20-year plan for 370-unit mixed-use redevelopment; residents protest
BYMICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
Eight days after the Land Use Board unanimously approved the 370-unit mixed-use redevelopment at 300 Chestnut Ridge Road, the Borough Council on Dec. 10 voted unanimously to authorize a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement for the project — a long-debated plan for the former 20-acre BMW headquarters site.
The council also approved a modified redevelopment agreement with RW Woodcliff Lake Urban Renewal LLC, a partnership of Russo Development and Woodmont Properties, which will bring the borough up-front payments before regular PILOT revenues
See 300 on page 18
PV’S DEEPEST RUN SINCE ’21 PV’S DEEPEST RUN SINCE ’21
PV Girls Soccer nets 18-win season, berth in sectional finals — and record of giving
PASCACK VALLEY High
School is proud to announce that its Varsity GirlsʼSoccer team had an outstanding run with an 18-5-1 record and, notably, made it to its first state sectional final since 2021.
The state tournament run included three consecutive shutout performances by the PV defense led by goalie Gabby Velecela, including a 5-0 performance vs. River Dell High
School in the state opener, followed by an exciting 1-0 win over Sparta High School.
The squad delivered another 1-0 win against Vernon HS in its semifinal match. Upon reaching the sectional finals, the team battled hard but came up short against the undefeated and nationally ranked Ramsey HS team.
Other season highlights included placing second in Big North National league play and
earning a trip to the quarterfinals in a very competitive Bergen County tournament.
Several team members garnered post-season accolades:
•Allie Polyniak, FirstTeam All County
• Alex Lambrinos, Second Team All County
•Maddie Wu, Third Team All County
•Ciara DerSimonian and
Continued on page 16
TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON
Volunteers go all in on beloved tradition that lets them support much in town all year
BYJOHNSNYDER OF PASCACK
PRESS
On a crisp December Sunday afternoon, Memorial Field felt like the heart of the town: kids weaving between rows of Fraser firs, families sizing up their perfect picks, and volunteer firefighters greeting neighbors as they trimmed branches, cut bases clean, fed trees through the plastic netting chute, and tied them securely for the ride home. Then they did it again. And again.
For the Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department, the annual Christmas tree sale is more than its largest fundraiser — itʼs the wending tinsel of local history, placed by generations of volunteers who grew up with it and now help carry it forward.
ʻWe give backʼ Longtime committee member and ex–fire chief Rick Schroeder told Pascack Press the sale typically moves 800 to 1,000 trees
See WTFD on page 32
The first Jewish house of worship in the Pascack Valley was founded in 1923, when 10 families purchased a storefront in downtown Park Ridge. Kristin Beuscher reports.
Left to right, front to back: Maddie Wu, Scarlett Pineda, Emily Park, Allie Polyniak, Avery Stein, Gabby Velecela, Sophie Fischer, Lucy Smith, Eva Fischbein, Ashley Witkowski, Sydney Williams, Stella Vassallo, Ciara DerSimonian, Llaoly V. Coplin, Lena Wolfe, Simone Gambino, Alex Lambrinos, Emma Sandt, Margo Perlman, Briana McNamara, Quinn McCarthy, Angelina Graham, Abby Comer, Kaitlyn Conway, and Abby Metz.
Credit: Eddy Pieszchata
PASCACK PRESS
confidence — and national recognition — in ʻFab Over 40ʼ competition,” Nov. 21 and 17, respectively, both by John Snyd er at thepressgroup.net.] You really took such good care of my story and I am so grateful.
To the editor:
HANKYOUAGAIN for the coverage you gave me throughout this competition.
[“Herzing advances to quarterfinals in national ʻFab Over 40ʼ competition” and “Westwoodʼs Gale Herzing finds strength,
I didnʼt move on to the semifinals, but I finished in the top 1%. For me this was always about something much bigger. It was about honoring my sister, supporting women, speaking up about health and self care, and showing that at almost sixty we can still step into things that scare us and grow from them.
Being a mentor for women who want to feel stronger, healthier and more in control of their lives is something that means so much to me. This experience pushed me outside my comfort zone in every way, and your support helped me share why this journey mattered.
Thank you again for everything. I truly appreciate it.
Gale Herzing Westwood
Above and beyond: PRPD lauds local business owners
The Park Ridge Police Department recently honored Chef John Halligan and Randy Carson, owners of Park Steakhouse, for their unwavering commitment to giving back to the community. Through their charitable fundraisers, the duo has raised thousands of dollars over the years to benefit vital police initiatives that support local youth.
Their contributions have helped fund programs such as the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run, the Junior Police Academy, and
the D.A.R.E. program, all of which play a crucial role in fostering safety, education, and positive engagement for children in Park Ridge.
“The generosity of John and Randy has made a significant difference in our community," said Chief Joseph Rampolla of the Park Ridge Police Department. “Their dedication to these programs ensures that local children have access to valuable resources and opportunities, and we are incredibly grateful for their ongoing support.”
The Park Ridge Police Department extends its heartfelt thanks to Halligan and Carson for their kindness and commitment to making a lasting impact on the lives of young residents. Their efforts exemplify the spirit of community partnership and civic pride. For more information on how to support local police programs, contact the Park Ridge Police Department at 201-391-5401. Submitted by the Park Ridge Police Department
Left to right: PRPD Sgt. Michael Babcock, Mayor Keith Misciagna, Chief Joseph Rampolla, chef John Halligan, Randy Carson, Lt. James Babcock, Police Commissioner Robert Metzdorf, Capt. Peter Mauro, and Sgt. Gerry Powers. Courtesy photo
Bethany on why it declined Pascack Road ask
BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON
Bethany Community Center officials say DPW vehicles cannot access the temporary parking lot via the Centerʼs Pascack Road entrance due to heavy daily foot traffic at the facility, where hundreds of children and adults come and go each day.
Responding to resident requests to reroute DPW trucks from Woodfield Road to the Pascack Road driveway, Bethany Churchʼs Board of Directors said the option was “not feasible” given the “very high volume of daily pedestrian activity.”
“On an average day, between 500 and 1,000 people, many of them children, walk through the main entrance to attend our preschool, music school, fitness and wellness programs, swimming lessons, church services, and many other activities,” the board said in a Dec. 8 statement.
The issue surfaced repeatedly in public comments leading up to the councilʼs Dec. 2 vote approving an 18-month, $104,400 temporary DPW lease for the 1.25acre rear lot at Bethany. Council members Michael Ullman, Tom Sears, and Daisy Velez supported the lease; Council President Michael DeSena voted no. Council Vice President Steven Cascio recused himself, citing two conflicts of interest.
(See “Council passes DPW lease at Bethany,” Dec. 4, 2025.)
Mayor Peter Calamari and Administrator Mark DiCarlo have both said that access from Pascack Road was not on the table, describing Bethanyʼs position as firm.
Most Woodfield Road residents argued that allowing DPW trucks to use the Pascack Road entrance would alleviate safety concerns for children, cyclists, walkers, and older adults who frequent Woodfield Road and the adjacent walking path.
Bethanyʼs statement also addressed questions about timing.
The board said the church “was initially approached by the Township approximately a year ago” and did not seek out the arrangement, adding that an initial lease
signed Oct. 6 was paused when officials later learned a second authorizing vote was required.
“At that time, all work was paused at the Bethany Community Center,” the board said. The church said it is re-entering the agreement with the understanding that it provides “a mutually beneficial temporary solution during the construction of the new DPW facility.”
Residents have also questioned where trucks and equipment will go once the lease
expires. The agreement allows up to three two-month extensions for construction delays, but Calamari and DiCarlo have said no longerterm storage at Bethany is being considered.
An OPRA request filed by Pascack Press on Dec. 4 seeking a copy of the lease was denied Dec. 8; the Township responded that “no such government records” existed at the time.
During hearings, the town-
ship attorney faced questions about why work was undertaken before a properly authorized lease was in place and why no one recognized that an ordinance—and a quorum—were required. By the time work paused, most construction at the Bethany site had already been completed. The township spent $57,700 on a new driveway, security gates and fencing, and black screening.
ADVERTISEYOURSERVICEINTHE SERVICE DIRECTORYINTHE PASCACK PRESS.
MEATS & EATS
This holiday season let us provide Italian specialties and holiday favorites from our Family Table
APPETIZERS
Shrimp Stuffed w/ Crab Meat, Seafood Salad, Eggplant Rollentini, Bocconcini, Baccala Salad, Assorted Olives & Peppers, Marinated Long Stem Artichokes, Clam Oreganata & Stuffed Mushrooms FRESH ASSORTED SEAFOOD FOR CHRISTMAS EVE Feast Of The Seven Fishes Kathy’s Home Made Lasagna Rice Balls • Tiramisu Fresh Pastosa Pastas Ravioli • Manicotti • Stuffed Shells
Mignon • Crown of Pork Stuffed Pork Loin American Lamb Veal Roast • Fresh Turkeys
Happy Hanukkah! The Festival of Lights is celebrated the evening of Sunday, Dec. 14–Monday, Dec. 22.
WHY
DOES ‘HANUKKAH’ HAVE
SO
MANY SPELLINGS? A BRIEF GUIDE
BY JOHNSNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS
IFYOUʼVE ever hesitated over how to spell Hanukkah or Chanukah? Hanukah? Chanukka? rest assured youʼre in excellent company. Every December, editors, English teachers, and well-meaning friends all find themselves wrestling with the Festival of Lightsʼfamously slippery spelling.
The short answer: Hebrew doesnʼt care about English vowels. (It doesnʼt object to them; English vowels should only live and be well.)
The longer answer: Hebrew uses a different alphabet, and when we bring Hebrew words into English, weʼre doing something called transliteration mapping sounds from one writing system onto another. And because Hebrew doesnʼt write most
See HAPPY on page 17
Bckintime... Bckintime...
The region’s first synagogue was founded in Park Ridge
SPECIALTO
PASCACK PRESS
By Kristin Beuscher, president of the Pascack Historical Society, Park Ridge. Call (201) 573-0307 or visit PascackHistoricalSociety.org
BY KRISTIN BEUSCHER
THEFIRST JEWISHHOUSEOFWORSHIP
in the Pascack Valley was founded in 1923, when 10 families purchased a storefront in downtown Park Ridge.
Since the late 19th century, the site at 32 Park Ave. had been home to Greyʼs Furniture and Carpet Store, owned by Frank E. Grey. By the early 1900s, the shop operated out of a long, two-story wooden building emblazoned with the company name. It sold all manner of household goods—furniture, rugs, linoleum, shades, lace curtains, bedding, lamps, stoves, and more—“every household requisite.”
In 1899, Greyʼs building was moved closer to Park Avenue. Seven years later, the Park Ridge Local reported, “Frank E. Grey, the Park Ridge furniture dealer, is about to erect a two-story and basement store and dwelling on the site of his present store on Park Avenue. F.O. Mittag will furnish the concrete blocks for his new structure.”
