Pascack Press 1.23.23

How it’s done!

ST. JOE’S ‘INTO THE WOODS’ ST. JOE’S ‘INTO THE WOODS’ BREAKFAST WITHTHE MAYORS

Kids snag Sondheim classic for January, February shows

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

PASCACK VALLEY

AMBULANCE SQUADS SEEKNEW MEMBERS

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

When you call for an ambulance in Westwood, the local ambulance corps volunteers — many who are trained as emergency medical technicians — are likely to be there in about 10 minutes or less to answer your call.

And theyʼve been doing that for nearly 90 years, since their founding in 1935.

Now the corpsʼ30 members, with 20 active riding members, is hoping you will consider answering their call for volunteers as the squad begins its 2023 outreach for new members.

“Weʼre all struggling for memSee AMBULANCE on page 15

BY JOHNSNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS

TWOWEEKSAFTER the hit revival closed on Broadway, St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale presents Stephen Sondheimʼs “Into the Woods,” a clever musical weaving together a rich roster of Brothers Grimm folk tales.

Considered one of Sondheimʼs greatest achievements, “Into the Woods” sees characters

enter each otherʼs stories, providing both fantastic humor and real-world ponderables. The show picks up charactersʼstoried wishes and quests and runs wild with them.

St. Joeʼs cast is composed of boys from St. Joeʼs and girls from several high schools in Bergen and Rockland counties.

Performances are at the Inserra Theater, on the campus of St. Joseph Regional High

PHOTO VIA STEVE LAUX

GIANTS REPEAT

School, 40 Chestnut Ridge Road.

Showtimes are:

• Friday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m.

• Saturday, Jan. 28 at 2 and 7 p.m.

• Sunday, Jan. 29 at 3 p.m.

•Friday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. (Arts Appreciation Night, $30)

• Saturday, Feb. 4 at 2 and 7 p.m.

•Senior citizensʼpreview Continued on page 19

Nine valley mayors and one mayoral stand-in took turns at the lectern at the annual Greater Pascack Valley Chamber of Commerce MayorsʼBreakfast, held at The Iron Horse restaurant in Westwood on Wednesday, Jan. 18.

There, they delivered views on hot-button issues, from new developments, traffic, and flooding to well filtration, ambulance services, and affordable housing.

The chief executives of Emerson, Hillsdale, Montvale, Park Ridge, River Vale, Old Tappan, Oradell, Township of Washington, Westwood, and Woodcliff Lake held forth for a dining room of approximately 40 — including state Assembly members Robert Auth (R-Old Tappan) and DeAnne DeFuccio (R-Upper Saddle River), area residents, business owners, municipal employees, and Pascack Press

This was the first such gathering for River Valeʼs newly elected mayor, Mark Bromberg.

Due to Covid-19, the last two annual sessions were held on Zoom; this yearʼs event, a $30-aplate fundraiser, marked a return to

B kintime...

Emerson • Hillsdale • Montvale • Park Ridge • River Vale • Township of Washington • Westwood • Woodcliff Lake P ASCACKVALLEY’S HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER

The grade 4-5 N.Y. Giants defeated the Vikings in fall to win the flag football Super Bowl Championship — their title now a twofer.

It is a moment in time, captured: A view into downtown Hillsdale in the winter of 1978. Kristin Beuscher has the story and art…

Valley Chabad Friendship Circle wraps its first annual winter camp for kids with special needs.

Westwoodʼs EMTs aim to expand hours of service to residents

Laughter, looks ahead in live return of annual chamber event; scholarship naming for the late Skip Kelley

St.Joseph Regional High School’s cast is composed of boys from St.Joe’s and girls from several high schools in Bergen and Rockland counties.Performances are at the Inserra Theater,on the campus of St.Joseph Regional High School.Tickets for “Into the Woods”are on sale through SJR.Booktix.com.

John’s

PASCACK PRESS

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

negotiating the two-week-early completion of the Magnolia Avenue Bridge project. Kudos to Mayor Mike for his timely emails, visits to the site and assistance to the residents impacted by the street closures, detours and the temporary traffic light at Woodland and Grand.

It is now important for our voices to be heard to ensure the safety of all by making the traffic light a permanent solution. Your emails to Bergen County Executive James Tedesco III (countyexecutive@co.bergen.nj.us) and Bergen County Commissioner Tom Sullivan ( tsullivan@co.bergen.nj.us ) might go a long way in getting this accomplished.

Suzanne and Maurice Hodos Montvale

Editorʼs note: See related story, “Magnolia Avenue bridge reopened,” page 11.

Think twice on a second center

To the editor:

NOTE: Letter submission deadline is 11 a.m. Wednesday for the following Monday’s paper. Publication not guaranteed. Subject to editing. Email topascackpress@thepressgroup.net.

A

T THE JA N . 10 Hillsdale Borough Council meeting, the special redevelopment attorney informed the public that a trade of six additional apartment units in the Patterson Street Redevelopment for an additional $750,000 cash contribution would not be in the best interests of the borough since that would mean abandoning the free Patterson Street community center the developer had agreed to provide us. He maintained, correctly in my view, that the free community center had much more substantial value than $750,000. [See story, page 3. – Ed.]

Furthermore, we would need considerably more cash than $750,000 to cover the cost to the taxpayer of building a $3 million community center at the pool location.

The special counsel attorney reiterated that redevelopment in the industrial zone is expected to produce ample revenues to the borough over 30 years to pay for the cost of building the Stonybrook community center That was amply supported by analysis performed last spring from our financial advisor, Acacia.

However, it is not and should not be the deciding factor as to

whether to proceed building a second community center. Why? Because the projected revenue stream from having the Patterson Street development would be available for a myriad of future projects and uses that are likely to arise, even if just to fund operating expenses or stabilize property taxes.

The two most relevant factors in deciding to build and maintain a second community center are need and project cost.Hillsdale residents have clearly expressed their doubts and concerns about the need, despite an impassioned speech by the borough administrator that night to “back-justify” the need. His was the first public pronouncement with any specificity by any borough official, hired or elected, in over eight months to attempt to explain why two community centers were necessary.

As the governing body moves this project forward, residents themselves will be the judge

of how compelling the need is. Justification was long overdue and thus highlights weaknesses in the councilʼs capital planning process and less-than-transparent communication during public meetings. This is especially troublesome since the borough put through a large tax increase in 2021 to fund this project among others, yet here we are, almost two years later, finally receiving some details of “the vision.”

As for cost, the issue will be best understood by a resident who asked, “Are you willing to carry a $3 million debt load over 20 years and pay approximately $214,000 or roughly $62 per household annually for a second community center?”

Residents should keep in mind that the $3 million construction expense includes neither the annual cost of an additional employee to run the center nor the capital expenses to furnish it.

Itʼs time to make those “I need to advance my career” New Yearʼs resolutions come true.

The Valley Toastmasters club can help you meet this yearʼs career goals. You can improve your communication skills, lose your fear of public speaking and learn skills that will help you be more successful in whatever path youʼve chosen in life.

Valley Toastmasters uses timetested programs that meet each participantʼs needs. Self-paced programs enable members to progress

as rapidly or gradually as their needs dictate.

The Hands-On Communication Program provides the “how-to” and the practical experience so critical to progress.

Meetings run on the first and third Monday of the month at the First Congregational Church, 276 Haworth Ave., Haworth.

For more information, call (201) 767-3063 or visit Valley Toastmasters at http://3181.toastmastersclubs.org

Mayor John J. Ruocco Hillsdale

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

The boroughʼs special redevelopment counsel said Jan. 10 that the governing body should not swap the nearly 5,000-square-feet of indoor community space and a 3,000-square-foot outdoor plaza for $750,000, as offered by the redevelopers of the proposed Patterson Street 255-unit luxury apartment complex.

Special Redevelopment Counsel Joseph Baumann told council members that giving up the Patterson Street community center space for $750,000 did not make sense.

“We would be giving up space thatʼs worth more to us than it is to them,” he said.

He said that if Hillsdale had to buy that space and build it, he conservatively estimated it would cost at least 50% more.

Baumann estimated if the debt service to borrow $2.5 million for a new Stonybrook Community Center (estimated to cost a total of $3.25 million) amounted to $55,000 annually over 20 years, he said that computed to an average yearly taxpayer cost of $15 for 20 years.

(The $750,000 difference between the amount borrowed and total cost would be covered by the redeveloperʼs initially agreed contribution to Hillsdale.)

Baumann asked, “Are you giving up a valuable (community) asset in perpetuity for a savings of $15 over 20 years per taxpayer?”

He said based on his experience “community space is at a

premium everywhere and to replace it some time in the future would be exponentially more expensive.”

A public records request for Baumannʼs report was denied, citing it as an “advisory, consultative and deliberative” document, and also restricted under attorneyclient privilege.

Outbound borough administrator David Troast said he requested that Baumann provide an analysis to council of what the facts were on a possible swap of community space for $750,000 and whether such a swap made economic sense.

Troast said the offer to buy back the Patterson Street community center space was being marred by “a lot of misconceptions, misunderstandings [and] possibly misinformation that has been floating around.”

Troast said that the redeveloper offered $750,000 for the space and would not go any higher, mostly due to the higher cost of purchasing the former Waste Management property if it added six new apartments in the former community center space.

The propertyʼs final cost is based on the number of luxury apartment units approved. An application is anticipated in February or March before the Planning Board. The redeveloper had requested adding six more apartment units to the complex, raising its total to 261 units.

The proposal to trade in the community space was on the councilʼs Dec. 13 agenda but tabled by Councilwoman Abby Lundy

It was unclear how the resolu-

tion reached the agenda, though members had been talking previously about how to fund another community center at Stonybrook Swim Club.

Troast told the council that approximately 450 local properties had been sold and reoccupied over recent years, and many were purchased by young families with children who need recreational space and facilities.

Troast said the Stonybrook community space would focus on youth and family activities to augment sports programs, add summer camp programs into August (they end in July), and add community programming year-round.

He said the Patterson Street community space would be for “passive” uses such as expanded space for seniors, community meeting space, and sports groups.

Troast noted that the space for both community centers had been discussed and vetted by multiple committees to deliver on promises for a community center and a turf field.

“This is the future and it will propel the borough forward,” he said of the improvements.

Baumann said with the PILOT agreement signed with the redeveloper, Claremont March, Hillsdale keeps 95% of annual payments, and Bergen County gets five percent. No revenues go directly to the school district.

He said the PILOT revenues due to Hillsdale could pay off any debt service on the 20-year bonds for Stonybrook Community Center, with most PILOT funds going directly to Hillsdale by the end of 20 years.

Baumann said using the

PILOT revenues to pay off the bonds would allow the borough to have two community centers, “and still have sufficient funds to stabilize taxes.”

Mayor John Ruocco asked that the Baumann and Troast memos related to the two community centers be posted on the borough website.

On Jan. 16, he wrote Pascack Press, “Like so many residents, I am not in favor of having the bor-

ough pay approximately $3 million to construct a second community center when we are getting one for free as part of the redevelopment agreement. Although I favored having a community center in town, I was always sensitive to the fact that support for even one center was modest at best among the residents.”

He said, “Check out the sur-

Bckintime... Bckintime...

Fun for the family! This is not a dropoff event,say organizers.

Tubing fun Feb. 9 aids EMS, pantry

PASCACKVALLEY

Get your tube on for a great cause! The Borough of Woodcliff Lake, in conjunction with the Woodcliff Lake Police Department and LEAD, invite you to snow tube with the community at area gem Campgaw Mountain in Mahwah on Feb. 9 from 4 to 6 p.m.

The cost is $31 per person, and proceeds go to the Tri-Boro Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Please also bring a nonperishable food item, for donation to the Tri-Boro Food Pantry.

The participation fee is $31 per person. Please make checks out to the Woodcliff Lake Association and drop them off at Dorchester Elementary School, Borough Hall, or the Woodcliff Lake Police Department.

Open to all. For more information call (201) 390-5152.

A vintage view on Hillsdale Avenue

BY KRISTIN BEUSCHER SPECIAL TO PASCACK PRESS

HILLDALE

ITWASAMOMENT in time, captured: A view into downtown Hillsdale in the winter of 1978.

The first thing most will notice in the photograph above is the police booth, which was still in its original position right in the middle of Hillsdale Avenue at the time. This booth, built in 1925, served as the first headquarters for the boroughʼs police. For 65 years it stood in the middle of Hillsdale Avenue near Broadway.

After being struck by passing cars several times over the years, around 1990 the police booth was moved out of the road and to the sidewalk area next to Veterans Park, where it remains today

(See also, “A great look for Hillsdale at 125,” page 1, Pascack Press, Jan. 16, 2023.)

