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 29
MONTVALE
THE ASK FOR K-8
$29.4M referendum would cost homeowners some $325 annually
SCHOOLS
OCTOBER 4, 2021
HONORING A SELFLESS MAN
The late Johnny Cuffe, 53, organ donor
BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
An average Montvale taxpayer will have to pay about $325 more per year for “likely” 25 years under a $29.4 million school bond referendum that aims to add classrooms and upgrade facilities at the boroughʼs elementary and middle school. Thatʼs according to district officials at the Sept. 27 board meeting, in which a unanimous school board approved a $29.4 million bond issue referendum for Dec. 14. That said, the state Commissioner of Education lowered the amount eligible for state debt service aid to 40% of that amount — or approximately $21 million of the proposed referendum. That means, according to school officials, state aid will contribute about 24% to reduce the local share of bonding costs. “The plan for our schools is well-thought out, takes into consideration the future needs of the district and weʼre trying to be as responsible as we can with this,” Board President Ernie DiFiore told Pascack Press at the Sept. 27 school board meeting. He said the proposed referendum renovation and building plans “only really adding square footage to one building and [are] repurposing a lot of square footage in this building… the reason why thatʼs important is because we get more money back from the state on renovations versus new construction,” DiFiore added. When residents visit the districtʼs referendum website, “Montvale Cares About Its Future,” they will find the what, why, when and how much on the referendum, plus a brief look at the proposed projects for Memorial Elementary School
See ASK on page 224
TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON
EMERGENCY SERVICES BUILDING EARLY JANUARY
Town to consider review on its projects Oct. 4
BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
T
Family and friends of River Vale’s late John “Johnny” Fitzgerald Cuffe, 53, gathered as Team Johnny (above) to honor his memory and show their support for NJ Sharing Network’s life-saving mission.
walkers, runners and volunteers participated in NJ Sharing Networkʼs 5K Celebration of Life Walk and USATFcertified race at the organizationʼs headquarters in New Providence on Sept. 12. The event, presented by Hackensack Meridian Health and Pfizer and supported by dozens of other generous sponsors, honored those who gave the gift of organ and tissue, paid tribute to those who have received a transplant, offered hope to those currently waiting for a transplant, and remembered the lives lost while waiting for the HOUSANDS OF
TOP PHOTO VIA TEAM JOHNNY; JANET SOBKOWICZ AT TOWN DAY 2017/FILE
gift of life. Family and friends of River Valeʼs late John “Johnny” Fitzgerald Cuffe, 53, gathered as Team Johnny to honor his memory and show their support for NJ Sharing Networkʼs life-saving mission. Johnny, who passed away in 2017, was an organ and tissue donor who saved and enhanced the lives of others. His wife, Donna Marie Cuffe, offered the following message during the 5K Celebration of Life:
Continued on page 21
The new year likely will be a happy one for local volunteer firefighters, ambulance crews, and residents alike, according to the townʼs Emergency Services Building architect, who predicts personnel and equipment will be able to move into their new HQ near the start of the new year. Architect Robbie Conley told Pascack Press last week, “We are looking at the first or second week of January” for moving in and RELATED that general • Township contractor Tekcon will be mayor, council focusing on candidates set debate completing all — Page 14 outside work, including • WTVAC s p r e a d i n g looks to double asphalt, in the riders with HQ coming weeks. upgrade Conley — Page 26 said asphalt plants often close in late November to early December due to the colder weather. He said once the new building is functional, the old firehouse, next door at 656 Washington Ave. — erected in 1951 and
See EMERGENCY on page 284
MAYOR PASSES
B ck in time...
Former Township of Washington Mayor Janet Sobkowicz, who broke a gender barrier in valley governance, died on Sept. 29. SEE PAGE 5
‘Here we have the amazing Park Ridge Owls as they looked in autumn 1921 ... with their biggest fan.’ Kristin Beuscher has the story!
SEE PAGE 4