When one door closes, another opens. Greyʼs Furniture closed in the early 1920s and the building went up for sale—just as a small group of local Jewish families, who had been holding services in their homes, were seeking a permanent gathering place. Among them were the families of Herman Amster, Barney Blum, William Gottlieb, Louis Henryson, Oscar Judelshon, Abraham Kaplowitz, Jack Siegel, Barney Stein, Irving Sturm, Barnett Weiner, Abraham Wernick, Maurice Wernick, and Elias Wolf.
Blum, who arrived in Park Ridge in 1890, was the boroughʼs first Jewish resident; Siegel and Weiner were his sons-in-law. Gottlieb was well known for operating Gottliebʼs Department Store in Depot Square. Kaplowitz founded Park Ridgeʼs first clothing manufacturing firm in 1921, located at Broadway and Perryland Street. Together, these families purchased the
See FIRST on page 35
Top: Grey’s Furniture Store on Park Avenue as it looked before 1906. Above: The concrete-block building, converted in 1923 into the area’s first synagogue, at 32 Park Ave. Below: A view of Park Avenue in the 1910s; the building at left would become the Park Ridge Hebrew Community Center.
2026 budget challenges, cell tower debate at meeting
BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
HILLSDALE
Council members discussed possible challenges in crafting the 2026 municipal budget, the siting of a proposed cell tower, and whether e-bikes should be more closely regulated on local streets during a busy Dec. 2 meeting.
During the 40-minute session, Councilman John Ruocco outlined fiscal pressures facing the borough, including nearly 40% increases in municipal employeesʼstate health insurance premiums.
Ruocco said additional unplanned expenses include $55,000 to continue monitoring methane levels at Centennial Field after recent high readings, as well as increased funding needed for the proposed Memorial Field play-
ground due to rising costs.
He said such increases could drive property taxes up 15–20%, though officials hope to keep the annual hike between 4% and 5%.
He emphasized that the municipal budget accounts for about 20% of a property tax bill, while local and regional schools account for 60% to 70%, and the county about 10%.
Ruocco noted that future PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) revenues from The Piermont—a soon-to-open 256-unit luxury multifamily complex in the redevelopment zone—and from a future selfstorage facility there, should help moderate future tax increases.
Ruocco chairs the Finance Committee, along with Clemente Osso and Robert Colletti. He said the committee is reviewing options to minimize next yearʼs increases before PILOT funds begin flowing.
These include:
•Temporarily reducing funds for the capital improvement plan and field improvement reserve
• A one-time transfer from the Stonybrook Swim Club reserve to the borough
• Additional shared services agreements to cut operating expenses
•Modifying the boroughʼs health insurance plan or carrier
•Increasing debt issuance to absorb unplanned costs, such as the Memorial Field playground
•Postponing utilization of certain grant monies
•Delaying work on the Beechwood Park bandshell
Ruocco said these were discussion items only and no decisions had been made.
Cell tower plan draws pushback
During public comment, resident Robin Nemeroff—who launched an online petition opposing the proposed location of a new cellular tower—said she supports improving coverage but not near Meadowbrook Elementary School or a nearby senior housing facility, citing what she called “negative health impacts” from towers.
Nemeroff said two large residential developments also border the proposed site: a parking lot at Stonybrook Swim Club near Cedar
Lane. She suggested a location north of Pascack Valley High School as an alternative.
As of Dec. 8, her Change.org petition had 166 signatures. It argues that the tower would expose children, seniors, and families to “continuous radiofrequency (RF) radiation,” citing studies the petition links to on RF exposure, health risks, and property values.
Mayor Michael Sheinfield
COUNCILAPPROVESCELLTOWER LEASE; RESIDENTSAIRFEARS
BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
HILLSDALE
Over the objections of about 20 residents — including a nearby River Vale homeowner — the Borough Council on Dec. 9 approved a contract for a 150-foot cellular tower at Stonybrook Swim Club near Cedar Lane. Verizon Wireless, the sole bidder, offered $48,012 for the first year of a five-year site lease, with four additional five-year renewal options.
Although the council voted unanimously to award the lease, members added four new conditions that must be met before Mayor Michael Sheinfield is authorized to sign it.
Sheinfield told Pascack Press that the added conditions stem from concerns raised at the Dec. 9 meeting, including alleged health impacts from radiofrequency waves, a lack of town-wide emergency-service coverage, and possible declines in property values for nearby homes.
He said the amendments “offer more protection for the borough and our residents.” Even after a lease is signed, Verizon must still submit a full site plan application to the Planning Board, where residents will be able to ask questions and offer final comments.
New requirements before signing the lease
The amended resolution adds a sixth section listing four new prerequisites:
• A town hall meeting must be held before any lease is finalized.
• A council vote on comments received at that meeting must occur before the lease is approved.
• No construction or site activity may begin until the lease is fully executed and all land-use approvals from the Planning Board or other reviewing agencies are obtained.
• The borough may require reasonable revisions to the site layout based on recommendations from borough professionals or reviewing agencies, provided such revisions do not materially alter the bid.
Officials said the required town hall — a public information session — will likely take place in January. Notices will be sent to Hillsdale and River Vale residents within 200 feet of the proposed tower. A meeting date had not been set as of press time.
Residents question transparency
Many speakers on Dec. 9 said they had learned only recently about the proposal, some through neighbors or social
media, and criticized the council for what they described as inadequate communication.
Sheinfield disputed that claim, noting the topic has been discussed “on and off for two years.” He said it appeared on several council agendas in 2024, including June 17, when the council authorized public bidding, and Sept. 21, when a Notice to Bidders was published and made available in the borough clerkʼs office.
Advisors outline process
Peter Lupo, the boroughʼs special telecommunications counsel with Hoplite Communications, has been advising Hillsdale on siting, bid specifications and the procurement process. He attended the Dec. 9 meeting, where resident Robin Nemeroff who started an online petition against the towerʼs location — said she had submitted 15 questions to officials beforehand. Lupo said he felt most questions were answered by himself or other borough representatives.
Before the amendments, Resolution 25-300 listed five original conditions governing the lease with Verizon:
•execution of a mutually satisfactory lease agreement;
•confirmation that all site improvements fall within the designated lease area;
•confirmation by the boroughʼs risk manager that Verizon meets insurance requirements; borough review and approval of any “Exceptions or Clarifications” in Verizonʼs bid; and
• incorporation of comments or recommendations from Lupo or any borough agency, department or board.
Why the swim club site?
Lupo said few suitable locations exist in Hillsdale for a 150foot tower and that the swim club property appears to be the best option given environmental and space constraints at other sites.
Officials said three existing 150-foot towers already serve Hillsdale without generating significant resident complaints.
Administrator Mike Ghassali noted two are in the center of town — one on the ambulance building and one near the DPW and a third stands in the Garden State Parkway median.
The proposed tower is intended to improve service in Hillsdaleʼs eastern section, where spotty coverage has raised publicsafety concerns, especially if emergency responders lose communication.
Health and property-value concerns raised
Most residents opposing the tower cited potential health impacts from radiofrequency
Jade find bears good-luck symbol, not its Nazi perversion
BYJONFELZ R.Z.M. FINE ARTS & ANTIQUES INC.
Hi, Jon, More than 50 years ago, while walking along the Hudson River shoreline in Piermont during a very low tide, I found an octagon-shaped green stone under a rock.
After cleaning it, I saw a swastika carved at the center and a mazelike pattern around it. Because German POWs once traveled along the Piermont Pier to Camp Shanks, I wondered if it might be connected. Later, I learned the swastika is an ancient symbol of good fortune. Iʼve kept the piece all these years
Budget:
FROM PAGE 5
responded during his remarks, noting that since joining the council in January 2024, he had been told of “serious gaps in cell service coverage” that created public-safety vul-
Senior appraiser Jon Felz of R.Z.M.Fine Arts & Antiques Inc. answers yourquestions on fine art,American coins,and great antiques.Send your questions and photos to rzmantique@aol.com
and still wonder: what is it, where might it have come from, and is it possible to know for sure?
—Reader
Dear Reader, Itʼs a wonderful story, and I imagine Piermont in the 1970s gave you many such memorable moments. The item you found is a jade pendant featuring a swastika centered within a geometric pattern
nerabilities for emergency services and first responders.
Sheinfield said a committee consulted industry experts and a cell tower professional, and contacted the American Cancer Society and Federal Communications Commission to understand the risks.
He noted that cell towers use
In addition to this crisp newsprint, you can get your hands on Pascack Press via PDF at our website, Pascackpress.com — which welcomes submissions!
This jade pendant, found decades a go along the Hudson River in Piermont,carries a traditional swastika symbol used for well-being in many cultures.It predates and is unrelated to the Nazi symbol that later distorted its meaning in the West.
non-ionizing RF waves—“the same type of waves used in TVs, radios, and microwave ovens”— which do not damage DNA. “The FCC is very clear: there is no reason to believe cell towers near homes or schools pose a health hazard. The American Cancer Society says the same thing,” he said.
“For perspective, the phone you hold against your ear exposes you to far more RF energy than a tower hundreds of feet away,” Sheinfield added. “Phones donʼt work without nearby towers—and tow-
resembling a Greek key design. In my opinion, the pendant has nothing to do with World War II or German POWs.
As you discovered, the swastika is an ancient symbol that appears across numerous cultures and continents. In Dharmic traditions — including Hinduism and Buddhism — the clockwise form of the swastika, like the one on your pendant, is a sacred and auspicious emblem representing good fortune. Its association with the Nazi Party came only in the 20th century, when the regime adopted a modified, angular version of the symbol (the Hakenkreuz) as its emblem, dramatically altering Western perceptions of the symbol thereafter.
ers have to be built where the people are.”
E-bike regulation under review
Ruocco also urged the borough to consider revising its code to regulate electronic bikes, arguing that “something needs to be done… to reduce chances for severe and deadly accidents” caused by speeding or reckless ebike riders.
He said he has been discussing the matter with Councilwoman Melissa Mazza-Chiong and noted that other towns are beginning to
MOV ING? DOWNSIZING?
Your pendant appears to be made of natural nephrite jade, possibly Hetian jade from the Hotan region of Xinjiang, China. The translucent quality of the material supports that likelihood. It was likely a cultural artifact or piece of jewelry.
After research and consultation with colleagues who specialize in Asian art, I estimate the value of your piece at $1,500. With your written provenance and potential local historical interest — particularly given the Piermont connection — it could sell for even more.
R.Z.M. Fine Arts & Antiques Inc.is based at 132 Dexter Ave., Pearl River,N.Y.Call (845) 7351313 or visit rzmantiques.com.
adopt ordinances governing ebike use. Education alone is insufficient, he said, because many riders are minors and do not understand the risks. Some e-bikes can reach speeds approaching 30 mph or higher.
Ruocco added that parents who buy e-bikes for children under 18 without carefully considering the safety risks “are in my view guilty of parental neglect.” He said he hopes to hear from Police Chief Travis Woods before the council takes further action.