The Hillsdale train station is just visible on the far left. Hillsdaleʼs station was the most ornate on the Pascack Valley line when it was built in 1871. Thatʼs because Hillsdaleʼs depot was more than just a railroad stop: Its second floor was also the meeting place for the railroadʼs Board of Directors.

Railroad company president David P. Patterson lived in Hillsdale. His lavish home was on the north side of Hillsdale Avenue near Patterson Street, now the location of St. Johnʼs Academy.

By the 1970s the neglected Victorianera train station had fallen out of use (except

for some resident bats) and was in disrepair In the 1980s a major restoration project made a whole host of improvements, including a new look with light blue paint.

Beyond the station we see a sign for a restaurant that a lot of people will remember: the Rustler steakhouse. This building that brought a Wild West-type look to Hillsdale was approximately in the location where Wendyʼs is today. It was around until the

mid-1980s, after which it became a Sizzler for a few years. Wendyʼs arrived in the late 1990s.

Behind the Rustler, the sign for Friendlyʼs is barely visible. Friendlyʼs came to Hillsdale in 1969, replacing an old Victorian house that was torn down along with its neighbors that stood where the commuter

Hillsdale Avenue from Broadway in winter 1978.

The Rustler Steak House,now the site of Hillsdale’s Wendy’s.

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

PARKRIDGE

Borough Council members voted, Jan. 16, to table a Republican-led resolution to terminate the employment of the boroughʼs administrator, but noted that contentious issue is likely to be raised at the councilʼs Jan. 24 meeting.

A four-member Republican council majority joined with two Democratic councilmen to unanimously table a resolution that called for the firing of five-plusyear borough administrator Julie Falkenstern following a rebuke from Mayor Keith Misciagna and a public outcry against it.

It was unclear why the four Republicans, who joined with the two council Democrats, tabled the resolution but Misciagna said he was not impressed with the way the two Republican councilmen, only weeks after being sworn in, decided to oust the borough administrator

Falkenstern was appointed in November 2017 by Misciagna, with council consent. Prior to becoming administrator, she was planning and zoning board secretary

Misciagna issued a two-page statement opposing the proposed personnel change, which he read at the meeting.

He told Pascack Press that the move appeared political, and was not based on any performance issues. Falkenstern has had nothing but positive reviews from borough employees, professionals, and residents over her tenure as administrator, he said.

It appeared the decision was presented as both a political and cost-saving move, several residents at the meeting told Pascack Press, though how much savings might result was not revealed at the meeting.

Misciagna said the new Republican council members should not drop Falkenstern, noting borough employees should not be “treated as political pawns.” He suggested that the new council members should see how the government operates for a period before making any “long-term” decisions about personnel.

He said it would be “irresponsible” for the Republican majority

to replace Falkenstern, who is borough administrator, a qualified purchasing agent, and land use administrator, and has special knowledge of borough operations including affordable housing, and the water and electric utilities.

Falkenstern, reached Jan. 17, said she appreciated the support of the mayor and public at the Jan. 16 meeting. She said she was “disappointed in the process” that led to her possible termination, noting she was “not sure what will happen” at the Jan. 24 meeting.

Falkenstern also noted that Borough Clerk Magdalena “Maggie” Giandomenico received “a well-deserved raise” by a unanimous council vote on Jan. 16. Giandomenicoʼs annual salary was raised to $110,000 annually effective Jan. 16.

Fenwickʼs perspective Council president William Fenwick told Pascack Press that because of legal requirements under a Rice Notice, which notifies employees that their employment will be discussed in closed session, he was “restricted from providing details” on the subject.

However, Falkenstern told Pascack Press that she wanted any discussion of her employment to occur in public, not closed session.

Fenwick said Republicans campaigned on taking a “hard

look” at the local budget and to ensure no tax increases. He said they recently learned the borough clerk had received a competing job offer for another town for “substantially more money” than the borough could match.

“It therefore became clear to us that the only way we would be able to match the offer would be to offer our clerk the part-time borough administrator position. At the Jan. 16 meeting, the mayor stated that our clerk was the best in the state, and we agree. We did not want to lose her years of experience and professionalism that our residents greatly value,” Fenwick said in an email.

Fenwick said the mayor was informed in advance about the council majorityʼs proposed resolution to terminate Falkenstern, despite the mayorʼs contrary claims. He said the meeting was held Jan. 16 “as that was the only day” that the borough attorney, mayor and council could be present.

Misciagna said Falkenstern has provided invaluable assistance with affordable housing issues and help in securing millions in federal and state grants.

About a half-dozen speakers at the special meeting — held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a national holiday — opposed the resolution to terminate Falken-

stern, said one resident at the meeting. No residents spoke in support.

Misciagna also pointed out the meeting was not broadcast on community television or online, preventing residents from watching and going against the pledge of new Republican councilors Bruce Goldsmith and Greg Hoffman to increase council transparency.

Most council meetings are

held on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. However, the Republican majority said the mayor was not available at an earlier meeting and so the meeting was then scheduled for Jan. 16.

Pascack Press reached out to the other Republican council members (including John M. Cozzi, and newly elected Bruce

Knights’ spelling bee returns March 1

The members of Knights of Columbus Mother Seton Council 5427 are excited to invite the students of the Township of Washington and Westwood to take part in its 2023 Spelling Bee.

G Geet t t h he e R Reessuul l t s

The event had been a staple on the Knights of Columbus calendar for many years.

The event, Wednesday, March 1 at 7 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus hall, 79 Pascack Road, is open to all students in grades 6–8 grades. Contestant sign-in starts at 6:30.

In order for things to run as smoothly as possible, students are asked to pre-register for the event by sending an email to spelling

bee committee chairman Mike Fusco at KofC5427@mail.com Include your full name, grade, and the name of the town you live in. A reply email will be sent to confirm your attendance.

The committee says, “We look forward to continuing this traditional event with a new generation of students.”

For more information call (201) 664-0422 or visit kofc5427.com.

Congratulations

and (in

installed at a recent meeting of GFWC/NJSFWC The Woman’s Club of Westwood. Installation was conducted by Palisades District Vice President Claire Hill. Each member was presented with a memento and the club’s bylaws.

The club meets the second Thursday of the month, September through June, at 7:30 p.m. at the clubhouse, 205 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood. For more information, call (201) 916-1580.

WESTWOOD

to Lauren Letizia, Jennifer Sirchio, Nicole Dragona,

red) Barbara Marino,

Photo via Madeleine Ciocco

Can a 20-minute workout two or three times a week really improve oneʼs overall health and fitness? The coaches at The Exercise Coach have been asked this since the businessʼs founding in 2000. The answer — from its 180 units across the United States — is a resounding yes!

Given the success of their Midland Park location, established January 2020, and their outstanding reception in Hillsdale, in October 2022, business partners Richard Edelstein and Elaine Vakalopoulos say they look forward to changing lives across north Bergen County, with plans to open more Exercise Coach locations.

The Exercise Coach is a semi-private personal training studio unlike any other. At first glance the equipment might look like traditional strength training machines, but there are no weight stacks — patrons work toward their best selves with computerized technology. Science-backed Exerbotics machines accurately

measure clientsʼforce output — their strength. Thatʼs everyone from people who might have lost motor control due to partial paralysis all the way to elite athletes.

The Exercise Coachʼs personalized programs are optimized for efficiency, effectiveness, and safety. With the primary focus on strength training, one moves bet-

ter, feels more able, and has support in keeping to an ideal weight.

The Exercise Coach generally appeals to women and men who are short on time NS not interested in the big gym scene, and who prefer individualized attention for a safe, quality workout.

•K.R., a grandfather from Waldwick, says “I have been suffering with herniated discs for two years now along with a leg that has been numb. My range of motion was limited and PT (physical therapy) wasnʼt helping. I couldnʼt walk very far without needing to sit and going up stairs was brutal. I stumbled on the ad for EC on Facebook and decided to give it a try. After only two months I was able to walk Van Saun Park with my grandson and m y mobility has increased immensely. I have gained strength in my leg and Iʼve gone down 15 pounds so far from getting in the metabolic challenge. Everyone there is friendly, encouraging, and professional. I will be forever grateful for the Exercise Coach.”

•C.F., from Waldwick:, says “I never liked exercise. The programs were always too long and painful, so my perception was punishment, and that is what always turned me off. The Exercise Coach is so perfect for me! 20 minute workouts that work all muscle groups and aerobic exercise. I have achieved great results. I am so much stronger now. I would recommend this stu-

dio highly!”

The Exercise Coachʼs philosophy — that strength changes everything — applies from i mproving daily functionality around the home, to oneʼs golf game, to the well-documented p rehabilitation for cancer patients and preparation for surgery.

Physical activity also contributes to improved mental h ealth by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood, and improving self-esteem and cognitive function.

T he Exercise Coachʼs national franchise offers a u nique, comprehensive approach to fitness easily tailored to anyone, regardless of starting point.

S ee for yourself at The Exercise Coach. All sessions are by appointment only. Visit exercisecoach.com/hillsdale or call or text (551) 261-5117 to lock down two free sessions. 100 Park Ave., Suite 7, Hillsdale.

The Exercise Coach appeals to those short on time,not interested in the big gym scene,and who prefer individualized attention for a safe,quality workout.

25 years’ service

FROM PAGE 5

Goldsmith and Gregory Hoffman) for comment but did not hear back by press time.

Moreover, we reached out to council Democrats John Ferguson and Matthew Capilli for comment but did not hear back.

Resident Patrick Hunt told Pascack Press that when questioned, Fenwick could not cite a specific cost saving to Park Ridge for replacing Falkenstern.

Fenwick told us on this point, “We offered the part-time administrator position to our clerk to be

able to compete with the other town's offer, we are not eliminating it. I unfortunately canʼt say more at this time since I havenʼt cleared it with our labor attorney and there are Rice issues involved, but in the coming weeks everything will be readily apparent to everyone.”

Misciagna said that it would be costly to bring another administrator up to speed.

Asked about the possibility that a council majority could vote Jan. 24 to replace Falkenstern, Misciagna said though that could occur, “Iʼm going to make sure

everyone in town knows whatʼs going on because this isnʼt right.”

Misciagna said the “rushed move” to replace Falkenstern “is not in the best interest of residents” and noted any savings “will be inconsequential and the impact on our services great.”

In addition to tabling Falkensternʼs resolution, the council voted to table a resolution reimbursing Falkenstern $10,000 for her year as a qualified purchasing agent; and tabled a resolution appointing Giandomenico as borough qualified purchasing agent.

HILLSDALE

The Hillsdale Board of Education on Jan. 16 proudly recognized members of the schoolsʼ staff who now have attained 25 years of service.Board president Nicole Klas began the meeting by welcoming the distinguished guests and discussing “the great-

ness of service that the Hillsdale Public School staff members share in their work with children.” Recognized for their service to students in the past 25 years: Ellen Davis, Trina Wolf, and David Mombert. The board said it congratulates each and wishes them continued success in the Hillsdale Public Schools.

Photo courtesy Robert Lombardy

Left to right: Hillsdale Board of Education trustee Kevin Donatello,board vice president Sal Sileo,Ellen Davis,board president Nicole Klas,Trina Wolf,and superintendent Robert Lombardy.Not pictured:trustees Justin Saxon and Christina Jennings,and David Mombert.

Kit and kaboodle

Counsel: Swap not a town win

FROM PAGE 3

vey done by our Planning Board in January 2022, which is public.”

Ruocco said he advocated for the redeveloper to pay for a community center at Stonybrook as part of the agreement approving a PILOT. However, the council did not agree. He said since then the centerʼs estimated cost rose from $2 million to $3 million.

S ome officials said they were hopeful that a council presentation on a potential Stonybrook Community Center could

occur in mid-February or March. Troast noted that the redevelopment project PILOT is “the goose that lays the golden egg and it will be laying an egg every year and you can now commit to these projects and know, when this (PILOT revenues) is in full swing, it will not hurt the taxpayers.”

Referring to Troastʼs analysis, Ruocco said “Itʼs a little bit self-serving to say that the community is crying for two community centers.”

R uocco said that former

c ouncilman Frank Pizzella and councilwoman Janetta Trochimiuk worked with him t o get a 5,000-square-foot community center on Patterson Street after the redevelope r initially proposed only 3,500 square feet.

He called Troastʼs analysis a “helpful document.”

