Pascack 12.28.20

FOR THE CORPS

Emerson • Hillsdale • Montvale • Park Ridge • River Vale • Township of Washington • Westwood • Woodcliff Lake VOLUME 24 ISSUE 41

STELLAR STUDENT

PA S C AC K VA L L E Y ’ S BEST H O M E TO W N N E W S PA P E R

DECEMBER 28, 2020

WESTWOOD / TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON

Cardinal cheerleaders deliver wreaths to COVID ambulance crews

Westwood High’s Isabel Rhee earns prestigious Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Award.

SEE PAGE 11

TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON

MASSIVE TAX REFUND? Council seeks facts on ʻVivianoʼ timber sales

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

A nearly 13-acre parcel previously targeted for 73 townhomes at 463 Van Emburgh Ave.—with a development proposal expected in 2021—qualifies for a massive tax deduction due to its following a woodlands management plan for two years that cut its annual tax rate to about $50 annually in 2019 and 2020.

However, should the property be developed, local officials say the landowner will need to repay the property taxes saved under the farmland assessment law.

At Township Attorney Ken Pollerʼs recommendation, the council on Dec. 21 tabled a resolution to refund 463 Van Emburgh Ave. (Tomaron Inc./Viviano) $12,572.51 for its payment of 2020ʼs first two quarterly tax bills. The council tabled the resolution Dec. 7 over concerns

See TAX on page 254

SPREADING JOY: Junior Cardinals cheerleaders Gina Castronova, Emma Claire Readie, Jenna Zotollo, Elorie Roberts, Maya Goldman, Elly DePiero, and Molly McGinty went to ambulance crew members’ homes to deliver wreaths and thanks.

Township rec programs, surprised the Washington Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps last week with gifts of Christmas wreaths: one per home and a larger one for the headquarters door.

Not seven swans a-swimming but rather seven Cardinals a-cheering! Going door to door, Junior Cardinals cheerleaders, whose program has merged those of the Westwood and Washington

PHOTO BY WTVAC

According to WTVAC Life Member Richard Miras, the crews have continued to ride and provide ambulance service throughout the COVID pandemic.”

“It was a very emotionally charged time for our members to

be recognized and thanked by the cheerleaders, who traveled as a group to each of our homes to personally deliver the wreaths.

Each of us had to make a decision whether we would continue

Continued on page 16

BUILD A BEAR

B ck in time...

Friends from Hillsdale and River Vale pooled their talents on Dec. 17 and gave rise to a “CocaCola” snow bear in Hillsdale’s Veterans Park.

The New York Evening World ran an item on Dec. 30, 1893 about fresh burglaries along the New Jersey and New York Railroad line, including at the stations in Westwood and Etna (Emerson).

SEE PAGE 4

SEE PAGE 23

DECEMBER 28, 2020 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

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PASCACK PRESS

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Warm hearts back county veterans

To the editor: AMERICAN LEGION Post 162 of Hillsdale continued its support for the Bergen County veterans backpack program [the Jersey City-based not-for-profit Backpacks For Life] on Dec. 21, with a considerable donation of warm clothing.

Although Bergen County was recognized by the White House for virtually eliminating homelessness in its veterans population and the program was considered a model for the nation to follow, the need to support veterans continues.

In coordination with Rugged thanks to everyone in Emerson Outfitters, 89 Broadway in Park who went the extra mile to spread Ridge, Post 162 acquired a consid- holiday cheer, including but not erable supply of warm clothing, limited to: • The Emerson Recreation including thick hoodies, sweatpants, T-shirts, socks, underwear, gloves, Commission, for hosting the First Annual Deck the Homes contest. and scarves.

The post added knitted wool Every street in town looks extra throws made by a local prayer shawl cheery this year thanks to this effort. ministry.

• The Emerson Elementary According to A.J. Luna, director of Veteran Services for Bergen PTA, for sending the Grinch and County, speaking at the handoff of company around town to collect the clothes, “As winter approaches supplies for our elementary these supplies are desperately need- schools, spreading mischief and merriment along the way. ed by the population they serve.”

• The Emerson Volunteer Fire Post Trustee Phil Langner, who coordinated the project this year, Department, for escorting Santa said, “The strong bond that veterans and Mrs Claus on their annual holshare makes our participation in the iday tour. Over three bitterly cold program rewarding for our mem- nights they ensured every street, no bers, especially this year in the matter how narrow or short, got a visit from these special guests, and midst of the pandemic.”

Thank you to all who contributed to make this effort a sucTOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON cess.

Commander Doug Frank American Legion Post 162

children all over rejoiced.

Emerson is truly the Family Town. Thanks to all who gave of themselves to bring joy to others. I am very proud to live here.

Kate Stutzel Emerson

Hillsdale called out on jail issue

To the editor: RECENT ATTENTION has been brought to Bergen County in response to a monthlong hunger strike undertaken by ICE detainees in the Bergen County Jail, in Hackensack. ICE detainees requested

NOTE: Letter submission deadline is 11 a.m.

Wednesday for the following Monday’s paper.

Publication not guaranteed. Subject to editing.

Email to pascackpress@thepressgroup.net.

that they be released to fight their cases from the outside due to concerns around COVID-19 transmission within the jail.

The hunger strike was also in protest of inhumane conditions that detainees have been subjected to within the jail. Andrea Sáenz, attorney in charge of the New York Immigrant Family Unity Project (NYIFUP) for Brooklyn Defender Services, released a statement concerning this on Dec. 8, stating, “The people we represent have long reported negligent and dangerous conditions in ICE detention, only worsened by the pandemic, including solitary confinement, lack of basic sanitation, and inadequate medical care.

“In recent days, we have heard CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

DPW parking bound for Sherry Field, bank lot

Parking spaces at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church—at a cost of $2,500 per month—will not be needed for DPW vehicles as alternate locations were found, Mayor Peter Calamari reported at the Dec. 21 council meeting.

Such parking became a hot topic in October when the council To the editor: I WOULD LIKE to extend special approved the mayor executing a $60,000 annual parking agreement with OLGC, although he continued since to look for low- or no-cost options.

1978 Several council members cited DRIVING SCHOOL INC. the parking cost and contract provisions that required the township to Lic. # 045-85N snow plow, pave, and maintain the • Highly Respected, Full Service Driving School parking lot and nearby sidewalks as • Prep Lessons, 6 Hour Lessons & Road Tests worrisome.

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Calamari said Dec. 21 that up to six large DPW vehicles, such as garbage trucks and loaders, will be parked on a portion of Sherry Field, which is a permitted use under the stateʼs Green Acres program.

All local parks are subject to Green Acres regulations since state grant funds were accepted for improvements.

Other DPW vehicles will be stored behind Valley Bank, in its parking lot, which was offered at no cost to the township. “We appreciate their kind gesture,” Calamari said.

He said township-owned property at the end of Hudson Avenue will temporarily house two 12 foot by 24 foot residential-looking storage sheds that may remain until a new DPW

building location is found.

He thanked councilman Steven Cascio for suggesting the locationʼs use.

Calamari said another “small piece” of township property will be used to construct a two-bay modular construction garage for DPW vehicle maintenance.

Calamari said officials were still trying to find a local site to accommodate a new DPW facility.

In our letters section on Dec. 21, Calamari pushed back against questions of ethics surrounding the townshipʼs apparent fallback plan for the OLGC property. His father is an OLGC trustee and serves on the church finance committee. The mayor said negotiations were with the Archdiocese of Newark.

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BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

WOODCLIFF LAKE

Despite more than $48,000 approved by the Borough Council in July for site remediation and environmental oversight at Galaxy Gardens—site of a future park— no remediation has been done mostly due to COVID-related staff shortages, said a local official.

Administrator Tom Padilla said the 2.1-acre site, at Woodcliff Avenue and Werimus Road, was to have park designs presented this year, but itʼs now behind schedule.

Officials had been hoping to complete remediation by the end of 2019.

In late July, Padilla said he anticipated soil remediation work due to gasoline contamination to be completed in four weeks.

On Dec. 7, Padilla said the soil remediation was not complet-

ed due to staff Covid-19 outages at the boroughʼs licensed site remediation professional, First Environment.

“They know this is a priority for us” said Padilla. He promised heʼll have weekly updates from First Environment to find out where the work stands.

He told Pascack Press last week, “My concern is the weather will be changing and weʼll segue into some other delays.”

The $48,000 soil remediation cost includes $31,525 to remove and replace 225 tons of soil and $17,100 for site monitoring.

The borough already spent $355,600 on clearing, grading, and remediating the former garden center and gas station property.

At risk due to delays is an approved $500,000 Bergen County open space grant for park development. The funds will be released only when the site has been certified as meeting state

environmental standards, Padilla said.

Mayor Carlos Rendo broke a council tie vote, ultimately 4–3, in February 2018, allowing the $1.65 million site purchase. Residents and some officials opposed the deal in part because because of possible contamination stemming from from prior land uses.

The site was also considered as a location for Valley Chabadʼs synagogue expansion. That effort foundered in part on contamination concerns and municipal efforts to acquire the property.

The borough also applied for a $341,000 county matching grant in July. Padilla said the boroughʼs contribution likely would come from its local Open Space fund, a bond issue, or corporate sponsorships.

Moreover, the borough applied for a $167,000 county park development match grant in July to help pay for design and

architectural services.

If it comes through, the $341,000 county grant could be used for sidewalk installation, a

gazebo, a flagpole, lighting, landscaping, irrigation, monuments, signage, trash receptacles, and benches.

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DECEMBER 28, 2020 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

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Museum’s sale is now open for members

B ck in time...

PASCACK VALLEY

Due to the governorʼs latest executive order limiting indoor gatherings to 10 people or fewer, the Pascack Historical Society has had to change course for its Holiday Boutique and Curio Sale.

For now, the usual sale is being postponed until the spring.

However, because so many donations have come in, the museum is opening up the sale exclusively to its members by appointment in the coming weeks. Time slots are available on Wednesday mornings and Sunday afternoons.

If you are a Pascack Historical Society member, email info@pascackhistoricalsociety.or g to arrange a time to shop (feel free to bring your immediate family, or a friend).

The thousands of sale items include antiques, collectibles, holiday decor, artwork, books, vintage jewelry, handbags (from 1950s to designer), china, small furniture, brand new toys, and so much more.

For those who arenʼt members, now is the perfect time to join. Annual dues start at $30. If you sign up now, your dues will cover the 2021 year. Membership also entitles you to receive the Societyʼs quarterly newsletter, “RELICS,” which is full of local history features.

The Pascack Historical Society is at 19 Ridge Ave., Park Ridge. The museum is open to visitors every Sunday from 1–4 p.m. Admission is free.

For more information, visit pascackhistoricalsociety.org, call (201) 573-0307, and follow the museum on Facebook.

THE WESTWOOD STATION (top) and Etna station (bottom) at the turn of the 20th century. Both stations were built when the railroad first came through the Pascack Valley in 1870. This original Westwood station was made of wood and stood on Broadway on the opposite side of the tracks from the current station. The photo also shows a row of buildings that once stood in what is now Veterans Memorial Park. Etna’s station still stands off Kinderkamack Road, although it now has a brick facade. The borough was renamed Emerson in 1909.

ADVERTISE YOUR SERVICE IN THE SERVICE DIRECTORY IN THE PASCACK PRESS.

THIS WEEK IN LOCAL HISTORY:

inside LETTERS EATS DINING

2 11

LIBRARY CALENDAR 12 HEALTH & WELLNESS 17 HOME IMPROVEMENT 22 REAL ESTATE

23

SERVICES

27

OBITUARIES

30

Burglars make year-end stops in Westwood, Etna

This item appeared in the New York Evening World on Saturday, Dec. 30, 1893.