Council weighs in against affordables zoning bill
BY JOHNSNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS
HILLSDLE
The Borough Council moved quickly through its Dec. 2 agenda, unanimously approving a slate of resolutions that included returning unused escrow funds, confirming support for Community Development Block Grant projects, authorizing professional service agreements, and issuing several tax overpayment refunds.
The governing body met after an executive session on personnel, police department matters, and affordable housing.
Opposition to S-4736
Among the eveningʼs actions, the council unanimously adopted Resolution 25285, formally opposing state bill S-4736, which would allow religious and nonprofit organizations to convert certain properties into inclusionary developments with only 20% affordable units and 80% marketrate units.
Councilmembers said the proposal would undermine local planning authority by allowing increased height and density without going through the municipal zoning process.
The resolution notes that Hillsdale has already filed its Fourth Round Housing Element and Fair Share Plan and has mediated its obligations through the stateʼs Affordable Housing Dis-
pute Resolution Program. Officials argued the bill would complicate compliance efforts and erode the municipal master plan, which is updated at significant cost and community input.
The resolution urges the Legislature to defeat S-4736 and forwards the boroughʼs position to Sen. Holly Schepisi, Assembly members Robert Auth and John Azzariti, Gov. Phil Murphy, Gov.elect Mikie Sherrill, and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.
Other resolutions approved
All items on the consent agenda — Resolutions 25283 through 25290 — passed without dissent. Actions included:
• Return of unused escrow funds
•Endorsement of Community Development projects as required by the Bergen County Community Development program
•Award of a non-fair-andopen contract to Tyco Animal Control for animal control servic-
es
•Award of a non-fair-andopen contract to Whalen and Ives, Inc. for HVAC repairs, supplies, and services
•Refunds of tax overpayments, including one specific to 234 Paul Court
•Authorization of an affidavit of discharge of tax lien
New volunteer firefighters welcomed
Mayor Michael Sheinfield administered the oath of office to new members of the Hillsdale Volunteer Fire Department. New cadets include Jack Najarian and Mason Peterson, and Jonathan Cariddi joins as a new member.
Reports and updates
Council heard November reports from the borough engineer, police department, and DPW, as well as the October Fire Depart-
ment report. Committee liaisons provided brief updates on ongoing matters. (See related story by
Michael Olohan: “Memorial Park field work ongoing;
‘Eminent domain’ over fizzled Block 419 plan continues
BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
EMERSON
The borough attorney said Dec. 2 that the redeveloperʼs recent work on the 147-unit, mixed-use Emerson Station project has been “part-time,” and that the boroughʼs efforts to remove Emerson Redevelopers Urban Renewal (ERUR) will continue — including steps toward gaining control of the project via eminent domain.
McCann declined to comment on ERURʼs newly filed lawsuit accusing Emerson and the mayor of delaying affordable-
What might have been: Redeveloper’s 2018 rendering of a transformed Block 419:Kinderkamack between Lincoln and Linwood. Right:Warning placards and signs discourage trespassing at the massive,
Fossner Timepieces
housing construction. He said, however, that similar claims raised previously were deemed “specious” by federal courts. Mayor Danielle DiPaola said the new lawsuit would be discussed in closed session on Dec. 2 and that no public statement would be
issued that night.
(See “ʻNo longer economically viableʼ— New suit over Block 419,” by Michael Olohan, Dec. 1, 2025, Pascack Press, p. 9.)
McCann reiterated that the borough has long supported seeing the Block 419 project completed. “The boroughʼs position has been very clear: we want that project built. From the day Mayor DiPaola took office in her first term, that has been our posture,” he said.
He noted that while some
“recent activity” has occurred on the site, it is “not sufficient enough to obviate” legal action,
FROM PAGE 10
including the pursuit of eminent domain. He said “another list” of contract breaches by ERUR remains unresolved.
The borough will soon conduct a property-condition evaluation and then file litigation seeking to remove ERUR and take over the project, McCann said. He added that the redeveloper has experienced financial difficulties in projects statewide.
Special counsel Brian Giblin said the borough has won three Appellate Court decisions tied to the redevelopmentʼs affordablehousing components. Multiple
Tower:
FROM PAGE 6
waves. Lupo said emissions from a 150-foot tower would be significantly lower than those from everyday cell phones and tablets, adding that all portable devices are considered to emit “safe” levels of RF energy under federal standards.
On property values, Lupo acknowledged studies show mixed
allegations made by ERUR against Emerson and the mayor were rejected by an Appellate Court ruling that upheld the boroughʼs refusal to rezone 129 Kinderkamack Road, where ERUR sought to place seven off-site affordable units.
Initially approved in 2018, the downtown project was to include 29 affordable units — seven off-site — but none have been completed.
Fourth-round affordable obligations
Giblin said a meeting was set for Dec. 5 to discuss settlement terms for the stateʼs fourth-round affordable-housing obligations (2025–2035). He did not provide details on intervenors or units
results. He contrasted those concerns with the risks of insufficient cellular coverage.
Councilman John Ruocco said he had heard from real estate agents that a nearby tower could reduce home values by 5% to 20%, though he stressed that most studies were anecdotal.
Whether such impacts could be considered a “negative criterion” under land-use law would be for the Planning Board to determine, officials said.
MEDIA SALES ASSOCIATE
Join our ever growing sales team as as Sales Associate for the Pascack Press, Northern Valley Press North and South and near future publications. Applicants should be self-starters with drive to succeed. In this position, you will sell advertising space to new and existing accounts into our weekly newspapers and various other publications as well as digital media. Responsibilities will also include cold calling, outside sales and excellent customer service. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 201-664-2105 OR SEND RESUME TO: jobs@thepressgroup.net
under negotiation.
McCann noted that Emerson did not join the now 36-town lawsuit launched by Montvale in 2024 to challenge the amended Fair Housing Act and fourth-round rules. He said his advice was that the litigation was “a loser” and a “bottomless pit with no end in sight.” The suit, he said, failed in both state and federal courts “pretty easily,” and was unlikely to overcome New Jerseyʼs strong Mount Laurel doctrine.
He added that by avoiding the suit — which would have cost roughly $20,000 in legal fees —
Emerson did not waste taxpayer funds.
Deer management Councilors accepted an $8,000 DEP grant for a dronebased deer population study, according to Resolution 272-25.
Clerk Triessa DeSimone said the survey will be conducted over the winter to obtain an accurate head count.
Montvale, Hillsdale, and Old Tappan recently announced similar drone surveys. Most local officials say they prefer non-lethal deer management strategies; only
Saddle River conducts an annual bow hunt.
Raritan Valley Community College, Branchburg, will conduct the drone flights, with a follow-up report expected at a future council meeting.
Not yet on senior center doors In other business, the council rejected a lone $144,000 bid to upgrade the senior centerʼs doors to meet ADA requirements. Officials said the project will be rebid in hopes of securing lower pricing.
POLICE ON THE PROWL OVER IMPAIRED DRIVING
Police departments in Montvale and Woodcliff Lake are among 125 agencies statewide participating in New Jerseyʼs annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” holiday enforcement campaign, which runs Dec. 5 through Jan. 1.
The initiative, funded through the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, supports
increased patrols and sobriety enforcement during what officials call one of the highest-risk periods for impaired driving. Montvale and Woodcliff Lake each received $7,000 in grant funding to support the effort.
The campaign comes as state officials emphasize the heightened danger of impaired driving during the holidays. Attorney General
Matthew J. Platkin said crashes involving alcohol or other substances routinely spike between Thanksgiving and New Yearʼs.
“No one wants an empty seat at the holiday table,” Platkin said in announcing the program.
“Impaired driving is completely unacceptable and can have devastating consequences.”
Michael J. Rizol Jr., the stateʼs Highway Traffic Safety director, said New Jersey has seen a slight decrease in fatal crashes
so far this year but urged drivers to plan safe transportation and avoid getting behind the wheel after drinking.
In 2024, the campaign resulted in 590 impaired-driving arrests, along with thousands of speeding and seat belt citations. Last year, 32.5% of drivers involved in fatal crashes had been drinking, according to state data.
Locally, Montvale and Woodcliff Lake officers will join depart-
ments across Bergen County stepping up enforcement through the New Year.
Residents can expect to see increased patrols, especially during evening and late-night hours, when impaired driving crashes most often occur.
The program is part of a long-standing statewide push to curb holiday season crashes and encourage responsible celebrations.
SAFARICONDUCTS ORPHEUS MEN’S ‘HOLIDAY OFFERINGS’
The Orpheus Club Menʼs Chorus will present “Holiday Offerings,” a festive program of sacred, swinging, and jazz-inflected music celebrating the holiday season. The Dec. 18 concert is at the chorusʼs new
venue, Cedar Hill Christian Reformed Church, 422 Cedar Hill Ave., Wyckoff.
The performance is led by Dr Argine Safari, the first female music director in the chorusʼs 116-year history and a name known well, and warmly, in the Pascack Valley. Safari is an award-winning music educator, conductor, and performer whose career spans more than two decades.
Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus, Holiday Concert, Dec. 18, 2022. Photo by Dana Rizzo. At right, conductor Argine Safari, a top educator in the Pascack Valley, Bergen County, and New Jeresy. Via her website.
She previously served as Director of Choirs—and later Supervisor of Music, World Languages, Multilingual Learners, and FACS—for the Pascack Valley Regional High School District, where her ensembles earned statewide and national recognition.
In 2017, she was named New Jersey State Teacher of the Year, received the NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence, and has since continued guest conducting,
performing, and presenting internationally. Her leadership emphasizes expressive musicianship, innovative programming, and deep community engagement. Tickets & Information Tickets are $25 at the door, or $20 for seniors and students over 18. Tickets may also be purchased at ridgewoodorpheusclub.org. For more information call 201-6778439.
— Staff writer John Snyder
Westwood
The Westwood Parking Utility reminds drivers of its commitment to supporting downtown businesses throughout this holiday season by maintaining more than 600 metered “shopper spots” onstreet throughout the center of town, and off-street in four municipal parking lots.
Parkers should note that all municipally managed spots require payment in quarters at meters or digitally via the ParkMobile app, Monday–Saturday until 6 p.m.
In observance of the coming holidays and to encourage lastminute local shopping, the Utility is pleased to suspend all parking fees throughout the day on Dec. 24. Additionally, in observation of the Christmas and New Yearʼs holidays, no tickets will be issued on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
Particularly during this bustling season, the Utility reminds drivers that a variety of parking options are available throughout district:
Short-term, two-hour parking is available along Westwood Avenue, Broadway, Kinderkamack, Third Avenue, Washington Avenue, and connecting side streets, as well as off-street in the Center Avenue, Center Square, and Firehouse Lots. Three-hour parking spots are available in the Fairview Ave Lot.
Long-term, nine-hour parking is available along Fairview Avenue, Third Avenue, Broadway,
Kinderkamack, and Westwood Avenue east of Kinderkamack, indicated by blue head meters. Additional long-term parking is available in the Center Avenue South Lot, across from Bergen Street. Additional “shopper parking” is available in the Municipal Building Parking lot on Saturdays.