For more from Ruocco, see Letters, page 2. We accept signed letters on timely local topics at pascackpress@thepressgroup.net

WESTWOOD

The New Jersey State Federation of Womenʼs Clubs Day of Service, Jan. 16, coincided with the National Day of Service. Womenʼs clubs are divided into districts throughout the state. Collection of meal kits for the Palisades District was held at the clubhouse of the Westwood Womanʼs Club. In coordination with Community Food Bank of New Jersey, the meal kits were transferred from each District Day of Service location to local pantries, foodbanks, senior and child feeding centers and mobile pantries. These lists follow Community Food Bank of New Jerseyʼs kit plan: Dinner in a Bag, Healthy Lifestyle Meal Kit, Snow Day Meal Bag, and College Meal Kit. The lists reflect the variety of needs of the Community Food Bank of New Jerseyʼs receiving partners.

For more information about the Federation and the Womanʼs Club of Westwood, call (201) 916-1580.

—Madeleine Ciocco

Photo via Madeleine Ciocco

Team effort! Annette Bortone,of the Woman’s Club of Lyndhurst,and Joanne Toole,of the Woman’s Club of Westwood,help sort and bag meal kits Jan.16.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR : ATTHELIBRARY

20 Palisade Ave. (201) 261-5604

emersonlibrary.org

get all the facts —and have fun getting involved!

• Mondays in January at 1 and 3 p.m.: Knitters Circle afternoons. All levels of experience are welcome. Basic materials will be

Giants repeat!

in a row.

Back to front, left to right: Coach Chris Pettit, Kai Vereb, Chris Pettit, Grayson Diaz, Brendan Riccio, Coach John Mircovich, Sean Roche, Joseph O’Connell, Matthew Truszkowski, and Braeden Mircovich.

Pascack Flag Football is a non-profit local chapter of NFL Flag Football. Open to kids in grades 1–8 at all skill levels, it offers a fun, fast-paced game, played on Sunday mornings at Mark Lane Athletic Complex in River Vale.

provided, or bring your own. Registration recommended, drop-in welcome.

• Tuesdays in January at 11 a.m.: Join us for an introduction to songs, dance and finger plays with stuffed animals and rhymes. Newborn to age 2. Open to all families. Registration required for each child per date. Join the waiting list if weʼre booked.

• Tuesdays in January at 3:30 p.m.: Switch Club. Local grades 2–4 are welcome to play our Switch on the flatscreen television set or on their personal device. Registration required for each child per date. For ages 7–8, a parent/guardian is required to remain in the building for the duration of the game.

• Monday, Jan. 23 at 1 p.m.: In this musical program suitable for ages 1–6, weʼll dance and sing at this Winter Wonderland Merry Move & Groove performance with Miss Jolie. Registration required for each child. Open to all families.

• Mondays, Jan. 23 & 30 at 2 p.m.: Are you curious about how to play Mahjong? Mahjong is a game of skill, strategy, and luck which has been found to improve shortterm memory, attention, and logical thinking. Registration required. Open to the adults of Emerson.

• Monday, Jan. 23 & 30 at 3:30 p.m.: Join Miss Victoria for Afternoon Storytime. All children, age 2–5, are welcome. Registration recommended, drop-in welcome. A parent/guardian is required to remain in the building for the duration.

• Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 1:30 p.m.: Join Miss Shelley of Every Little Thing Yoga for a lovely indoor Chair Yoga class. We will gently move our bodies, encouraging mobility and flexibility, and find some peace together in a fully-supported, adaptable class. All abilities and capabilities, no experience is needed and Shelley provides lots of adaptable variations for all poses. Chairs will be provided. Registration required.

• Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 10:30 a.m.: Create a Penguin Craft and enjoy storytime with your little one(s). Suitable for ages 2–5 and structured around preschool readiness. Registration required for each craft, one craft per child.

• Thursday, Jan. 26 at 1 p.m.: Already know how to play Mahjong? Sessions are designed for the knowledge based player to play on their own with a small group. Registration recommended, drop-in welcome.

• Thursday, Jan. 26 at 3:30 p.m.: Afterschool Craft— Heartto-Heart Note Holder. Remind friends and family how special they are with these heartfelt wooden note holders. Includes two sizes of craft wood hearts, spring clothes pins, sandpaper, and instructions. Registration is required for each craft, one craft per child. Children of Emerson only.

back to you confirming details.

• Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 3 p.m.: Think it, Make it, Share it: Sew an Ugly Doll Monster. Children under 9 must be accompanied by a guardian or older responsible sibling.

• Friday, Jan. 27 at 10:30 a.m.: Chair Yoga with Maria. Registration required.

M MOONNTTVVAALLE E

12 Mercedes Drive, Suite 100 (201) 391-5090 montvalelibrarynj.org

• Adult Book Club meets the first Monday of the month at 10:30 a.m. or the second Monday of the month at noon. To get involved Call George Galuschak at (201) 391-5090 or write george.galuschak@montvale.bc cls.org and provide your name, telephone number, and BCCLS library bar code number.

H HIILLLLSSDDA

AL

LE E 509 Hillsdale Ave. (201) 358-5072 hfpl.org

• Tuesdays in January and February: Winter Story Time at 1:30 p.m. for ages 2 1⁄ 2 to 5. Call (201) 358-5073 or e-mail Cindy at cindy.greenwald@hfpl.org

• Wednesdays in January and February: Winter Toddler Story Time at 10:30 a.m. for ages 18 months to 2.5 years with a caregiver. Call (201) 358-5073 or e-mail cindy.greenwald@hfpl.org

• Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 1 p.m., Mahjong For Beginners, organized by Cathy Winder. Six-week series starts. At 7 p.m., Scrabble Club! Do you know all the twoand three-letter words from aa to zzz but have nowhere to use them? Do you love games that combine strategy, knowledge, and luck but no one to play with? Are you tired of sitting home watching TV but have nowhere to go? Join the club! Write Norel Blundo at blundoquatro@gmail.com with your name, phone number, and experience level. Please include “Scrabble” in your subject line, and weʼll get

• Monday, Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m.: Join the Montvale Cookbook Group as we discuss “Mooncakes and Milk Bread: Sweet and Savory recipes inspired by Chinese Bakeries” by Kristina Cho.

• Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 4:30 p.m.: Who loves science and fun? This is a dynamic 45minute interactive program in which a scientist conducts live, amazing experiments that demonstrate chemical reactions, forces, and more. All ages. Under 5 require their grown-up.

• Thursdays in January at 7 p.m.: Bedtime Stories with Ms. Mary At 10:30 a.m., Interactive yoga class. Bozza Yoga is back to guide children 18 months to 4 years and their grown-ups through creative yoga poses and movements that help little onesʼ eye-hand coordination and motor skills. Registration is required. At 6:30 p.m., chess in the Childrenʼs Room. ChessWired is here, live, to teach chess basics and to play games and develop strategies for grades 3 and up. Registration required. At 7 p.m., Increase Your Understanding of Genealogy to more effectively research your family. Learn how to use your DNA matches to enlarge your family tree.

P PAARRK K R RIIDDGGE E 51 Park Ave. (201) 391-5151 parkridge.bccls.org

•Mondays in January at 11:30 a.m.: Yoga. All levels welcome. Register with payment at the library

• Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 10 a.m.: Story Time with Miss Renee.

• Thursday, Jan. 26 at 10 a.m.: Story Time with Miss Renee.

• Friday, Jan. 27 at 10 a.m.: Virtual Crafts with Miss Renee. Pick up a craft bag at the library.

• Saturday, Jan. 28 at 10 a.m.: Virtual Story Time with Miss Eileen.

PASCACKVALLEY

THE 4/5 GRADE NEW YORK GIANTS defeated the Vikings on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, to win the flag football Super Bowl Championship — for the second year

Photo via Michelle Riccio

• The recycling newsletter will be on its way to your homes i n the coming days. Visit parkridgeboro.com to view January schedule of pickups.

• Kindergarten orientation for incoming families for the 2023–2024 school year is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. for East Brook and at 6:30 for West Ridge. Contact the

Park Ridge municipal notes

school with any questions.

• PKRG-TV seeks volunteers. Park Ridge is extremely lucky to have excellent broadcast television coverage of PRHS sports events. However, in order to continue this top-notch coverage, PKRG-TV needs new volunteers to help with filming football, basketball, volleyball and other local sports. If you have

enjoyed seeing your kidsʼevents —or you are Park Ridge athlete alumni yourself —and have time to give, consider volunteering. Without volunteers, coverage cannot continue. All are welcome, no experience is required, camera training will be provided. Write pkrg@parkridgeboro.com.

• If you havenʼt done so yet, consider joining the Pascack

Magnolia Avenue bridge reopens

Mayor Michael Ghassali had the pleasure on Dec. 29, 2022 of announcing that “Magnolia Bridge is now open for safe passage.”

He added in his announcemebt video, “On behalf of the residents of Montvale, I want to thank Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco and County Commissioner Tom Sullivan and the entire commissioners board for their support to rebuild Magnolia bridge and open it two weeks ahead of schedule. Many thanks to the Sanzari Construction and to their crew and to Colliers Engineering & Design.”

On Dec. 14, Ghassali posted seeking support in not distracting the workers on the project, working toward a completion date of Jan. 13.

Among the comments his

Dec. 29 video drew:

• Robert Zitelli: “Thank you to all our elected officials who made it possible.”

• Carolee Adams: “Teamwork, positive leadership, dedicated construction crews led by the

ever reliable Joey Sanzari (and unforgettable grammar school classmate), patient/ hopeful Montvale residents, and answered prayers, this is truly a harbinger of a blessed New Year.”

—Staff report

Historical Society as a member. Visit pascackhistoricalsociety.org Memberships help support the important work preserving our shared history.

• Covid 19 update: Bergen Countyʼs health department recently provided a limited number of Covid 19 rapid tests to the borough for staff and residents to help protect against further spread

of the virus. If you need a test, r each out to Borough Hall. Many insurance companies are providing free tests so be sure to check with your health insurance carrier to see if they can send you some free tests to have on hand. For transmission and hospitalization information for the area, see the dashboard at covid19.nj.gov/#liveupdates.

MONTVALE

Mayor Michael Ghassali (at right) expresses his appreciation to the team that supported rebuilding Magnolia bridge, which opened two weeks ahead of schedule.

eats Dining & Cooking Guide

Enjoy making our Signature dish at home!

• 1 tsp. honey mustard

• Dash of honey & balsamic vinegar

Giulioʼs will be delighted to host your holiday business of family parties. Seating is available for up to 100. Catering is also offered and the restaurant has a full bar, including over 100 wines.

Salmon Giulio stuffed with crab meat

What youʼll need:

• 10 oz. Salmon filet

• 3 tbs. Colossal Crabmeat

• 1 pepper, diced

• Stalk celery, diced

• Salt & pepper to taste

What to do:

Slice salmon down center (lengthwise). Dice peppers and celery; salt and pepper to taste.

Add honey mustard mix together w/crabmeat. Stuff in center of salmon. Cook 10 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Drizzle with a dash of honey & balsamic vinegar dressing

•Buon appetito!

Giulioʼs Restaurant is at 154 Washington Street, Tappan N.Y.

Pull up a chair at Giulio’s Restaurant, where elegance meets affordable —and delicious —Italian cuisine.

Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner Visit Giulioʼs website for its menu and much more:

www.giuliosrestaurant.com. For reservations, takeout, catering, and more, call (845) 359-3657

P Paassccaacck k P Prreesss s welcomes press releases, birth announcements, wedding announcements and event photographs from all towns in the Pascack Valley. Send all news to pascackpress@thepressgroup.net

Salmon Giulio stuffed with crabmeat

PASCACK VALLEY

Kudos on K of C Winter Food Drive

Knights of Columbus Mother Seton Council #5427 held its annual winter food drive on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022 in the Township. Grand Knight Rick Hodgman commended drive chairs Jim McPeak and Chuck Merlo for another successful effort.

The donations were delivered to the Helping Hand Food Pantry in Hillsdale.

Merlo said, “We collected over 300 bags on Saturday and they are still being delivered to the council.

Likewise, we received $715 in checks, which went to the OLGC Food Pantry, and $120 in gift cards, which went to Helping Hands.”

He said, “It was the usual strong volunteer turnout and participation from the town was great as usual. We thank all the donors, personal and corporate, for their generosity and kindness.”

Hodgman offered his thanks “to all who donated and to my

brother knights, their family members, and the many Township teenagers who worked on the drive. I also extend our appreciation to Pascack Press for once

members in more than 16,000 local councils. During the past year, Knights around the world donated more than 48 million service hours and $154 million

again co-sponsoring the drive.”

In 1882, Blessed Michael McGivney, then a young parish priest in New Haven, Conn. founded the Knights of Columbus to serve the needs of a largely immigrant Catholic community.

