Emerson • Hillsdale • Montvale • Park Ridge • River Vale • Township of Washington • Westwood • Woodcliff Lake
PA S C AC K VA L L E Y ’ S H O M E TO W N N E W S PA P E R
VOLUME 25 ISSUE 21
OFFICERS SWORN
AUGUST 9, 2021
AND THE CROWD GOES WILD! Hard-fought title win for WT summer 3/4
The Woodcliff Lake Police Department promotes one officer, hires four more, praising them as talented and diverse. SEE PAGE 10
WOODCLIFF LAKE
BOROUGH PASSES $250 With school tax, average hit now approaches $600
TAX BUMP
BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
The average borough homeowner will see an approximately $250 increase in municipal taxes over last year as a result of the nearly $14 million budget the Borough Council approved, 5-0, on Aug. 2. Council President Angela Hayes was absent. Mayor Carlos Rendo said the late budget approval was mainly due to local officials taking the time to deal with the unexpected impact from a large regional school tax increase and the timing for receipt of Covid relief funds from the federal American Rescue Plan, which will be distributed to munic-
See BUMP on page 74
T
GO FALCONS? THEY WENT! Front to back and left to right: Kenzie Cenicola, Kayla Krenn, Sonam Shah, Maddie Kazmierczak, Emily Santaite, Sophie Xaxa, Gigi Capasso, Ella Palmeri, Jenn Cenicola, Grace Matra, Taylor Ahrens, Izzy Arcuri, Dina Sengos, and Ash Shah. Coaches in back are Peter Matra and Michelle Capasso.
TOWNSHIP of Washington locked down a nail-biter of a championship game, 8-5, against River Edge while fans packed Westwoodʼs Sherry Field on Friday, July 30. According to Falcons coach Jenn Cenicola, Township had to shake loose a tough Emerson team on Tuesday, July 27 in the semifinals to get to the HE
softball showdown with River Edge. And it was a game-winning two-run single by Ella Palmeri in the final inning clinched them the victory to advance to the championship. At the start of the championship game, River Edge scored three runs in the first inning, but it didnʼt discourage the Washington Township Falcons, who
PHOTO BY DAVE JANOSZ, DYNAMIC ELEMENTS PHOTOS LLC
rolled on to win. According to Cenicola, Washington Township Falcons 3/4 Summer pulled away for good with six runs in the third inning: Kenzie Cenicola, Gigi Capasso, and Dina Sengos each drew a walk, scoring one run; Maddie Kazmierczak drew a walk, stole third, and scored; Sonam Shah singled on a 2-1
Continued on page 21
PARK RIDGE
MAYOR CUTS RIBBON ON THE JAMES
James Gandolfiniʼs family lend their support
A crowd of residents and stakeholders filled the luxury lobby lounge at The James on Aug. 3, taking in the new upscale rental community that its developer says “stands as a beacon of the boroughʼs evolution while honoring its most famous hometown hero.” Guests included nearly two dozen family and friends of the late actor James Gandolfini, a local son made good — widely known for his producing and acting, his lead role on HBOʼs “The Sopranos,” and his generosity — and the buildingʼs namesake. Michael Gandolfini, Jamesʼ son and a rising star in his own right, joined Mayor Keith Misciagna, other municipal officials, and principals from Claremont Development in cutting a ceremonial ribbon marking “the heralded addition to the boroughʼs housing landscape,” a collection of 240 studio, one- and two-bedroom residences. Claremont Development told Pascack Press half is leased, with a number of residents moved in. Officials lauded The Jamesʼ development team “for transforming the dilapidated property on Madison Avenue into a vibrant new community that will benefit generations to come.” It includes street-level retail space, structured parking, and a public plaza. The project, replacing a waste transfer station, is helping the borough meet its state-mandated affordable housing obligations.
See THE JAMES on page 154
DESERVING SCOUTS
B ck in time...
Two local high achievers land Cheryl J. Todd scholarships. The award honors a beloved founder of the Westwood Heritage Society.
Ninety years ago this week, one of the worst tragedies to befall Montvale took place on the rail line at Kinderkamack Road, then called Magnolia Avenue. Kristin Beuscher reports. SEE PAGE 4
SEE PAGE 20