For a comprehensive list of parking availability and a map, visit westwoodnj.gov/408/Downtown-Parking.
Moreover, the public is reminded of several free parking options available downtown yearround that make quick errands or grab-and-go visits convenient:
• The “10-minute free parking” button on all parking meters along Westwood Avenue, useful for quick errands or pickups.
•The “Grab-and-Go” zones, marked with green curbs, on Madison Avenue, the northeast side of Center Avenue, and the southeast side of Fairview Avenue. These zones were introduced in a pilot program earlier this year and, following a review of usage and
safety by the Westwood Police Department, have been made permanent.
• Free parking throughout the downtown after 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and all-day Sundays.
• Drivers with a valid handicap placard may park in any customer parking space in Westwood without charge, as long as the time limitations are adhered to.
Westwood Parking Utility is responsible for the construction, maintenance, and improvement of the Borough of Westwoodʼs public parking inventory as well as the enforcement of the Boroughʼs laws and regulations concerning parking. Its parking enforcement officers are a valuable source of information with regards to parking, locations of our businesses, app installation and usage, and are more than happy to provide change for parkers who do not have a quarter.
The Utility also takes pride in managing the landscaping of all public lots as well as maintenance
of the decorative trees on Westwood Avenue. Since 1998, the Utility has decorated the trees and lampposts through the Central Business District for the holiday season.
For questions about parking in Westwood, please contact: Carol Knubel, Parking Utility Administrator, at 201-664-7100 ext. 121 or via email at cknubel@westwoodnj.gov.
B’Nai Israel Emerson Hannukah programs
Congregation Bʼnai Israel in Emerson will host two familyfriendly Hanukkah programs in December.
On Sunday, Dec. 14, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., the synagogue will present a “Light Up the Night” laser show, featuring music, colorful laser animation, community candlelighting, and Hanukkah treats. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own menorahs. The
event is free, with a requested donation of canned or non-perishable food items for a local pantry.
RSVP to Nicole at asst@bisrael.com by Dec. 10 to receive a sign-up form.
On Friday, Dec. 19, from 5:30 to 6 p.m., families with babies through age 5 — and older siblings — are invited to “Tot Shabbat.” Led by Rabbi Debra Orenstein in the main sanctuary,
the program includes songs, simple prayers, a Hanukkah story, and opportunities for children to explore the bimah and see the Torah scrolls up close. RSVP to asst@bisrael.com by Dec. 16.
Congregation Bʼnai Israel in Emerson, an innovative Conservative synagogue, is at 53 Palisade Ave. For information or directions, email office@bisrael.com or visit bisrael.com.
P Paassccaacck k P Prreesss s welcomes press releases, birth announcements, wedding announcements and event photographs from all towns in the Pascack Valley. Send all news to pascackpress@thepressgroup.net
The Golden Seniors of the Township of Washington continued their longstanding tradition of honoring members who reach their 90th birthday during the calendar year. This year’s honorees: Pat Modica, Jean Rosenbaum, and Gloria Switlyk. The celebration took place at the group’s November business meeting. At the conclusion of the meeting, members gathered for birthday cake and coffee in recognition of the milestone. Above: Jean Rosenbaum and Pat Modica. Gloria Switlyk was unable to attend.
Jim Dugan
Pierce,Jayden Moran,Coach Adam Dale,Colin Rozzi,Anthony Lisa,Nolan Carroll,head coach Chris Moran,Matthew Molyneaux,Andrew Dale,Colin Philips,Coach Sal Sta.Maria.Not pictured: Coach Gary Dragona,Dominic Dragona,Casey Feinberg. Amanda Brown.
WESTWOOD
Congratulations to the Westwood 10U travel baseball team, which capped its fall season in thrilling fashion, winning the NEBAS Championship on Sunday, Nov. 9, with a decisive 13–1 victory over Washington Township. Coaches and families praised the boysʼhard work and steady improvement throughout the season, calling the championship win a proud moment for the program.
Club News?
Let us help promote your club or organization. Send all news to pascackpress@thepressgroup.net or mail to: Pascack Press, P.O. Box 335, Westwood, NJ 07675
St. Joseph Regional High Schoolʼs award-winning Performing Arts program has announced a packed schedule of productions and events for the 2025–2026 season, offering something for every audience.
• The winter musical, “Pippin,” rounds out the lineup. A Senior Citizen Preview takes place Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026 with Coffee & Nosh at 3:30 p.m. and showtime
at 4 p.m.Additional performances are scheduled for Jan. 30 and 31 and Feb. 1, 6, and 7. Tickets and pricing information are available at SJR.BookTix.com.
All performances take place at
St. Joseph Regional High School, 40 Chestnut Ridge Road. For more information, contact Margaret Weckstein at (201) 3913300 ext. 294 or email wecksteinm@sjrnj.org.
Let us help announce your achievements. Send your news to pascackpress@thepressgroup.net
Front to back,left to right: Matthew Solga,Dean Sta.Maria,Baylen Councilor,Logan Chia,Nick
FROM PAGE 1
Margo Perlman, Honorable Mention All County
These players recognized at the county level also were named First Team All League. Other league honors included:
•Lucy Smith and Gabby Velecela, Second Team All League
•Sydney Williams, Honorable Mention All League
•Coach Leah Jerome, Big North National Coach of the Year, for the second time in four years. (This burnishes her stellar coachng résumé. Moreover, Jerome, a history teacher, was named Bergen County Techer of the Year in 2019.)
PV GirlsʼSoccer held several special events during the season as
PASCACK VALLEY BRIEFS
part of its efforts to grow the program and strengthen connections within the Pascack Valley community. Nearly 200 participants participated in a “Kick or Treat 5K” organized by the team and Next Level Physio of Woodcliff Lake.
In addition, the team hosted its Fourth Annual Teacher Apprecia-
tion Night, with music provided by the PV Band under the direction of Craig Yaremko and a dance performance by Pascack Valley Regionalʼs award-winning dance team led by head coach Dena Noone.
The Park Ridge Board of Education has scheduled a special public meeting for Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. in the High School Little Theater to discuss personnel matters related to the ongoing superintendent search. Action may be taken.
Westwood's 7th Annual (Early) New Year’s Eve Celebration Celebrate Westwood invites residents to the seventh annual Westwood (Early) New Yearʼs Eve Celebration on Wednesday Dec. 31 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Veterans Park. Hosted by Cele-
brate Westwood, the Borough of Westwood, and the Westwood Fire Department with generous support from Westwood business Bellagio Jewelers. Opportunities for day-of volunteers and info/ activity booths. Write celebratewestwood@gmail.org.
Coach Leah Jerome
PAGE 4
vowels, and because its guttural consonants donʼt have neat English equivalents, thereʼs no single “right” way to render it into Roman letters.
Hence the great annual spelling kerfuffle.
Letʼs break it down:
• Hanukkah. The most common modern American spelling, clean and orderly — our handy AP Stylebookʼs recommendation.
• Chanukah. Popular in traditional or religious contexts. The initial Ch tries to capture the Hebrew chet, a sound somewhere between clearing your throat politely and trying not to. This is how I learned it as a boy, in junior
yeshiva in Brooklyn, and the very appearance of the word thrills me with formative memories of grape juice, jelly doughnuts, fresh potato latkes, chocolate coins, small plastic dreidels, and lighting the candles of the menorah.
• Hanukah / Chanuka. Sleek minimalist variants — the unadorned mid-century modern of Hanukkah spellings.
• Chanukka / Hanukka Strong European vibes. Mad respect.
• Janucá . Spanish. This one I learned in high school, and, though I acquired it in the Eighties, this is my first time deploying it. ¡Feliz Janucá!
And while some spellings may look more “authentic” than others, they all point back to the same holiday — a celebration of resilience, rededication, and a flame that kept burning long after
the oil should have run out.
In researching this, I encountered a sweet notion:the variety of spellings reflects diaspora, history, sounds crossing borders, and the joyful messiness of language itself.
To say “Happy Hanukkah,” the most common ways are “Happy Hanukkah” (in English,
obviously), “Hanukkah Sameach!” (Happy Hanukkah in Hebrew), or “Chag Sameach!” (Happy Holiday in Hebrew), pronounced khag sah-meh-akh. You can also say “Chag Urim Sameach!” (Happy Festival of Lights).
Itʼs La Fiesta de las Luminarias,” The Festival of Lights, in
Spanish.
So if youʼre fretting over your Hanukkah post this year, relax. Pick the spelling that speaks to you. Or write them all: Happy Hanukkah / Chanukah / Hanukah to all who celebrate! John Snyder can be reached at editor@thepressgroup.net.
FROM PAGE 1
begin, likely closer to project completion around 2030. The 30year PILOT on the multifamily building and the 20-year PILOT on the townhouses are projected to generate slightly more than $106 million for the borough.
After a lengthy Dec. 2 hearing, the Land Use Board voted 9–0 to approve the site plan, which includes 297 apartments; 47 townhouses; a 26-unit (40-bed) supportive housing building; and two retail buildings totaling nearly 9,000 square feet. The plan provides 74 affordable units and 912 parking spaces.
Residents raised concerns
over landscaping buffers, traffic volumes, stormwater retention, school impacts, construction noise, and transportation access for supportive housing residents. Several questioned whether special-needs adults would have shuttle options to the train station; representatives said New Concepts for Living may provide one if needed.
Traffic consultant Matthew Seckler testified that the redevelopment would generate 166–186 peak-hour trips — fewer than the 200–300 trips produced by the former BMW offices — and that anticipated signal delays would increase by only a few seconds. Some residents criticized the traffic study methodology, prompting a tense exchange that board chair Corrado Belgiovine stepped in to moderate.
Woodcliff Lake’s Land Use Board on Dec. 2 voted unanimously to approve the 370-unit mixed-use redevelopment at 300 Chestnut Ridge Road, the former 21-acre BMW headquarters. Later, the Borough Council approved a 20-year, $106 millionpayment in lieu of taxes.
Applicant attorney Marc Leibman of Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC said the project brings “measured development,” new ratables, and complies with all laws without variances. He urged residents not to fear change and compared the concerns to those voiced decades ago over redevelopment at Tice Farm. With site plan approval in hand, the borough needed to finalize a developerʼs agreement with the applicant. A proposed PILOT
VALLEY WOMEN DELIVER VS. CANCER
The Greater Pascack Valley Womanʼs Club recently helped make the annual Holiday Party of the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation a success. The popular event treats children with cancer and their families to an afternoon of games,
agreement was already slated for the Borough Councilʼs Dec. 10 agenda.
During the Dec. 10 meeting at the Tice Senior Center, auditor Paul Lerch of Lerch, Vinci & Bliss and special counsel Wendy Quiroga briefed officials and residents for more than two hours before the councilʼs unanimous vote.
