Pascack Press 1.30.23

Alumni author

Thanks from the Heart Thanks from the Heart

PR family reaches out in gratitude over fire relief

BY JOHN SNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS

LISAAND MATT Patterson of 12 Henry Ave., Park Ridge saw their lives changed on Nov. 9, 2022, when their “forever dream home” burned.

Lisa, a medical insurance investigator, was a day back to work — in Clifton, at her parentsʼhome — off of maternity leave with her third child. Matt, a learning disabilities teacher consultant, was at work in Passaic.

ARMENIAN NURSING HOMEEYES BIGRETURN

Mayor:

BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

Mayor Danielle DiPaola says the owners of the shuttered Armenian Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center, 70 Main St., are expected to submit a proposal for a new, state-of-the-art facility this year.

Speaking at the Jan. 17 meeting of the governing body, DiPaola said that she and borough administrator Rob Hermansen had met with home officials lately and said they hope to meet with neighbors soon to discuss site options.

See ARMENIAN on page 26

PI-ONEERS TEAMSET FORFOOD PANTRY LOVE

Students, Hillsdale ShopRite partner on Third Annual Valentineʼs Day Food Drive

BY JOHNSNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS

The kids — Jenna, aged 4 years; Tyler, 16 months; and Kylie, 11 weeks — were with daycare and family.

The two-alarm blaze ravaged their split-level home — which theyʼd been living in for only a few months — and took everything the young couple had and had planned to pass on. It briefly hospitalized three Park Ridge firefighters.

Mutual aid responders came from Hillsdale, Montvale, River Vale, and Woodcliff Lake.

Well-wishers immediately wanted to know what they could do to help the stricken family. Relief snapped into action digitally and physically. (See “Gratitude as fire relief wells up,” Pascack Press, Nov. 21, 2022.)

Itʼs in that sense the fire gave the Pattersons something they might have suspected but likely never would have been able to

Park Ridge residents Lisa and Matt Patterson,and their kids Jenna,Tyler, and Kylie,are waiting to rebuild their house at 12 Henry Ave.following a devastating house fire Nov.9.2022.They write in to express their gratitude for an amazing outpouring of love and support.

fully appreciate otherwise: the Pascack Valley comes through for its own. Following an outpouring of love and support — which continues, as the family rides out the insurance and demolition phase in a rented house in Oradell — Lisa reached out to Pascack Press last week to see if they could have space somewhere in the paper to share a message of thanks.

A HAPPY 100TH

We are honored to provide just that: From the Patterson family “to the Pascack Valley community…”

“WE HAD JUST moved to the area in June 2022 and had not gotten a chance to enjoy the town or get to know many people. This fire, although devastating, has allowed us to meet so many won-

Continued on page 14

For a third year, your driven, problem-solving Pascack Pi-oneers are gathering donated food items to the Tri-Boro Food Pantry in Park Ridge and Helping Hand Food Pantry in Hillsdale, hoping youʼll give from the heart.

Thatʼs appropriate for a Valentineʼs Day drive, which runs Feb. 1–13. Needed are your kind donations of canned/non-perishable food, and personal care and baby care items.

Pascack Pi-oneers FIRST Robotics Team 1676 co-CEO Treshan Nilaweera told Pascack Press on Jan. 24, “Our team is committed to helping those in our community who are experiencing food insecurity. We, as a team, created the Valentineʼs Day Food Drive to support local pantries and inspire food donations throughout the winter ”

The team made two food donation bins in partnership with ShopRite of Hillsdale to provide receptacles for generous customers. Team members pick up

See LOVE on page 22

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

River Vale’s Jack Muhlenbruch is on a roll! The Bergen County Hall of Fame bowler spent his hundredth with good friends indeed. PAGE 2

Built in the 1870s just after the railroad came through, Grove House stood at Kinderkamack Road and Grand Avenue in what is now downtown Montvale. Kristin Beuscher has the story.

PAGE 4

Hillsdale native Jackson Rezen debuts his first novel at the new Bergen Book Studio on Feb. 3.

ʻWatch Land Use Board agendasʼas stateof-the-art facility teased

PASCACK VALLEY

PASCACK PRESS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Speaking out against school bond

To the editor: T

HE HILLSDALESCHOOL referendum vote in March will be the largest tax increase Hillsdale has seen in decades. If the average home assessed value is $474,172 will see an increase of $95 a month

for the next 30 years, how much is it going to cost a month for a home assessed at $600,000 or even $700,000?

This referendum tax is in addition to all other taxes in your tax bill. Hillsdale Public Schools is 45.2% of your total tax bill. Pascack Valley Regional is 24.4% of your tax bill. Municipal and county taxes are the remainder. This referendum is in addition to all the other increases we get each year.

How will this increase affect our local businesses in our downtown?

Everyoneʼs tax bill will go up significantly. Sadly, the people who can least afford this kind of tax increase will be affected the most.

A bond for $82.7 million over 30 years for one new building [the proposed replacement of George G. White School] is not financially responsible for the district. Has the Hillsdale Board of Education forgotten about the two other schools in Hillsdale? [Ann Blanche] Smith School is 68 years old, isnʼt it plausible that the school will need some type of capital improvements over the

next 30 years?

I can not believe that this district will be able to go 30 years without bonding additional projects. No town, school or city has an unlimited borrowing capacity and as residents we can only afford so much before we are forced to move, cut expenses or make other drastic cuts at home.

There were other options to refurbish and expand the existing school that would have resulted in millions of dollars more in state aid.

The Hillsdale Board of Education made the decision to proceed with the most expensive option with the least amount of state aid while patting themselves on the back that they got $5.4 million in state aid. If the current George White building is in such disrepair, why are the students allowed to remain in the building? Why are they allowed to

stay in the building until project completion of the new building across the street? If the school is “out of time” why has the Board of Education not performed necessary equipment upgrades and repairs over the years?

Erin Hampton Hillsdale

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.

Let’s keep George G. White school

To the editor:

NOTE:Hillsdale Public Schools says on its comprehensive “Road to Referendum” web portal in part that the Hillsdale Board of Education will ask voters on Tuesday, March 14 for permission to borrow $82.7 million to replace the century-old George G. White Middle School. “Because there are more students, GW is out of space. Age has put GW out of date. Together, those factors mean Hillsdale is out of time to continue delaying action.”

