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 46
Studentathlete
JANUARY 31, 2022
FOOD, FRIENDS, AND FUN Local author aims to inspire with series
HILLSDALE
BORO BA, DPW CHIEF RESIGN
BY JOHN SNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS
The borough has lost its business administrator and DPW superintendent, two men who allegedly have clashed since the rise of the Covid pandemic. Mayor John Ruocco told residents in an email the night of Friday, Jan. 21 that Borough Administrator Christopher Tietjen and DPW Superintendent William “Billy” Haffler, whom Tietjen supervises, had just resigned. “The mayor and council will be taking steps to fill these open positions as expeditiously as possible,” Ruocco said. Township of Wayne Mayor Christopher P. Vergano told Pascack Press on Jan. 26, “We are very happy that Chris Tietjen will be joining Wayne Township [in Passaic County] as our business administrator on Feb. 22, 2022. See RESIGN on page 264
HARDBALL $1.3M BID ON CHARLIE BROWN’S Condemnation threat as town steps on deal with Montessori school
PROPERTY
BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
Jeff Roberts of River Vale is named to the 2021 fall Academic All-Big Ten team. SEE PAGE 20
Greener pastures, but also some hard feelings; replacements sought
TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON
W
Author Aleksandra Starling and her ‘furry baby Max’ sign books. Starling specializes in family-fun board books on health, nutrition, and physical fitness: The Inspiring Children’s Healthy Habits book collection.
ESTWOOD AUTHOR Aleksandra Starlingʼs mission is to help kids, 3–8, develop healthy eating and positive behavioral habits. She says her books aim to “inspire kids to eat vegetables, encourage wellness, celebrate diversity, and make them laugh along the way.” We can see that they certainly have a lot to recommend themselves — whimsy and energy front and center.
“Elephant in the Kitchen!” introduces children to fruits, vegetables, and sports in a fun and entertaining way. “Kids join Al the Elephant as he explores nutritious foods while playing hide and seek. They also discover how much fun they can have playing sports and staying active. Al not only loves eating avocados; he plays soccer with blueberries, skies on cauliflower, and knows the
Continued on page 18
The township recently submitted a $1.3 million bid for the former Charlie Brownʼs property at 95 Linwood Ave. that matched a bid submitted earlier by Apple Montessori Schools for the same 1.45-acre parcel — and threatened condemnation if the a voluntary sale didnʼt happen. On Tuesday, Jan. 4, Township Attorney Kenneth Poller emailed a Charlie Brownʼs property representative — whose email address was blacked out on the email received by Pascack Press — to submit the townshipʼs $1.3 million offer. “Michael: As per our telephone conversation, the Township of Washington is prepared to enter into a purchase arrangement for the property at 95 Linwood Avenue (Lot 20 Block 2502) for purchase price of $1,300,000. The amount is in accord with an appraisal which the township commissioned at the time of our initial discussions relating to this matter,” Poller wrote. He added, “It is hoped that we can amicably reach an agreement for the voluntary sale of the property. If that cannot be accomplished, the Township is prepared to follow
See HARDBALL on page 224
MONTVALE ADDS ON
B ck in time...
Residents have asked about the activity: Three new businesses are inbound at the lower portion of the Shoppes at DePiero Farm.
If you grew up in the Township of Washington— and are of a certain age—you might have skated Washington Lake, also known as Schlegel Lake. Kristin Beuscher has the story. SEE PAGE 4
SEE PAGE 33