Under the PILOT structure, the borough will receive 10–15% of annual gross revenues from the apartment portion of the project
over 30 years, and a 20-year PILOT on the townhouses. Officials said 95% of PILOT revenue will go to the borough and 5% to the county.
Quiroga emphasized that PILOT revenues do not reduce school district funding, which is raised through a separately adopted school budget. She said the borough may choose to direct a portion of PILOT revenue toward school district capital needs that might otherwise
Members of the Greater Pascack Valley Woman’s Club assisting at the holiday celebration of the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation were Daryll Datz, Jennifer Snyder, and Suzi Gerace.
crafts, food, and fun — including a visit from Santa.
Members of the Greater Pascack Valley Womanʼs Club staffed a craft booth, where they helped children make holiday trees from pinecones, glitter, and pom-poms.
The Emmanuel Cancer Foundation, based in Clark, has supported New Jersey families facing pediatric cancer since 1983. Offering free services tailored to each familyʼs needs, ECF provides in-home counseling, material support, and emergency financial assistance as families juggle the demands of
PASCACK VALLEY
Serve your party holiday warmth at Giulio’s Restaurant
Advertisement
“At Giulioʼs, we only use the freshest ingredients in our homemade dishes. Featuring contemporary Italian cuisine with a Mediterranean twist, we strive to please every palate.”
Owner Beni Qosja opened
fireplaces in the Main Dining Room and Oak Room beckon guests to enjoy a fine glass of wine and a delicious meal.
Beni brings more than 25 years of culinary experience to Giulioʼs Restaurant. Formerly of Vicolo of Old Tappan, Il Vicolo of Livingston
Giulioʼs Restaurant in 2022. Housed in a beautiful, romantic, Queen Anne Victorian in Historic Tappan, N.Y., just minutes from Bergen County, Giulioʼs Restaurant offers contemporary Italian cuisine.
Built in 1880 by the Smith family, the rooms are adorned with carved woodwork and large beveled glass windows that make you feel like you stepped into another era. The warm and inviting
and current owner of Limoncello in Waldwick, the years of world class experience and passion for culinary creations is evident in each and every of his signature dishes.
Giulioʼs Restaurant creates contemporary dishes with only the finest and freshest ingredients. Visit for a drink in the full-service bar, a casual meal by the fireplace, or to celebrate your life's most memorable events in one of the private
dining rooms. Formerly Giulioʼs of Tappan, the new Giulioʼs Restaurant offers
guests a fresh experience with an updated décor and menu in a warm, romantic setting.
When you go… Giulioʼs Restaurant 154 Washington Street Tappan, N.Y. 845-359-3657
See website for hours: www.giuliosrestaurant.com giuliosrestaurant@gmail.com
Giulio’s Restaurant, custom menus are available for your private party.
O UR LADYOF M ERCY C ATHOLIC C HURCH
T WO F REMONT AVENUE PARK R IDGE , N EW J ERSEY 07656
Christmas Eve Masses
5 p.m. (Family Mass/Children’s Choir);
7 p.m., 10 p.m. (with Instrumental Prelude at 9:30 p.m.)
12 midnight (Spanish)
Christmas Day Masses
8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 noon
SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
New Year’s Eve Mass 5pm
New Year’s Day Mass
8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 noon
Rectory: 201-391-5315 • Religious Ed: 201-391-3590 Academy: 201-391-3838
Photos with Santa
HILLSDALE
GENERAL LEONARD E. WOOD American Legion Post 162ʼs annual Photos with Santa fundraiser marked its 10th year last weekend, continuing a spirited community tradition that supports the Helping Hand Food Pantry at Hillsdale United Methodist Church — and the many Pascack Valley families served by both organizations.
Dozens of local children visited Santa across two days — with past Hillsdale Police Chief Sean Smith donning the red suit on Dec. 6, and Sons of the American Legion member Ed Sandt taking up the mantle on Dec. 7. Legionnaires Tom Robinson, Ray Matz, and Dennis Cesa rounded out the crew as Santaʼs helpers.
All photos from this yearʼs event are available to view and download at photos.digitalvisionphotography.us/ClientPhotos/Clients/Photos-with-Santa Organizer/photographer
Zoltán Horváth thanked families for their continued support and said the Legion looks forward to welcoming everyone back for the 11th annual event in 2026. DigitalVisionPhotography.us
‘Holly Jolly Holidays’ Dec. 14
PARKRIDGE
The Lakeside Choraliers present their holiday concert, Holly Jolly Holidays, on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 3 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Park Ridge, 131 Pascack Road. The program features seasonal favorites and a few surprises.
The choir is directed by George W. Swope and accompanied by Fiona Smith Sutherland.
Founded in 1972, the nonsectarian community choir is based in Park Ridge. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for ages 17 and under, available at the door or in advance by contacting Dorothy at 201820-5923.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit Meals on Wheels North Jersey. For more information visit lakesidechoraliers.org.
CHRISTMAS EVE Worship at 5:00pm and 9:00pm Candle Lighting and Special Music at Each Worship!
3 2 PASCACK RD., WOODCLIFF L AKE, NJ (Cor ner of Pascack & Church Roads) 201-391-4224 - office@clc4u.com Livestream at www.clc4u.com, facebook.com/@clc4u, youtube.com/@clc4u
Club News! Let us promote your organization. Send all news to pascackpress@thepressgroup.net or mail to Pascack Press, P.O. Box 335, Westwood, NJ 07675
Dec. 19, 7 p.m. BLUE CHRISTMAS WORSHIP A quiet contemplative service for those who find the Holidays difficult.
Dec. 24 CHRISTMAS EVE
4:30 p.m. Family/Kids Service – a short, interactive Service with Carols, Angels and Shepherds! 9 p.m. Candlelight Service with Bell and Chancel Choirs and special musicians
Dec. 28, 10 a.m. SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS Lessons and Carols There’s a Place for You Here!
Come celebrate the birth of our Savior with your parish family. You belong. Come,
CHRISTMAS EVE - DECEMBER 24 9:00am - Daily Mass
3:30pm - Children’s Christmas Concert 4:00pm - Family Christmas Mass
6:30pm - *Adult Choir Prelude
7:00pm - *Christmas Eve Mass 12:00am - *Misa de Gallo Spanish
CHRISTMAS DAY - DECEMBER 25
8:00am - Christmas Morning Mass 10:00am - *Christmas Mass 12:00pm - Christmas Mass
NEW YEAR LITURGIES - JANUARY 1
Solemnity of Mar y, Mother of God (Holy Day of obligation) 5:00pm - *Vigil on December 31st 10:30am - Mass 12:15pm - Mass 2:00pm - *Misa en Español *Masses with asterisks will be livestreamed
Letters:
Home For the Holidays was all that
To the editor:
H A PPYHOLIDAYS from the Westwood Recreation Department.
On Saturday, Dec. 6, snowflakes (some real, some on street lamps), twinkling lights and a heap of holiday spirit greeted residents from Westwood and the surrounding Pascack Valley who came together for Westwoodʼs Home for the Holidays Parade — an annual tradition now in its 61st year. This yearʼs theme, “Our Favorite Holiday Movies,” brought the crowd right onto the red carpet.
Thousands lined Westwood Avenue to watch more than 50 groups featuring dancers, youth sports and scouting units, marching bands, floats, decorated trucks and classic cars — all welcoming the start of the winter holiday season. Highlights included floats celebrating “The Grinch” a nd Whoville, “The Polar Express,” “A Christmas Story,” “The Island of Misfit Toys” and “Christmas Vacation,” complete with a visit from Cousin Eddie and his RV. Elvis — or “Elvi”? — even made an appearance with his special guest, Rudolph.
For the first time, the parade was livestreamed by students from the Westwood High School Film and Television Program and watched by nearly 1,000 viewers. The broadcast is available at https://tinyurl.com/2025HFTHLI VE.
Photos — many, many photos — courtesy of Richard Frant/Frant Visuals may be viewed and downloaded for per-
Wishing you a Wonderful Christmas Season!
Wishing you a Wonderful Christmas Season!
The Christmas season is typically a time when relatives and friends gather to celebrate. Many of us decorate the Christmas tree, hang personalized stockings and whip up the oldest family recipes.
But, whatever the family tradition may be, one thing remains true — Christ is the main reason for Christmas.
The book of Luke chapter 2 details the birth of Jesus. When He was born, the angels gathered and proclaimed a message that is relevant to the times we live in today“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
This message of peace and goodwill to all should underscore the Christmas holiday season, however you celebrate.
From the Bethel House of Worship family.
sonal use at https://tinyurl.com/2025HFTHP ICS.
This joyful kickoff to the 2025 holiday season would not have been possible without the dedication of borough departments, sponsors, volunteers and
community partners. The Westwood Recreation Department gratefully thanks:
• The Westwood Recreation Advisory Board and the Home for the Holidays Parade Committee, including volunteers Jim Gines, Rusty Miller and Roberta Hanlon, and our “unofficial” grand marshal, Ed Murtaugh. • Marching bands and performers from Emerson and Park Ridge High Schools; the Bergen County Pipes and Drums Corps; the Bergen County Players Holi-
CONTINUED ON PAGE 23
Pastor Deon Duncan & Pastor Leah Duncan
Richard Frant/Frant Visuals
Letters:
FROM PAGE 22
day Carolers; the Westwood Community Band; and the students and advisors of the West-
wood High School Marching Band, cheerleaders, Chamber Choir, Film and Television Program, National Honor Society and the new Costume Crew.
• The Westwood Police Department and Department of Public Works, whose coordina-
tion of street closures and safety measures ensures a festive, incident-free evening, and all borough staff and administrators who assisted with preparations.
• The Westwood Public Library, whose annual preparade program has become a
OUR LADY GOOD COUNSEL CATHOLIC CHURCH of
“Keep
Christ In Christmas”
668 Ridgewood Rd., Township of Washington, NJ by Celebrating His Birth With Us!
CHRISTMAS EVE MASS
Wednesday, December 24 Children’s Choir Carols 4:30pm Mass - 5pm
CHRISTMAS DAY MASSES Thursday, December 25 8:00am / 11:00am
FROM PAGE 23
men, creating a scene worthy of a Hallmark set.
• Sponsors Visions Federal Credit Union and Hackensack
Meridian Pascack Valley Medical Center, whose support enhanced
bandstand decor, pre-show entertainment, hot chocolate service and glow-stick distribution. Thanks also to Mount Everest Ski Shop for donating hand and toe warmers to keep volunteers comfortable.
The department also thanks Mayor Ray Arroyo and Councilmembers Rob Bicocchi, Beth D ell, Erin Collins, Anthony
Greco, Cheryl Hodges and Lauren Letizia for their continued support of the parade and of free community programs throughout the year.
And of course, the Westwood Recreation Department extends its gratitude to the Westwood Volunteer Fire Department, whose illuminated escort and yearly arrival of Santaʼs
Zion Lutheran Church
s leigh at Veterans Park bring magic to the bandstand. To support the volunteer efforts of the Westwood Fire Department (westwoodfire.org) and the Westwood Volunteer Ambulance Corps (westwoodvolunteerems.org), please consider a holiday donation. The Westwood Recreation Department is honored to organize Westwoodʼs favorite home-
town event. We wish everyone in Westwood and throughout the Pascack Valley a joyful holiday season and look forward to seeing you at our 2026 programs and events.