What began as a small fraternal benefit society has since grown into one of the worldʼs leading international charitable organizations, with 2 million

for worthy causes in their communities. To date in 2022, Mother Seton Council contributed $19,824 to charities, which included $4,000 in scholarships.

Applications for membership in the Knights of Columbus are welcome from qualified individuals. For more information call (201) 664-0422, or visit kofc5427.com

Party For Coach Stan Woods Jan. 26

Legendary Emerson–Park Ridge wrestling coach Stan Woods is retiring. All are invited to join in celebration of his incredible career.

The event is Thursday, Jan. 26 from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Seasons Catering.

Any proceeds will be donat-

ed to the Eric Ayala Memorial Foundation, Washington Township.

Woods, the stateʼs all-time leader in wrestling victories, with 802, announced his retirement in May at the annual Emerson Eric Ayala scholarship dinner. Emerson named its school gym for him

in 2015.

He was the Cavosʼhead wrestling coach for 55 years, and it was under his tenure that the program merged in a co-op with Park Ridge.

For more information write borntobewild2023@gmail.com

PASCACK VALLEY

Knights and young volunteers outside Helping Hand Food Pantry in Hillsdale.

Community Calendar

412 Rivervale Road

(201) 391-2323

rivervalelibrary.org

• Wednesdays in January at 10 a.m.: Winter Storytime: For ages 2–5. Great stories with fun songs and coloring. Wednesdays at 1 p.m.: Alphabet Storytime: For ages 3–5. Hear great stories and enjoy fun songs while learning about a letter of the alphabet. Includes themed craft. Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 4 p.m.: Lego Challenge Club: New Yearʼs resolution: What do you want to do in 2023? Build a scene of yourself doing that.

• Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 5 p.m.:

PASCACK VALLEY

Mah Jongg Club: Bring friends or come alone and find new partners. Experienced adult players only. Drop in with your 2022 Mah Jongg card and your own Mah Jongg tiles if possible.

• Thursdays in January at 1:30 p.m.: Chair Yoga: Seats are first come, first served. Doors open 15 minutes prior to scheduled class time. River Vale residents receive priority.

• Thursday, Jan. 19 at 4 p.m.:

Lunar New Year Party: Lunar New Year marks the start of a new year on the lunisolar and solar calendar. Jan. 22 starts the celebrated Year of the Rabbit. Weʼll read a Lunar New Year story, play a game, and tackle a related fun

Sundial Garden Club meets Feb. 6

The next meeting of the Sundial Garden Club, Monday, Feb. 6, at 4 p.m., features a presentation by Lynne Proskow: “Regenerative Gardening: How You Can Help Create Biodiverse Ecosystems.”

The club meets at the Hillsdale Free Public Library, 509 Hillsdale Ave.

Proskow practices organic regenerative gardening using permaculture principles. She is passionate about healthy food, healing nature through eco-restoration, and teaching others the benefits of these gardening practices.

The club notes Proskow has

been a lifelong learner, “starting with a BA concentration at UMASS in Sustainable Food Systems. She has many certificates from various educational institutions in sustainable food, farming, and ecosystem restoration.”

The club says, “She is also a master gardener and works with seniors, garden clubs, Girl Scouts, and individuals to create pollinator gardens and organic vegetable gardens to increase biodiversity.”

The club says it “welcomes all gardeners and would-be gardeners from the Pascack Valley to this timely and informative lecture.”

craft.

• Mondays in January at 10 a.m.: Baby Time: For birth to 2 years. Listen to stories and sing songs with Miss Rebecca.

• Monday, Jan. 23 at 1 p.m.: The Health Benefits of Chocolate: Join Barbara Stavrou, RD from ShopRite of Hillsdale for a presentation about the health benefits of chocolate, followed by a tasting of different types of chocolates. This program is for River Vale residents ages 18 and older. Registration is required. This program may not be suitable for individuals with food allergies.

• Monday Jan. 23 at 4 p.m: Snowman Tea Lights: Create a light-up snowman ornament.

• Tuesday Jan. 24 at 10:30 a.m.: Music with Miss Nita: For River Vale residents ages 6 months to 4 years. Join us for a fun music class with Miss Nita. Share songs, play instruments, and enjoy rhythm in a relaxed, playful, fami-

PARK RIDGE

ly-style class.

• Tuesday Jan. 24 at 1 p.m, 7 p.m: Friends of the Library meet on the fourth Tuesday of the month from September to June in the Community Room.

• Wednesdays in January at 1 p.m.: Alphabet Story Time: For ages 3–5. Listen to great stories and enjoy fun songs while learning about a letter of the alphabet. We will also do a themed craft.

• Wednesday Jan. 25 at 4 p.m.:

Kids Cartooning Workshop: Olaf!: Draw and paint your everyone's favorite snowman with artist John Monton. Grades 2–6 Registration required.

• Wednesday Jan. 25 at 6 p.m.:

DNA Testing Companies: Pros and Cons: Join us and learn more about the different DNA testing companies, including pros and cons, costs, and features. Conversation will include the different types of DNA testing: autosomal, Y-DNA, and mitochondrial.

Register to reserve a seat.

• Thursday Jan. 26 at 10 a.m.:

Morning Book Club: Calling all morning people and aspiring early risers! We have a new book group that will meet monthly on Thursday mornings at 10. Start your day with an informal and lively discussion of the book selection of the month followed by conversation about book suggestions and recommendations.

• Friday Jan. 27 at 10 a.m.:

Knit and Crochet Group: Bring a project to work on and chat with other members. New members of all skill levels are welcome.

• Friday Jan. 27 at 1 p.m.:

Afternoon Mah Jongg Club: Come and play Mah Jongg at the library. Bring friends or come alone and find new partners. Experienced adult players only. Instruction is not provided during these sessions. Remember to bring your

Pool registration starts Feb. 15

The Park Ridge Municipal Pool will open on Saturday, May 27. Pool memberships are open to all residents, previous pool members, and non-resident employees of Park Ridge borough and the local board of education.

A limited number of memberships will be offered to non-residents, so get your registrations in early once they are available.

New non-residents must be sponsored by a Park Ridge resident or prior pool member.

Membership rates remain what they were in 2019:

• Resident family: $410

• Resident single: $300

• Resident seniors: Free

• Non-resident family: $510

• Non-resident: single: $360

• Non-resident senior: $75/$100 per couple (both must be 65 or older).

Registration is available electronically from Feb. 15 on the Park Ridge Municipal Pool page at parkridgeboro.com. Note the registration due dates to avoid a $35 late fee. If electronic signup is not possible, paper pool registration forms can be picked up at the pool office weekends, from May 6, from noon to 3 p.m.

Please read the pool information packet concerning hours of operation, guest fees, swim lessons and other important information by clicking on the link on the Park Ridge Municipal Pool page page.

The Park Ridge Municipal Pool normally provides swim lessons and such activities as competitive swim and dive teams, arts and crafts, story time, Red Cross lifeguard training, and other special events as posted throughout the summer

For more information visit parkridgeboro.com or write pool@parkridgeboro.com

Vintage: Beuscher’s view down Hillsdale Avenue

FROM PAGE 4

parking lot is now. After more than 50 years the restaurant closed and is presently being renovated with a modern look for a new Chipotle location.

Across the street you can see the sign for the Texaco station that

was at the corner of Patterson Street. On that same side, the shop at the corner of Hillsdale Avenue and Winkler Way was Hillsdale Paint. It is still a paint store, now under Ricciardi Brothers.

— Kristin Beuscher is president of the Pascack Historical Society.

R RIIVVEER R V VAALLE E

Hillsdale’s iconic train station and police booth via Hillsdale Happenings,January 2022.

The pre-restoration Hillsdale train station of the 1970s.

Friendship Circle winter camp delivers

Valley Chabad Friendship Circle just completed its first annual winter camp for children with special needs.

Estie Orenstein, the Friendship Circle programʼs director, tells Pascack Press, “The camp provided a fun and inclusive environment for children with special needs to learn, grow, and make new friends. The dedicated and compassionate teen volunteers worked tirelessly to help each child reach their full potential and have a memorable and meaningful experience.”

She said, “Throughout the camp, children participated in a wide range of activities, including arts and crafts, baking, music and movement, and trips. The children all had a great time.”

And she said, “We are proud of the progress and achievements of all of the children who participated in our winter camp.”

For more information about joining Valley Chabadʼs Friendship Circle as a participant, volunteer or supporter, contact Orenstein at (201) 476-0157 or fc@valleychabad.org

Ambulance:

FROM PAGE 1

bers. Weʼre trying to make sure that our efforts are front and center for people who would like to join,” said Rush Sherman, an emergency medical responder and business vice president with Westwood Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Unlike their neighboring TriBoro Volunteer Ambulance Corps, which is seeking $100,000 cash infusions from Montvale, Park Ridge and Woodcliff Lake to start a volunteer stipend program to retain volunteers, the Westwood corps needs more volunteers to expand its hours of service to residents.

Those three towns also provide a $20,000 annual contribution each to help fund the all-volunteer squad. (See “Tri-Boro EMS asks $100K infusions,” Michael Olohan, Jan. 2, 2023.)

Emerson, too, has banners up seeking volunteers, and the Township of Washington is always recruiting — its corps will soon be moving to more prominent headquarters in a multimillion-dollar new building shared with the town volunteer fire department, on Washington Avenue.

Sherman said funding is not an immediate concern but recruiting new members is critical. In Westwood, volunteer corps funding comes from three sources: donations of residents and businesses, the corpsʼannual summer carnival, and a donation from the Borough of Westwood, notes the

website.

The Westwood corps also assists surrounding towns with mutual aid calls. In 2021, the corps responded to 636 emergencies in Westwood and nearby towns.

Sherman said the corpsʼ goal would be double the number of active riding members, from 20 now to 40, if possible. He said two people can staff an ambulance to a call, but he much prefers three people, and if possible, four people.

He said the Westwood ambulance is in service about 51% of the time for residents and a goal they would like to get to is local coverage 80% of the time.

Sherman said the corps hopes to be “proactive” with banner ads, community events, and feature articles that entice potential recruits into finding out more about the public service rewards of volunteering.

Sherman said interested residents should come to an upcoming open house or rig checking event to learn more about joining the corps.

He said volunteers must be trained in CPR to join the squad. Volunteers can decide to move up the ranks, starting first as an EMR (Emergency Medical Responder) and going for additional certifications on their way to become an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician).

Sherman said he had completed his second year as a corpsʼvolunteer and noted “people can contribute in different ways” including as an EMR and an ambulance rig driver.

He said sometimes if the local volunteer ambulance corps is not available, a nearby mutual aid volunteer ambulance corps will respond. If not available, the service must rely on private ambulances, which may lead to a delayed response and a charge for services. The Westwood corps does not charge for its medical emergency response services.

Sherman said on average a crew, when paged, can get to the ambulance headquarters in several

minutes and respond to a local emergency call in under 10 minutes.

Upcoming open houses, recruitment events, and opportunities to learn more about volunteering with the Westwood corps will be publicized soon, Sherman said.

“Our goal is to reach out to the

community and create awareness of the services we provide and make an effort to recruit new members,” Sherman said.

For more information on getting involved write the corps at Join@WestwoodVolunteerEMS.org or call (201) 664-0003.

Look for open houses, recruitment events, and opportunities to learn more about volunteering with the Westwood Volunteer Ambulance Corps. EMT squads across the Pascack Valley would welcome more members. WVAC photo.

Health,Wellness &FitnessGuide

THE SAVVY SENIOR: How Much Do You Have to Make to File Taxes?

Dear Savvy Senior,

What are the IRS income tax filing requirements for retirees this tax season? My income dropped way down when I retired in 2022, so Iʼm wondering if I need to even file a tax return this year.

Social Security benefits, unless you are married and filing separately — was below the threshold for your filing status and age, you may not have to file. But if itʼs over, you will.

• Single: $12,950 ($14,700 if youʼre 65 or older by Jan. 1, 2022).

Check Here Too

Be aware that there are other financial situations that can require you to file a tax return, even if your gross income falls below the IRS filing requirements.

BY JIMMILLER

—Recently Retired

Dear Recently,

Whether or not you are required to file a federal income tax return this year will depend on how much you earned last year, as well as the source of the income, your age and filing status.

Hereʼs a rundown of this tax seasonʼs IRS tax filing requirement thresholds.

For most people, this is pretty straightforward. If your 2022 gross income — which includes all taxable income, not counting your

Married filing jointly: $25,900 ($27,300 if you or your spouse is 65 or older; or $28,700 if youʼre both over 65).

• Married filing separately: $5 at any age.

• Head of household: $19,400 ($21,150 if 65 or older).

• Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child: $25,900 ($27,300 if 65 or older).

To get a detailed breakdown on federal filing requirements, along with information on taxable and nontaxable income, call the IRS at 800-829-3676 and ask them to mail you a free copy of the “1040 and 1040-SR Instructions for Tax Year 2022,” or you can see it online at IRS.gov/pub/irspdf/i1040gi.pdf.

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

For example, if you earned more than $400 from self-employment in 2022, owe any special taxes like an alternative minimum tax, or get premium tax credits because you, your spouse or a dependent is enrolled in a Health Insurance Marketplace plan, youʼll need to file.

Youʼll also need to file if youʼre receiving Social Security benefits, and one-half of your benefits plus your other gross income and any tax-exempt interest exceeds $25,000, or $32,000 if youʼre married and filing jointly.

To figure all this out, the IRS offers an online tax tool that asks a series of questions that will help you determine if youʼre required to file, or if you should file because

WESTWOOD

youʼre due a refund. It takes less than 15 minutes to complete. You can access this tool at IRS.gov/Help/ITA – click on “Do I Need to File a Tax Return?” Or you can get assistance over the phone by calling the IRS helpline at 800-829-1040.

Check Your State

Even if youʼre not required to file a federal tax return this year, donʼt assume that youʼre also excused from filing state income taxes. The rules for your state might be very different. Check with your state tax agency before concluding that youʼre entirely in the clear. For links to state tax agencies see Taxadmin.org/statetax-agencies.

Tax Preparation Help

If you find that you do need to file a tax return this year, you can free file through the IRS at IRS.gov/FreeFile if your 2022

adjusted gross income was below $73,000.

Or, if you need some help, contact the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (or TCE) program. Sponsored by the IRS, TCE provides free tax preparation and counseling to middle and lowincome taxpayers, age 60 and older.

Call 800-906-9887 or visit IRS.treasury.gov/freetaxprep to locate services near you.

You can also get tax preparation assistance through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide service. Call 888-227-7669 or visit AARP.org/findtaxhelp for more information. You donʼt have to be an AARP member to use this service.

Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior,P.O.Box 5443,Norman, OK 73070,or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior”book.

St. Andrew’s 50+Club meets Feb. 1

St. Andrewʼs 50+ Club invites you to join for a presentation on elder law and estate planning at its next meeting, Wednes-

day, Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. in the gym. Dues for the new year — $13 — will be collected. New members are always welcome. Cake and

coffee will be served. Please bring an item/donation for the food pantry. For more information call Elaine at (201) 664-7037.

Health,Wellness &FitnessGuide

DR. KAPLAN: Try something new for a healthier you

Switch it up. The brain does not like it if you a re always doing the same t hing. Top researchers and neuroscientists have found that one of the top three ways to improve memory is to perform novel or new activities. Many people are at home, sitting and working on the computer, sitting on the couch watching Netflix, sitting while p laying video games, sitting while playing on social media, sitting while watching the news, sitting while browsing the internet, and and sitting while scrolling through their iPads. They are rarely learning new things.

DR. ERIC KAPLAN, KAPLAN BRAIN & BODY

c alled neuroplasticity and that will help prevent dementia, s troke, Alzheimerʼs disease, Parkinsonʼs disease, ADD, autism, headaches, dizziness, concussion and even Covid-19 long haulerʼs syndrome. Unfortunately, many of the long haulers have neurological symptoms such as brain fog, confusion, memory loss, loss of smell, headaches, trouble focusing, and changes in behavior.

Lng haulers have been getting a lot of improvement, in addition to more energy, better sleep, better digestion, better memory, and better skin after using the hyperbaric oxygen chamber (HBOT) in our Emerson office.

Being creative with your workouts is also good for the brain. Think about taking different d ance lessons where you can physically and mentally get challenged at the same time.

If I were to invest in an exercise machine it would be the rowing machine because it is the best workout that uses the most important muscle groups while causing the least strain on the joints.

If you donʼt want to get a machine or go the gym, there are plenty of online classes: Crossfit, cycling, karate, pilates, HIIT, Yoga, tai chi, Zumba, hip-hop dance, boot camps, as well as home programs like P90X and Insanity.

even walking backwards.

These simple changes will help you improve your memory, i ncrease your brain function, improve your quality of life, and will help you to function better, feel better, and live better.

Amazing offers! Act fast!

If you are interested in more details and ways to improve your memory and focus, please sign up for my Boost Your Brain Power Seminar Series. The first module, Memory and Focus, is Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 6:30 to 8 p.m at 770 Kinderkamack Road in River Edge.

you can take the seminar series over Zoom, as well. If you cannot make it live or over Zoom, we can send you the recordings as well.

However, if you come in person, you will get a free massage, a free cold laser therapy, free food and drinks, one of my books for free, and many other giveaways. If you come to all seven modules, it is a total value of over $1,000, but if you are one the first seven people to sign up, you get the entire package for only $49.

If you want to improve your memory and focus, and prevent dementia and Alzheimerʼs disease, you must start doing new things, change up the things you already are doing, and do stuff that your brain is not used to doing.

Challenge your brain in different ways every day. On Monday, do a word jumble, on Tuesday do a maze, on Wednesday do a crossword puzzle, on Thursday play Sudoku, on Friday play board games, on Saturday play cards, and on Sunday complete a jigsaw puzzle. Every week try at least one new game that you have never played before because it will require using different areas of the brain.

Take care of our brains and learn new activities to ensure proper activation and create the most synaptic connections to function at the highest level. Your brain will undergo a process

The HBOT is a machine that fills up with oxygen and basically increases the oxygen flow into the cells by changing the pressure inside the machine. Professional athletes have been using this therapy for years, and many hospitals have started incorporating the HBOT therapy as it is so successful with helping people.

One of the best ways to prevent dementia is to exercise. People with diabetes, obesity, and heart disease can change their health and their outcomes with improving their exercise routine. Physical exercise is necessary for the brain and body, but also make sure you “switch it up.”

It would be great to jog 1 mile one day, run a half a mile one day, sprint a hundred yard dash one day, take a long walk one day, power walk one day, hike one day, bike one day, swim one day, row a boat one day, and rollerblade one day. It is also good to keep changing up the routine with weights, bands, or balls.

You can even go out and use rocks, large sticks and branches as substitutes for most weights.

Learn a language, skill, or art form. Learn to play an instrument, or how to sew or knit. Start painting, drawing, sculpting or even origami. Read different genres and go outside your comfort zone. Keep looking for novelty. There are so many novel activities that you can perform on a daily basis. You can start by taking a different route to work.

Novelty can be applied to food, as well. Eat each color of the rainbow every day and donʼt have a weekly menu. Luckily, with the great variety of foods available to us, this task is very easy

Change up every activity you do and to keep learning new things. Start brushing your teeth or your hair with your non-dominant hand. Walk sideways or wear only one shoe. Visit places you have never been and perform activities you have never done. Read a book upside down.

Remember peopleʼs phone numbers and the next time you see them, they will be very impressed. Try spelling backwards, writing backwards, and

There are seven modules, covering depression and anxiety, s leep and energy, reducing i nflammation, mastering nutrition, and performing brain exercises.

Each module is normally $100, but if you sign up before Wednesday you can get all seven for $49 (only $7 a module).

If you cannot come in person,

WESTWOOD

Call or text (646) 221-6738 or email info@kaplanbrainandbody.com to reserve your spot.

My book is “Boost Your Brain Power: A Guide to I mproving Your Memory & Focus.” The book can also be ordered on Amazon if you cannot make it to the seminar.

Also, please listen to my two radio shows, every Saturday on 970 AM at 8 a.m. and every Saturday on 710 AM at 2 p.m.

SENIOR FELLOWSHIP MEETS FEB. 14

The Westwood Senior Fellowship club meets Feb. 14. Join in for tea, coffee, and cake. Dr. Jett Gurman, a chiropractor, is guest speaker. Doors open at

11:30 a.m. New memers are welcome. Annual membership dues of $5 are due.

Westwood Community Center is at 55 Jefferson Ave.

Dentist:

In a Day —

temporary teeth and instructed to stay on a soft diet for a period of several months. Final permanent “teeth” can be fabricated after approximately six months when the implants (anchors) have achieved complete stability. In a nutshell, the answer is yes, this procedure is real and can work out very successfully, but is not quite as simple as some patients imagine it to be.

The answer is a little complicated, but let me explain. First, not all patients are candidates for this type of procedure and second- there is preparatory work involving diagnosis, health history, 3-D scanning and laboratory prep to make the actual teeth, which will be fitted must be completed prior to the actual day of implant surgery and tooth placement.

In the cases where the procedure can be performed, the patient will leave with a set of

Advanced cases of this type often involve a team approach with the dentist, surgeon and laboratory technician or crosstrained dentist/specialist and laboratory. If you are wondering whether you are a candidate for this type of treatment for one or all of your teeth discuss your options with your dentist or specialist.

For questions about this and other dental procedures contact Dr. Guller at askdrguller@aol.com or call (201) 391-5565.

One of the most common questions I get from patients lately involves their curiosity and skepticism of claims they hear about same-day implant teeth. They want to know if the claims or advertisements are true.

PASCACK VALLEY

ROBERT H. GULLER, D.M.D OF PASCACK DENTAL ARTS

DAYOFSERVICE

PARKRIDGE

The Greater Pascack Valley Woman’s Club met recently to outline plans for the winter months.

A highlight of the Club’s activities is participation in the New Jersey Federation of Women’s Clubs annual Day of Service on Jan. 16. Held this year at the Westwood Woman’s Club Clubhouse, the day will bring together representatives of clubs in the Federation’s Palisades District to assemble meal kits to be distributed by the Food Bank of New Jersey.

Other Club projects include an upcoming CPR class and Military Bridge fundraiser. The Club continues to collect used smartphones and tablets for recycling at their collection boxes at the Park Ridge and River Vale libraries.

The Greater Pascack Valley Woman’s Club meets on the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Park Ridge Community Center on Park Avenue. The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 13. For more information call Carolyn Delafrange at (201) 819-1000 or email GPVWC1990@gmail.com.

RIVER VALE

Young Ravens swoop to strong start

The third-grade girls R avens team opened their 2022-2023 season with a 3-0 record. The team opened the season with a 22-16 road victory over Harrington Park.

Mackenzie Burke and Ariel Chavez showed no rust as they lit up the scoreboard in front of a dedicated road crowd.

Bella de la Rosa, and Brooke DeSantis were scrappy under the boards and boosted the team by contributing a bucket each. Molly Cooper forced several key turnovers.

This Raven team followed u p their opening game win with a nail-biting last shot 1312 win at Old Tappan.

Audrey Guthrie added a

bucket and hustle in a tough battle. Velma Pellegrino hit an e arly outside jumper and seemed to find the loose balls, while Ruhi Modiʼs key late rebound helped seal the game.

In the third game of the season, Michela Sanelli was responsible for getting her teammates open with some stiff picks and screens.

Sofia Jilleba added a basket along with plenty of grit on the g lass, while Juliet Megdal contributed on the boards in addition to hitting a tough inside layup.

Press-time update, Jan. 18: Your Ravens are a half-game out of second place with a third of the season under way after

starting the season 3-0 and making a run to the semi-finals i n a Bergen County Christmas Tournament.

The Ravens have been charged by a handful of contributors and earning the wins “in a schoolyard manner,” weʼre told.

Cooper, de la Rosa, and Pellegrino have been hitting the boards and hardwood and taking care of the dirty work while Chavez and Burke post fireworks.

Brooke DeSantis and Audrey Guthrie can also shoot from outside the key. Michela S anelli, Megdal, and Jilleba help lead the tough defense while Modi seems to always come up with a loose ball.

Give to ‘Soup’r Bowl’ on Feb. 12

NJSFWC/GFWC The Womanʼs Club of Westwood is collecting soup on Soupʼr Bowl Sunday, Feb. 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Nicholas Markets Fresh Grocer in Washington Township.

The soup will be distributed to the local food pantries. All dona-

tions of soup, packaged or canned, will be greatly appreciated by those in need.

The Womanʼs Club of Westwood is a member of the New Jersey State Federation of Womenʼs Clubs, an international womenʼs organization dedicated to communi-

ty improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service, with members in all 50 states and more than a dozen countries. For more information about the Federation and the Womanʼs Club of Westwood, call (201) 916-1580.

— Submitted by Kathy Grubb

Photo via Kathy Grubb

Members of the Greater Pascack Valley Woman’s Club meet with Claire Hill, Palisades district vice president,New Jersey Federation of Women’s Clubs. Pictured:Hilda Woodson,Claire Hill,and Geralyn Cargulia.

