Emerson • Hillsdale • Montvale • Park Ridge • River Vale • Township of Washington • Westwood • Woodcliff Lake
PA S C AC K VA L L E Y ’ S H O M E TO W N N E W S PA P E R
VOLUME 25 ISSUE 40
Holiday Shopping Guide
DECEMBER 20, 2021
A BUSINESS TO GROW WITH Kids deliver the goods at TREP$ Marketplace
See page 13
HILLSDALE
$16M FOR CENTER,
Mayor releases estimate ahead of councilʼs plan, drawing membersʼ ire
TURF FIELD
BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
Preliminary estimates for a community center and turf field provided by a consultant total nearly $16 million, said the mayor at the Dec. 7 council meeting. No decisions on whether to move forward on a community center or turf field have yet been recommended by a temporary steering committee or council members. Several council members disagreed with Mayor John Ruoccoʼs disclosure of estimates and details provided by its consultant, DMR Architects, noting they thought all members agreed to release the figures at the Dec. 14 meeting. At the Dec. 14 meeting, Council President Abby Lundy said the council likely would release the the documents soon after the councilʼs 2022 reorganization meeting, which is scheduled in person for Jan. 4 (sine die at 6:30 p.m., reorganiza-
See HILLSDALE on page 314
B
This Woodcliff middle schooler knows her product and the market. The school hosted a TREP$ Marketplace on Dec. 1, the event the culmination of an ambitious afterschool program connecting informed and engaged young entrepreneurs with the buying public.
BY JOHN SNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS
aking and hot cocoa kits, upcycled clothes, custom jewelry, locker organizers, healthy eating plans and cookbooks, and school spiritwear featured among the items shoppers snapped up at the innovative TREP$ Marketplace, at Woodcliff Middle School, on Dec. 1. All the goods were available to the community by cash or Venmo. PHOTO: WOODCLIFF MIDDLE SCHOOL/TREP$
Organizers say TREP$ Marketplace, held at the school gym, is a unique flea-market-style event: Vendors were students, aged 12–14, putting entrepreneurship skills theyʼd learned over the prior six weeks at an award-winning afterschool club into practice. Some sales were in support of humanitarian relief efforts overseas. Some had philanthropic aims closer to home. And many employed QR
Continued on page 26
MONTVALE
LANDSLIDE ON SCHOOLS UPGRADES Most voters sat out $30M bond question
BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
The votes are in, and the special election bond referendum of Dec. 14 has passed, meaning the way is clear for significant upgrades, including construction, at Memorial Elementary School and Fieldstone Middle School. Turnout was low. Approximately 14% of Montvale voted inperson or via mail-in ballots to approve a nearly $30 million school bond referendum Dec. 14, 603 to 342, according to unofficial numbers released by the municipal clerk. Certification of election results by the Bergen County Clerkʼs Office will likely occur by late December, said officials. Hereʼs a rundown of what the referendum means to Montvaleʼs schools: • Five new classrooms at Memorial, and “the thoughtful repurposing” of existing space at Fieldstone; • STEAM labs at both schools to blend the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. (STEAM Education is an approach to learning that uses science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking); • Redesigned media center at Fieldstone, including an ADAcompliant entrance; • Renovated restrooms in the
See LANDSLIDE on page 274
TOGETHER, OF COURSE
B ck in time...
The holiday spirit takes over the Westwood Community Center as residents participate in art, craft, food pantry donations and the return of the Holiday Decorating Contest. SEE PAGE 16
Hillsdale Department Store stands out as a holiday shopping destination in 1929. Kristin Beuscher brings us the sweet deals to be found.
SEE PAGE 4