Seasonʼs greetings, and happy New Year.
Gary Buchheister Recreation Director RoseAnn Ciarlante Recreation Supervisor
Corcoran Infinity, Jersey Cares coat drive
can truly change someoneʼs life,” organizers said.
The program provides a meaningful opportunity to give back to the community by donating new and gently used coats for men, women, children, and infants.
Neighbors, friends, and clients are invited to join in this effort to help ensure that no one goes cold this winter. “A simple coat or jacket from your closet
Longest Night Service in WW
Dec. 22
Westwood United Methodist Church will hold a Longest Night Service on Monday, Dec. 22, at 7 p.m. at the corner of Bergen and Kinderkamack avenues.
The holiday season can be joyful, but it can also be difficult for those carrying pain, grief, or sadness. The quiet service offers a time apart from the bustle of the season and a space to reflect, pray, and remember that God is present even in the darkest hours.
All are welcome.
Via Bonnie Harley
Donations of coats (only, please) may be delivered in plastic bags to the Corcoran Infinity Properties office, 213 Rivervale Road, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Collection runs through Jan. 6, 2026. For more info, call sales associate Bonnie Borghi at (201) 666-0777.
FROM PAGE 18
require a referendum.
Nearly 20 residents spoke, questioning the financial structure, project scale, and timing of the agreementʼs release. Some objected that the full PILOT document was first presented publicly on Dec. 10, despite being introduced Nov. 10. We requested the agreement on Nov. 11.
Council President Joshua Stern said securing a PILOT helped the borough maintain control over redevelopment on the property. He noted an early concept from another developer included as many as 700 units before negotiations yielded the current 370-unit plan.
Councilwoman Jennifer Margolis said no one wanted to lose BMW, Hilton, or Party City, “but it happened.”
Richard Frant/Frant Visuals
Funeral for a friend: ‘The Kissing Tree’s Final Kiss’
WHEN I ATTENDED col-
lege in the mid-1970s, Environmental Studies 101 was known as a “gut” course soft on science and an easy “A.” It was condescendingly called “Trees Are Our Friends.” We chuckled at that snarky witticism, displaying the uncertainty of our inexperienced youth. But weʼre not laughing now.
The majestic European copper beech in Veterans Park — Westwoodʼs storied “Kissing Tree” — is dying. It has contracted a terminal fungus that spreads quickly, hollows out the trunk and destabilizes the giant treeʼs tether to the earth. As the disease progresses, the risk of our 63-foot legacy tree toppling increases.
Our tree, the second-tallest copper beech in Bergen County, was recently recognized as an important Heritage Tree. Estimated to be somewhere between 168 years old (a sapling during the Civil War) and 252 years old (two years older than our budding nation), it has withstood every local triumph and tragedy since — a silent witness, absorbing our fears, hopes and dreams.
As the legendary Kissing Tree, it presided over the timeless
In which Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo grieves the evident impending loss of the borough’s storied “Kissing Tree,” the second-tallest copper beech in Bergen County. This proud beauty was recently recognized as an important Heritage Tree, and could be older than the United States. Richard Frant tree photo; Arroyo photo: John Snyder/file
poetry of young love in Westwood. Today it generates nostalgia for simpler, more innocent times, when casual intimate dalliances were not counted like rings on a trunk. Its romantic roots are captured in these contemporary song lyrics: “True that I saw her hair like the branch of a tree, willow
dancinʼon air before covering me, under garden and calicos, over canopy dappled long ago.”
The Kissing Tree is our living monument to a legacy of stolen kisses and whispered promises — the fluttering hearts of Westwoodʼs youth discovering the dewy newness of a crushing first love.
Loveʼs first cuts are the deepest. Its final ones are the cruelest. And so, here we are, coming full circle, nearing the end of our love affair with the Kissing Tree. As the lyric continues: “True that love in withdrawal was the weeping of me. That the sound of the saw must be known by the tree.”
Old age has planted its Judas kiss on our landmark tree. Sentenced by the fast-spreading brittle cinder fungus, the Kissing Tree cannot be saved. Experts advise it must eventually be removed to prevent harm should it fall in a
BY WESTWOOD MAYOR
RAY
ARROYO
SPECIAL TO PASCACK PRESS
storm. This is the consensus of the Shade Tree Committeeʼs professional advisors, in consultation with their counterparts at Rutgers University.
There will be a physical void where St. Valentineʼs sentinel once stood in Veterans Park — a hole in the heart of our town.
We take so much for granted in a small town. Our mature trees are often twice the size of our homes. They shade us in summer and soften the winter winds. Westwoodʼs Shade Tree Committee reports that “trees of this size are mega-resources and perform 600 times the environmental benefits of typical trees.”
Visually, the tree line shapes the center of our village skyline. It subconsciously draws our eyes upward, framing the sun-kissed dome of blue sky above us. In autumn, its leafless branches reach toward the night sky, backlit by a rising harvest moon.
Our oldest trees are recognized as New Jersey Champion and Heritage trees, not only for their longevity but as markers of our local history. They are signifiers of a successful model for living — a legacy worth preserving and passing down.
Fortunately, we still have some time to say goodbye. The tree has been well cared for, and the borough arborist will continue to monitor the progression of the disease and its structural stability.
L. SCOTTBERKOBEN, P.A. A Professional Corporation Attorneys at Law
“Guilty, as charged...”
...frightening words if directed at you,
and with consequences ranging from fines to jail time and even to the break up of families and loss of hope for the future. We’re in some court on most days, dealing with criminal cases, DWI, drugs, violence and a variety of matters... all very serious in nature. We feel a good defense might be all a person needs to straighten out a life.
Experienced Municipal Prosecutors and Defenders
The governing body is also seeking cost estimates for temporary structural supports should they be needed before removal.
The Shade Tree Advisory Committee has done a wonderful job promoting awareness and statewide recognition of this special tree. They hope someone reading this may know of new or experimental treatments for brittle cinder fungus — and reach out.
Meanwhile, the committee will consider how to guide the community through this loss. Volunteers are collecting the last of its beech-nut seedlings for replanting around the borough. If safe and feasible, its bark and intact heartwood slabs may be repurposed into keepsakes. Events will be organized to celebrate the Kissing Tree while it is still with us.
And when the time comes, the DPW may collect the treeʼs usable remains and make them available as firewood for Westwood residents.
In its final role, Westwoodʼs Kissing Tree becomes the Giving Tree. The memories of all those burning loves, witnessed across generations, held in the grain of its wood — now set aflame. Transformed into soft flickering light and glowing embers in our hearths. The Kissing Treeʼs final kiss: precious burnt offerings to keep us warm.
May its fire, and its memory, blaze all night.
¶
Editorʼs Note: This week, we are publishing a reflective essay from Mayor Ray Arroyo on the condition of Westwoodʼs historic Kissing Tree, a landmark holding deep meaning for many. The mayor offers an emotional and personal perspective on what the tree has represented across generations.
Next week, we will follow with a full news report detailing the arboristsʼfindings, the boroughʼs monitoring plans, and the Shade Tree Advisory Committeeʼs ongoing work. We appreciate residentsʼpatience as we gather the factual information necessary to present the most accurate account of the treeʼs condition and the steps ahead.
Health,Wellness &FitnessGuide
A reality check on health myths
Advertisement
BOOSTYOUR BRAIN POWER
By Dr. Eric Kaplan, DC, DACNB, FACFN, FABVR
IF THERE ʼ S
o ne thing more contag ious than the flu, itʼs medical misinformation and unfortunately, thereʼs no vaccine for that.
Many of us grew up hearing health advice delivered with absolute confidence: Do this,
avoid that, take two of these, never do those. Some of it was well-intentioned. Some of it was based on older science. And some of it was simply repeated so often that no one ever questioned it.
Science evolves. Humans evolve. But health myths? Those seem to outlive the people who created them.
Weʼve all heard them: “Eat this for strong bones,” “Avoid that for your heart,” “Never do this before exercise,” “Always do that before bed.” A friend swears by one method, an influencer swears
by another, and an article you skim at midnight swears theyʼre both wrong. No wonder people feel overwhelmed. Sorting useful information from noise has become part-time work.
What makes things even trickier is that health isnʼt onesize-fits-all. What works beautifully for one person may do very little for another. Factors like genetics, lifestyle, stress, sleep, and environment all shape how our bodies respond.
Thatʼs why some old advice remains helpful, some becomes
outdated, and some was never grounded in real science to begin with — it was just… sticky.
The result? A population trying its best, doing its best, and still not quite sure what to believe.
Todayʼs challenge isnʼt just “learning the facts.” Itʼs learning how to ask better questions. Itʼs l earning how to interpret new research without panic. Itʼs learning to notice patterns in our own bodies. Itʼs learning when to lean on professionals instead of headlines. And most importantly, itʼs learning that health is dynamic — it changes as we change.
If youʼve ever wondered why your memory seems sharper some years than others, why sleep feels amazing one week and elusive the next, why focus comes easily one day and fog descends the next — youʼre not alone. These experiences arenʼt failures; theyʼre signals. And we can learn from them.
Thatʼs why, on my weekly radio show, Boost Your Brain Power with Dr. Eric Kaplan, we spend less time on hype and more time on clarity. We explore how the brain actually works, how lifestyle affects cognition, how stress changes the body, and how to build habits that support brain health over time. My goal isnʼt to give you magic answers — itʼs to
give you tools.
You can tune in Saturdays 8–9 a.m. on AM 970 and 2–3 p.m. on WOR 710. Every week, we go d eeper into topics that shape memory, focus, mood, sleep and long-term cognitive resilience. And because information is most powerful when paired with objective data, we are offering qEEG Brain Mapping for only $21 this month (normally $600). This noninvasive assessment analyzes brainwave patterns, cognitive balance, focus and attention markers, stress and reactivity signatures, andmood-related neurological rhythms
Itʼs a detailed look “under the hood,” so to speak — a way to understand your brain not through guesswork but through measurem ent. No medications. No assumptions. Just information you can use.
If youʼre curious about your cognitive patterns, or simply want a clearer picture of how your brain is functioning, this is an excellent place to start. Call or text 201-261-2150 or visit www.kaplandc.com to schedule your scan.
Kaplan Brain and Body 212-620-8121
www.kaplandc.com
Now it’s a party!
THE SUNDIAL Garden Club of Hillsdale recently brought holiday cheer to residents of Hillsdale House, guiding them through the creation of their own festive floral arrangements.
Club members provided fresh greens and flowers from their homes, offering hands-on instruction that left residents both delighted and impressed with their newfound skills.