The previous night, burglars worked their way down the New Jersey and New York Railroad line, hitting the stations in Westwood and Etna (Emerson), among others.

Seven of the New Jersey and New York Railroad stations, between Hillsdale and Hackensack, were visited by burglars last night.

Automatic weighing machines were broken open, the money bags cut off with a knife, and the contents carried away. Ticket cases were broken open, tickets were scattered over the floors and express packages were rifled. The greater part of the money obtained was from the weighing-machines.

The stations broken open were: Central

EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING Serving Emerson, Hillsdale, Montvale, Park Ridge, River Vale, Township of Washington, Westwood 201.664.2105 and Woodcliff Lake FAX 201.664.2109 MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 335 E-MAIL US AT Westwood, N.J. 07675 pascackpress@thepressgroup.net

Avenue, Hackensack; Cherry Hill; River Edge; New Milford; Oradell; Etna; and Westwood. The thieves secured the most booty at Oradell. Besides taking the money from the weighing-machine they took a package that contained a suit of clothes belonging to F.F. Bulkley, and broke open a package of fancy goods belonging to a Mrs. Scott.

William Covert, a brakeman on a freight train, found a box of writing paper and a womanʼs stocking, supposed to have been taken from the package of Mrs. Scott and dropped by the burglars in their hurry.

For the last three years the stations on the lower end of the road have been broken into once a year regularly, and some of them oftener, especially Central Avenue, which has been entered three or four times over the past year.

PASCACK VALLEY’S HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER

Publisher Editor Assistant Editor Art Director Director of Advertising

THE HEADLINE from the Dec. 30, 1893 New York Evening World article about local train station burglaries. Note the antiquated use of the term “slot machine,” which had nothing to do with gambling. The term referred to any coin-operated vending machine—in this case, weighing machines.

John J. DeFina John Snyder Kristin Beuscher Keith J. Harcher George F. Harcher

The articles and opinions printed in Pascack Press are not necessarily those of the publisher. Pascack Press is neither liable nor responsible for typographical errors. This publication contains material developed independently by Pascack Press. It may not be reproduced, in whole or in part.

Pascack Press is published in Westwood and is distributed to every household in our circulation area.

5

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON

Mayor Peter Calamari said on Dec. 21 that he planned to update residents within weeks about possible negotiations and legal options regarding the 3.2-acre tract at 450 Pascack Road.

The property owner, still advertising for commercial interest in the land, has neighbors who have been pressing the council to swoop in while they can.

At the Dec. 21 council meeting, Council President Stacey Feeney noted that “anything thatʼs negotiated behind the scenes cannot be spoken about until some sort of agreement has come.”

Calamari would not confirm whether negotiations with Robert Morris, whose family owns 450 Pascack Road, or developer Nick Tsapatsaris of Lakos Construction, with whom Morris evidently is working, were ongoing.

He said he would have more information in mid-January 2021.

In early December, resident Joseph Scalia offered the governing body four reasons why officials need to “finally act on behalf of its residents” and preserve the mostly wooded private property.

Scalia is one of three Ridge-

wood Boulevard East homeowners pressing the Township Council for action while the land is available.

Earlier this fall, Scalia along with Michael Proto and Brian Sinclair, hired attorney Charles H. Sarlo to represent them to the mayor and council, urging “immediate and affirmative action…to preserve 450 Pascack Road from further development.”

An Oct. 19 email from the residents called on the township to either take the property at fair market value through eminent domain or rezone “a majority” of the tract as open space/recreational zone.

The land abuts Memorial Field.

The council took no action.

Pascack Press has requested a copy of official correspondence related to the matter. The council took to closed session Dec. 7 to hear options on 450 Pascack Road from the town planner and attorney.

Scaliaʼs recent email notes that about two months ago more than 10 families met with local officials to discuss the situation and said his email is “a reminder why 450 Pascack Road is critical for the town today and for tomorrow to preserve from development.”

The email cites four reasons, including “the safety of our children,” with Washington Elementary School next door; the felling of

more than 200 “mature trees”; and related stormwater impacts such as flooding and sediment runoff.

Other issues include possible homes or huge retaining walls overlooking Memorial Field as well as the possibility of future residentsʼ

complaints limiting Memorial Field activities.

“We must preserve 450 Pascack for future needs, expansion of our facilities, school, potential road(s) to decrease traffic on school streets and surrounding roads and

most importantly open space for our children,” Scalia wrote.

He added, “We have many other reasons to support the preservation of this property but CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

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DECEMBER 28, 2020 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

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Students miss movie theater experience but fill the void

BY BEN HOFFMAN OF THE TRAILBLAZER

MONTVALE

For most movie fans, 2020 has been difficult. Theaters have closed, long-awaited releases have been postponed, big-budget movies made for big-screen viewing have gone straight to streaming or pay-per-view platforms, and the smell of fresh buttered popcorn paired with the excitement of seeing a blockbuster on opening day is becoming a faint memory.

Some movie theaters in the Tri-State Area have opened with

safety measures in place—like strict cleaning protocols, mask mandates, social distancing observance, limitations on audience size, and concession bans—the lack of big releases and the fear of being indoors with crowds of strangers seems to have discouraged audiences.

With COVID cases back on the rise, the possibility that some movie theaters will be forced to extend their closures or even shut permanently for financial reasons seems like something out of a horror or science fiction movie.

Recently, Hills students were asked to complete a survey about

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their moviegoing habits and whether or not they miss the (prepandemic) movie theater experience—or if they have found comparable alternatives for screenings.

Of the students who responded, 15.3% attended movies regularly (pre-pandemic), 57.6% said they visited theaters sometimes, 25.4% said they went to the movies rarely, and 1.7% said they watched movies in theaters never.

When asked what they most missed about going to the movie theaters, the overwhelming majority of respondents said they missed “the whole experience: the darkness, the big screen, the audience, the food, the trailers, the ʻescape.ʼ” Sophomore Josh Gura explained, “I think that seeing movies in the theater is much more fun than at home. Itʼs cool to feel like youʼre seeing a hit movie before anyone else has seen it on TV. Itʼs still nice that movies are coming out on streaming services in quarantine this year, but the experience in the theater is much more enjoyable.”

Typically, theaters are given 75 days to show a film before it debuts on a streaming service.

Sending movies straight to streaming may help studios financially, but it affects the moviegoing experience for fans.

Sophomore Jack Torrente said he would rather watch a new movie in a theater than on his couch.

“I feel more connected to the movie in a movie theater. But I feel because of the circumstances we are facing at the moment streaming services are a good middle ground,” he said.

When theaters closed at the beginning of the pandemic, the most popular alternatives for respondentsʼ movie-watching

were streaming services: 91.5% of the respondents relied on streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video, only 8.5% relied on cable/satellite TV, and none relied on drive-in theaters.

Of those who did attend drive-in movies, the majority noted that the movie was a reshowing of an older release.

Sophomore Jordana Brief was one of the few who attended a drive-in movie.

“I thought it was an adaptive change to viewing movies. I liked the idea and concept. However, due to the delay in new movies coming out, the movie I was at was Grease and the aspect I enjoy the most when going to the movie theaters is viewing new movies,” Brief said.

Can streaming services sustain the momentum?

Streaming services and cable/satellite TV have definitely stepped up to fill the void left by darkened movie theaters, but itʼs unclear whether or not they can replace them.

The Hills students who said they relied on streaming services and cable/satellite TV for new releases were asked if they think the online and streaming platforms will run out of content as COVID cases rise again.

An overwhelming 69.5% of students said, “No, if organizations like the NBA can create a safe bubble, movie studios should be able to do the same.”

30.5% said, “Yes, it is too difficult to keep a movie set COVIDfree.”

Movie studios are trying their best to move forward with new (pre-pandemic) projects and have delayed others for theatrical release, but time is money.

Movies such as The Batman

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and Jurassic World: Dominion tried to film with expensive and strict COVID protocols in place, but were still affected by positive cases on set. While The Batman is still in production, Jurassic World: Dominion has finished filming. Both releases have been postponed and it will be interesting to see if enough movie theaters will be open in time to show to big audiences or if the movies will go straight to streaming.

Torrente added that “A lot of movie studios are saying that they are focusing their revenue into streaming services to make back some of the money theyʼve lost by not showing films in theaters.”

Christopher Nolanʼs longawaited big-budget movie Tenet was originally delayed for theaters but then was only able to open in a limited number of them in the U.S. It failed to meet its original projections, losing a ton of money.

The movie was finally released to home screens earlier this month, but only via Blu-ray and on-demand platforms. The hope is that it will follow to a streaming service soon.

Can we hope for movie theaters to fully open and return to business as usual?

According to Pamela McClintock writing for hollywoodreporter.com, nearly 30% of U.S. consumers leading Hollywood marketing and research firm NRG surveyed said they didnʼt plan to return to the movies until there was a vaccine.

Hills students seem to share the feeling. When asked if they would go to a theater that was currently open (with safety measures in place), only 2.4% said, “Yes, without hesitation.”

The larger 33.9% said “No, Iʼm not comfortable with the idea,” while 27.1% responded that they would only go “for a movie Iʼm excited to see.”

One respondent went as far to say, “No, because it is unsafe to be in a room with many people who could be infected.” Another said, “Itʼs torture to sit and have a mask on for two hours when you can sit at home without one and watch [a movie].”

Media analyst Paul Dergarabedian told McClintock for another piece in the same outlet, “COVID-19 has presented a modern-era challenge unlike no other and weathering this storm will be no easy task, but if history tells us anything itʼs that the movie theater experience is an essential component of the entertainment ecosystem and thus will find a way to survive.”

On Dec. 3, Warner Bros. made an unexpected move and announced that the studio would CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

7

WESTWOOD

Mayor Arroyo lauds ‘hub’ town’s 2020 hero: ‘You’ 2020 holiday season of “comfort and joy” with fear and trepidation.

COVID-19 was the biological ARROYO black cloud that relentlessly shadowed our spirit.

The season when we normally come together to eat, drink, and be merry was riven by rising COVID counts and the necessity to mask, cleanse, and be separate.

Our shared, unifying traditions were put on hold, abbreviated, or digitized and sterilized for virtual consumption. (A virtual hug or remote exchanges of “peace be with you” leave much to be desired.)

Between the daily counts, we watched on the news as in nearby New York City, tradition after tradi-

tion was either canceled or deconstructed beyond recognition: The 4th of July fireworks were canceled. The reminiscent, and historically insistent, twin towers of light were almost abandoned this Sept. 11. The live Macyʼs Thanksgiving Day Parade was canceled and the day itself was reduced to a tightly managed head count: the 10person-to-a-home maximum, potentially putting “the kiddie table” outside in the driveway. Neither Hanukkah nor Christmas, nor New Yearʼs Eve celebrations would be spared the makeover of misery that is COVID-19ʼs version of “cancel culture.”

Christmas trees are supposed to be as brides: each one beautiful in its own way. But the tree delivered to Rockefeller Center this year looked like a bride whose wedding day hair was done by PSEG tree trimmers! And once decorated, it

Cutting Zone The

45

could only be viewed up close by appointment, in limited blocks of time: tick-tock goes the COVID clock, shredding joy and deforming traditions.

But rather than be disheartened about this past year I urge you to look a bit closer to home and to remember what the people, and volunteers, of Westwood did when handed the toxic lemon that is COVID-19: You got busy.