EDITORʼS

IRECEIVEDA “glossy sales brochure” on the need for an all new middle school in Hillsdale. I am a 48-year resident and I recently viewed the slides prepared by the Hillsdale Board of Education to justify their project. I was shocked to see the condition of the building depicted in the slides. There is no other word to describe this other than neglected. My three children all attended White School, and my wife was a substitute teacher there for years.

I question what the BOE has

County Hall of Famer celebrates

River Valeʼs Jack Muhlenbruch, who was inducted into the Bergen County Bowling Hall of Fame in 1980, celebrated his 100th birthday on Jan. 12. To

send secretary/treasurer Jim Dugan an e-mail at dunloedoog@aol.com or call him at (201) 666-8199.

Left to right: Jim Dugan, Jim Perri,Sonny Garzino,Jack Muhlenbruch,Steve Turek,and Alex Dini.Photo via Jim Dugan.

School referendum reduces town bond limit

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

HILLSDALE

Some borough officials were taken aback to discover that, should the $82.7 million school bond referendum pass in March, it will temporarily reduce the boroughʼs available bonding capacity from $43 million to approximately $24 million.

The boroughʼs auditor mentioned it in early January. Both the townʼs bond counsel and auditor work for the school district in the same respective capacities.

Town officials emphasized that the districtʼs need to exceed its bonding capacity and leverage some of the boroughʼs was unlikely to affect borough operations — though it might affect bond ratings and credit risk,

which could increase borough bonding costs.

The practice is allowed under state law, it went into effect here automatically, it will not encumber the borough, and no one has alleged any wrongdoing. Mayor John Ruocco and Councilwoman Abby Lundy said they would have wanted a heads-up.

Although the Hillsdale Public Schools District and the boroughʼs governing body serve Hillsdale residents, they are separate government entities. Each is funded by property tax revenue: 2022ʼs property tax bill shows the local school district received 45.2%, Pascack Valley Regional High School District 24.4%, Borough and Library 20.9% and Bergen County 9.5%.

An $82.7 million bond referendum to replace the century-old

George G. White Middle School is

set for March 14. The district says the facility and fields have proven inadequate for modern class sizes and needs, and that people informed on the matter support a new building.

A virtual public forum on the referendum is set for Thursday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. The public can ask questions of consultants Di Cara Rubino Architects and Phoenix Advisors.

Check the district website for a link to the forum. Our coverage of the session will appear Feb. 6.

Ruocco said it was unlikely that the borough would end up paying more on its own bond issues. “It is also possible, though unlikely, that the rating agencies could downgrade the boroughʼs debt rating because of the George White bond. If that occurs, the borough would pay a higher interest rate on future borrow-

ings.”

Superintendent Robert Lombardy told Pascack Press that the district informed “the financial arm of the borough” after receiving state approval of $5.4 million in aid for its bond referendum in late December.

He said, “As the bond is repaid the boroughʼs debt capacity margin would continue to increase until fully satisfied. It is important to remember that as a Board of Education we must ask voter permission to sell bonds.”

The districtʼs referendum web portal was updated with a FAQ noting, “The borrowing capacity of a New Jersey school district is limited by several factors, including the total

average equalized value of property in that district. This could be compared to an individual consumerʼs credit limit.”

It adds, “For the significant expense of building a new school, a district can borrow beyond the margin that the stateʼs formula assigns. Hillsdale Public Schools would use some of the boroughʼs borrowing margin, but the borough itself would not take on any of this debt. Its dayto-day operations would remain unaffected. That arrangement has to be stated on the ballot.”

If the referendum passes, school officials have said bonds will

CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

Bckintime... Bckintime...

SPECTRUM FOR LIVING PROMSUIT, DRESSDRIVE

PASCACKVALLEY

Spectrum for Living seeks formal wear and prom dress/suit donations for its second annual client prom, this year themed “An Evening in Hollywood,” on June 14 at Florentine Gardens in River Vale.

The organization is collecting all sizes of new and gently used evening gowns and bags, jewelry and accessories, suits, ties, vets, and belts. Donations are accepted until June 1.

According to Nicky Napolitano, Spectrumʼs director of central recreation, “This is an opportunity for our clients to get all dressed up and walk the red carpet and dance and have fun. Weʼre doing photo booths, corsages, boutonnières — basically a prom that they might not have been able to attend when they were in school.”

Call (201) 836-3721 or write nnapolitano@spectrumforliving.org.

‘Check in’ to storied Grove

BY KRISTIN BEUSCHER SPECIAL TO PASCACK PRESS

MONTVALE

BUILT INTHE 1870S shortly after the railroad came through, the Grove House was a hotel that stood on the northwest corner at Kinderkamack Road and Grand Avenue, near the railroad station, in what is now downtown Montvale.

In 1900 Montvale only had about 415 residents, but like other Pascack Valley towns in that era, it had its own little hotel. During the summer months this region was a vacation destination for New Yorkers looking to escape the stifling city streets in favor of some time in the country. In our local communities it was common to find the railroad station, a hotel, and a livery stable (for renting horses) all within walking distance of each other.

The Grove House was also an important meeting place in early Montvale and it was where elections took place. When the village broke off from the Township of Washington to form its own borough in 1894, the men went to

the Grove House to cast their votes. At the time, John A. Blauvelt was the proprietor. The poll was unanimous in favor of forming a borough, with 49 votes.

The photograph above must have been taken after 1902, which is when Blauvelt died and the hotel changed hands. The new owner was William C. Baur, whose name we see on the sign. In this wintertime photo we can also see wagon tracks all over the unpaved road, muddied by melted snow, and there are hitching posts along the front porch for tying up horses.

Born in Germany in 1840, Baur had come to America as a child. He was a widower and ran the Grove House in the first decade of the 1900s with help from his sister-in-law.

After he died in 1913, the running of the hotel passed to another German family. William Wilke and later his widowed wife, Marie, ran the business in the 1910s and early 1920s.

William and Marieʼs son, Henry C. Wilke, was born in the hotel in 1911. Later in life he recalled that the hotel had 15 rooms, with six downstairs and nine upstairs. There was no furnace in the building; each room downstairs had

House

its own small stove, which burned wood or coal, and the second floor was heated by a single large stove in the hall.

