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7-2022
Emerson • Hillsdale • Montvale • Park Ridge • River Vale • Township of Washington • Westwood • Woodcliff Lake
PA S C AC K VA L L E Y ’ S H O M E TO W N N E W S PA P E R
VOLUME 26 ISSUE 4
APRIL 11, 2022
Tops in SHARP SALUTE TO class CONNOR MUNSON Multi-event standout signs with USAF Academy
TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON
LINWOOD AVENUE DPW PLAN
Dozens from township, Paramus beg council to pull out of deal
HITS HOME
BY MICHAEL OLOHAN AND JOHN SNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS
PVRHSD has named its Pascack Hills and Pascack Valley 2022 valedictorians, salutatorians. SEE PAGE 24
MONTVALE
VALLEY HEALTH
TAKES BIG STAKE HERE North Market, on former Mercedes-Benz campus, enjoys a shot in the arm
BY JOHN SNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS
Mayor Michael Ghassali wrote residents on April 6 to say he was excited to inform them that Valley Health System has committed to occupy 60,000 square feet of a new medical building to be built on the far northwest side of North Market, next to exit 172 off the Garden State Parkway. “Valley Health Systemʼs mission is to serve the communities of northern New Jersey and southern New York with exceptional, worldclass healthcare in a regional healthcare setting. Montvaleʼs con-
See MONTVALE on page 74
OFF HE GOES, into the wild blue yonder: At Westwood Regional High School on March 4, Westwood studentathlete Connor Munson signs a letter of intent with the United States Air Force Academy. Behind him - and his parents, Stephen Munson and Stacey Price-Munson - are track coach George Glover, superintendent Jill Mortimer, athletic director Dan Vivino, and principal Frank Connelly. Connor says the secret of his success is giving 100%.
C
nor, of Westwood, posed for photos — pen in hand — and said he was honored to have the opportunity to serve his country. The agreement he signed reads, “Given that I have been granted this Certificate of Intent to attend the United States Air Force Academy beginning with the 2022-23 academic year, I, Connor Payne Munson, agree to enroll at the United States Air
BY JOHN SNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS ONGRATULATIONS
TO
Westwood Regional High School Senior Connor Munson, who was accepted with well-deserved fanfare into the United States Air Force Academy. At his signing ceremony, at the high school on March 4, Con-
ABOVE: JOHN SNYDER PHOTO
Force Academy and compete on the Academyʼs NCAA Division I Track & Field team. “I understand that this agreement is dependent on me being granted an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy beginning with the 2022-23 academic year, and I must meet all U.S. Air Force Academy admis-
Continued on page 28
Dozens of residents of Washington Township and Paramus who live near the proposed DPW facility at 95 Linwood Avenue — the former Charlie Brownʼs restaurant — criticized the plan for two hours during the April 4 Township Council meeting. Only Mayor Peter Calamari and the council leadership spoke for it, though in terms that itʼs the only site left in the mix. The officials assured residents that a concept rendering publicly glimpsed for the first time March 21 was not yet final and changes will be made. The hybrid session packed council chambers. It also was livestreamed on WCTV-NJ. Speakers — appealing for consideration as homeowners, families with young children, newcomers, retirees, and seniors — hammered the proposal over anticipated increased traffic, pollution, noise, and risks to public safety to this Route 17 residential doorstep of the township. They called the project “shameful,” unconscionable,” and “a loselose” and expressed anger that the town didnʼt write to homeowners
See DPW on page 324
SOCCER STARS
B ck in time...
River Vale’s 3rd and 4th grade girls indoor soccer team brings its best games as 2022 Division B Harnisch Cup champions.
Pascack Historical Society President Kristin Beuscher take us back 75 years, to familiar landmarks of downtown Hillsdale. SEE PAGE 4
SEE PAGE 16