In April, when the virus kept the Easter Bunny in its hutch, and the annual egg hunt in Veterans Memorial Park was canceled due to pandemic protocols, you took the Easter Bunny on a socially distanced road trip through every part of town. Our stressed-out parents—and cooped up childrenenjoyed a moment of serendipity in the midst of our COVID chaos.

When Memorial Dayʼs annual parade down Westwood Avenue

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businesses gave back to our community with countless meals to families in need and frontline heroes.

Boots and Badges got done as well, in early September instead of April, and the benefit tournament actually made more money for Lebanon Baptist Church this year—when many of us were financially stressed—than in past years during “good times.”

When COVID-19 restrictions killed the Ambulance Corpsʼ annual carnival fundraiser, you switched gears and sponsored drive-in movie nights: The “novel” coronavirus, stiff-armed by an iconic “old school” entertainment!

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(our own modest “Canyon of Heroes”) would violate the governorʼs orders limiting an outdoor eventʼs maximum capacity, our veterans held a small wreath ceremony at the War Memorial.

Afterward, you caravaned them throughout town. They received well-deserved cheers from Westwood residents of all ages, some who mightnʼt otherwise have made it to our traditional parade.

And when our businesses were drowning under the fiscal pressure of the pandemic, you supported them and breathed life into the downtown with performers, entertaining on every street corner.

You willed the downtown out of its COVID coma with Arts on the Avenues. Meanwhile, those same

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Should you replace your tooth with a dental implant or not? How do you answer that question?

Should you replace your tooth with a dental implant or not? How do you answer that question?

You should replace your PRIYU GUPTA, DDS, tooth with a WESTWOOD dental implant PERIODONTICS if no other

treatment option can save your tooth. To replace your tooth should be the last option considered. A dental implant is a replacement option, not a treatment option.

I am Dr. Priyu Gupta, Board Certified Periodontist and Dental Implant Surgeon. A periodontist is a dental implant surgeon specializing in the gum and bone, the supporting structures of your teeth. A periodontist is a dental surgeon, not

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an oral surgeon.

An oral surgeon is vastly trained outside of the oral cavity.

They can perform extensive procedures like jaw reconstructions and even treat oral cancer. A periodontist is a surgeon of the teeth and only trained to save them or replace them with dental implants. My specialty, periodontics, is more specific to saving teeth and dental implant therapy.

During my surgical training, the question, “Should we save the tooth or replace with an implant?” was always asked of me. My professorsʼ intent was to challenge my thinking and ability to grow as a periodontist. We were taught that a dental implant is the last resort to therapy when all other options have

been considered.

During training to be a periodontist, we are taught many forms of therapy to salvage natural teeth suffering from gum and bone diseases. That is the purpose of a periodontist.

There are several options for managing and maintaining declining teeth. For instance, lost gum and bone on teeth can be regenerated to make them stronger. Or, if the teeth have gotten loose, a periodontist can stabilize the occlusion and control disease to delay tooth loss.

This is the salient difference between an oral surgeon and a periodontist.

Periodontists are the only specialists recognized by the American

Dental Association (ADA) as a dental implant surgeon. Many specialties and even general dentists have incorporated this within the services they provide, but only periodontists have the formal education and training.

Most of my practice is dental implant surgery, and the remaining is focused on surgical therapy to save teeth. Before you opt for replacement, it is best to get an opinion from a periodontal surgeon who may be able to save your natural teeth.

For more information, call (201) 664-3023, visit us at 354 Old Hook Road #201 in Westwood, or visit WestwoodPeriodontics.com.

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K, pre-k registration for public schools

Registration for Emerson prekindergarten and kindergarten children who expect to enter school in September 2021 will be held online Feb. 1–5. by Onsite registration, appointment only, will be held on

Thursday, Feb. 4 from 9 to 11 a.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Memorial School.

To be eligible for pre-kindergarten, a child must be 4 on or before Oct. 1, 2021. For kindergarten, a child must be 5 on or

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

before Oct. 1, 2021.

Emerson Public Schools enjoys a full-day kindergarten program. Depending on registration, a full-day tuition-based pre-K program may be offered.

For registration information and materials, visit http://memorial.emersonschools.org.

Click Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten Registration. Residents unable to register online may call Mrs. Berg at Memorial Elementary School at (201) 599-7580.

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DECEMBER 28, 2020 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

Suspect in thefts flees stop; police seek leads

DECEMBER 28, 2020 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

10 HILLSDALE

The Hillsdale Police Department on Dec. 22 announced the ongoing investigation into an eluding incident that occurred on Dec. 15.

On this date, the Hillsdale Police Department received a “be on the lookout” (BOLO) from nearby Tri-Boro dispatch in reference to an African American male operating a dark Ford Explorer bearing a Florida registration that was just involved in several thefts from motor vehicles in Woodcliff Lake.

A short while later a Hillsdale police officer located that vehicle traveling south on Kinderkamack Road at a high rate of speed. The officer conducted a motor vehicle stop. As the officer approached the vehicle, the suspect accelerated and fled from the stop.

The suspect vehicle was involved in two crashes and continued to drive recklessly while fleeing the area. No injuries to motorists were reported.

As a result of the investigation, a warrant for eluding in the

second degree has been issued for Khalil D. Pass, 26. Anyone with further information is asked to contact the Hillsdale Police Detective Bureau, (201) 664-4200 ext 1575.

The Hillsdale Police Department thanks the Fort Lauderdale Police Department for its assistance and remind all to lock your vehicles and report suspicious activity to law enforcement.

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EMERSON

CONGRATULATIONS TO the first-, second-, and third-place winners of the Emerson Recreation Commission’s first annual Deck the Homes competition. Pictured is Stella Fullam, for the Fullam family, first place winners, showing off a spectacular 72 Jefferson Ave. Second place was awarded to 111 Dyer Ave. Third place went to 67 Lexington Ave. There were five honorable mentions: 87 Dorchester Road, 152 Pascack Ave., 256 Birch St., 129 Palisade Ave., and 209 Colonial Road.

The commission told Pascack Press that it had 52 participants, exceeding expectations. “We hope to see many more next year,” said presiding officer Paul Coombes.

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Isabel Rhee, one to watch, earns Eisenhower Leadership Award

Congratulations to township resident Isabel Rhee, attending Westwood Regional High School, who was selected this year for the prestigious Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Award, sponsored by the West Point Society of New Jersey.

This award is for a student who exhibits exceptional performance in academics, athletics, community service, good citizenship, and leadership We reached out to school principal Frank Connelly for a summary of Isabelʼs accomplishments. What he sent back is comprehensive and wonderful: Unlike most Korean children, Isabel never attended a Korean school or grew up speaking Korean in her household, so she could never have any type of lasting conversation with her grandparents.

This led her to learn and study the Korean language by herself; by watching Korean shows, listening to Korean music, and taking advantage of free online resources, she has become proficient in Korean comprehension and conversation.

She also never attended SAT tutoring, preferring to prepare for the SAT by herself. Her drive to succeed is evident in everything that Isabel does. She has worked diligently in a demanding academic program and is enjoying the challenges in her five advanced placement classes and one honors class.

Her teachers find her to be a positive role model in the classroom, always contributing to discussions and helping her classmates. Sheʼs an AP Scholar with excellent time-

management skills.

A member of the National Honor Society and the English, history, and math honor societies, Isabel is the co-president of the Science Honor Society, an officer of the Environmental Club, assistant coach of her synchronized swimming team, and a leader of her churchʼs youth group.

In the Science Honor Society, she prepares monthly meetings and is gearing up to lead a discussion group.

Isabel has been a competitive synchronized swimmer for the past eight years. She has qualified for the Junior Olympics with her team for the past two years, and just last year her team qualified for nationals (however, due to the pandemic, the competition was postponed indefinitely).

Isabel also had the opportunity to train at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid for a week with other girls in the Northeast.

She is the New Jersey Association Senior Representative, which means that she was voted by her state to attend the USA Swimming Convention in St. Louis (2019) as well as the Virtual Convention in 2020. Only one representative is chosen to represent the state of New Jersey and she was able to vote on official issues as the selected athlete.

Isabel also received the Scholar Athlete Award, which recognizes competitive swimmers with high GPAs. Volunteering her time in her church is very important to Isabel.

During the summer of 2019 she

went on a mission trip with her church to Maneadero, Mexico, where she ran vacation bible study programs for young children and helped the community in many other areas.

Isabel possesses innate intelligence, maturity, and natural leadership ability so seldom seen in students her age.

The West Point Society of New Jersey sponsors a number of high schools throughout New Jersey.

Each year, these high schools select a high school junior who exhibits exceptional performance and potential in the areas of academics, athletics, community service, good citi-

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zenship, and leadership.

Students selected to receive this award are presented an individual plaque and a letter of recognition.

Presentation is made by a member of the West Point Society of New Jersey during an awards ceremony at the high school.

The recipient, as well as his or her family and guidance counselor, are invited to West Point for a Leadership Awards Recognition Day cosponsored by the West Point Parents Club and the West Point Society of New Jersey.

The society lists the following past winners from Westwood Regional High School: 2001 John Ten Hoeve 2002 Daniel Jarem 2003 Jessica M. Bochner 2004 Alexandra K. Glaser 2005 Walter J. Joseph 2006 John M. Garland 2007 Christopher B. Murphy 2008 Tara A. Keegan 2009 Gabriel Mena 2010 Warren Saunders 2011 Evan McLaughlin 2012 Amanda Pirola 2013 Jessica Potestivo 2014 Katherine Kalish 2015 Alina Kalfaian — Staff report

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LIBRARY CALENDAR : VIRTUAL PROGRAMS THIS WEEK

HOLIDAY

EMERSON 20 Palisade Ave. (201) 261-5604 emersonlibrary.org • Magical Melodies meets on Monday, Dec. 28, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., on Facebook Live. Highenergy songs, dancing, and instruments for ages 2–4.

• Baby & Me is on Facebook Tuesday, Dec. 29 at 11:30 a.m. An introduction to songs, dance and finger plays with stuffed animals and rhymes. Newborn to 2.

MONTVALE 12 Mercedes Drive, Suite 100 (201) 391-5090 montvalelibrarynj.org • Dance in the new year at the Montvale Library! There will be a virtual BollyFit Class for adults Tuesday, Jan. 5 from 7 to 7:30 p.m.

Register online; Zoom link will be emailed on the day of the event.

• Members of the True Crime Book Club are reading “Iʼll Be Gone in the Dark” by Michelle McNamara for their next meeting, Thursday, Jan. 14 from 7 to 8 p.m.

The group discusses a new true crime title every month. New members welcome. Register online.

Classics for Kids on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Visit the libraryʼs Facebook for the best classic books in kid-friendly versions.

• Kailey Levinson presents the second session of her two-part program, Happy, Healthy Kids, live on the libraryʼs Facebook (Park Ridge Public Library-NJ) on Wednesday, Dec. 30, from 4 to 4:30 p.m. Kailey will make awesome snacks, get the kids moving with Zumba, relax and unwind with mindfulness exercises and more.

• Book It Club with Miss Eileen is on Facebook Live Saturday, Jan. 2 from 10 to 10:30 a.m.

Stories, science and more geared towards kids in primary grades.

• Join Andrea for her next session of Yoga For Everyone on Facebook Live. All ages and yoga abilities are invited to pull up in front of the screen for some yoga.

Find Andrea live on the libraryʼs Facebook page on Monday, Jan. 4 at 6:30 p.m.

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by Lauren Tarshis. Copies available at the front desk or through Libby as an eBook. Registration is required; sign up online.

TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON 144 Woodfield Road (201) 664-4586 twpofwashingtonpl.org

• Winter Story Times start Jan. 5 and will be posted on Facebook, YouTube, and the libraryʼs website. Music, reading, puppets and flannel board stories will educate and entertain. Register online to pick up a storytime activity bag.

Infants/toddlers meet Fridays at 10 a.m. Preschoolers meet Tuesdays at 10 a.m.

• PJ Story Time is the first Wednesday of the month beginning Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. Children of all ages are invited to hear calming bedtime stories and rhymes via Facebook Live. Visit the libraryʼs website to submit your childʼs wish so it can be includ-

Festival of lights

CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

RIVER VALE 412 Rivervale Road (201) 391-2323 rivervalelibrary.org PARK RIDGE • River Vale Readers Book Club (grades 2–3) will meet on 51 Park Ave. Zoom Tuesday, Jan. 5 from 4 to (201) 391-5151 4:30 p.m. to discuss “I Survived: parkridge.bccls.org • Miss Renee Reads the The Sinking of the Titanic, 1912”

Photo courtesy Valley Chabad CTeen

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VALLEY CHABAD CTEEN youth group gathered under a tent on Sunday, Dec. 13, for their annual teen Chanukah celebration. This year’s event was limited in numbers due to Covid safety, but Chanukah spirit was in full form. The teens held a donut decorating contest and a Chanukah auction. Rabbi Yosef Orenstein, director of the Valley Chabad Teen Leadership Initiative, shared an uplifting holiday message with the teens. Valley Chabad Teen Leadership Initiative offers a variety of social, educational, and community service opportunities to local Jewish teens at no cost. It is open throughout the Pascack Valley and Saddle River communities and no affiliation is necessary. For more information, visit valleychabadteens.com or call (201) 476-0157.

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release several of its upcoming movies simultaneously on HBO Max and in theaters that are open.

After a month, the movies will remain in theaters but will be removed from the streaming service. The experiment will run for

FROM PAGE 6

one year.

Julia Alexander, writing for The Verge, quotes Warner Bros.

CEO Ann Sarnoff saying, “Weʼre living in unprecedented times which call for creative solutions, including this new initiative… No one wants films back on the big screen more than we do. We know

RIVER VALE

JEFFREY ROBERTS NABS ACADEMIC BIG-10 HONORS

Jeffrey Roberts of River Vale one of more than 80 University of Iowa student-athletes to have been named to the 2020 Big Ten Fall Academic All-Conference team.

The list includes student-athletes from Iowaʼs menʼs cross country, womenʼs cross country, field hockey, football, womenʼs soccer, and volleyball teams.

Roberts is a member of Iowaʼs menʼs cross county team and is majoring in marketing.

The Big Ten Conference recognized 1,601 fall sports athletes.

The list included 124 field hockey players, 582 football players, 139 menʼs and 222 womenʼs cross country runners, 139 menʼs and 260 womenʼs soccer student-athletes and 135 volleyball players.

To be eligible for Academic All-Big Ten selection, students must be on a varsity team, as verified by being on the official squad list as of Nov. 1 for fall sports, who have been enrolled full time at the institution for a minimum of 12 months and carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.

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new content is the lifeblood of theatrical exhibition, but we have to balance this with the reality that most theaters in the U.S. will likely operate at reduced capacity throughout 2021.”

The announcement upset some industry insiders who worry about the long-term effects of such a big decision. Others are

cautiously optimistic. With vaccines now being administered, theater owners and film buffs are hanging onto hope that the moviegoing experience will feel normal again in the near future.

Editorʼs note: This feature originally appeared as “Hills students miss the movie theater expe-

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DINING

RUOCCO VETOES REDEVELOPMENT; OVERRIDE VOTE SET FOR DEC. 30

BY JOHN SNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS

HILLSDALE

As he suggested he might after the controversial ordinance passed Dec. 8, Mayor John Ruoc-

co has vetoed several parts of Ordinance 20-15, adopting the Patterson Street Redevelopment Plan, warning the measure could add 1,100 to 1,700 residents and “unreasonably strain” borough services, wiping out any resultant financial gain.

The mayor and council will hold a special public meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, Dec. 30 at 6:30 p.m. to override the veto, in whole or part. (See the borough website for meeting login credentials.)

In a memo to the borough

clerk and forwarded to Pascack Press on the afternoon of Dec. 18, Ruocco said, “I am fully aware of and support the attainment of benefits that adopting a Redevelopment Plan might bring to the Borough of Hillsdale. Among those is the fulfillment of certain terms of our Affordable Housing Settlement Agreement dated Sept. 27, 2017, executed on Oct. 10, 2017, and subsequently approved by the courts on Feb. 12, 2018.”

He said, “That agreement required the Borough to adopt a Redevelopment Plan for the Patterson Street industrial area within three years of the court approval. The Redevelopment Plan was to permit a variety of uses, including inclusionary housing at a maximum density of 28 units to the acre.”

However, he said, Ordinance 20-15—which passed, 5–1, with Ruocco ally Zoltán Horváth in the minority—“permits the council to award density/height bonuses far in excess of that amount, potentially resulting in 60 units to the acre and buildings of 64 feet in height, and five stories.”

Ruocco said, “I veto all parts

of the ordinance that permit such bonus densities on the grounds that it would result in overdevelopment to the community, allowing for approximately 561 apartment units. This potentially translates into an additional 1,100 to 1,700 new residents or about a 10% to 16% increase in the Boroughʼs population.”

Predicting an unreasonable strain on services, Ruocco said “I do not believe that it would be in Hillsdaleʼs best interest to agree to such density/height bonuses in future negotiations with potential developers in exchange for ʻcommunity benefits.ʼ The latter can be achieved in more straightforward and less harmful ways.”

He added, “I believe that permitting such density/height bonuses is imprudent given how it might affect future affordable housing negotiations in 2025, and in view of the fact that neighboring towns have not had to agree to such terms with developers in satisfying their own affordable housing and/or redevelopment efforts.”

Ruocco said his veto further reflects “the lack of cost/benefit CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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Contest gingerbread houses delight

Congratulations to the winners of the boroughʟs gingerbread house competition. Each is a world of wonder. • First place: Back to the Future, Figueredo family. • Second place: Joey Tedesco, 2 1⠄ 2 years old. • Third place: WCL Train Station, DeVito family.

Elizabeth A. Calderone, director of Communications and Recreation, told Pascack Press on Dec. 22, “We had 20 entries! And they were all super. It wasnĘźt easy deciding who was the winner! It was all about bringing some kind of normalcy to the children.â€?

Calderone was eager to share the story of the entry submitted by the Krazit family. A note read: “A number of years ago, I attended a craft fair in Demarest

DECEMBER 28, 2020 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

and I met a woman who made gingerbread houses. I kept her business card and I gave her a call a few weeks before Christmas and asked if she could make me one. “She said that she was working on an really big order from Chuck Schumer for individual gingerbread houses for all members of Congress! She didnĘźt think she could make me one that year. “Well, lo and behold, she called me the week before that Christmas and asked if I still wanted one. I couldnĘźt believe she wanted to make another gingerbread house. I said sure! “She came to my house and I showed her one that I had cut out of magazine. She said, Oh, IĘźm not going to make that one, I want to make your house! “So, she took pictures of all

four sides of our home and came back with this house on Christmas Eve. ItĘźs a non-edible gingerbread

house. We take it out every year.

You might recognize it. We are located across the street from

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16

$45K Master Plan update vote moved to Jan. 6

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

WOODCLIFF LAKE

A final vote on a $45,000 resolution to update the boroughʼs Master Plan will likely occur at the boroughʼs reorganization meeting, after Mayor Carlos Rendo postponed a vote due to the absence of a council member at the Dec. 21 meeting.

Administrator Tom Padilla said the likely date for a Master Plan vote was Jan. 6, 2021 and noted residents will have another chance to provide comment at the Sine Die council session, followed by the reorganization when newcomers Josephine Higgins and Richard Schnoll, both Democrats, will be sworn in.

A Dec. 21 public comment session lasted about 10 minutes with two residents requesting the vote to be postponed and one urging its passage. Councilwoman Angela Hayes was absent Dec. 21.

Resident and Zoning Board Vice Chair Robin Malley said there were “many misconceptions” about what an updated Master Plan would mean and said it will not allow developers to get what they want. “That will be the exact opposite of what will happen.”

She said the guidelines in an updated Master Plan will benefit the borough, and that all stakeholders including residents, mayor and council, Planning and Zoning boards, will be able to make suggestions for areas around town.

She said the borough is more than just the Chestnut Ridge Road

and Broadway corridors. She said having an comprehensive Master Plan may help prevent future lawsuits from developers due to an outdated plan.

“Unfortunately, it canʼt be business as usual… Letʼs try to control our destiny. We need to move forward with updating the Master Plan now,” Malley said.

Resident Gwenn Levine asked for a couple months delay in voting on an update to allow more people to become aware of the issue.

She said she wanted to advocate for retaining single-family homes on the East Side and noted the Broadway sidewalk is a popular walking and jogging place. She noted traffic, the future of 188 Broadwayʼs rejected plan to construct a 60-unit, two-building apartment complex (now being appealed), were other concerns.

She asked that her concerns be noted prior to any council vote.

“This would mean a great deal to me and many other East Side residents,” Levine said.

On Dec. 7, the proposed Master Plan update faced criticism over being rushed, plus allegations that the update was being done to appease some potential developer, which offended Rendo, a Republican, and especially Councilwoman Jacqueline Gadaleta, a Democrat.

Rendo broke a 3–3 tie Dec. 7 to introduce the Master Plan update resolution after Democratic councilman Craig Marson and Gadaleta exchanged words about Marsonʼs negative remarks about the need for an update.

Voting for the update were

Rendo, Democrat Nancy Gross, Republican Steven Falanga and Gadaleta. Opposing the introduction were Marson, and Democrats Angela Hayes and Brian Singleton. Gross and Singleton, both lame ducks, voted yes and no, respectively.

The $45,000 update will be paid for by the borough over five years. Rendo had emphasized that the public will have multiple opportunities for input and com-

ment over 6–12 months as a comprehensive Master Plan review and update is completed.

If approved, the update will be done by borough planner Richard Preiss, part of Phillips, Preiss, Grygiel, Lehenny and Hughes LLC. The resolution notes a recent Master Plan reexamination did not address issues related to affordable housing, Broadway and Chestnut Ridge/Tice Boulevard

corridors, redevelopment, large office complexes, nor constitutional issues related to religious land use or zoning ordinance changes.

It says, “In order to address the land use issues in the borough and encourage certain types of developments in order to maintain the character of a neighborhood, it is necessary to undertake a review of the existing Master Plan and zoning ordinances.”

analysis included in the Plan or in any accompanying documentation that would inform the residents on the effects of... overdevelopment.”

In his note to Pascack Press, Ruocco said, “Please note that the veto only applies to those portions of the Plan that allude to and/or permit the density/height bonuses.” He notified the clerk of his specific objections in the language of the ordinance.

In the wake of the measureʼs second, and final, vote, Ruocco told Pascack Press, “Obviously, Iʼm not pleased,” and said he was considering not signing it. When asked if he had made a decision

on a veto, he said, “Decisions of this sort should be made carefully and with time.”

Also on Dec. 8, Councilman Frank Pizzella, who has for a long time championed redevelopment in the area, lashed out at Ruocco following the mayorʼs scathing takedown of the ultimate plan.