One of the livelier eras for this building was when it was owned by Fred Wohlfahrt in the 1930s. He kept a small zoo behind the hotel with bears, monkeys, and exotic birds. It was a popular spot on weekends; kids would pet and feed the animals while their parents enjoyed glasses of beer. There was a circular stand in the area where the park is now, and from there the owners sold peanuts, and baby bottles filled with condensed milk, for the bears.

During Prohibition, the hotel was raided at least twice (1924 and 1931) and bottles of liquor were found on the premises. On one occasion Wohlfahrt was arrested.

In the 1940s the old hotel was converted into an apartment complex. That lasted until the 1970s, when the 100-year-old building was condemned by the borough and then torn down. The Montvale veterans memorial is now located about where the Grove House stood. ❃

Kristin Beuscher is president of Pascack Historical Society.

WITH ‘THE CONTEMPORARIES,’ YOUNGER WOMEN FINDING WAYS TO SERVE

The Womanʼs Club of Westwood unanimously voted, Jan. 23, to create The Contemporaries of the Womanʼs Club of Westwood as a new committee within the 115-year old volunteer and philanthropic organization.

Committee co-chairs Nicole Dragona, Lauren Letizia, and Jennifer Sirchio look forward to welcoming new members to the Club and offering a full calendar of social, charitable, and networking events. Membership is now open.

The club and committee will host charitable social and cultural events through col-

laborations with local businesses and other non-profits. Perks of membership include invitations to exclusive member events and public events. Members have the opportunity to participate in the planning of events ranging from themed dinner parties and wine and food tastings, to wellness and personal development classes.

Dragona sought to create an organization for what she identified as a “frequently untapped demographic of young adult to middle-age women who might otherwise find themselves engaged in growing their careers

or focused on child-based activities like sports and PTOs.” The co-chairs identified their peers as a group of talented, interesting, and interested women seeking to make a long-lasting impact on their community As Sirchio noted, “for me, and a lot of these women, Westwood is going to be our “forever home.” The co-chairs thereby sought to join an organization that focuses on giving back locally while also creating a welcoming space for women to socialize, connect, and

See CLUB on page 15

Montvale’s Grove House hotel,Kinderkamack Road and Grand Avenue,as it looked approximately 120 years ago.

‘An Evening in Hollywood’ is the theme for Spectrum’s second prom.

WESTWOOD

‘Greater good’ vs. ‘it’s a house that’s up for sale’ on 450 Pascack

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

TOWNSHIPOF WASHINGTON

The division between the council president and mayor over whether the township should purchase 3.2 acres of mostly wooded property at 450 Pascack Road came into sharper view at the Jan. 17 council meeting and leaves the tractʼs acquisition in doubt.

At the same meeting, approximately 10 neighbors on nearby Ridgewood Boulevard East pressed the council to purchase the property for preservation and possible use for rec or parking. They worried the developer who proposed a 48-unit senior housing proposal in 2020 might be eyeing the parcel, a line espoused by Mayor Peter Calamari.

Calamari and council president Desserie Morgan, both Republicans, took turns Jan. 17 stating their views on purchasing the property. Calamari is for, and Morgan is against.

Neighbors have publicly and regularly urged the propertyʼs purchase since summer 2020 when a 48-unit proposal was pitched by Lakos Construction Inc., and then withdrawn following public opposition.

After a summer 2021 appraisal, town attorney Kenneth Poller submitted a bid of $430,000 for the property — adjacent to both Memorial Field and Washington Elementary School.

Council members have not revealed their thinking on how a town-owned 450 Pascack Road might be used. In contrast, the council openly discussed how it might use the formerly private swim club property on Ridgewood Boulevard North before bidding on the property

(That propertyʼs use is still undecided as council considers whether to accept a nearly $439,000 county acquisition grant and plans for needed studies on drainage and topography.)

Calamari said the town should acquire 450 Pascack Road as it lies adjacent to Memorial Field and Washington Elementary School. He said he believes a developer might be waiting for 2025 to propose a multifamily housing project there that includes affordable housing. The next round of state-mandated affordable housing begins that July.

Morgan said she was not in favor as there is no development proposal or threats to the site. She called out the mayor for his “scare tactics” due to his speculating “this could happen, that could happen” and said that leads to more rumors and speculation.

She said if 450 Pascack Road was “the only spend” that council was considering that might work for her. However, she said in her

time on the dais, the township tried to buy 95 Linwood Ave. (for a DPW headquarters, or failing t hat, a police headquarters); bought the swim club property (for $800,000), will build a new DPW at the municipal center (estimated at $4.5 million), has begun paying off the new emergency services building (about $6 million), and now is considering 450 Pascack Road.

“Iʼm sorry but the spend is way too much, too quick, in the short time that Iʼve been on,” Morgan said.

She said she was not against improving the town but wanted to “put the brakes on a little and evaluate whatʼs a need and whatʼs nice to have.”

She told residents that the opposite of Calamariʼs assertion could be said, too: that no one is

proposing a project at 450 Pascack.

Lately, Ridgewood Boulevard East residents have posted “Stop Overdevelopment” signs up and down nearby roads, following rumors that 450 Pascack might go to affordable housing. (Several councilors said this was only a discussion point in closed session; no decisions were

CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

Mayors’ ask on flood study gets warm reception at Veolia

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

PASCACKVALLEY

Hoping to improve the “compromised flow” of Pascack Valley waterways, the 10 mayors of the Pascack Valley Mayors Association sent a letter to Veolia Water of North America (formerly Suez) requesting funding for an aerial drone study of waterway stream banks and conditions.

And Veolia responded positively to the mayorsʼrequest.

In a statement to Pascack Press, Kevin OʼConnor, Veoliaʼs external affairs director, called the

drone study “a good concept and we want to know more … Weʼre pleased they want to take action.”

The mayorsʼletter, addressed to OʼConnor, did not include an estimated price for the study.

The PVMA, led this year by Old Tappan Mayor John M. Kramer, wrote, “The PVMA is proposing a unified plan of action and would like to enlist Veoliaʼs support to fund the costs of the Phase I Drone Study. Please advise if Veolia is willing to partner in a more effective, joint effort to mitigate a deteriorating, regional situation.”

PVMA notes itʼs “exploring a multiphase initiative to improve the compromised flow of the water-

ways carrying Veoliaʼs product, and mitigate the flooding that regularly results therefrom.”

Phase I would include the drone study and engineerʼs analysis; Phase II would involve hiring a grant writer to seek funding for a basin-wide project from federal/state sources; Phase III would set forth a multi-year plan.