Sondheim: Kids raring to present ‘Into the Woods’

FROM PAGE 1

performance is Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 3 p.m. (pre-show discussion and nosh for $10 at the door).

Parent volunteer Steve Laux told Pascack Press on Jan. 17, “This is a high-quality production. The program has been recognized and featured for years in different theater avenues.”

He said, “Itʼs just putting a great effort on to the stage. Weʼre really excited about this production in particular because ʻInto the Woodsʼis a complex piece. Sondheim is no joke.”

Variety called the Broadway production “radiant,” The Wall Street Journal called it “enchanting,” and The Washington Post described it as “a priceless revival with a perfect cast.”

Sondheim, recalled in the lead of his New York Times obituary, Nov. 21, 2021, as “one of Broadway historyʼs songwriting titans, whose music and lyrics raised and reset the artistic standard for the American stage musical,” died at his home in Connecticut at 91.

St. Joeʼs cast, Laux said, were thrilled to learn theyʼd landed the rights to mount “Into the Woods.”

“A huge portion of the cast were off-book even before they got to the first rehearsal. They had been listening to the soundtracks and we actually organized a field

trip for the cast to see the show. Itʼs been really fun to watch,” he said.

Laux, who has a son, a junior, in the cast, and is handling outreach for the program, said “The timing of this is fantastic, because the show closes on Broadway, and then then our show opens a within week of it closing so if anybody didnʼt get a chance to see it on Broadway, this is a pretty close facsimile to it.”

Head of the class

John Asselta, director of performing arts at St. Joeʼs and producer of the show, told Pascack Press on Jan. 18, “We do an educational brochure that has five or six lesson plans so that when grammar schools come to our show, we give it to their teachers and they can run classes when they get back based on the show. And we do that with our teachers here, so when the students come see it, then they do some exercises based on the lessons to be learned from the show.”

He said the Papermill Rising Star program has bestowed St. Joeʼs its award “for the high school thatʼs used their musical for an educational impact better than anyone else in the state — weʼve won that six times.”

And he said Fox television has profiled the program three

times.

“We do the high level, and we do things that have a bit of a twist,” he said. “I think people think high school theater is one way, and then when they come to see a show here — because of the level of the talent, the professional people who work with them — they find it is way, way more than just your typical high school theater.”

Off the beaten path “Into the Woods” is a 1987 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine.

The main characters are taken from “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Rapunzel,” and “Cinderella,” and several others. The musical is tied together by a story involving a childless

baker and his wife and their quest to begin a family (the original beginning of the Grimm Brothersʼ “Rapunzel”), their interaction with a witch who has placed a curse on them, and their interaction with other storybook characters during their journey.

The musical debuted in San Diego at the Old Globe Theatre in 1986 and premiered on Broadway on Nov. 5, 1987, where it won three major Tony Awards (Best Score, Best Book, and Best Actress in a Musical for Joanna

Gleason), in a year dominated by “The Phantom of the Opera” (1988).

The musical has since been produced many times, with a 1988 U.S. national tour, a 1990 West End production, a 1997 tenth anniversary concert, a 2002 Broadway revival, a 2010 London revival, and in 2012 as part of New York Cityʼs outdoor Shakespeare in the Park series.

A Disney film adaptation, directed by Rob Marshall, was released in 2014.

A second Broadway revival began performances on June 28, 2022 at the St. James Theatre. The production closed this Jan. 8, and will start touring the United States on Feb. 18.

Discounts are available for all shows for groups of 10 or more by writing asseltaj@sjrnj.org Regular tickets are $17 and $23 and are on sale through SJR.Booktix.com or a half-hour before each show.

For more information write SJRTheater@sjrnj.org or call (201) 391-7422.

Club News?

We are the Pascack Valley’s hometown newspaper! We can help promote your club or organization. Send your news to pascackpress@thepressgroup.net or mail to Pascack Press, P.O. Box 335, Westwood, NJ 07675

“A huge portionof the cast were off-book”before the first rehearsal.

CLAIM BENEFITS SOONER OR LATER?

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

When it comes to Social Security and retirement, 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 eightyear 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 [lower-earning] spouse could draw if the individual passes away,” Arthur says.

Keep in mind that the current average life expectancy of a 65-yearold 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 brokerdealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

ERIC KOHLMEIER

Mayors: Breakfast

FROM PAGE 1

form and was punctuated by laughter and the cozy clatter of flatware on plates — coffee and juice there for the pouring.

The GPVCOC, a 501(c)3 non-profit, announced that its annual college scholarships for high school students would be renamed the Skip Kelley Memorial Scholarship in honor of the late chamber vice president and former Westwood mayor, who died on Dec. 11 at age 77.

The breakfast started with a salute to the flag, and a requested moment of silence in Kelleyʼs honor.

Over the buffet, mayors were allotted five minutes to take up issues suggested by chamber officials. Most offered reports covering town issues in 2022 and 2023. There were no follow-up questions. Highlights:

Park Ridge

Mayor Keith Misciagna noted that Park Ridge is the only Pascack Valley town to have its own water and electric utilities, which includes nearly two dozen wells. He said that the borough was notified by the state DEP that it had to meet strict standards regarding PFOAs (perfluorooctonoic acid) in drinking water.

He said a grant for $3.4 million to purchase filtration equipment for two wells that tested over PFOA limits was secured with assistance from Fifth District Congressman Josh Gottheimer, whom he thanked in absentia.

Misciagna noted the upcoming April opening of Woodcliff Lake Reservoir Nature Trail, a trail long sought by Woodcliff Lake, Park Ridge, and Hillsdale. He thanked Woodcliff Lake “for taking the lead on that.”

Hillsdale

Mayor John Ruocco said significant events in 2022 included the signed redevelopment agreement with Claremont March, which eliminated a transfer station and will lead to a 255-unit apartment complex in the former industrial area.

He said the “free community center” to be built at the Patterson Street apartment complex was in exchange for the higher density granted to the redeveloper.

Other notables: plans to upgrade Centennial Field with artificial turf and facilities for $4 million to $4.5 million, and a second community center at Stonybrook Swim Club for about $3 million.

Other issues included flooding along Pascack Brook, the DPW headquarters, road digging by PSEG and Veolia, and an $82.7 million school referendum set for March .

He said higher interest rates on borough bonds may result should the school referendum — seeking a replacement for George G. White Middle School — pass, and that the boroughʼs finance committee was looking into that.

Also, for 2023: a downtown rehabilitation plan, its consistency with the updated Master Plan, and how much public discussion occurs are issues.

He said another challenge is a likely $10 million bond to fund Centennial Field upgrades, a Stonybrook Community Center, and needed DPW facility upgrades to reduce flood impacts.

Other possible 2023 items included shared DPW services such as vehicle storage and a shared salt shed.

Moreover, he said 2023 budget pressures were due to increased employee health care costs, esca-

lating garbage collection costs, and maintenance of ambulance services “at the least possible cost to the taxpayer.” He said the issue remains how to address a volunteer versus paid ambulance service for a community.

Emerson Mayor Danielle DiPaola said the Borough Council appointed Republican councilwoman Ashley Rice, “a dynamic woman with a lot of fresh ideas and energy” on Jan. 17 to replace Don Pierro, who resigned. The unexpired term ends Dec. 31, 2023. Rice had chaired the environmental commission.

DiPaola said the borough has two shared-service agreements with the schools to provide security officers in 2023: a

Left to right at the Iron Horse Restaurant on Jan.18: Greater Pascack Valley Chamber of Commerce board member Mike Fitzsimmons;GPVCOC treasurer Kenneth Baron;Montvale Mayor Michael Ghassali;Hillsdale Mayor John Ruocco; Woodcliff Mayor Carlos Rendo;Oradell Mayor Dianne Didio;Westwood Mayor Raymond Arroyo;Park Ridge Mayor Keith Misciagna;Township of Washington Mayor Peter Calamari;Emerson Mayor Danielle DiPaola;River Vale Mayor Mark Bromberg;GPVCOC vice president Christine Issackedes;Tom Gallagher,representing Old Tappan Mayor John Kramer;GPVCOC president Robin Malley,and state Assembly members,Republicans in District 39,Robert Auth and DeAnne DeFuccio. Photos by John Snyder.

The GPVCOC promotes the business and community interests of Pascack Valley.

Mayors: Breakfast reports

FROM

School Resource Officer at Emerson Junior-Senior High School; and two special law enforcement officers in the grammar schools.

She said streetscape improvements will continue along Kinderkamack Road.

She said the borough contracted with Holy Name Hospital to cover ambulance shifts in 2022 and is still trying to increase volunteers for the volunteer squad.

She said the borough continues to address flooding, and has

along nicely” and a new two-story apartment building, with two affordable units, and a 7-Eleven on the ground floor, will replace the former Valero Station at the Kinderkamack-Linwood intersection. “So thatʼs going to change the face of us a little bit, but we look forward to all the changes that are happening in Emerson.”

residents, forcing the expansion of schools and a second water tower to serve the businesses and homes.

Ghassali said the corporate offices in town are full and generating an excess of $3 million in tax revenue per year “to help support green space and recreational space.”

He said Flemingʼs Steakhouse is inbound this year, that the town will continue to purchase properties that come on the market, and noted he “forcefully” told mayors his town had met its obligations for affordable housing and has a surplus of it.

Woodcliff Lake

Mayor Carlos Rendo said following Covid, the borough was “a stressed community” due to the Hilton closing down, 45% occupancy in corporate offices, and Desai Pharmaceuticals had left.

He said they were able to get Party Cityʼs national headquarters to move there with assistance from the state, which also led to a $250,000 contribution to the planned Galaxy Gardens Park. He said Party City brought over 750 employees with it, which helped the corporate sector. Moreover, he said Whole Foods Market, Sephora, Cambridge Wines, and Nike.

After close to a decade of waiting, he said on Earth Day (Saturday, April 22), “weʼll cut the ribbons and allow everyone access to our beautiful reservoir. So Iʼm grateful for that.”

Westwood

Event host mayor Ray Arroyo said 28 residential units, with 26 leased, and a UFC gym are part of the Jefferson Avenue project, which includes five affordable units. The gym was opening Jan. 18. Moreover, he said the former Center Tavern, now Prohibition, was just approved for 2nd floor dining space and an outdoor rooftop area.

parking trust fund to pay for “parking and traffic calming infrastructure improvements.”

He said theyʼre awaiting

installed a lightning detection system. She said 2023 grant funding will be used to put a new roof and solar panels on the library, a walking path near the senior center, and road improvements.

She said the Block 419 project, a 147-unit apartment complex with 15,000 square feet of groundlevel retail downtown, “is moving

mayor reportedly said “we have too many cars on the road and the traffic on Grand Avenue is horrible.” He said mayors in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s were complaining of overdevelopment.

Ghassali said about 10% of Montvaleʼs housing stock, or 365 units, are affordable housing. He said that housing added 2,500 new

“Woodcliff Lake is again a vibrant community with the investments by these corporate and commercial establishments,” Rendo said. He said development is “always a stressful issue” with pressures from affordable housing. He said the borough was to build 386 units but the final number being built is 24 affordable

He said the empty lot on Broadway and Irvington approved in 2022 for a seven-unit residential, with one, three-bedroom affordable unit, filed construction plans this week. He said installation had begun on 12 electric vehicle charging stations in three downtown public parking lots.

He said the former Coach USA Red and Tan bus garage on Old Hook Road was taken over by

county approval to reroute trucks off of Westwood Avenue (a county road) and noted that rideshare and food delivery service vehicles are “exacerbating rather than mitigating traffic issues.”

He said, since January 2020 the central business district is net six new businesses. “That is remarkable, considering pre pandemic when there were five empty storefronts on Westwood Avenue and some thought it the end of the world and that we needed to radically transform what has been a demonstrably winning formula of incremental growth appropriately scaled within the context of a pedestrian and as a regional commercial hub, (a) vehicular-dependent, central commercial core.”

Township of Washington

units. “That is a victory.”

He said the recent settlement of four litigation matters with the settlement of 188 Broadway LLC, litigation, where prior 60- and 53unit proposals were rejected, concluded with the 188 site being approved for 37 apartment units and nine townhomes, a total of 46 units.

He said the developer will donate $50,000 to the recreation fund to build future pickleball courts. Rendo said 10 years ago he called a Suez Water employee and told him to “tear down those fences” around Woodcliff Lake Reservoir and told him residents had “a right to enjoy our lake.”

New Jersey Transit, who is leasing the site. He said NJT has “fewer trips on and off the site” and is a “welcome reduction of the traffic burden” there. He said the addition of 77 beds at the Care One facility on Old Hook Road is nearly done, and will mean 197 beds “proximate to HUMC for area residents needing specialized care.”