Bonus densities are not a foregone conclusion in negotiations, Pizzella has said, and the plan ties granting of such bonuses to the developer providing a community benefit such as a community center, park, open space, or municipal improvement.

Ruocco said such capital expenses are better financed by a

bond issue, where officials may monitor construction.

Special redevelopment counsel Joseph Bauman said it would take at least a year before it was likely any developer would come forward and be approved.

Moreover, he said, for the plan to transform the area into an aesthetically pleasing and mostly residential mixed-use or congregate living zone with uses such as assisted living, it could take up to a decade or more.

For more, see staff writer Michael Olohanʼs close reporting on the issue, including “ʻNot Pleasedʼ vs. ʻGenuinely Happyʼ on Hillsdale Redevelopment Plan,” Dec. 21, 2020.

to volunteer at our own risk of becoming infected and it has been a stressful but rewarding time since March,” he said.

He added, “The community response with thanks and lawn

signs and waves as the ambulance makes its way through the streets has been great. Many of our fund drive donation envelopes included personal notes of thanks. We are humbled by the response.”

Desserie Morgan, one of the coordinators of the cheer pro-

gram—and a squad mom—said “I am extremely proud of the girlsʼ resiliency during a very challenging time this year. I love the energy they showed; they were real spirit leaders through this. They were super positive and Iʼm very proud of them.”

Veto: Special meeting Dec. 30 FROM PAGE 14

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17

THE SAVVY SENIOR: Is Social Security Income Taxable?

Dear S a v v y Senior, I understand that a portion of my Social Security benefits may be taxable when I retire. Can you tell me how to

calculate this?

— Ready to Retire

BY JIM MILLER

Dear Ready, Whether or not youʼll be required to pay federal income tax on your Social Security benefits will depend on your income and filing status. About 35% of Social Security recipients have total incomes high enough to trigger federal income tax on their benefits.

To figure out if your benefits will be taxable, youʼll need to add up all of your “provisional income,” which includes wages, taxable and non-taxable interest, dividends, pensions and taxable retirement-plan distributions, selfemployment, and other taxable income, plus half your annual Social Security benefits, minus certain deductions used in figuring your adjusted gross income.

How to Calculate To help you with the calculations, get a copy of IRS Publication 915 “Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits,” which provides detailed instructions and worksheets. You can download it at IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p915.pdf or call the IRS at 800-829-3676 and ask them to mail you a free copy.

After you do the calculations, the IRS says that if youʼre single and your total income from all of the listed sources is: • Less than $25,000, your Social Security will not be subject to federal income tax.

• Between $25,000 and $34,000, up to 50 percent of your Social Security benefits will be

taxed at your regular income-tax rate.

• More than $34,000, up to 85% of your benefits will be taxed.

If youʼre married and filing jointly and the total from all sources is: • Less than $32,000, your Social Security wonʼt be taxed.

• Between $32,000 and $44,000, up to half of your Social Security benefits will be taxed.

• More than $44,000, up to 85% of your benefits will be taxed.

If youʼre married and file a separate return, you probably will pay taxes on your benefits.

To limit potential taxes on your benefits, youʼll need to be cautious when taking distributions from retirement accounts or other sources.

In addition to triggering ordinary income tax, a distribution that significantly raises your gross income can bump the proportion of your Social Security benefits subject to taxes.

How to File If you find that part of your Social Security benefits will be taxable, youʼll need to file using Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR. You also need to know that if you do owe taxes, youʼll need to make quarterly estimated tax payments to the IRS, or you can choose to have it automatically withheld from your benefits.

To have it withheld, youʼll need to complete IRS Form W-4V, Voluntary Withholding Request (IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4v.pdf), and file it with your local Social Security office. You can choose to have 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22% of your total benefit payment withheld. If you subsequently decide you donʼt want the taxes withheld, you can file another W-4V to stop the withholding.

If you have additional questions on taxable Social Security benefits call the IRS help line at

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Health, Wellness &Fitness Guide

DECEMBER 28, 2020 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

18

Health, Wellness &Fitness Guide ADVERTISER CONTENT

DR. KAPLAN: ‘My views on Covid-19 and keeping healthy’

Many people are confused about coronavirus because there is a lot of information coming from different sources and it is hard to decipher DR. ERIC KAPLAN, whose recomKAPLAN BRAIN & mendations are BODY best. First of all, listen to the advice of your doctor or healthcare provider over the opinions of the news or the guidelines of the government. Your health care provider is more likely to give you the best feedback you need to make informed decisions.

Another reason we are getting so many conflicting reports regarding Covid-19 is because it is a new virus, and it will take years before we really understand how this virus works and how it originated. Therefore, I am going to tell you about this coronavirus, but also review how to avoid getting sick from any other type of virus, as well. First of all, the reason this virus is called Covid-19 is because it is a coronavirus that was discovered in 2019. However, there are many coronaviruses and probably thousands of other viruses that have lived in our bodies for years without you even knowing about it because your immune system keeps them in check and the news does not report about it every day.

In fact, you have already been exposed to coronavirus before if you ever had a common cold. Anyone of these coronaviruses, including Covid-19, becomes a problem when the immune system is weak, thus allowing viruses to take advantage and cause bodily harm.

Unfortunately right now, everyone is looking how to avoid

the virus by figuring out ways to prevent it from entering your body, such as social distancing, wearing a mask and gloves, and staying at home. My contention with this line of thinking is that you cannot hide from viruses because they are in your body right now.

You have to have a strong immune system and be healthy so that when you do encounter a new virus, you can fight it off without the help of medications, antibacterial soaps, or lotions. If you are using a lot of antibacterial products, you will end up killing good microbes such as bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, that act as a defense system to keep out the bad stuff, absorb nutrients, and maintain a strong immune system.

It is better to get some exposure to bacteria and viruses so you can make your immune stronger rather than trying to avoid any type of exposure. If you try to hide from viruses and avoid bacteria, you will weaken your immune system due to lack of use, as well as create resistant superbugs and superviruses that medication cannot treat.

I do agree you can help reduce transmission of this virus by washing your hands with soap and water, as well as avoid touching your face, but we have to relax with all of the lysols, bleaches and products that have known toxins in the ingredients.

Because it is impossible to hide from viruses and bacteria, you cannot quarantine yourself now and expect that in a few weeks the coronavirus will no longer be here.

If you have not already been exposed to Covid-19, you soon will be as the country is starting to open up now. It is imperative that if you have a fever and are feeling sick and are coughing and sneez-

ing, stay at home to protect the rest of us.

However if you are healthy, instead of staying inside your home living in fear, I advise you to make your body strong and improve your health, so that when you do get exposed, your immune system can handle it and fight it off appropriately.

We do not need to live in fear.

If you are in fear, you will increase cortisol, which is the stress hormone. As a result of the increase in stress, your immune system will become suppressed and viruses are able to thrive and cause more harm to your body.

In addition, if you just stay inside your house hiding from the virus, that means you are not going outside, breathing oxygen, and exposing your skin to the sunlight.

Four of the best defenses against coronavirus are the sunlight, vitamin D, air, and oxygen.

Unfortunately, most people are deficient in vitamin D. If you have current blood work, take a look at it right now. When analyzing blood work, it is important to look at the different ranges or scales.

In addition, most Americans have adopted a very unhealthy lifestyle that consists of a poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, poor sleep, lack of water, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and high stress levels.

Therefore, when you receive blood work, they are comparing you to a bunch of sick Americans, most of whom have heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, and lung disease. So when the blood work comes back and they tell you everything is normal, they are really telling you that you are like a typical unhealthy American.

When looking at blood work, it is recommended to use the function-

al medicine scale instead of what most labs use as the normal scale.

For example, in reference to vitamin D, most laboratories will state that any levels above 25 to 30 ng/mL are normal. However according to many functional medicine doctors, a healthy level would be around 60 ng/mL. If your vitamin D levels are high, your immune system will function better and you have a better chance of not getting sick from coronavirus or other viruses.

Call my office if you would like a FREE bottle of vitamin D as a Christmas present from us to you!

Another way people are trying to hide from the virus besides staying inside their homes, is wearing surgical masks. When doctors and nurses wear masks and PPE in hospitals, it protects the patient who is getting the surgery done by keeping the environment sterile. The masks will not prevent you from getting coronavirus, in fact, it might make things worse because it gives you a false sense of security. People who wear the masks end up touching their face a lot more which can also be risky. Some studies have shown coronavirus can live on a mask for eight days.

Doctors are recommended to change masks every 90 minutes in sterile environments so we need to clean our masks more frequently to prevent transmission.

In addition, if you are wearing a mask, it may result in you breathing in less oxygen and more carbon dioxide. Consequently, this will create a more acidic environment and viruses thrive in acidic environments. If you already have a problem like asthma, COPD, bronchitis, nausea or dizziness, wearing a mask may aggravate your condition so consult with your medical doctor and see if it is appropriate for you.

In my opinion, it is better to go outside in nature, get some fresh air and sunlight, take off your mask, breath in oxygen, and exhale carbon dioxide. In addition, it is best to exhale twice as long as you inhale to maximize oxygen intake and reduce carbon dioxide levels to prevent dysfunction.

I also want to stress again how important it is to drink water.

Drink half your body weight in ounces and take at least a sip of water every 20 minutes. If you drink water every 20 minutes,

perform breathing exercises, get vitamin D by going out in the sunlight for 20 minutes between noon and 2 p.m., stop watching the news, go to bed early, meditate, be in nature, reduce stress, get off social media, keep social distances, wash your hands with soap and water, and do not touch your face, you will decrease your chances immensely.

If you follow what the news and the government is telling you, you will stay inside, live in fear, and not get sunlight and oxygen, which will suppress your immune system. If you follow what the news and the government is telling you, you can go to the mall to buy Christmas presents, but you cannot give those presents in person to your family because that is considered too dangerous.

They want you to stay at home and not see your friends and family. You will be isolated from your community creating depression and anxiety which will make you more susceptible to Covid-19. If you watch the news, you will become stressed and anxious which will weaken your immune system making you more prone to coronavirus.

However, if you keep it simple, and focus on getting fresh air, sunlight, good nutrition, exercise, and water, you will be less stressed, have a stronger immune system, and be more likely to defeat any virus you encounter so that you can feel better, function better, and live better.

If you are interested in learning natural ways to build your immune system and living a life without fear, stress, and anxiety please call me at (201) 2612150 or email me at info@kaplanbrainandbody.com and you can register for my free Zoom lecture on Jan. 5, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. and I would be happy to help you without drugs, medications, or surgeries. Call today because spots are filling up quickly.

Editorʼs note: We have not factchecked the assertions made in this paid advertiser content. The writer is not an expert in infectious disease or public health. Publication is not an endorsement. Check with your primary care physician on health concerns, including depression and COVID-19.

Give your business the attention it deserves!

TO PLACE YOUR AD Call 201.664.2105 fax 201.664.2109 or e-mail us at pascackpress@thepressgroup.net

19

Library Calendar

ed in “Star Light, Star Bright.”

FROM PAGE 12

WESTWOOD 49 Park Ave. (201) 664-0583 westwoodpubliclibrary.org • Holiday Themed Snacks (grades K–2) is on WebEx Wednesday, Dec. 30 from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Miss Jaclyn, a registered dietician, will show kids how to make two easy and healthy snacks.

Register and find ingredient list online.

• Music Play Patrol (toddlers to age 5) is on Zoom Tuesday, Jan. 5 from 10:30 to 11 a.m. This weekly musical program gets kids

dancing and learning about music, rhythm and instruments. Register online.