At Jan. 23ʼs Borough Council meeting, Woodcliff Lake Mayor Carlos Rendo told residents that the mayors want “to work together with the county and Veolia to address these (flooding) issues.” He said the goal of the drone study and seeking grants for a Pascack Valleywide flood mitigation effort was to

enlist the state and county to help towns address increasing flooding and its impacts.

Rendo said Park Ridge Mayor Keith Misciagna told him that silt levels are so high in some streams and tributaries that thereʼs nowhere for stormwater to go during heavy rains. He said the type of basinwide efforts being proposed by the 10 mayors might “help to ameliorate some of the damage these storms will do.”

The mayors wrote, “All parties involved in the ongoing issue of fluvial flooding – from our federal and state representatives, our county and local elected officials, DEP regulators and Veolia, to the thousands of residents and business owners adversely impacted on a regular basis – know that the piecemeal approach to a basin-wide flooding problem can only have limited, local effects bringing fleeting, short-lived relief, while simply moving the problem downstream to areas left unaddressed.”

Veolia responds

Asked to comment on the outreach, OʼConnor told Pascack Press, “We appreciate that the leaders of these communities are considering taking action to clear the waterways. This is something we have recommended for a long time.”

He said, “On our property, our watershed team works to clear downed trees and other debris that could impact flow along the river, brooks and streams, but that isnʼt enough if others arenʼt doing the

same with their properties. Clearing those waterways as well as storm drains and discouraging and removing development along floodplains can help alleviate the impact of storms.”

OʼConnor told Pascack Press that he had reached out to Terry Maguire, PVMAʼs executive director, “because weʼd like to meet soon. Itʼs a good concept and we want to know more. We spoke to the municipalities in late 2021 and again in 2022 about the need to clear the banks of the Pascack Brook and the obstructions in the waterways as we do on our property. Weʼre pleased they want to take action.”

Moreover, Debra Vial, Veoliaʼs director of communications, said that due to drought conditions during summer and fall in North Jersey, “We had to maximize the amount of water we pump in from the Wanaque Reservoir.”

She said, “The hot, dry weather led to record high water demand and the Oradell lowered to the point that beaches appeared along the banks. I wanted to mention this period because it shows why the state restricts us from lowering our reservoirs before a storm.”

Vial said, “Had we lowered even a fraction last spring, the water supply would have been at a critical point. We never know when the next drought will come. In fact, despite the recent rains, the state still lists upper Bergen County as abnormally dry.”

Republican AshleyRice rounds out council

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

EMERSON

The Borough Council on Jan. 17 voted, 3-2, for Ashley Rice to fill the unexpired term left by the resignation of councilman Don Pierro.

T hree council candidates were recommended by the Republican County Committee. Rice and former councilman Kenneth Hoffman received nominations. Rice was nominated first, and her nomination was approved. Her term expires Dec. 31.

Kelly Moore, Nicole Argenzia, and Michael Timmerman voted yes; Jill McGuire and Brian Gordon voted no. McGuire and Gordon had supported Hoffmanʼs nomination.

The 2022 governing body already constituted the first elect-

ed female majority for Emerson.

Rice, chair of the Emerson Environmental Commission, said in her first remarks as a member of the council, “What an honor it is to sit here as part of the governing body. I have always been a supporter of the mayor and council and the work they do for the betterment of our town. Their leadership has inspired me to take this step forward.”

She added, “Iʼd also like to personally thank the council members who voted for me — honored to have your vote of trust.”

She said, “To the rest of the Emerson community, I promise to work hard to earn your support. Although Emerson has not always been my home, my roots are grounded and they are digging deep. I have spent the last few years volunteering for my children in various ways as their recreation

coach for different sports and also with the Girl Scout organization.”

Rice said last year she was voted chair of the environment commission, and her goal was “to increase engagement and connect with as many corners of the community as possible. We were successful in so many ways, and formed solid relationships for programs that I hope will continue to be a success.”

“In this new role as councilwoman, I am looking forward to working alongside the mayor, fellow councilmembers, and our

community as a whole, as we nurture and grow our family town,” she said.

M ayor Danielle DiPaola lauded Rice, in comments at the annual Greater Pascack Valley Chamber of Commerce Breakfast With the Mayors in Westwood on Jan. 18, as “a dynamic woman with a lot of fresh ideas and energy.”

Former council president Kenneth Hoffman, citing health reasons, withdrew from his reelection bid in 2021. He was honored with a plaque at the Dec. 28,

2021 sine die meeting thanking him for many years of service to Emerson.

70 downtown properties eyed for rehab; report due Feb. 7

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS

An architect investigating mostly downtown properties for the borough said Jan. 10 that dozens of properties meet at least one of the statutory criteria to be declared as an area in need of rehabilitation due to the areaʼs deteriorating water and sewer infrastructure.

Architect Fran Reiner of DMR Architects told council that the preliminary rehabilitation investigation study, authorized by resolution 22-115 for up to

$12,700, found that the 70 properties in and near downtown could be designated for rehabilitation as “the majority of sewer and water infrastructure is at least 50 years of age in the area and is in need of repair and substantial maintenance.”

He said heʼd have a finished rehabilitation study investigation report to present to council for ordinance introduction likely on Feb. 7.

The council then would refer the study to the Planning Board for a 45-day review to determine whether it is consistent with the boroughʼs Master Plan.

Mayor John Ruocco requested that the presentation be posted on the borough website.

Following Planning Board review, the study will come back to council with Planning Board recommendations, which the council can accept or not. Then the council may conduct a public hearing on the ordinance to declare the area as in need of rehabilitation.

If that occurs, the next step is to create a rehabilitation plan for the designated downtown area and for council to hire a planning consultant.

Reiner said the public can offer input at the Planning Board

hearing, during the councilʼs public hearing before adoption of the area in need of rehabilitation plan, and before a final rehab plan is approved.

He said an approved plan, which likely rezones the area for other uses, “promotes revitalization and private investment.”

Reiner did not disclose study details Jan. 10; council members said most had only recently received the plan. The council authorized the investigation in June 2022 to help improve the downtown commercial district, in coordination with related redevelopment efforts ongoing at the Patterson Street Redevelopment zone.

Properties involved include commercial, retail, residential, vacant land, and surface parking.

A proposed 255-unit luxury apartment complex is planned on the former Waste Management transfer station site with Planning Board hearings likely soon.