Organizers tell Pascacl Press that the annual program is a meaningful way to give back during the holiday season, and they expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue the tradition under the guidance of longtime
DR. ERIC KAPLAN, DC
HILLSDALE
member Lois Kohan. Via Leslie Kane/Sundial Garden Club
When to claim your Social Security benefits
WHEN IT
c ome s to Social Security and retirement, you may have conflicting viewpoints: On one side, you may hope to collect your benefits as soon as you are eligible due to cash flow needs or other goals. On the other side, you know that if you wait, your monthly benefit amount will be greater. While it may make sense to wait as long as you can, Sherman Hohen-
berger, lead business growth strategy consultant at Wealth & Investment Management, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., recommends you reevaluate your situation every year in retirement before deciding whether to continue delaying the beginning of Social Security benefits.
“Because each individual, couple, widow, and widower has a unique lifestyle and unique income needs, I believe a year-by-year evaluation prior to beginning benefits is the best approach,” Hohenberger says.
One item you need for that annual retirement review is a current copy of your Social Security benefit
estimate from ssa.gov. This provides personalized estimates of future benefits based on your real earnings and lets you see your latest statement and your earnings history. Here, Hohenberger outlines a comparison of claiming now vs. later and offers key considerations as you review your strategy each year.
Comparison:
Claiming sooner vs. later
Letʼs start with a hypothetical example: John Doe was born in 1960, is retired, and he decided to claim benefits as soon as he became eligible at age 62, or five years before his
full retirement benefit age of 67. His monthly benefit in todayʼs dollars is $2,106. If he had delayed receiving benefits until he was 70, heʼd receive $1,625 more a month, or $3,731. And he would make up for the eight-year delay in not taking any benefits in about 10 years. “Unlike personal assets that can be exhausted, Social Security is a vast resource provided by the U. S. government. As long as you are alive, you should continue to receive your Social Security benefits and with a cost-of-living adjustment throughout your retirement years.”
Make wellness a deciding factor
Your health can play a big role in helping determine when you should start taking benefits. Do your loved ones live long lives, or have most succumbed to illness before age 65? “Itʼs not the most accurate indicator of whatʼs going to transpire in the future, but it can have some bearing, and therefore should be taken into consideration,” Hohenberger says.
“If youʼre in reasonably good health and anticipate a continued healthy lifestyle, that usually counsels in favor of waiting,” he continues. “If, on the other hand, youʼre in poorer health and have concerns about longevity, that counsels toward drawing benefits sooner rather than later.”
Do you have enough income?
Another key factor is having other sources of income to help you live comfortably in retirement without needing Social Security benefits. He says you should consider the rate of return Social Security offers: 6.25% – 8.00% (plus a cost-of-living increase).
“I ask: ʻIs that an attractive return to you over the next 12 months?ʼ” he says. “And given the current interest rate environment and unpredictability of the securities markets, the response is typically a resounding yes.”
Considerations for married couples
Hohenberger suggests married clients look at multiple factors when determining the timing for each spouse to claim Social Security benefits.
For example, if youʼre working part time or seasonally, your Social Security benefits may be dramatically lower if your partner is working full-time. It still may be wise for both of you to wait, if possible.
“Not only does waiting to claim increase the size of the benefit that the [higher earning] individual personally receives, but it also increases the size of whatʼs known as the survivorʼs benefit that the [lower earning] spouse could draw
if the other spouse passes away,” Hohenberger says.
Keep in mind that the current average life expectancy of a 65-year-old man is about 84 years, while a woman that age can expect to live until around age 87, according to the Social Security Administration.
What about taxes?
When it comes to when to claim Social Security benefits, Hohenberger advises not to focus primarily on the tax ramifications.
“For the vast majority of people, their marginal tax rate in retirement will likely be fairly constant,” Hohenberger says. “If retirees were to take their Social Security benefit at 62, we typically see that their marginal tax rate is the same or approximately the same as it would be if they claimed the benefit at age 70. We want [them] to focus instead on working to help maximize the net cash flow over the remainder of their lifetime.”
Wells Fargo Wealth & Investment Management (WIM) offers financial products and services through affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company.
Wells Fargo & Company and its affiliates do not provide tax or legal advice. This communication cannot be relied upon to avoid tax penalties. Please consult your tax and legal advisors to determine how this information may apply to your own situation. Whether any planned tax result is realized by you depends on the specific facts of your own situation at the time your tax return is filed. This article was written byWells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Eric Kohlmeier, Senior Financial Advisor, Managing Director –Investments in Park Ridge at 201-505-0472.
Investment and Insurance Products are:
• Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency
• Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank or Any Bank Affiliate
each season, funding safety gear and equipment — and, just as importantly, the departmentʼs community programs.
“We give back all year,” Schroeder said. “We sponsor the Easter egg hunt, the Ragamuffin Parade, township baseball, and scholarships for high school seniors, to name a few.”
Schroeder handles the tree ordering — starting as early as January — working with suppliers in Canada. Other committee members take on their own pieces of the job: Former chief and 50-year member Jimmy Zaconie runs the
register; police officer and ex-chief Roy Scherer prepares the wreaths and grave blankets at the firehouse; and Braeden Roberts, whoʼs been helping since age 11 and is now an active firefighter of three years, keeps the workflow moving.
Honorary fire chief Mike Agnello and Schroeder share the day-to-day operations that keep the sale humming.
And then there is Doris Zaconie, whose signature bows — red, gingham, and snowy blue —
adorn each wreath, layered with pinecones, blossoms, and berries.
Doris designs and assembles the bows at home; Jimmy brings them to the firehouse for placement.
A long dayʼs work
On weekends the sale runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with this weekend expected to be one of the busiest. Sunday afternoon already saw dozens of families stop by.
WTFD firefighter Joe Mandano brings a customer’s tree out to the car on Dec. 7. John Snyder photo
Customer service was a relay: trim, cut, wrap, carry, load, tie, wave — repeated with good humor.
Working the sale when we showed up were Zaconie, Schroeder, Joe Mandano, Salvatore Caporale, Joseph Caporale Sr., Ryan Smith (vice president of the department), and rising stars Ian Murphy and Braeden Roberts.
Between customers, several firefighters reminisced about earlier years and earlier locations — a kind of living map of the townshipʼs growth.
As kids, many helped older members sell trees in what was then Washington Town Center mall, at the end where Spencer Savings once stood before the shopping centerʼs redevelopment. Before that, volunteers recalled years spent selling trees down by Pine Lake, once a beloved sandbottom swim club at Pascack and Ridgewood roads.
By the time the Fire Depart-
ment began selling there in the mid-1980s, the lake had closed, but the site remained a local landmark — known for its artesian well, canoes, footbridge, bike racks, and summer crowds.
Later the sale moved to the commuter lot beside the former firehouse on Washington Avenue, a building whose cramped bays and low door clearances volunteers had long outgrown. In winter, firefighters sometimes geared up outdoors before calls.
All of that changed with the completion of the townshipʼs joint firehouse and volunteer ambulance headquarters, dedicated in
— a long-planned upgrade that modernized operations and created the breathing room the sale needed.
When construction began, the sale shifted to Memorial Field, where the pavilion offers shelter in rain and the open space accommodates both inventory and families browsing. That, Schroeder said, has “worked out well. We clean up everything, we put everything back into order,”
See WTFD on page 33
2020
Happy customers:Left, Leslie and Brian DeSantis of Hillsdale, with daughters Zoe and Lily, lashing their fir to the roof of their Mazda3. Right, Bill and Claudia Carroll, of the Township of Washington. Hundreds of trees, wreaths, and grave bankets are flying from Memorial Field, where the WTFD’s annual sale is in full swing. John Snyder photos
Below: WTFD firefighters Sal Caporale at the baler, Jimmy Zaconie at the register. John Snyder
At Bergen Volunteers, ‘These small gifts are enormous’
BY JOHNSNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS
PARAMUS
More than 400 volunteers — including many from the Pascack Valley — came together Sunday, Dec. 7 for Bergen Volunteersʼ inaugural Neighbors Helping Neighbors holiday fundraiser, assembling more than 2,500 essential-care gifts for seniors, families, and neighbors across Bergen County.
Working in two packed shifts at One Bergen County Plaza, and bolstered by light refreshments, volunteers of all ages filled coldweather bundles, toiletry kits, snack packs, canvas walker bags, and handwritten holiday cards destined for 11 partner nonprofits, including the Franciscan Community Development Center of Fairview and the Center for Food Action.
Bergen Volunteers, based in Paramus, has been a cornerstone of
community support since 1966, operating volunteer-driven programs that assist vulnerable seniors, at-risk youth, and families across more than 70 Bergen County communities — including the Pascack Valley. Through initiatives such as CHEER, CHORE, Bergen READS, mentoring programs, and its civic-leadership tracks (Bergen LEADS and Teen LEADS), the organization impacts roughly 8,000 residents each year, connecting neighbors in need with volunteers, resources, and hands-on support.
“This was an incredible success,” said Bergen Volunteers president and CEO Shara Nadler “When we put out the call that we needed help assembling 2,500
Inaugural ‘Neighbors Helping Neighbors’ fundraiser Dec. 7 blows pasgt expectations with 2,500 assembled gift bags
essential gift bags, you answered. Today each of you met an urgent need in our community.”
Volunteers lined long tables sorting gloves, socks, soap, chargers, shelf-stable food, and small comforts many clients cannot
afford. Some came as families, some as corporate groups, some alone — all contributing to the dayʼs steady hum of generosity.
Sue Colacurcio, executive director of the Franciscan Community Development Center, paused
FROM PAGE 32
he added. “The town has been very cooperative.”
Bill and Claudia Carroll, of the Township, picked out their tree with practiced efficiency — gestures, nods, the easy shorthand of a couple who has done this many times. “We come here every year,” Bill said, smiling as firefighters prepped the tree.
Leslie and Brian DeSantis of Hillsdale, with daughters Zoe and Lily, were lashing their fir to the roof of their Mazda3. “Itʼs a great tree and a great cause,” Leslie said. “This is our spot.”
Bethany and John of Waldwick were securing their tree in the bed of their Toyota Tacoma. John grew up visiting the sale annually with his family; moving out of state made him miss the tradition.
Now back in the area, heʼs passed it on to Bethany, who grew up in northern Massachusetts.
“This is so sweet,” she said.
the room for a moment of reflection. Her organization serves Fairview, the only designated food
desert in Bergen County. “The message you place on
Greg and Eimi Figlio, with their children Tommy and Julia,pack care gifts for Bergen County neighbors at the Neighbors Helping Neighbors event Dec. 7.The family joned hundreds of people — concerned individuals,families, and organizations — from the Pascack and Northern Valleys and wider Bergen County in doing good. John Snyder photos.
Millions in road, safety funds headed to our area
Gov. Phil Murphy has announced $150 million in Fiscal Year 2026 Municipal Aid grants, with 537 municipalities statewide r eceiving funding for road, bridge, safety, and quality-of-life improvements. Every municipality that applied this cycle received an award, including all Pascack Valley and Northern Valley towns.