• Intro to Scratch Coding on Zoom (grades 1–3) begins Tuesday, Jan. 5 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Meets weekly in January and February. Scratch is a visual programming language whose dragand-drop interface with colorful blocks makes it an intuitive programming language for young learners. Register online.

• Early Reader Book Club: Geronimo Stilton (grades 3–4) is on Google Meet Wednesday, Jan. 6 from 4 to 4:45 p.m. Read a different book each month in this fun, interactive mouse series. For

January 2021: “Geronimo on Ice.” Books available at the library circulation desk. Kids should read the book prior to the meeting.

Registration details on the libraryʼs website.

• Java Coding on Zoom (grades 4–5) launches Thursday, Jan. 7 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Every Thursday in January and February, beginner and intermediate users will be challenged in this popular programming language.

Java is used in many gaming and app development opportunities such as Minecraft. Register online.

• Nursery Rhyme Story Sequence (Pre-K, 3–5 years old) is on Google Meet every Friday in January, starting Jan. 8 from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Children listen to a new

MONTVALE

Ghassali on COVID cases, vaccine plan

As of Dec. 22 there were 60 COVID-19 cases in town with 12 new positives added in the previous two days. None were hospitalized and many show no symptoms.

Said Mayor Michael Ghassali, “This means that 60 of our neighbors in town currently carry the

virus and should be quarantining.

There are however a few residents testing positive and are part of the active cases and are not quarantining as instructed, they are putting their family and the community at risk. Please help us by doing your part and quarantine as instructed.”

He added, “I also received many questions about the vaccination process and the timeline.

There is a plan, but that's all it is for now, just a plan and as soon as we get more information, will share it immediately.”

story each week and build the story in the order of events. This fosters comprehension and critical thinking skills. Pick up activity

pack from the library to participate in all four sessions. Have a sheet of paper, scissors, and glue stick ready for each week.

Jigsaw puzzles capture scenes in Westwood

The Friends of the Westwood Public Library and Celebrate Westwood have teamed up to bring you a way to recognize some of your favorite places in town, while also supporting the community.

They are now selling commemorative jigsaw puzzles— each one 100 pieces, approximately 9-by-12 inches—perfect for any Westwood lover. There are five local scenes to choose from: PJ Finneganʼs, The Iron Horse, Westwood Cycle, the

Westwood Library, and the bandstand in Veterans Park.

They go for $20 each, or, for a limited time, all five for $75.

All proceeds from this fundraiser go to the Friends of the Library and Celebrate Westwood, who in turn support local businesses, restaurants and residents in this difficult time.

Visit the libraryʼs website, westwoodpubliclibrary.org, to see the puzzles and for information about purchasing.

r....

For.. g Fo ing apin scap ndsc Land JVSS La ll JV Call Ca SNOW PLOWING PLOWING SNOW

PARK RIDGE

Diversity Committee seeks members

The Borough of Park Ridge is establishing a Diversity Committee to advise the administration. Volunteers willing to meet regularly and make recommendations related to diversity and inclusion in Park Ridge are welcome. Anyone interested should send their contact information to jfalkenstern@parkridgeboro.com.

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DECEMBER 28, 2020 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

Health, Wellness &Fitness Guide

DECEMBER 28, 2020 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

20

CLAIM BENEFITS SOONER OR LATER?

Editorʼs note: The following article is for informational purposes only.

When it comes to Social Security and retireERIC KOHLMEIER ment, you may have conflicting viewpoints: On one side, you hope to start collecting your benefits as soon as youʼre eligible— after all, itʼs your hard-earned money. On the other side, you know that, if you wait, your monthly benefit amount will

increase.

While it does make sense to wait as long as you can, Rob Arthur, first vice president/manager of the Federal Benefits Consulting Group, Wells Fargo Advisors, recommends you reevaluate your situation every year in retirement before deciding whether to continue delaying getting benefits.

One item you need for that annual retirement review: 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, Arthur 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 and was earning $200,000 a year when he retired.

He decided to start receiving Social Security benefits as soon as he became eligible at 62, or five years before he would receive

full retirement benefits. His monthly benefit in todayʼs dollars is $2,106.

If he had delayed receiving benefits until he was 70, heʼd receive $1,700 more a month, or $3,806. And he would make up for the eight-year delay in not taking any benefits in about 10 years.

(And because one out of every four 65-year-olds today will live past age 90, according to the Social Security Administration1, the long-term benefit could be substantial.)

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 has everyone 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,” Arthur says. “If youʼre in reasonably good health, that counsels in favor of waiting,” he continues. “If youʼre in poor or guarded health, that counsels toward drawing benefits sooner rather than later.”

Do you have enough income?

Another key factor is having other sources of income to live comfortably in retirement without needing Social Security benefits. He says you should consider the guaranteed rate of return Social Security offers: 6.25% (plus a cost-of-living increase). Thatʼs better than the guaranteed rate of return available in todayʼs market.

Considerations for married couples. Arthur advises married clients look at multiple factors when determining the timing for each spouse to claim Social Security benefits.

For example, if your spouse works full time and you work part time or seasonally, his or her Social Security benefits may be dramatically higher than yours.

Itʼs still wise for both of you to wait, if possible.

“Not only does it increase the size of the benefit that the [higherearning] individual personally

receives, but it also increases the size of whatʼs known as the survivorʼs benefit that the [lowerearning] spouse could draw if the individual passes away,” Arthur says.

Keep in mind that the current average life expectancy of a 65-year-old man is 84 years, while a woman that age can expect to live until age 86, according to the Social Security Administration.

What about taxes? When it comes to when to claim Social Security benefits, Arthur advises his clients not to focus primarily on the tax ramifications.

“The vast majority of people that I counsel, their marginal tax rate in retirement will be fairly constant,” Arthur says. “If retirees were to take their Social Security benefit at 62, what I typically see is their marginal tax rate is exactly the same or approximately the same as it would be if they claimed the benefit at age 70. I want [them] to focus instead on maximizing the net cash flow over the remainder of their lifetime.”

Global Investment Strategy is a division of Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc. (“WFII”).

WFII is a registered investment adviser and wholly-owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company and provides investment advice to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Advisors and other Wells Fargo affiliates. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is a bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

This article was written by/for Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Eric Kohlmeier, senior financial advisor, managing director—investments in Park Ridge, (201) 505-0472.

Investments in securities and insurance products are not FDICinsured/not bank-guranteed/may lost value.

Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate nonbank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

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DECEMBER 28, 2020 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

22

P A S C A C K

V A L L E Y

r e t n i W for now we are once again asking this administration to ACT before itʼs too late!”

He said the topic, which predates Calamariʼs tenure as mayor, will remain a high priority for residents on Ridgewood Boulevard East and the entire community.

“Members of the community want to partner with this administration to help in this matter and I am confident [they] will support [such] members in the upcoming 2021 elections,” Scalia wrote.

His letter calls for a response from Township Attorney Kenneth Poller on whether he asked the Planning Board about rezoning the area and an ordinance “to ensure the property is consistent with the townʼs Master Plan.”

He questioned whether Calamari followed up on a promise to speak with Morris to find out “whether he can get out of the [development] contract or if the town could negotiate with him.”

“The council said they would

look into eminent domain and possible grants for Green Acres [the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres Program]. What has been done and what is the current status?” Scalia asked.

Scalia also asked for what the mayor and council can tell them “concretely” about preserving the property. Scalia signed his email “Residents of the Township of Washington.”

Morris has told Pascack Press that he has complete faith in developer Lakos Construction Inc., and principal Nick Tsapatsaris, to prepare a proposal that will fulfill his needs for financial security and be sensitive to community concerns.

Tsapatsaris told Pascack Press he was likely to coordinate another development proposal that will soon be submitted.

Morris has said township officials dropped the ball on acquiring his property, and he was told by a previous administration that they would acquire the wooded tract and they did not follow through.

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PASCACK VALLEY

Friedberg & Associates Coat Drive Thru Jan. 7

Friedberg Properties & Associates is participating again with the Greater Bergen Realtors Community Service Annual Coat Drive.

Donations of adult and childrenʼs winter coats will be collected and distributed through the 25th Annual Jersey Cares Coat Drive.

For more than 20 years, Jersey Cares has collected, sorted, and distributed more than 500,000 coats to New Jersey residents through their annual coat drive.

Join Friedberg Propertiesʼ

agents by donating gently used, clean winter jackets and coats for men, women, children and infants.

Your donated coat opens opportunities for someone who needs warm outerwear.

Help a student to focus on his or her studies in a cold classroom or allow a job-seeker to continue a search during the winter. Enable a neighbor to go out for medication in a storm.

A spare coat or jacket hanging in the back of your closet can be life-changing for someone in need.

Due to COVID-19, all donations must be in sealed bags without hangers. Donations can be made by appointment only, at any Friedberg Properties office, from Nov. 16 through Jan. 7, 2021.

Drop-off locations are at 213 Rivervale Road, River Vale (201) 666-0777, 1018 Closter Dock Road, Alpine (201) 768-6868, and 105 Union Ave., Cresskill (201) 871-0800.

For more information, call your local Friedberg Properties & Associates office.

WESTWOOD

Pitch in! Shovel snow for borough’s elderly

While children look forward to those first fluffy flakes of snow that might lead to sledding and snowman building, for many older residents a snow storm can be worrisome.

Westwood For All Ages, a local non-profit dedicated to improving quality of life for local senior citizens, is recruiting volunteers for its program aimed at easing sidewalk snow removal duties for Westwood seniors.

Now in its second year, this program is a continuation of the groupʼs successful leaf raking volunteer program that matched eager teen volunteers with several senior homeowners. Organizers are looking to recruit more volunteers,

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adults and teens, to help seniors with the more difficult snow removal chore.

This program is a contactless service: No volunteer will enter any home and all arrangements will be made via email or phone. Volunteers will need to provide their own shovels.

While many older residents are able to hire snow removal companies, those on fixed incomes often struggle to keep up with snow removal duties.

According to program manager, Lisa Bontemps, “It is our hope that Westwood residents will keep an eye out for their older neighbors and offer assistance with snow removal.”

Bontemps also encourages older Westwood residents who need this type of snow removal assistance to contact Westwood For All Ages to be put on the volunteer matching list.

Teen and adult volunteers or seniors (65+) who would like snow shoveling assistance should write ww4allages@gmail.com or call (201) 834-4192.

from our clients detained at Bergen County Jail that there is no soap in bathrooms for handwashing; no disinfectants or hand sanitizers are available; bathrooms are not being cleaned and some are out of order; food is scarce and inadequate; temperatures are cold; phones are not disinfected; guards are antagonistic; single masks have to be worn for several days; and social distancing remains impossible in crowded rooms of 50 to 60 people with some not wearing masks.”

Despite this, Bergen County chooses to profit from their suffering and likely will make approximately $15 million this year through its contract with ICE. Although these conditions are an affront to human dignity, officials of the small towns within Bergen County have largely remained silent.

When Hillsdale Mayor John Ruocco and Hillsdale councilmembers were confronted with this information during an online council meeting on Dec. 15, their responses were cavalier and dismissive.

Regardless of whether Hillsdale can directly determine if Bergen County continues its contract with

FROM PAGE 2

REAL ESTATE Refreshing work

ICE, to remain silent as public officials on grievous issues taking place within our community is in itself a statement. It is a statement of overwhelming apathy and neglect.