State law lists three conditions for determination of need for rehabilitation:

•A significant portion of structures are in deteriorated or substandard condition, with a continuing pattern of vacancy or underutilization;

• More than half of identified housing stock is at least 50 years old, or a majority of water and

sewer infrastructure is at least 50 years old and requires substantial repairs or maintenance; and

• A program of rehabilitation may be expected to prevent further deterioration and promote the overall development of the community.

Reiner said if a rehabilitation plan is developed for the downtown, permitted uses remain and businesses will continue to operate and may expand and renovate.

A rehabilitation plan does not permit condemnation of property but rather allows for “greater development control” by allowing new zoning standards such as permitting residential units over retail that is not allowed by current zoning, he said.

New zoning and design standards for rehabilitation could include improved streetscapes, signage, outdoor dining, public parks and plazas, and open spaces.

Other design elements mentioned were parklets and gamelets, which convert street parking spaces for visitors to congregate and socialize downtown.

Lundy asked what incentives property owners would have for making improvements in a newly declared area in need of rehabilitation.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

FROM PAGE 8

Reiner said new zoning options and related financial incentives often go hand in hand. He said tax incentives such as a five-year abatement might be available for improvements.

Reiner said he would present the rehabilitation report to the Planning Board and be at the councilʼs public hearing on the rehabilitation ordinance to field residentsʼ questions.

In June 2022, when council authorized the study, Mayor John Ruocco asked why some properties were included and others excluded in the proposed rehabilitation zone. He said those questions were answered by DMRʼs rehabilitation investigation study, which was not available at the Jan. 10 council meeting.

Pascack Pressʼs request for a copy of the DMR report was

denied, noting the report was still an “advisory, consultative and deliberative” document exempt under New Jerseyʼs Open Public Records Act.

Previously, administrator David Troast said that developing a nd approving a rehabilitation plan “ready to go when developers are ready to go” would help the local tax base and provide more commercial services downtown for residents to enjoy.

The May 10 DMR proposal, obtained by Pascack Press, provided a street map of the proposed rehabilitation area and highlights the properties to be investigated.

The Rehabilitation Investigation Study for the Commercial Zone includes Block 1201 Lots 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & Block 1206 Lots 2, 10, & Block 1209 Lot 1 & Block 1306 Lot 1, 10,

COMMUNITY CALENDAR : ATTHELIBRARY

HEREʼS AROUNDUP of some of what our libraries are offering patrons in the next days and weeks. Thanks to Pascack Press interns Ashley and Christian for the web research! Visit your library online or in person to get all the facts —and have fun getting involved!

E EMMEERRSSOON N

20 Palisade Ave.

(201) 261-5604 emersonlibrary.org

• Mondays in January and February at 1 and 3 p.m.: Knitters

Circle afternoons. All levels of experience are welcome. Basic materials is provided, or bring your own. Registration recommended, drop-in welcome.

• Tuesdays in January and February at 11 a.m.: 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 and February 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. 30 at 11 a.m.: Join Miss Danielle, The Bendy Bookworm, for Yoga and Storytime + Craft. Learn silly yoga poses, enjoy a read aloud story, and make a craft with your little one(s). Suitable for ages 6 and under. Registration required for each child.

• Monday, Jan. 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 short-term memory, attention, and logical thinking. Registration required, open to the adults of Emerson only at this time.

• Monday, Jan. 30 at 3 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.

• Thursday, Feb. 2 at 1 p.m.: Already know how to play Mahjong? These sessions are designed for the knowledge based player to play on their own with a small group. Registration recommended, drop-in welcome.

• Saturday, Feb. 4 at 1 p.m.: Join Miss Shelley of Every Little Thing Yoga for Afternoon Family Yoga. Come play, move and learn with the whole family in Grades 1–6. Feel free to have yoga mats or a large blanket and enough space for the whole family. This is a class for families of all abilities and capabilities.

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

• Tuesdays Throughout January and February: Winter Story Time at 1:30 p.m. for children ages 2.5 to 5. Call (201) 358-5073 or e-mail Cindy at cindy.greenwald@hfpl.org.

• Wednesdays throughout January and February: Winter Toddler Story Time at 10:30 a.m. for ages 18

months to 2.5 with a caregiver. Call (201) 358-5073 or e-mail Cindy at cindy.greenwald@hfpl.org.

• Fridays in January & February: Chair Yoga with Maria at 10:30 a.m. Join Cherlyn for a gentle work out in our chair yoga class. Cherlyn Demarest is a registered yoga teacher with experience working as a yoga instructor for more than a decade. Registration required for each session.

• Monday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m.: Chef Alexis Sicklick, author of A Taste of the Nutcracker: This Cookbook is for Dancing, on the inspirations for her book, with cooking demonstration. Samples will be provided for guests in

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Letters:

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

been doing with their budgets for the last 10 years. The annual budget does not require voter approval.So how did budgets directed and approved by the BOE allow the deterioration of the building and its systems? If properly managed, these systems and conditions could have easily been corrected with tax dollars each budget cycle.

The majority of the homes on the street where I live, including my own, were built in 1924. These houses have all been maintained, upgraded when needed, and they are in good condition. Architecturally they are of the period and reflect the fact that Hillsdale is a town with provenance and history. George White School is a stately building, fitting with the age of the town. I do not want it torn down.

The BOE and their consultants are asking the taxpayers to take on an extraordinary debt and taxes for an all new building at the same time that our Borough Council is on a spending spree. There are many school buildings in Bergen County that are similar in age as White and they retain a classical look as well as meeting the needs of the students. All it takes is imagination and dedication. The White school building is beautiful, with high ceilings and wide corridors. Replacing it is typical of the American lack of respect for our history Education costs have grown much faster than the economy in the past decades.

It is not just the military/industrial complex we need to watch with our tax dollars.

I support a crash program to fix the conditions that have been allowed to deteriorate, and to upgrade and maintain the building where it is. The school population will succeed with great teachers. They donʼt require all new buildings. I will be voting no on the single choice they have given us on the March 14 referendum.

Doug Frank Hillsdale

Mayors seek bigger team vs.flooding

To the editor: A LETTERFROM the Pascack Valley Mayors Association outlines a comprehensive plan that begins to address recurring, area flooding [see story, page 6]. This problem cannot be solved by individual towns independently competing for grant funds and implementing hyper-local remediation methods. A coordinated, system-wide federally funded program is needed.

