW had pre-dug the holes and delivered fresh wood chips. The trees were planted in brand-new
sidewalk tree pits, installed as part of recent improvements to
Continued on page 5
Officials tell Pascack Press this yearʼs June primary election will likely generate increased voter turnout as registered Democratic and Republican voters cast ballots to decide which candidates will face off in Novemberʼs gubernatorial contest. This yearʼs primary is Tuesday, June 10. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 4. On April 19, the county clerkʼs office will begin mailing primary vote-bymail ballots to those who requested them. May 20 is the voter registration deadline for the primary. To vote in the primary, voters must be registered with either party. Unaffiliated voters can declare a party affiliation at the polling place. Voters may also vote to select candidates for state, county, and local races. A six-day early voting period runs June 3– 8 at nine countywide polling places. Sample ballots will be available via the county clerkʼs website. By May 28, the clerkʼs office is expected to begin mailing sample ballots to all registered households.
See PRIMARY on page 164
MONTVALE IN OT
B ck in time...
The Montvale Mustangs 4th grade boys travel basketball team defeats Little Ferry, 33–30, in a thrilling overtime championship game.
Hillsdale United Methodist Church has been at its present location for the past 70 years. However, the Methodist denomination has a much longer history in town. Kristin Beuscher reports. PAGE 4
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