To call out these abuses for what they are is not to indulge in the whims of “special interests.” Rather, it is a minimal act of support that recognizes what ICE detainees have been subjected to in the Bergen County Jail, and calls for the end of Bergen Countyʼs choice to profit from immigrant suffering through its contract with ICE. If recent years have demonstrated anything it is that we as a nation are not free of the injustices, hatred, and systemic violence we have sought to eradicate in the past.

These things are ingrained in the very fabric of our country—in our beliefs, our biases, and yes, our communities.

We deserve elected officials who are willing to take active recognition of this—and who realize that doing so does not bring bad press to our towns. Rather, it demonstrates that our leaders have accepted what so many of us already have—that we may be flawed but we are willing and want to do better.

Tessa Breithaupt Alice Urbiel Hillsdale

WESTWOOD

Lunches from Thomas J. Riley Senior Center

Thomas J. Riley Senior Center Program Director Marisa Tarateta writes to say the center is offering local seniors lunch for a nominal donation of $3.50.

November menu items include meatloaf with mashed potatoes and veggies, Parmesan crusted flounder with rice pilaf and string beans, and egg salad on rye with pasta veggie salad.

“Pick-up of meals is avail-

able to everyone from our takeout ʻgoodie window.ʼ Delivery is available to all Westwood House residents! Catering is from La Casa Formoso,” Tarateta says.

The mutli-purpose Thomas J. Riley Senior Center, serving individuals 60 or older and disabled individuals throughout the Pascack Valley, is at 100 Madison Ave. To reserve your meal, call (201) 666-0840.

Photo courtesy Edward Gorman

HILLSDALE

GOOD FRIENDS Lucy DiSalvo, Camillia Ghavami, Erin Choi, Sabrina Low, Kay DiSalvo, and Paige Gorman (with pup Sirius enjoying the fun) spent part of a snowy Dec. 17 making a Coca-Cola polar bear at Veterans Park. The soft drink company says its first polar bear print advertisement appeared in France in 1922 and that the bear gained prominenence with the introduction of the “Always Coca-Cola” campaign in 1993.

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DECEMBER 28, 2020 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

24

REAL ESTATE & BUSINESS

about receipts for firewood sales and its compliance with a woodland management plan.

Administrator Robert Tovo said with the farmland assessment approved, the remaining quarterly payments total approximately $24.

Tovo said the farmlandassessed tax bill was a fraction of the approximately $25,000 regular annual property tax. A 2019 tax invoice we obtained showed the landowner paid $48.58 in net property taxes under farmland assessment.

Residents raised concerns about the tax break afforded Tomaron/Viviano on the property.

In 2018, the land and improvements were assessed at slightly more than $1 million; under farmland assessment the acreage was assessed at $2,000 and paid a reduced property tax of $48.58 in 2019.

The farmland assessment tax deduction is a tool used by New Jersey to help conserve agricultural land as farmland and to provide an incentive to farmers to preserve farmland.

Designated land must be farmed for a minimum of two years prior to any claim for farmland assessment tax reduction, and documents reviewed by Pascack Press show the Viviano tract was under a state-approved woodlands management plan in 2017 and 2018.

Under its 25-page woodland management plan, Tomaron Inc. stated it would produce two to four cords of firewood a year, on approximately an acre, to be sold to the public for at least $510.

Tomaron Inc. is required to plant a certain number of trees

FROM PAGE 1

annually to replace the harvested trees, said Councilmember Michael DeSena. (That said, we did not see a reference to replanting in our review of the plan.)

The plan notes four yearly requirements must be submitted to the town tax collector and state DEP Forest Service to qualify for farmland assessment.

These include a signed farmland tax assessment form, a copy of DEP-approved woodland management plan, a woodland data form signed by landowner and consulting forester, and a diagram of woodland area where previous year activities occurred.

On page 11, under “Timber & Harvest,” the plan says, “No substantial ground disturbance, roadbuilding, or upheaval is planned in the areas to remain as woodland.”

A tale with roots Efforts to move forward on the storied project have been in fits and starts. The original applicant, James A. Viviano of Jackson Township, has since died.

The tract, long planned for development under a settlement with the township dating back decades involving affordable housing, qualifies for farmland assessment under a plan begun in 2019 that allows it to sell $500 or more of firewood annually.

To qualify for farmland assessment, the landowner was required to sell at least that much in wood/timber and manage the woodland for two years prior to applying for a farmland assessment deduction.

The Viviano property began its woodland management plan in 2017.

We obtained copies of two sales receipts showing sales of firewood of at least $500 yearly by Tomaron Inc./Viviano. Tovo provid-

ed the receipts to the council.

• A Dec. 15, 2020 cash receipt for $586.45 by Green Grow Landscaping of Point Pleasant for four cords of firewood that were invoiced on Dec. 2. The cash receipt was issued from Indian Rock RV Park, Jackson Township, where the Vivianos are based.

• A cash receipt dated Dec. 20, 2019, for $560 for four cords of firewood. The firewood was sold to Green Grow Landscaping, Point Pleasant. It was issued from Indian Rock RV Park, 920 West Veterans Highway, Jackson Township.

Council sources said it was unclear why Poller pulled the Tomaron Inc./Viviano tax refund resolution on Dec. 21 but questions were also raised about the siteʼs woodland management plan.

DeSena and Cumming said they would like to see receipts for trees purchased for replanting and pictures of the trees that the applicant planted.

Should a development be approved on the site in 2021, Tovo said whether the township could “claw back” two years of farmlandassessed reductions in property taxes “was rather vague” and they “would have to involve the state in the process.”

He said there was a way to retrieve back taxes but it would require further research.

On Dec. 21, Council President Stacey Feeney asked Tovo to get a memo from the tax assessor clarifying what changes under the Farmland Assessment Act would trigger a claw-back or repayment of two yearsʼ previous taxes.

Meanwhile, the nonprofit Concerned Neighbors of Washington Township Inc. opposed Viviano's project on grounds that itʼs oversized and out of character for the community. Neighbors hope to see

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Tax:

25

TOWNSHIP RESIDENT Jennifer Skuches joined neighbors at the Planning Board meeeting Sept. 26, 2018, seeking answers about the proposed American Dream subdivision. A developer’s consultant at the meeting dismissed nonsewage-related questions as “irrelevant” to the plan, which already had secured preliminary approval and seemed poised for permits. / John Snyder photo.

the 73-unit development downsized, given the impacts on schools and traffic from already approved local developments.

Diane Grimaldi of the group said an application was expected before the Planning Board in December, though that didnʼt materialize.

She said if the development moves forward, “Someone is on the hook to reimburse back taxes.

Honestly, these people have done nothing that the woodland exception guidelines require and should not have the status to begin with.”

At the Dec. 7 council meeting, DeSena requested that a resolution to refund $12,572.51 in excess taxes to Tomaron Inc./Viviano be tabled until the tax collector could verify that the landowner is following its woodland plan.

Feeney suggested member Art Cumming, who has agricultural experience, coordinate with the tax assessor and Tovo to possibly inspect new trees on the property.

The tax assessor should be inspect-

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ing the woodland annually, according to the plan filed by Tomaron.

On Dec. 7 Poller noted a 60day deadline to act on tax refund matters and said the questions raised by DeSena are important.

“I think these are legitimate questions that should be answered.”

Heartwood Ecological Consulting of Toms River, prepared the Viviano woodland plan, which delineates the 12.9-acre tract as two stands of woodland: • 7.1-acres with mesic hardwoods such as black oak, red oak, red maple and mockernut hickory, comprising some 73% of the area.

• 5.9 acres with mostly silver maple, ailanthus, Norway maple, and black cherry, comprising nearly 75%, plus pin oak, tulip tree and blackgum, among others.

The plan notes the mostly wooded lot had not been farmland-assessed prior to 2019, although some wood had been sold and forest management undertaken in previous years.

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DECEMBER 28, 2020 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

26 WESTWOOD REGIONAL

Holocaust child survivor takes to Zoom to inspire district children

Holocaust child survivor and educator Maud Dahme Zoomed into Westwood Regional High Schoolʼs Human Rights & Genocide class last week to talk about her experience in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands.

The Holocaust Museum & Education Center says Maud Peper Dahme was born in Amersfoort, Holland.

“In 1942, the Germans sent letters to all the Jewish families ordering them to appear at a railroad station with one suitcase. The family was suspicious, and asked one of their Christian friends associated with the Resistance to hide Maud and her sister Rita. Their parents instructed them never to reveal that they were Jewish.”

It says, “The girls were eventually taken to Elburg when they had to leave their first house. They stayed there with the Westerink family until April 1945. The winter of 1944 was so harsh and they had very little food to eat, so there were times they ate bulbs, or grilled bugs.”

The bio says, “They returned to Oldebroek in June 1945 after liberation. Their parents survived and reclaimed Maud and Rita but so

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many years had passed that the children had difficulty recognizing them.”

It adds, “They returned to Amersfoort. Their extended family had all died at the concentration camp Sobibor. In 1950, the family decided to move to New Jersey.

Maud became a force in education–holding a variety of local and state posts.”

Maud, the museum says, became a passionate advocate of Holocaust education and was featured in a PBS documentary and at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C.” It says, “Her family continues to grow.”

The octogenarian, a retired school board administrator, speaks not infrequently on the critical theme of the need for people to care for each other.

She told Huffpost recently, “I remember the bombings and the sirens going off, and having to go in a basement until there was an allclear sign. That's probably what stands out most from my childhood and the danger at that time.”

She recalls an escalation of hateful imagery and anti-Semitic rhetoric leading up to one of the

defining cruelties and greatest atrocities of the 20th century.

“It frightens me because Iʼve seen how these things just build and build to something awful,” she said.

Residents responding to the

districtʼs subsequent Facebook post asked whether the event was available to view (it isnʼt, for student privacy reasons) and commended the appearance.

One resident said, “Very valu-

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able. We must keep making these first-person connections now, so we can relay them to future generations.”

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HOLOCAUST CHILD SURVIVOR and educator Maud Dahme addresses WRHS students.

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DECEMBER 28, 2020 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

30

Richard C. PAVESE

Richard “Richie” Charles Pavese, 77, of Emerson, passed away peacefully on Dec. 16, 2020 with his loving family by his side.

Richie was born on April 20, 1943 to Eugenie Pape and Salvatore Pavese.

Beloved husband of Virginia A. (née Engels) Pavese, to whom he was married on April 10, 1966, 54 years ago.

Devoted father of Christine Pavese and Deborah (née Pavese) Carosella. Dear brother of Robert Pavese and Eugenie “Tippy” Harriman. Loving grandfather of Nicole (née Rivera) and Garrett OʼDonnell, Stephanie (née Rivera) and Brett Richardson, Anthony Rivera, Nicholas Carosella, Andrew Carosella, and Joseph Carosella.

Richie was a cherished uncle, cousin, godfather, and friend to so many people.

A butcher by trade, Richie owned his own butcher shop, Village Market in Closter, and then worked at Kings Supermarkets before retiring. He had a passion for fishing with his grandsons, collecting watch fobs and pocket knives, venturing to flea markets, and showing off his 1965 Mustang at antique car shows. He loved spending time at home watching Hallmark movies, NASCAR races and Raiders football games and most of all loved making his Sunday sauce with homemade meatballs.

Richie was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Westwood and thoroughly enjoyed every joke told by Pastor Pranschke.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 155 Second Ave., Westwood, NJ 07675.

Joseph GENTILE

OBITUARIES

Joseph “Buddy” Gentile passed away peacefully on Dec. 17, 2020, in Emerson.

Joe was born March 25, 1929 in Brooklyn, New York, to Peter and Madeline.