The plan, as outlined in the letter, has several advantages to recommend it. It will identify the problematic areas along the brooksʼtravel through each town, prioritizing them for DEP approved remediation techniques that will improve flow.

Each town will know what it can do, within its own borders, to redistribute silt and stabilize

the stream banks, thereby mitigating the constant erosion that narrows and shallows the channels — contributing to systemic flooding.

Each town will then have a cost estimate for the various sugg ested remediations within its borders. The mayors will ask their respective councils to share the cost of a grant writer, to seek joint funding for the planʼs aggregate costs.

This is a more realistic, and

doable, inter-municipal initiative than resulted from the last basin w ide study, conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers almost 50 years ago.

The PVMA reached out to Veolia, to see if it might help defray some of the initial mapping costs. The water company has an interest in preserving more of its product for delivery to consumers. Improved flow between reservoirs will ensure less of it is wasted

when breaching the stream banks, percolating into back yards or flooding basements.

This problem isnʼt going away, but neither are the people and businesses adversely impacted,in part, by the longstanding neglect of these conduits.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

Mayor Ray Arroyo Borough of Westwood

eats Dining & Cooking Guide

Giulioʼs Restaurant meets a full array of dining and entertaini ng needs. Giulioʼs welcomes walk-ins but takes reservations and offers takeout.

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.

Enjoy making our Signature dish at home!

Salmon Giulio stuffed with crab meat

What youʼll need:

• 10 oz. Salmon filet

• 3 tbs. Colossal Crabmeat

• 1 tsp. honey mustard

• Dash of honey & balsamic vinegar

• 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.

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

Nino’s Pizza ‘keeps local thriving,’ wins first Golden Slice Award

And the first Golden Slice Award goes to Ninoʼs Pizza & Restaurant, 456 Broadway!

Slice founder and CEO Ilir Sela and the Slice team traveled to Ninoʼs on Saturday, Jan. 21 to honor a business that epitomizes

According to Sela, Anthony Beninati has been serving the community for over 30 years and has built Ninoʼs “into one of Americaʼs true local favorites.”

Along the way, Sela said, “the shop has shown incredible

ous-portion salads, entrees, desserts, sides, hot heroes, cold heroes, wraps, paninis, pasta, classic favorites, heart-healthy choices, calzones, rolls &strombolis, and drinks.

Sela, Albanian by birth, grew

“hometown pizza joint” as they kicked off the Keep Local Thriving Tour.

Slice (slicelife.com), a tech platform dedicated to keeping “local” thriving, empowers independent pizzerias with the tools and services — such as online ordering — that they need to better serve customers and keep up with the demands of the digital age.

As partners to some 18,000 independents such as Ninoʼs, Slice says it has “a front-row seat to see their remarkable dedication to customers, contributions to the community, and commitment to technology in building vibrant, enduring businesses.” It makes sense: the Slice team says with pride that theyʼre pizza people, and they show they deliver “more customers, less guesswork.”

resilience, overcoming everything from global pandemics to family challenges. As a leader, Anthony has created a productive team that shares the same customer-first values. Slice was absolutely honored to present to Anthony and team with the first Keep Local Thriving award, The Golden Slice.

Ninoʼs Pizza & Restaurant, which reminds patrons “Who eats well, lives well,” makes a variety of square pizzas, and gluten-free, grandma style, and thin crust pizza. Looking for wings? Ninoʼs Pizza & Restaurant has you covered.

Thatʼs just a taste of the menu, of course, and they cater. Check out Ninoʼs at ninosmenu.com for the full menu of grandma-style and gourmet pizza, pizza, gluten-free, specials, appetizers, Mikeʼs Hot Honey, homemade soups, gener-

up in Staten Island. Prior to founding Slice (formerly MyPizza) he started Nerd Force, an IT company, in 2013 after he earned his computer science degree from City University of New York–College of Staten Island.

Beninanti opened Ninoʼs Pizza &Restaurant in 2016 with his brother, Thomas Beninati.

Ninoʼs Pizza &Restaurant, 456 Broadway, Hillsdale, is here for takeout. It delivers to Hillsdale, Woodcliff Lake, Park Ridge, Washington Township, Montvale, River Vale, Saddle River, Westwood, Emerson, Old Tappan, and Pearl River.

Open for delivery and pickup every day but Monday. Call (201) 497-6900.

For the menu, hours, and more info: ninosmenu.com

Slice founder and CEO Ilir Sela and the Slice team traveled to Nino’s Pizza & Restaurant on

Saturday,Jan.21

to honor a business that epitomizes “hometown pizza joint”as they kicked off the Keep Local Thriving

Thanks: Parents of three write in on fire relief

FROM PAGE 1

derful people in the area.

“We are humbled by the kindness and outpouring of love and support that we received from the community. The reason we moved to town was because we heard how

wonderful it was to raise a family, and through this experience, we have found that to be true. We hope you all know how grateful we are for everything you have done for us.

“Additionally, we thank the Park Ridge Fire Department and

Police Department for their hard work and empathy. We are so happy we had the pleasure to meet some of you.

“We also thank the Komeshok family, Pagan family, and Considine family for providing us the essentials and starting up a collection for our family.

“Additionally, the Chimenti family, the Coleman family, the Kehrli family, and our other neighbors, were there for our family each time we went to the house after the fire.

“We are also thankful to the staff at the Borough Hall for allowing additional donations and storage of items for us until we got settled in a rental home.

“During the holidays, the Park Ridge community and Santa Brickman visited our children and allowed them to have a holiday to remember.

“We are grateful for the experiences allowed to us during this

difficult time and we look forward to rebuilding and rejoining the community and seeing everyone again under much better circumstances.”

Lisa also spent time graciously answering a few questions about how the family is doing, how the ordeal unfolded, and what their next steps might be:

“Weʼre good on items, for sure, with everyoneʼs donations. Weʼre good on things. Just keep thinking about us, I guess,” she said.

She said, “Thanks for doing this [printing their thank you note]. Itʼs the only way we could think to actually get it to every single person: how much we are grateful.”

She said Jenna, 4, is in day care and, like many her age, has a tough time leaving for the day

“Sheʼs asked questions. Iactually took her there yesterday, to the house, and I showed her the back, because I wanted her to understand. She knows it as ʻthe house is sick and it has a boo-boo.ʼShe keeps asking when we can go back, so I wanted her to understand how

big the boo-boo was and that it needs more time. She understood,” Lisa said.

