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 25 ISSUE 42
PASCACK VALLEY
TOWNS
KICK OFF
2022
Some new faces on governing bodies
MEETINGS
JANUARY 3, 2022
CELEBRATING IN STYLE Holidays 2021 light the way to brighter 2022
BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
While Montvale holds its annual Borough Council reorganization meeting at noon on Sunday, Jan. 2, other Pascack Valley towns hold reorg meetings Monday and Tuesday, with a majority choosing Tuesday, Jan. 4, to introduce new members and welcome back victorious incumbents. Some towns mix in a yearending sine die (Latin for conclusion of a meeting), while others simply introduce the new members and kick off the New Year with a mostly congratulatory and ceremonial session generally featuring a limited agenda. Refer to municipal websites to confirm whether proceedings are being broadcast via Zoom, YouTube, or a community access channel. Most events are in-person only. Montvale welcomed back incumbent Republican council members Dieter Koelling and Annmarie Russo-Vogelsang, who were reelected over a lone Democratic challenger, Steven A. Frischer. The reorg meeting was in-person only. On Monday, Jan. 3 at 7:30 p.m., the Township of Washingtonʼs reorganization meeting features Republican Mayor Peter Calamari swearing in for a second term, along with running mate and returning councilman Thomas Sears, and newcomer Daisy Velez. They bested a team of Independent challengers: councilman Michael DeSena and running mates Kevin Zitko and Michael Werfel.
See TOWNS on page 314
PASCACK VALLEY
MAYOR URGES NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING SYSTEM
Fourth-round obligations kick off in July 2025 BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
T
John and Kate Ward’s spectacular home on Ridge Avenue in Park Ridge landed top honors in the GFWC Paskack Junior Woman’s Club 2021 Holiday Lights Contest. John Ward says the couple are going even bigger for Christmas 2022.
BY JOHN SNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS
HE GFWC PASKACK Junior Womanʼs Club has announced the winners of its 2021 Holiday Lights Contest, and what amazing homes they are! Organizers told Pascack Press the contest aimed to “encourage a sense of community and holiday spirit by rewarding Pascack Valley residents that go above and beyond in decorating their home TOP: WARD FAMILY PHOTO
for the winter holiday season. Each and every home that participated exhibited extraordinary enthusiasm for bringing holiday cheer. Their good will has brought so much joy to the community.” Needed funds were raised for local charities. Winning homes, with Paskack Junior Womanʼs Club comments: • First place: The Ward family, for their gorgeous home on Ridge Avenue in Park Ridge, with
Continued on page 12
Woodcliff Lake Mayor Carlos Rendo tells Pascack Press that it is important for Pascack Valley towns to be proactive, not reactive, in creating a new affordable housing system in 2025. He also wants to see our towns join together to address the impacts of development on the valley as new units are rising due to affordable housing settlements. “It is incumbent upon us as public officials to help our residents deal with the impacts of development,” Rendo said in late December 2021, noting high-density developments in Park Ridge, Montvale, Emerson, and the Township of Washington. Local and regional school districts, too, are working to update their understanding of local demographics as an influx of students is anticipated. A fourth round of affordable housing obligations begins in July 2025, when the third round of obligations ends. That fourth round will be calculated by either legal (Superior Courts) or legislative action (new laws) passed by the state Assembly, Senate and signed by Gov. Phil Murphy — or possibly the
See MAYOR on page 244
GATHERING GREATNESS
B ck in time...
River Vale Girl Scout Troop 97113 knocked their coat drive out of the park, collecting more than 400 coats, and boxes brimming with hats, gloves, and scarves. All will be put to good use. SEE PAGE 27
1922 Chevrolets lined the roadway in front of the I.J. Demarest garage and showrooms. If you’re heading to this spot today, it’s probably to grab a bite to eat. Kristin Beuscher has the story. SEE PAGE 4