He married the love of his life, Clare M. Heller, in January 1951. She preceded him in death in February 2007. He was also predeceased by his siblings, Sylvia, Frank, John and Madeline.

Joe was a Korean era U.S. Army veteran who was actively involved with his community and church. Raising his young family in Valley Stream, New York, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Holy Name Society. He worked as an offset printer for many years.

His life was a living example of a family man. He enjoyed visiting and vacationing with his family and also through the years with his wife and their many good friends, including those in his retirement community in Toms River. He was always generous with his time and humor with anyone he encountered.

Joe is survived by his sister, Anna Caravella; sisters-in-law, Connie and Julie; his three sons and their wives, Joseph and Janet Gentile, Richard and Joanne Gentile, Brian and Patricia Gentile; grandchildren, Corey, Jaime, Daniel, Abby, Kristyn, Kyle and Marissa; plus eight great-grandchildren and his many nieces and nephews.

His funeral mass will be livestreamed Monday, Jan. 4.

2021 at 10 a.m. from Church of the Nativity in Midland Park, with burial to follow at BG William C. Doyle Memorial Ceme-

tery, Wrightstown. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to marchofdimes.org/giving.

Patricia CLARK

Patricia Clark, 62, died peacefully on Dec. 21, 2020, surrounded by the love of her family and dear friends.

Patty graduated from Immaculate Heart Academy in the Township of Washington and from Boston College. She worked for many years as executive assistant to the chairman and the president of the New York Mercantile Exchange, and in recent years as an administrative assistant to her mother, author Mary Higgins Clark, until her passing in January.

Pattyʼs greatest joy in life was her son, Jerome “Jerry” Derenzo. She cheered him at his football games at St. Josephʼs Regional High School in Montvale and lovingly supported him in both good times and bad. She joyously attended his wedding to Tara last year and so looked forward to becoming a doting grandmother. We are heartbroken that she will never have that privilege.

Patty endured a number of substantial health issues over the years but always faced them with courage and resilience and a never ending sense of humor. She was always fun to be around, always willing to help, and to the end was an inspiration to all who knew her.

A devout Catholic, Patty visited Lourdes with her mother, and in 2013 was inducted as a Dame of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, which is charged with the support of Catholic Shrines in the Holy Land.

Patty was predeceased by her father, Warren Clark, her mother,

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Mary Higgins Clark, and her stepfather, John Conheeney. Patty was always so proud and delighted that she had introduced her mother, who had been widowed for years, to John Conheeney in 1996. They married a few months later and shared 23 happy years until Johnʼs death in 2018.

Patty is survived by her son, Jerome and his wife, Tara, her dear siblings, Marilyn, Warren and his wife, Sharon, David, and Carol, by her cherished nieces and nephews, Elizabeth, Andrew, Courtney, Justin and David, and their families, by her loved Clark and Higgins cousins, and by the Conheeney Family.

She will also be deeply missed by her close and supportive friends, including retired Bishop of Metuchen Paul Bootkoski, Louis Delvecchio, Dana Brown, Agnes Newton, Kerry Finn Bartosik, Barbara Conheeney and by Taraʼs parents, Tom and Linda Demuro.

Interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, N.Y.

Robert DEHN

Robert “Bob” Dehn, born June 30, 1930 in Passaic to the late Leslie and Jessie Dehn, and formerly a longtime resident of Hillsdale, passed away peacefully on Dec. 18, 2020 in Venice, Florida.

He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Elizabeth “Bettyann” in June 2017, and daughter, Susan, in January 2020.

He is survived by five children, 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren: Robert (wife Debra, children Robert, Kristi and Oscar, grandchildren Weston, Brody, Nyellie and Kinslee); Debra (husband David, children Craig and Andrew); Thomas (children Karlie and Kyle); William (wife Margaret, children William, Gregory and Troy, grandchild Elizabeth); Richard (wife Mary Beth, children Kevin, Nicole and Jacquelyn); and sonin-law Jeffrey Steccato (children Jamie, Jeffrey, and Thomas). He also is survived by his sister, Carol Mertes, and brother-in-law, Arthur Tracy.

Prior to his moving to Florida in January 2019, Bob and Bettyann spent 20 years in Mahwah. They continued to stay involved in Hillsdale, where they had raised their family for 40 years.

Bob was a second generation, of four generations, sprinkler fitter. He was a 30-plus-year volunteer with the Hillsdale Fire Department (1972 fire chief). He coached track and basketball at St. Johnʼs, managed many baseball teams and was league president for the Hillsdale Little League. Bob is a retired sergeant major of the Army and veteran of the Korean War. In his retirement,

he became an active member of the American Legion Post 162.

A funeral mass celebrating Bobʼs life and faith will be held Dec. 28 at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist R.C. Church, Hillsdale, followed by interment at 11:30 a.m. at Ascension Cemetery, Airmont, New York. A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Hillsdale Fire Department, 383 Hillsdale Ave., Hillsdale, NJ 07642.

William T. LOVETT

William Thomas Lovett, 80, beloved son, father, grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully at home in Montvale on Dec. 15, 2020.

He was born May 25, 1940 to Frances and William W. Lovett in Teaneck. After growing up in Bergenfield and attending St. Ceciliaʼs High School in Englewood, Bill completed a bachelorʼs degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and joined the U.S. Army, reaching the rank of sergeant first class in the USAR Special Forces and New York National Guard. He served for a total of 20 years. He worked as a magazine editor and in the field of facilities management until his retirement.

A longtime resident of Emerson and Park Ridge, Bill was a member of the American Legion, Park Ridge Elks Lodge and the Fair Lawn Hunting and Fishing Club. Bill was an avid outdoorsman and loved to spend time fishing, hiking and camping. Alongside a stream, up on a mountaintop and under the stars were his favorite places to be.

He is survived by his son William E. Lovett and wife Elyse, daughters Irene Motta and husband Salvatore, and Clare McNair and husband Michael, as well as four grandchildren: James, William, Nico and Abigail. He will be missed by his family and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Williamʼs name may be made to St. Jude Childrenʼs Research Hospital.

Thomas J. JORDAN

Thomas James Jordan, 96, of Norwood, formerly of River Vale, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Dec. 15, 2020.

Tom had a long and wonderful life. He was married to Ruby for 66 years until she passed away in 2014. Tom was a selfemployed insurance adjuster. He was a River Vale resident for 27 years and was instrumental in developing the Little League program and helped in building Hoffman Field. He was acting president for several years. Thomas was also an active member of the Lions Club.

At 66, he moved to Florida but continued to work. He was CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

And, when New York City seemed ready to abandon the Twin Towers of Light this Sept. 11, you sent twin beams of light soaring over Veterans Memorial Park during our own annual service, remembering the five Westwood residents whoʼd perished on that day 19 years prior.

Halloween featured tables of “contactless” treats set out on porches and lawns. No tricks this year. (2020 is way over the quota for tricks) and the children assembled a week later due to COVID quarantining at the school district. But you made sure the COVID-compliant show went on.

Coaches and parents wouldnʼt give up on youth sports. Westwood baseball, football, and Dragons soccer rescued our children from their socially isolated screens and, working through the COVID restrictions, carried on with their seasonal sports, even bringing home championships in football and soccer!

And although Home for the Holidays went on hiatus, Westwood still lit the borough Christmas tree and the menorah in Veterans Park.

Meanwhile, Santa still made his runs through town between the falling flakes of our recent snowstorm!

Do you see a pattern here? Our local volunteers mobilized to make

FROM PAGE 7

lockdown life during the pandemic more bearable, cheerful, healthy and safe for residents of all ages.

We live among the most extraordinary people, people who are intent on preserving our way of life together. Westwood continues to resist the theft of our traditions by an unwelcome, pathogenic interloper, its days— now assuredly numbered.

George Bailey thought he had it bad in Bedford Falls, until a Christmas miracle showed him how wonderful his life actually was, made so by all the people his family's Savings and Loan quietly helped along their way.

George is a fundamentally good, but bitterly resentful and selfabsorbed man. Blinded by ambition, and a restless wanderlust, he failed to see the treasures laid at his feet.

It took the revelations of a rumpled angel named Horace to show this skeptical man the redemptive power of selfless love, charity, and the ties that bind.

As we look back on 2020, our year of living miserably, the work of Westwoodʼs better angels has removed all doubt.

Happy New Year.

Mayor Ray Arroyo Westwood

Editorʼs note: This was Arroyoʼs first year as mayor.

OBITUARIES employed for 20 years at the Sun Tree Tennis Club. In 2009, at 86, he and Ruby moved back to New Jersey, residing in Norwood.

As Rubyʼs health deteriorated, he dedicated his life to her until she entered Jewish Home at Rockleigh. Even then he would visit her every day and became an active volunteer at the home until recently.

Tom is survived by his six children: Tim, Bob, Eileen, Debby, Kenny, and Peter. He was fortunate enough to have 11 grandchildren and eight greatgrandchildren.

Trish, Corey and Gina. Cherished great-grandfather of Rhys and Hudson.

The family will receive their relatives and friends at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, on Wednesday, Dec. 30 from 3 to 7 p.m.

The service celebrating Leonardʼs life and faith will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, Dec. 31 at 10:30 a.m.

Interment will follow at Westwood Cemetery, Westwood.

Memorial gifts may be made in Leonardʼs name to either Samaritanʼs Purse or Farms International.

Leonard D. PHYKITT

Emilia B. MORALISHVILI

FROM PAGE 30

Leonard D. Phykitt, 84, of the Township of Washington, passed away on Dec. 21, 2020.

Beloved husband of Emily Phykitt. Devoted father of Stephen Phykitt and his wife Wanda, Donna Kaiser and her husband Eric, and Jed Phykitt.

Dear brother of Howard Phykitt.

Loving grandfather of Jessica and her husband Matt, Joshua and his wife Sarah, Michael and his wife

Emilia Bucich Moralishvili, 92, was born Aug. 3, 1928 in Istria, Italy, daughter of Carlo and Giovanna Bucich. She passed away peacefully in her family home in Hillsdale on Dec.16, 2020.

She was the beloved wife of Giorgio Moralishvili and the devoted mother of Anthony, George, John, and Carlo Moralishvili as well as their wives,

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Photo courtesy Vania Wilmer

MONTVALE

ANNA WILMER AND ALLISON HE show the many “Spreading Joy” cards they recently wrote members of the Montvale Senior Club members. The young ladies, members of Girl Scout Troop 5181, wrote the cards as part of the work for their Silver Award project. Vania Wilmer told Pascack Press the girls wanted to do something positive so that the seniors know, “In this challenging time, there are people in the community thinking of them.” Anna and Allison let us know that they appreciate and thank the Montvale Senior Club for working with them.

Katerina, Antoinette, Denise, and Clara, respectively. She was the loving nonna of Daniella, George, Maximillian, Giovanna, David, Alessandra, Veronica, Bianca, Dominique, and Joseph.

After the demise of the Mussolini regime, Emilia left Istria in order to study with nuns in Camerino. She worked at Holy Name Hospital before getting

further involved in pioneering research in pharmacology and chromosome studies in the Columbia Presbyterian Institute.

During this time, she raised her four sons in the Bronx and later in Englewood.

Emilia was a devout member of Saint Cecilia Church and Saint John the Baptist Church.

A special thanks to family

friend Medico, who supported Emilia in her twilight years.

Emilia was a woman of true courage. Her memory will always be a part of the lives of those whom she knew.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Emiliaʼs name made be made to St. John the Baptist R.C. Church, Hillsdale, or St. Cecilia R.C. Church, Englewood.

DECEMBER 28, 2020 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS

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