She said of the fire, “Itʼs something that can happen any time. I canʼt even imagine what it would have been like if we were home. Itʼs something we canʼt stop thinking about — weʼre very happy we were not there.”

She said Matt got a call from their neighbor about 3 p.m. advising that the deck was on fire. “Heʼd just left work — heʼs a teacher, so heʼd just left school — and thatʼs all we knew about what we were headed to see.”

And then one of Lisaʼs friends, with an emergency scanner, called her to check in. “I picked up Jenna from school, and brought them all to my parentsʼ house, and I went up and met Matt and he was already there, our freiends were there, the Komeshoks.”

It was a passing motorist whoʼd first called 9-1-1. “It happened so fast. Weʼd just gotten our

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

A two-alarm fire takes out the Pattersons’ new home at 12 Henry Ave.on Nov.9,2022.The family looks forward to rebuilding and moving back in by the end of 2023. Courtesy photo

Club: Younger women drawn to The Contemporaries

FROM PAGE 4 carve out time for their own personal growth.

With the Womanʼs Club of Westwoodʼs blessing, particularly that of executive board members Merianne Quillio, Lynda Bager, Joanne Toole, and Deen Meloro, the co-chairs hosted an informational meet and greet at Moxie Salon on Nov. 17, 2022 that was attended by more than 40 local women.

At the end of 2022, the Womanʼs Club of Westwood counted 22 women among its active members. Since the formation of The Contemporaries committee, 15 additional women have registered to become members. Although there are no age restrictions on membership, The Contemporaries have focused on reaching a younger set of women to join the ranks of the well-established organization.

For its first official event, The Contemporaries will host candle-lit Restorative Yoga led by Lauren Foley on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Womanʼs Club of Westwood Clubhouse. Registration is required. The event is free to all members of the Womanʼs Club, inclusive of new members of The

Contemporaries, and $20 for all non-members.

The History of the Womanʼs Club of Westwood

Founded by the Dorcas Sewing Society in 1908 and federated in 1919 under the General Federation of Womenʼs Clubs (GFWC), the Womanʼs Club of Westwood is part of the largest volunteer womenʼs service organization in New Jersey. With state headquarters in New Brunswick, on the campus of the NJ State Federation of Womenʼs Clubs (NJSFWC) founded Douglass Residential College of Rutgers University, the NJSFWC boasts more than 10,000 members.

Through its national affiliation, the Womanʼs Club of Westwood is part of the oldest and largest nonpartisan, non-denominational service organization of women in the world with over 300,000 members in the United States and an additional 10 million members worldwide.

For over 100 years, the members of the Womanʼs Club of Westwood have actively supported local charities including the Westwood Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Westwood Volunteer Fire Department, Westwood Heritage Society, local

food banks, Paramus Veterans Home, as well as state-wide and national charities such as Autism New Jersey, March of Dimes, American Red Cross, Easter Seals, and the Special Olympics. Furthermore, the club was integral in the founding of the Westwood Free Public Library and funds an annual scholarship for local young women.

Like the Womanʼs Club of Westwood, the mission of The Contemporaries is to bring together a

diverse group of women in an inclusive environment who, through fellowship, volunteerism, and leadership, engage in hyperlocal philanthropy to serve the Club and the greater Westwood community.

Under the Womanʼs Club of Westwood, this new committee is composed of local women who share a dedication and enthusiasm for making the Westwood community a great place to live.

To learn more about The Con-

temporaries of the Womanʼs Club of Westwood or register for the upcoming Restorative Yoga, email Nicole Dragona at westwoodcontemporaries@gmail.com. Additional upcoming events and opportunities can be found at instagram.com/westwoodcontemporaries

The Womanʼs Club of Westwood clubhouse is at 205 Kinderkamack Road. To contact the membership chair, call Lynda Bager at (201) 916-1580.

Cupid’s Shopping Guide

Thanks: Parents of three write in on fire relief

FROM PAGE 14

mail like 20 minutes before, and there was no sign of anything wrong,” Lisa said. “I guess because it was in the back no one knew right away.”

Her voice breaking, she said, “Walking up to the house, not

knowing what I was going to see... I collapsed in the street. Because all I could see was black ... inside the kidsʼbedrooms. And I was just thinking, What if we were home? That was all I could think about. I cry basically every single day.”

She said, “When you keep finding new information about what

parts of the house were affected... you just canʼt help but think, What if we were home. You almost know the reality of what would have happened if you were. And itʼs the worst thing to think about.” She said “I know itʼs items that we lost. But my whole childhood was in the attic, and thereʼs no trace

of anything in the attic. Itʼs just ash. So I donʼt have anything to give them of mine...”

Asked if they know how the fire started, Lisa said, “Idonʼt know if Iʼm allowed to say because the insurance end is still figuring out… it wasnʼt what they first thought; they thought it was the grill, because it was the deck. But it wasnʼt that.”

She said they had to shop for plenty of essentials the next day. “When youliterally have just what youʼre wearing, itʼs the craziest feeling…”

As for next steps, Lisa said she and Matt expect the family to be able to move back home to Henry Avenue by the end of the year. “That would be the best outcome.”

Asked how their folks are doing, she said, “Our familyʼs the same as us:grateful that no one was there. Everything could have looked a lot different.”

She said of the aftermath, “In the very beginning Matt was with his family and I was with mine, with the kids, and we figured out a place for everybody. And then once things settled as much as they could we were all able to stay together at my parentsʼ.”

She said, “Two of the three kids still woke up at night. So we were trying to figure out who could stay where without waking up a child —it was a little chaos in the beginning.”

Of the outpouring of support, she said, “Oh my gosh, so many people. Wehadnʼt even gotten a chance to meet hardly anybody, and then through this weʼve gotten the chance to meet so many nice people. We couldnʼt believe how nice. We had just gotten there but it didnʼt matter — they stepped right in and helped us without question.”

She added, “It was just... I guess we never expected that, but we never expected any of this.”

The Pattersons most recently lived in Oakland, but with the baby on the way they needed more space and were looking far and wide. A friend suggested an open house here.

Lisa said, “The market at the time was horrible, with bidding wars. We looked at the price and were like, I donʼt know about that.