T he competitive program,
administered through the New Jersey Department of Transportationʼs Division of Local Aid and E conomic Development, drew 591 applications requesting a total of $363 million. Projects were evaluated by NJDOT staff and reviewed by an independent panel of municipal engineers.
“Having a safe and efficient transportation system throughout the state means investing in local
roads and bridges, as well as State highways,” Murphy said in the announcement. “Municipal Aid provides the funds for infrastructure projects in our towns a nd cities that significantly improve the quality of life for New Jersey residents.”
NJDOT Commissioner Fran OʼConnor said the administrationʼs continued investment is “making New Jerseyʼs roads and
bridges safer for all users whether you are driving, walking, or cycling.”
This year, nearly 43% of funding—$64.3 million—is going to 179 municipalities with Complete Streets policies. Another $22.4 million is directed to 52 communities whose projects meet equity criteria for lowincome or minority neighborhoods. The Municipal Aid program includes eight eligible project categories, from roadway and pavement preservation to pedestrian safety, mobility, and bridge work.
Pascack Valley Awards
Eight Pascack Valley municipalities received a combined $1.5 million in FY 2026 funding, primarily for roadway preservation:
• Emerson: Improvements to South Dorchester and Dorchester Avenue — $129,561
•Hillsdale: Ralph Avenue & Legion Place resurfacing — $194,341
•Montvale: Memorial Drive improvements — $237,528
• Park Ridge: Morningside Avenue roadway improvements — $194,341
•River Vale: Reconstruction of Baylor Avenue and Bernita Drive — $107,967
•Township of Washington: Ridgewood Boulevard North roadway project — $237,528
• Westwood: Irvington Street (Section 2) and Fourth Avenue improvements — $237,528
NJDOT encourages municipalities to fund projects that support walking, biking, and streetsafety improvements. Six percent of awarded projects statewide fall into these non-traditional categories.
Under program rules, municipalities receive 75% of their funding upon awarding a project contract and the remaining 25% when work is complete. Counties receive allocations based on population and centerline roadway mileage. More information: njdotlocalaidrc.com.
Greyʼs Furniture
and converted it into the Park Ridge Hebrew Community Center. It hosted religious services for the areaʼs small but growing Jewish community and became a popular meeting space for local groups of all kinds.
A large room on the second floor, equipped with a piano, overlooked Park Avenue. In the 1930s—when New Yorkers still kept summer homes in Park Ridge—seasonal residents often practiced there, and passersby would pause outside to enjoy the music floating down on warm evenings.
In 1959, the building was redesigned, leaving only the 1906 foundation intact, and renamed Temple Beth Sholom of Pascack Valley.
TOWNSHIP OF
Temple Beth Sholom remained at 32 Park Ave. until 2022. The building is now home
IHA LAUDSTWO FROM WCL AS SOARING EAGLES
Two Woodcliff Lake residents, Julianna Battaglia and Brooke Lefever, were among nine Immaculate Heart Academy students recognized with Soaring Eagle Awards for the first quarter of the 2025–26 school year Battaglia, Class of 2029, earned the award in science/technology under Ms. Marnie McGuirk, while Lefever, Class of 2028, was honored in physical education under Mr. John Downey.
The Soaring Eagle Awards celebrate students who demonstrate exceptional effort, attitude, and achievement in specific subject areas.
Other honorees include Lia Carballo ʼ27 of Oradell (world languages, Mrs. Eileen Ingoglia); Rose Santiago ʼ28 of Closter (mathematics, Mrs. Catherine Taveras); Katherine OʼHalloran ʼ29 of Ridgewood (the arts, Mrs. Lisa Encke); Abigail Bennett ʼ26 of Pearl River, N.Y. (communications, Ms. Jessi Shaheen); Jaylene Hernandez ʼ26 of Paterson (social studies, Ms. Linda Chelotti ʼ76); Kylie Rossig ʼ27 of New Milford (theology, Ms. Geri Braden); and Anjelee Marte ʼ27 of Maywood (English, Ms. Jessica Whelan ʼ13).
The former Temple Beth Sholom, now a Vedic temple.
Gottheimer gets lead role in House AI commission
U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) has been appointed a founding Co-Chair of the new House Commission on Artificial Intelligence and the Innovation Economy.
The Commission will:
•Help craft the Democratic policy and legislative agenda on artificial intelligence;
•Educate the Democratic Caucus on AIʼs impact on American jobs, national security, energy, education, health care, and other key sectors;
• Host regular briefings with stakeholders from industry, academia, and civil society to highlight AIʼs innovative potential and the need for responsible guardrails.
“From health care to education, the potential for artificial intelligence is boundless. The key for our economy and national security is to stay ahead of the curve — and ahead of our global competitors,” said Gottheimer in a statement shared with Pascack Press on Dec. 9. “As a member of the House Intelligence Committee
and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the National Security Agency and Cyber, I see every day how quickly the landscape is shifting. Thatʼs why this new Commission on AI is critical. We need to ensure Congress is educated on these technologies, that weʼre putting the right policies and guardrails in place to grow and protect Americans, and that the U.S. continues to lead in AIfueled jobs and innovation.”
Gottheimer will co-chair the Commission alongside Reps. Ted
Lieu (CA-36) and Valerie Foushee (NC-4).
Gottheimer said AI is projected to create new opportunities, increase efficiency, and reshape the U.S. economy. Global GDP is expected to grow by $7 trillion over the next decade, with AI projected to increase U.S. GDP by 1.5% by 2035, nearly 3% by 2055, and 3.7% by 2075. Research shows productivity will surge and wages will rise across many sectors.
At the same time, Gottheimer emphasized the need to ensure children are protected online, “deep fakes” are addressed, and new jobs are created. He also underscored the national security stakes. Chinaʼs flagship AI programs, such as DeepSeek, spread propaganda and threaten Americansʼsensitive data, while Chinaʼs industrial base is working to dominate global semiconductor manufacturing — developments that pose serious
risks to U.S. economic and national security.
Gottheimer has previously helped lead bipartisan AI legislation, including:
•The Unleashing AI Innovation in Financial Services Act, promoting AI innovation in financial services and establishing Innovation Labs at regulatory agencies;
• The Liquid Cooling for AI Act, supporting emerging cooling technologies to make data centers more efficient and lower energy costs;
Gottheimer The Growing University AI Research for Defense (GUARD) Act, establishing an AI institute at a senior military college;
Gottheimer The Advanced AI Security Readiness Act, strengthening protections for American AI assets against foreign threats.
Left to right: SAL Vice Commander Dennis Cesa; Legion Vice Commander Ray Matz; SAL member Nick Camerato; SAL member Bruno Taveroni; Legion Commander Tom Robinson; SAL Commander John Hering; and SAL member Anthony DeRosa. Photos by Anthony DeRosa and Dennis Cesa.
HILLSDALE
Members of American Legion Post 162 and its affiliated Sons of the American Legion (SAL) squadron tackled a fall cleanup of the post grounds on Saturday, Nov. 29, raking and removing leaves to ready the property for winter.
Volunteers “divided and conquered” the work, said SAL Vice
Commander Dennis Cesa, who helped coordinate the effort. — Submitted
MEDIA SALES ASSOCIATE
Join our ever growing sales team as as Sales Associate for the Pascack Press, Northern Valley Press North and South and near future publications. Applicants should be self-starters with drive to succeed. In this position, you will sell advertising space to new and existing accounts into our weekly newspapers as well as digital media. Responsibilities will also include cold calling, outside sales and excellent customer service. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 201-664-2105 SEND RESUME TO: jobs@thepressgroup.net
Women:
FROM PAGE 18
daily living while caring for a sick child. It has been recognized as a top nonprofit by Best Nonprofits,
Gifts:
FROM PAGE 33
the table reminds people that they are not forgotten,” she told volunteers. “What youʼre doing today is critical. Many of our seniors would rather throw away worn gloves and socks than pay to wash them at a laundromat. Your gifts matter more
an independent rating service.
The Greater Pascack Valley Womanʼs Club has been a member of the New Jersey Federation of Womenʼs Clubs since 1990. The club welcomes all women interested in making a difference in their community and their own lives. Information is available on Facebook and Instagram, and at G PVWC1990@wixsite.com/gpv wc. Still have questions? Call 201694-4440 or email GPVWC1990@gmail.com.
At another table, Emily Fernández-Justo of Hackensack, who recently helped open a senior in-home care agency, said, “We wanted to jump in and be part of something that helps our community. Itʼs all about passing that down to our kids.”
Corporate teams joined as well. Maria Haynes of PNC Private Bank said her group of volunteers was eager to participate. “We
Another, age 86, hadnʼt received a present in 22 years. “She said she didnʼt want to open it — she just wanted to look at it.”
“These small gifts are enormous,” Ogden said. “They tell people who feel invisible that they matter.”
By late afternoon, the final bags were sealed, sorted, and stacked for distribution — each representing a neighbor helping
than you can imagine.”
Across the floor, volunteers echoed the sentiment. One young family was cranking out holiday cards amid a small sea of wellwishers.
“This makes you appreciate what you have,” said Greg Figlio of Haworth, volunteering with his wife, Eimi, and their children, Tommy and Julia. “Itʼs good for our kids to see that not everyone has what they have.”
always want to give back. Even a few hours on a Sunday can make a real impact.”
The emotional core of the event came from Bergen Volunteers staff member Michelle Ogden, senior manager of the CHEER program, who shared stories from homebound seniors who rarely receive gifts.
“One client looked at the package and said, ʻMy God, there really is a Santa,ʼ” she recalled.
another neighbor through the season.
The event was bolstered by generous sponsors — including the Heller Family Foundation, KPMG, Valley Bank, NJM Insurance Group, Senior Care Authority, BCB Bank, and PNC Bank — along with dozens of family and nonprofit partners, many of whom support residents in Pascack Valley and across Bergen County. — John Snyder photo
The Larry Stevens Band will perform its “Rock & Roll Holiday Experience” at The Turning Point on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m.
The show features rock favorites, holiday classics, and selections from Stevensʼupcoming sixth album. An area native, Stevens has performed at iconic New York and Nashville venues and has opened for such acts as Huey Lewis and The News, America, and Kenny Loggins. The Turning Point is at 468 Piermont Ave., Piermont, N.Y.
Tickets are available at piermont.club. More information: larrystevens.com.
RVPD Blue Angel Program
The River Vale Police Department offers a free service to help safeguard some of the townshipʼs most vulnerable residents: seniors and medically at-risk individuals who live alone.
The program provides participants with a police-installed lockbox containing a spare house key. The lockbox is mounted in a discreet location outside the home and is accessible only to first responders through a secure code maintained by the Police Department.
The Blue Angel Program is open to River Vale residents age 55 and older who live alone; individuals with serious medical conditions; and residents with limited mobility. The department will install the lockbox at no cost, and participants remain in the program for as long as they meet eligibility requirements. For more information and to enroll, visit rivervalenj.org/o/pd/page/operation-blue-angel.