Arroyo said the borough anticipates “a higher volume of traffic and parking demand based upon the regional growth we are seeing in surrounding Pascack Valley towns.” He noted “adequate parking” was essential to traffic flow and noted that the town was considering creating a

Mayor Peter Calamari touted acquiring the formerly private Washington Township Swim and Recreation Club property for rec and open space. He said it was a great accomplishment “because you cannot manufacture property, so you have to take advantage of it when it becomes available.”

He said the new Emergency Services Building “is almost complete” and noted the fire department has been using it for a few months. He said ADA improvements were made at Sherry Field.

He said the new DPW building will be put where the former

Montvale Montvale Mayor Michael Ghassali told his fellow mayors that a century ago the Montvale

Hillsdale Mayor John Ruocco makes a point in his remarks on borough highlights at the annual GPVCOC Breakfast With the Mayors on Wednesday, Jan. 18. Photos by John Snyder.

River Vale mayor Mark Bromberg at his first GPVCOC mayor’s breakfast.

GPVCOC board member Michael Fitzsimmons reacts as Montvale Mayor Michael Ghassali wraps his remarks at the chamber Breakfast With the Mayors, Jan. 18, with a selfie.

Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo on borough issues Jan. 18.

Community Calendar

FROM PAGE 14

2022 Mah Jongg card and your own Mah Jongg tiles, if possible.

Drop in.

• Monday Jan. 30 at 4 p.m.:

Yarn-Wrapped Letters: Fourth grade and up. Make a cardboardwrapped letter for decoration or as a gift for someone else.

• Tuesday Jan. 31 at 1 p.m.:

Movie Matinee: “Amsterdam.”

T TOOWWNNSSHHIIP P O OF F W WAASSHHIINNGGTTOON N

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

• Annual Bookmark Contest Monday, Jan.16 to Monday, Feb.13. Pick up an entry form at the library or print one at home. A winning entry will be chosen from each grade and made into a bookmark and made available at the Library. Prize for winning entries. Winners will be invited to bring friends and family to a special ceremony on March 1 at 6:30 p.m.

• Winter Storytimes begin. Please register. Tuesdays: Ages 2–3 at 10 a.m. Song, movement, stories. Thursdays: Pre-K Story Time at 3:45 p.m. Ages 3–5. Music, movement, stories, social growth, and early literacy. Fridays: Infant through 2 years at 10 a.m. Stories, songs, and rhymes plus social playtime.

• Monthly Teen Craft PickUp: Registered participants will receive an email to pick up their bookmark kits. Anyone can watch along with the craft video, which is conveniently available on our website and social media. Bath Salt Craft. Virtual, grades K–5. Pick up a kit ahead of time and Miss Marie will show you how to make a relaxing bath time surprise. Please register.

• Friday, Jan. 20: Coloring & Crafting at 1 p.m. Calling all coloring fans, stitchers, knitters, crocheters, and more: Craft and chat with friends! Refreshments and coloring supplies will be provid-

ed, or you can bring your own project to work on.

• Saturday, Jan. 21: Afternoon Tea Bingo at 2 p.m. Celebrate National Tea Month this January. Enjoy tea and snacks while playing bingo for prizes! Please register.

• Weekly Story Times. Please register. Tuesdays: Two Year Old Story Time at 10 a.m. Ages 2–3. Songs, movement, and stories. Thursdays: Pre-K Story Time at 3:45 p.m. Ages 3–5. Music, movement, stories, social growth and early literacy! Fridays: Birth–2 years at 10 a.m. Stories, songs, and rhymes plus social playtime.

• Monday Jan. 23 : Cartooning with Mr. John at 5:30 p.m.: Join John in an exploration of cartoon characters and techniques. Grades 6–12. Please register.

• Tuesday Jan. 24: Teen Tuesday after school until 4:30 p.m. A combination of Nintendo Switch gaming, crafts, games, and snacks.

• Tuesday Jan. 24: at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday Jan. 28 at 10:30 a.m.: Mat Yoga: All levels. Please bring your own mat and any props you may need, such as blocks, straps, or bolster blankets. $5 per class.

Drop in.

• Wednesday Jan. 25: Tween Mug Cooking Class at 3:45 p.m. Special ages grades 3–8. Learn to cook simple dishes using a microwave. Waitlist only.

• Saturday Jan. 28: Third Annual Jigsaw Puzzle Competition at noon. Sign up in teams of two to four people to complete the provided 500-piece jigsaw puzzle. Prizes! Register.

W WEESSTTWWOOOOD D

49 Park Ave. (201) 664-0583 westwoodpubliclibrary.org

• Wednesdays in January, 10:30 to 11 a.m.: Peek-a-Book Story Time helps your child get to know sounds, words and language and develop early literacy skills.

• Fridays in January at 11 a.m. Knitting & Crocheting Club:

Gather with friends old and new to work on knitting and crocheting projects. Bring your own supplies. All skill levels are welcome. Light refreshments served.

• Friday, Jan. 20 & 27 at 10:30 a.m.: Sensory Story Time: Toddlers enjoy this interactive and stimulating class with experienced educator and theater performer Michele Traina.

• Mondays, Jan. 23–Feb. 23 from 4:05 to 4:25 p.m.: Book Buddies: Practice reading Easy Reader books with a Junior Library Council teen volunteer.

• Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 3:45 p.m.: Open Lego: New club! Your child improves critical thinking, fine motor skills and spatial skills as they create what they like. Children will also be guided by teen volunteers to complete easy Lego challenges. We supply the Legos.

PASCACK VALLEY

Sheriff reminds you to lock your vehicle

As the holiday season approaches, crimes of opportunity become the objective of the criminal assailant. Vehicle thefts are up 25% in New Jerse curtail vehicle thefts, especially in Bergen County, the Bergen County Sheriff ʼs Office will showcase bumper sticker magnets on marked vehicles, reminding drivers to take their key fobs when exiting their vehicles.

“Vehicle thefts are at a high in our county Itʼs impera tive for drivers to make sure they are in possession of their keys and key fob to deter motor vehicle thefts and/or other crimes of opportunity,” Sheriff Anthony Cureton said.

The Bergen County Sheriffʼs Office tips to help combat the uptick of vehicle thefts and break-ins:

•NEVER leave your key fob in your vehicle.

• Many luxury vehicles

have side mirrors that fold inward once the key fob is no longer in the vehicle. This is an easily visi

ble sign for would-be thieves

•Lock your car doors and

keep windows up while vehicle is parked

•For extra security, install a car alarm or steering wheel lock

• Remove valuables from your vehicle

• Store accessory items, including phone chargers and dash mounts, in glove compartment or trunk

• If applicable, turn on outside lights around your residence Keep your residence doors locked

The Bergen County Sheriff ʼs Office notes itʼs dedicated to protecting and serving our community.

FROM PAGE 24

DPW facility was behind town hall. He said that process was begun at the Jan. 17 council meeting. He said that Bergen Countyʼs Pascack-Washington intersection upgrade is due this spring, noting traffic flow will be improved at the intersection that many other townsʼresidents also use.

He said SLEOs are now at all public schools in the township. He said in 2023 a plan for the swim club property would be developed with council, recreation advisory board, and residents.

He said he hoped the council would “also see fit to purchase over 3 acres of property next to Memorial Field (450 Pascack Road) currently on the market to allow for future growth of the facility.”

He said the township was working with New Jersey Turnpike Authority to put a signal at the end of Exit 168 and Washington Avenue “to reduce the number of accidents occurring due to a blind spot due to the layout.”

He said plans are moving ahead for a dog park and a bocce ball court.

Moreover, he said the engineer was tasked to take drone footage of Musquapsink Brook, a Pascack Brook tributary, to help improve stream flow and

stormwater management.

He said a commercial strip mall was being proposed for property at the Pascack-Washington intersection.

He said two residential projects that had been approved (Vivianoʼs American Dream Project and Franklin Court) but have no start dates yet. He said while residents do not want the traffic or school burden both will bring, the township could use the tax revenues.

He said an assisted living facility under construction on Pascack Road will open this year.

River Vale

Mayor Mark Bromberg, the “new kid” in the group, said three significant issues have occurred in the township: development of a 249-unit townhouse and affordable development at Edgewood Country Club, which was a 27hole golf course until nine holes were developed for the Fairways at Edgewood.

He said with help from the previous administration and Planning Board, “We were able to help guide a solution with many moving parts: One of them was to develop nine of the holes and preserve pretty much two-thirds of the golf course as open space.” He said that was “a big win for open space.”

He said the “higher-end” townhomes being built there are attractive to residents looking to give up their homes and still stay in River Vale. He said the new development enabled widening of the eastern end of Piermont Avenue where it intersects with Rivervale Road. He said backups used to occur there but improvements “allow a better flow of traffic at certain times of the day.”

He said a planned $14 million public safety complex is coming soon, and the upgrades have been talked about by several police chiefs over the years. He said the township is hoping to break ground in 2024.

He said shared services would pick up and pointed out the successful shared DPW service between River Vale and Montvale. He said he thought shared services “the way of the future” and noted with supply chain issues, shared service arrangements offer “economies of scale.”

Oradell

transitional housing in our communities for people as they age want to remain in their communities where their friends are, where their families are, where their supports are. But we donʼt have enough of that.”

She said there was a “waiting list” of approximately 150 people, “so the demand is there.” She said communities should think about developing properties for seniors.

Didio said two new restaurants are coming to town and that recommendations were made to boost pedestrian safety via road designs. She said the county opened a kayak launch at the old waterworks building, calling it “a beautiful amenity for people of our community.”

She said they are working with the county to replace the

Oradell Avenue Bridge.

Councilman Thomas Gallagher, in for Old Tappan Mayor John Kramer, said, “We have lots of multifamily (housing) going on” with The Enclave, a 229-unit inclusionary townhome development on the former Pearson Education site, Central Square, a 26unit complex across from the Northern Valley regional high school, a United Way facility and a new New Concepts For Living group home.

— With John Snyder

WE HAVEMORE of the mayorsʼ reports from Oradell and Old Tappan, and more photos from the breakfast, on our web version of this story. Check it out — and so much more local news — at thepressgroup.net.

and Old Tappan

Oradell Mayor Dianne Didio said a new development of 20 apartments for residents 62 and older (being developed by her husband and his partner) is being built at 505 Kinderkamack Road.

She said the interest in it “is overwhelming which really shows me how much need there is for

JayR. RUHREN

Jay Russell Ruhren, 53, passed away on Dec. 8, 2022. Raised in River Vale, Jay was a lifelong resident in and near Bergen County.

He was predeceased by his parents, Norman and Barbara Anderson Ruhren, as well as his sister Cyndy Ruhren and her husband, Thomas Whelan.

Jay is survived by his sisters Nona (Domingo) Echevarria and Margie Goodman, his brothers Douglas Ruhren, Gregg (Chris) Ruhren, Andy (Suna) Ruhren, Scott (Karen) Ruhren, and Tim (Julie) Ruhren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jay was a graduate of Cook College at Rutgers University, where he majored in biology. Jay loved to be outdoors to witness the beauty of the natural world. Early mornings at work as a golf course greenskeeper and irrigator offered glimpses of suburban nature most people donʼt get to see. Jay also was very interested in local history, photography, antiques, and ceramic sculpture.

Perhaps because he was the youngest of nine, Jay typically was quiet and patient with others. But if you asked a question, he was always happy to share his passions and extensive knowledge of plants, animals, left-handed scissors, and many other areas of interest.

The family plans a private gathering. If you knew Jay, please remember him by finding the beauty around you and sharing a kind word.

OBITUARIES

passed away peacefully on Jan. 12, 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Patti was born on July 19, 1964 in Jersey City to James and Dolores Mongon. Growing up in Hillsdale, along with her older sister, Colleen, anyone who knew Patti will remember her vibrant and loving personality.

She graduated from Pascack Valley High School in 1982 and then Lebanon Valley College in 1986. She excelled at both levels as a student and cheerleader. After graduating college, Patti began a career in New York City. She married her loving husband, Randy, in November 1988 and continued on with her successful career until the birth of her son, Andy. She then devoted her life and time to being a full-time mom. Patti made it her mission that Andy experience life to the fullest. Every day was a new adventure and opportunity to learn something new.

In 2002, Patti decided to follow in her parentsʼfootsteps and enter into the education field. She worked at Roberge Elementary School in River Vale for more than 20 years, primarily as a first grade teacher. Her zest for teaching young minds brought her great joy. She cherished each and every memory with her classes, benefitting hundreds of students throughout her career.

