GIRLS DELIVER Students’ viral toy drive benefits nonprofit’s kids in need
Emerson • Hillsdale • Montvale • Park Ridge • River Vale • Township of Washington • Westwood • Woodcliff Lake VOLUME 24 ISSUE 39
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
DECEMBER 14, 2020
WOODCLIFF LAKE
Holiday Shopping Guide
See page 17
HILLSDALE
REDEVELOP Passes handily, 5–1; Ruocco, Pizzella clash
PLAN A GO
BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
Following almost three hours of public comment, including an angry outburst between a councilman and mayor, the Borough Council Dec. 8 easily approved the Patterson Street Redevelopment Plan, 5–1, with the mayor noting the plan “reflects badly on this council.” Mayor John Ruocco told Pascack Press Dec. 9 that he was not sure whether he would sign the ordinance, veto it, or let it become law after 10 days without his signature. If he vetoes it, then the council would vote on whether to override his veto. The plan rezones 14 acres around Patterson Street industrial zone, imposes design standards, setbacks, and architectural requirements on new types of possible residential, congregate living and mixed-use developments. Existing industrial and commercial uses can continue as nonconforming land uses but cannot expand, said officials. Councilman Frank Pizzella, a
See PLAN on page 284
BY MATTHEW WIKFORS SPECIAL TO PASCACK PRESS
An act of volunteerism became an act of spreading holiday cheer for Woodcliff Middle School students Nina Indugula, Astrid Velozo, and Avery Maloney. The girls collected more than 70 toys for Oasis — A Haven for Women and Children, a nonprofit in Paterson. The organization, founded in 1997, carries out educational and social service programs that help women enter and succeed in the workforce and help children flourish academically. It also operates a soup kitchen and provides emergency food, clothing, and social support to city residents in need. Oasis has suspended its onsite volunteering program due to COVID-19, and encourages people to volunteer from home through fundraisers, collection drives, and purchasing restaurant meals for making grab-and-go lunches. The toy drive, an act of kindness Haritha Indugula says is typical of the girls, was the first volunteer project the friends took on by themselves. All three families had wanted to help their daughters find something meaningful to do during the pandemic. Indugula suggested Oasis, as she had experience supporting them. She works for KPMG in Montvale, and her office, along
CAN DO! Woodcliff Middle School students (left to right) Nina Indugula, Avery Maloney, and Astrid Velozo ran a toy drive to help save the holidays for needy children in Paterson.
with the firmʼs Short Hills and nearby New York offices, encourages its employees to volunteer at
TOP PHOTO BY AMANDA SHERIDAN
Oasis. KPMG has performed volunteer work with Oasis since 1997, the year Oasis was formed.
Proximity also played a role. The parents hoped that the toy drive would foster a joy of
Continued on page 16
WONDER WOMEN
B ck in time...
Congratulations to the members of the Greater Pascack Valley Woman’s Club who have just distinguished themselves with honors and awards.
The festive backdrop of an early-1960s Christmas scene in Hillsdale contrasts with images of a three-car accident there.
SEE PAGE 16
SEE PAGE 4