Emerson • Hillsdale • Montvale • Park Ridge • River Vale • Township of Washington • Westwood • Woodcliff Lake
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
VOLUME 25 ISSUE 7
MOVING ON
TO INSPIRE AND PROTECT All-female shift makes history in Hillsdale
MAY 3, 2021
EMERSON
BOROUGH PUSHES BACK
Says redeveloper partner stalling, intimidating
BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
Supt. P. Erik Gundersen steps down, speaks proudly of PVRHSD’s accomplishments. SEE PAGE 6
PASCACK VALLEY
SCHOOLS LEVY PASSES
Budget up 2%; Woodcliff Lake taxes up $545 BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
A unanimous Pascack Valley Regional High School board approved a $53.6 million budget April 26, including an overall tax increase of approximately 2%. Due to the stateʼs school funding formula, while River Valeʼs regional school tax decreased $245 annually, Woodcliff Lakeʼs annual school tax jumped approximately $545. Overall, 2021–2022 regional school taxes on an average $473,237 Hillsdale home would increase $17.28 over last year. On an average $593,981 River Vale home, school tax will decrease $250.24 over last year.
See TAXES on page 394
T
HILLSDALE POLICE Officer Amanda Turrin, Sgt. Liz Zimmerman, and civilian dispatcher Amna Hijab come from three widely different backgrounds but the women found themselves starring in a Hillsdale first on the night tour of April 26. BY JOHN SNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS
BOROUGHʼS FIRST female police officer also stands front and center in the departmentʼs first all-female shift.. Sgt. Liz Zimmerman, Police Officer Amanda Turrin, and civilian dispatcher Amna Hijab found themselves sharing the night shift April 26 due to a HE
humdrum schedule change—the duty sergeant that tour was supposed to be Michael Camporeale, but he agreed to switch with Zimmerman so she could attend her kidsʼ lacrosse games. And it was he who first saw the amazing opportunity to capture an unprecedented moment for the departmentʼs Facebook. Under his photo of the three women—and a description saying “A little history being made
PHOTO COURTESY HILLSDALE POLICE SGT. MICHAEL CAMPOREALE
TOP DANCERS
Academy of the Holy Angelsʼ varsity, JV teams dazzle at the Universal Dance Associationʼs National Championship in Orlando, taking titles.
SEE PAGE 34
on the night shift here at Hillsdale P.D. The first all-female shift are proudly serving and protecting!”—the likes and loves are even now pouring in, the shares radiating and connecting. “Excellent, youʼve got this,” said Roberta Kahn Hanlon. “God bless all the police, our heroes,” said Josie Britton. “Why I love the HPD. You lead by example. Very cool. And
Continued on page 26
Two attorneys filed motions April 22 in U.S. District Court to dismiss allegations that the borough and its mayor held up its downtown redevelopment project for political or racial reasons, noting the redeveloper provided no proof or facts in support of any charges. In separate legal filings, the attorneys for Mayor Danielle DiPaola and the borough stated that the redeveloperʼs federal lawsuitʼs claims were not backed by facts of any kind and are another attempt to delay construction and intimidate borough officials. In previous federal lawsuits, the redeveloper, Emerson Redevelopers Urban Renewal LLC, had charged the mayor and borough with interfering and obstructing its redevelopment plans. It also charged the borough with efforts to “obstruct the diverse and inclusive housing mandated by Mount Laurel, due to racial animus.” Motions to dismiss the redeveloperʼs lawsuits were filed by Attorney Richard Malagiere on behalf or Mayor Danielle DiPaola and attorney Christopher Botta filed on behalf of the borough. Previously, Borough Attorney John McCann told Pascack Press that the redeveloperʼs lawsuits against DiPaola and the borSee EMERSON on page 414
B ck in time...
Kristin Beuscher marks Teacher Appreciation Week with an A-plus profile on Hillsdale Public School teacher Miss Belle Nelson (1878–1925).
SEE PAGE 4