Pattiʼs hobbies outside of the classroom included barbecues, kayaking on the Hudson River with Andy, live music concerts, and cooking. She always had her life centered around her family, friends and the family dog, Tucker.

She is survived by her husband, Randy; her son, Andy (wife Tara); her sister, Colleen Steinberg; her niece, Caroline Steinberg; and her nephew, Bobby Steinberg.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, Jan. 17 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Becker Funeral Home, Westwood. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, https://donate3.cancer.org

Eric M. HOERAUF

On Jan. 2, 2023, following complications from pneumonia, Eric Michael Hoerauf went home to be with our Lord and join his dad. Born Nov 27, 1985 in Sharon, Conn., as a youth he was involved in Tae Kwon Do, swimming, wrestling, shot put, Garage Theatre Group, and his all-time favorite, football. He played for the Norwood Raiders and was an assistant coach for the Norwood Raiders. In High School he played football for the Golden Knights.

Eric graduated from Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan, Class of 2005, and attended Bergen Community College.

He worked in the food service area for Greater Bergen Community Action for the last 14 years.

He is a former junior firefighter with the Harrington Park Volunteer Fire Department.

Eric is predeceased by his father and grandparents.

He is survived by his mother, Joan; his sister Jennifer and her husband, Shant Kouyoumdjian; his Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Bob; Aunt Nancy and Uncle Charlie; as well as cousins Cathy, Sandi, Richie, and their children; and his many good friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 11 a.m. at The Community Church, 1 Spring St. Harrington Park with a repast to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made in Ericʼs memory to greaterbergen.org/donate , bethany.org, or The Community Church Foundation, P.O. Box 185, Harrington Park, NJ 07640.

John E. NEUBAUER

John E. Neubauer, 64 of Woodcliff Lake passed away on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. Born in Montréal, Canada, he grew up in Bergenfield and was a resident of Woodcliff Lake for many years.

John was the owner/operator of John Neubauer Heating & Air Conditioning for 40 years.

Predeceased by his parents, Emil and Marie, and his brother, Andrew. Beloved husband of Julie for 42 years. Loving father of Ashley and Deirdre (Kyle). Brother of Anne Marie Cole (Dale) and Joanne Prisendorf (Charlie). Cherished uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Visitation for John is Monday, Jan. 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood. A Funeral Mass is set for Tuesday, Jan. 17 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Our Lady Mother of the Church, 209 Woodcliff Avenue, Woodcliff Lake.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at Becker-FuneralHome.com for the Neubauer family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Family Promise of Bergen County, empowering homeless working families in Bergen County to become self-sufficient by providing temporary housing and personalized support. Visit bergenfamilypromise.org

Diane E. CLARK

Diane Elizabeth Clark, loving wife of Paul Gene Clark, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, at her home in Dagsboro, Del. Diane was born on April 14, 1952, in Queens, N.Y., the first child of four for Robert and Dorothy Palm.

The Palm family lived in Bethpage, Long Island, N.Y. and moved to River Vale when Diane was in 8th grade. Diane graduated from Pascack Valley High School, Class of 1970, and Lynchburg College, Lynchburg, Va., Class of 1974.

She enjoyed a highly successful career at the Xerox corporation in Northern Virginia, gaining deep respect and appreciation as she rose through the ranks to sales account manager.

Diane also made a life-changing personal connection at Xerox –meeting her future husband, Paul, the rock of her life. They were married for 44 years.

After retiring, Diane and Paul relocated to Dagsboro to be near close friends and enjoy the waterways of Delaware. It was the perfect location for both: Diane loved to walk the beach and Paul loved to fish from his boat.

Diane continued to work, becoming an entrepreneur in the

health and nutrition industry. Her store, Wholesome Habits, brought her the opportunity to educate the community about the benefits of healthy eating — one of Dianeʼs many abiding passions. Always invigorated by work, she continued to work as a sales agent for Su Casa, a popular home décor store.

Throughout her life, Diane was treasured by all who knew her for her positive outlook, boundless energy, shining smile, and unwavering commitment to helping others succeed. Her abiding faith led her to the Mariners Bethel United Methodist Church in Dagsboro, where she volunteered her time to help those in need.

She was a devoted member of the Lord Baltimore Womenʼs Club, known for its dedication to community service.

Diane loved gatherings of all kinds, typically featuring a full culinary spread, from appetizers and Sea Breeze cocktails to a yummy dinner and desserts. Holidays and birthdays were occasions for celebration, her home beautifully decorated and filled with family, friends, and friends of friends.

Diane was preceded in death by her dad, Robert Ernest Palm, and her stepson, Brian Clark. She is survived by her mom, Dorothy Palm; her beloved husband, Paul; stepson Scott Clark; sister Elaine Killoran and husband Lance; brother Richard Charles Palm, wife Jan, and nephew Richard; and brother Robert Glenn Palm, wife Ana, and nephew Noah; four grandchildren, Grace, Mason, Colton, and Jackson; and her faithful canine companion, Zoey.

Celebration of Life services will be held at the Hillsdale United Methodist Church, Hillsdale on March 18 at 11 a.m., and in Delaware in April. The details are to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Tim Tebow Foundation (timtebowfoundation.org), Justinʼs Beach House (justinjennings.org), or to the churches holding services. God bless our beautiful Diane.

Royal ‘Roy’ S. BLUMENTHAL

Royal “Roy” Stephen Blumenthal, 84, of River Vale died peacefully on Jan. 10, 2023 at Englewood Hospital after a brief illness.

He was born on Feb. 25, 1938 in New Brunswick and grew up in Passaic, graduating from Passaic High School in 1956. He completed his undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania with additional studies at the University of Michigan.

Roy was a U.S. Army veteran who honorably and proudly served his nation from 1961–1963. After completing his military service, Roy began his career as a municipal administrator After a stint in Florida, he became the business administrator for the Township of River

Patricia A. ‘Patti’ DAVIS

Patricia Ann “Patti” Davis, 58,

Obituaries:

FROM PAGE 30

Vale. He steadfastly ran the township through seven mayors and is recognized as having held this post longer than any other business administrator in New Jersey. Roy ran his office with fairness and honesty. He was revered by his coworkers and peers for his integrity, ethics, loyalty and productivity. He retired in 2003.

Royʼs professional accomplishments were not limited to the Pascack Valley area: His leadership skills became apparent when he and David Grubb, an attorney, took the lead in forming the Municipal Excess Liability Joint Insurance Fund (MEL-JIF). This organization has proven beneficial to more than 500 municipalities across New Jersey as it saved local governments tens of millions of dollars in premium costs.

For this groundbreaking work, Roy received numerous state awards and recognitions. Roy later served as the second president of the MEL-JIF.

In 1971, Roy became interested in Rotary International and joined the River Vale–Old Tappan Rotary Club. He later joined the

Pascack Valley Rotary Club and remained a member of this club until his death. Over the years, Roy served as club president, vice president, treasurer and committee chairperson. He was involved with the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RLYA) in Rotary District 7490 since its inception —and up until a few years ago, he helped with the selection of RYLA candidates each year. A multiple Paul Harris Fellow, Roy was the recipient of the 2012 Rotary International District 7490 Outstanding Vocational Service Award.

Roy joined the Big Brothers Association [now Big Brothers Big Sisters of America] in the 1960s. He remained a Big Brother until 2018. As a Big Brother, Roy served as a much-needed positive role model for many boys and brought them a sense of direction.

In 1965, along with one of his little brothers, Roy was interviewed by radio host Larry King on his show in Miami Beach.

Roy served often as a moderator for the United States Academic Decathlon in local high schools, tutored the foreign-born in English as a Second Language program (ESL), interviewed candidates for the University of Pennsylvania (his alma mater), and was a courtappointed legal guardian.

In later years he was president

MEDIA SALES ASSOCIATE

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of the residents association of Jewish Home Assisted Living in River Vale.

Roy traveled extensively in the United States and abroad. His most recent trips took him to Egypt and Israel. He especially liked meeting with his German pen pal in Berlin on several occasions.

Particularly interested in the U.S. presidency, he set for himself the goal of visiting as many birthplaces of American presidents as possible.

To look at Roy, you may have

WASHINGTON, D.C.

seen a modest, unassuming man. He dedicated his life to serving others and touched the lives of many. The more you go through all the awards and recognitions he received, you begin to understand what few people realize — just how remarkable a gentleman Roy was.

Roy is survived by his beloved cousins, Harriet Fine and her husband, Dr. H. Alan Fine, and their son, Florida Rep. Randy Fine and his wife, Wendy, and their sons, Jacob and David; Dr. Mathew

Fink, his wife, Michelle Adams and their children, Mollie and Miles; best friend Dr. Paul Dobson, his wife Debbie, and their children, Mark, Greg and Tara; and other cherished friends.

He was predeceased by his loving parents, Reuben Blumenthal and Yetta Fine Blumenthal, and a sister, Joan Blumenthal.

A memorial service will take place at a later date. A donation to your favorite charity is appreciated. Funeral arrangements by Becker Funeral Home, Westwood.

Gottheimer sworn for fourth term

Congressman Josh Gottheimer, co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, was sworn into his fourth term to represent New Jerseyʼs Fifth Congressional District on Jan. 7. Gottheimer took his oath of office on the House floor.

“As part of my oath I took, I swore to support and defend the Constitution — a responsibility I endeavor to uphold every hour of every day. At its core, itʼs about protecting our fundamental freedoms: from speech to religion, to safeguarding our democracy and the values we all hold dear,” Gottheimer said in a statement.

Gottheimer joined dozens of North Jersey community leaders at Bergen County Executive James Tedescoʼs swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 3 and delivered remarks recognizing Tedescoʼs work for North Jersey families.

The ceremony marked the beginning of Tedescoʼs third consecutive term as Bergen County Executive, tying the countyʼs record.

P/TPOLICE DISPATCHERS – EMERSON BOROUGH, Bergen County

The Emerson Police Department is accepting applications for P/T Dispatchers (weekend shifts). Applications can be picked up at the Emerson Police Headquarters, 1 Municipal Place, Emerson, NJ 07630. Basic telecommunicator certification preferred. Please contact Sgt. Randy Velez at 201-2622800 for more info. EOE

Kitchen Cabinet installers helper. Must have basic knowledge of tools. Valid drivers license. Ken Bauer Kitchens, Hillsdale NJ (201)664-6881.

of this position is inventory management for landscape & holiday decorating materials. Attention to detail, the ability to follow processes & procedures & organizational skills are critical qualities. Ability to operate small to mid-size trucks required, as is a drivers license. Additional responsibilities include facility maintenance, picking up materials & possibly additional responsibilities such as equipment maintenance as the position grows. Hours & requirements of this position will fluctuate throughout the year The busiest times will be during our holiday decorating season of Oct. thru Jan., when hours will be up to 40/week working Mon. thru Fri. From Feb. thru Sept., hours will vary from 8 to 24 hours per week. Call 844-642-9627 for more details.

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DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS LABORER

F/T POSITION – HILLSDALE BOROUGH. The Borough of Hillsdale Department of Public Works is seeking qualified applicants for a permanent full-time Laborer position. Duties will include but not be limited to

and ground maintenance, grass cutting, operating a variety of

vehicles including automated

trucks and other equipment used in public works services, assisting in the snow and ice removal operations, collection of leaves, repairing potholes, repairing water main breaks and service leaks etc. Applicant will be required to work scheduled and emergency overtime. Must possess a valid Class B (CDL) license or if hired be able to acquire license within one year. Driver history will be checked upon hire. Public works experience is preferred. Applicant must have the ability to interact in a positive and effective manner with employees and the general public. Applicant will be required to submit to employment drug/alcohol screening, both pre-hire and randomly upon hire. Employment applications are available at www.hillsdalenj.org or at 380 Hillsdale Avenue, Hillsdale, NJ. To apply, please complete a job application from our website and submit to the DPW Superintendent at dhayes@hillsdalenj.org or you may drop off your application at 380 Hillsdale Ave., Hillsdale, NJ 07642 by Feb. 10, 2023. The Borough reserves the right to interview candidates prior to the expiration of the job posting. EOE.

Aide positions available - in our K-8 unique lunch program. Duties include food prep, cooking, serving, cleanup and computer entry. Position is available five days per week, 3 hours per day. Substitute lunch positions also available. Criminal background check and fingerprinting required upon hiring. Send brief resume to Debra Rinaldi at rinaldid@nvnet.org or apply online.

Congressman Josh Gottheimer is sworn into the 118th Congress.Photo via Chris D’Aloia,Gottheimer’s press secretary.

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H HEELLP P W WAANNTTEED D Food Service/Lunch

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