“But of course we loved it after we saw it, and we did our best to make it work. We offered what we could — thank God they chose us.”

Health,Wellness &FitnessGuide

DR. KAPLAN: Simple things you can do to feel better

Americans are eating more food, drinking more alcohol, and exercising less, resulting in an increase in obesity. Due to so many being pushed into poverty and social isolation and being driven into a constant fear mode, we have never seen as many suicides in the world like we have seen in the past two years. We need to talk about ways to help people function better, feel better, and live a better life.

There are things you can do to help stay positive and reslient. Start first thing:jump out of bed in the morning and make your bed immediately. If you have trouble even getting out of bed to begin with, I recommend doing a countdown like you are launching a rocket ship. If you get up with an alarm clock, do not press snooze, but instead say five, four, three, two, one,” and off you go, out of bed. Then make your bed nice and neat to give yourself a victory first thing in the morning.

Then get moving. Do push-ups, go to the gym, go for a bike ride, stretch, dance, play a sport, take a walk, do sit ups, or go for a run. The brain loves movement!

During the day, do not sit for more than 20 minutes at a time. Get up for at least 20 seconds and give yourself a break three times an hour. Drink water, open a window, walk

around your work station, stretch up to the ceiling, perform breathing exercises, do some mediation, or do shoulder roll exercises.

Increase your movements by parking far from your office, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or walking to work or school.

Drink plenty of water. Just like a grape that is dehydrated shrivels to a raisin, your brain shrivels when you do not have enough water. Drink half of your body weight in ounces.

Almost all of the people suffering from depression have a vitamin D deficiency, which also results in a poor Covid-19 outcome. You must do bloodwork to discover the levels, but be aware that the ranges used in most labs are way too low for depressed patients. If you suffer from depression, it is better to have higher levels than the WebMD recommended levels of 20 ng/mL.

Every case is different so always check with your doctor first. And buy your vitamin D from a quality company such as Apex Energetics. We are offering a free vitamin D supplement to the first seven people that email info@kaplanbrainandbody or call (201) 261-2150 and mention this article.

Help others. When you help someone you see them smile, and this releases endorphins and other chemicals in your brain that make you feel good and boost your brain power.

The best test that measures your brain waves and can tell you what areas of the brain are not working well is a qEEG brain mapping. If you are interested in getting this complete neurological evaluation (valued at

$500) to find out how reduce depression and anxiety, while improving motivation, memory and focus using applied neuroscience, neuroplasticity, as well as hyperbaric chamber oxygen therapy, cold laser, and neurofeedback, sign up by calling or texting (646) 221-6738. The first seven people that respond can receive the brain mapping for only $21. You can also email info@kaplanbrainandbody.com

For more information about functional neurology and services, visit www.kaplandc.com. Follow my weekly articles for updates on upcoming lectures and follow our Instagram page @kaplanbrainbody or Facebook page Kaplan Brain and Body for lots of valuable health tips. Also, listen to my radio shows every Saturday at 8 a.m. on 970 AM and 2 p.m. on 710 AM.

My live Boost Your Brain Power

Seminar series starts Feb. 22 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in River Edge. This first seminar is about holistic, natural ways to reverse, as well as prevent, depression and anxiety. Each seminar, which covers different topics, is $100, but if you call or text (646) 221-6738 before Feb. 17, you can go to all the live events, or participate on Zoom, or you can get all the recordings for a total of $49 (only $8 a module).

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

Promoting really cool theater

To the editor: IMAGINEMYSURPRISE when I pickedup my copy of the

Pascack Press yesterday and sa w our story on the front page. (“St. Joeʼs ʻInto the Woodsʼ: Kids snag Sondheim classic for January, February shows,” John Snyder, Jan. 23, 2023.)

Thank you again for making this happen for our program!

Ste v e Laux Parent volunteer

St. Joseph Regional High School Performing Arts Program

DR. ERIC KAPLAN, KAPLAN BRAIN & BODY

Settingthestandardindentalimplanttherapy

Dental implants are not all the same and have varying success rates. The success is dependent on t he product and the practitioner.

As a periodontist, which is the O NLY specialty recognized by the American Dental Association as a “dental implant specialist,” I feel it is important to inform the commu-

nity about how dental implant treatments have changed over the past 50 years causing a decline in success.

Dental implants have been well researched and placed in patients by periodontist and oral surgeons since the 1970s. The published scientific literature in the ʼ70s and ʼ80s estimated 979 9% success rates when controlled for certain systemic diseases & smoking. More recently, the success rates have gone down while research and knowledge has

increased.

In 2007, I graduated from a full-time three-year dental implant specialty training program from Rutgers Dental School called Periodontics. This was in addition to general dental school. At the time, only a handful of companies were fabricating dental implants. These companies were partnered with universities, periodontists and oral surgeons for decades to establish research to prove that their products met or exceeded the standard of care which was 97-99% success

rate for 20-plus years.

Periodontists followed up on the implants for decades to see how the implants lasted in patientsʼmouths: to see if gum disease developed or affected them, if loss of an adjacent tooth affected them, if the implant suffered consequences from smoking or if added to a denture. This is all the knowledge which is taught at a university level and takes years to learn. If implants are meant to last forever, it must be handled in such a manner and treatment planned accordingly anticipating changes to a patientʼs dentition and aging.

Today many more companies are fabricating these implants and come from overseas with little to no research proving their product has the same level success. This is completely legal through the FDA 501(k) approval process which allows clearance to sell the product.

But this should not preclude the company to perform some level of research to protect the public. These “knock-off” implants are much cheaper and have not taken initiative to prove their success.

What is also happening is that these implant companies and

private companies are offering short term “training programs” to general dentists in attempts to sell more product so generalists can do these surgical services at their.

In my opinion, as dental implants are meant to be a perm anent tooth replacement option, it is important to go to a trained specialist, who is a periodontist, who has the science a nd university-based training and the opportunity to practice these procedures hundreds of times on patients before a private practice setting.

I am a solo, female, dental implant specialist, surgeon and periodontist. I am a lead to a team of four hygienists, each with over 25 years of experience. I place hundreds of dental implants a year and follow them in my highly trained hygiene practice. I partner with many general dentists throughout Bergen County to design, perform and maintain complex dental implant restorations.

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

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.

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.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

FirsttowninpacttostudyTri-Boroambulancechallenges

Woodcliff Lake on Jan. 23 became the first of three towns to approve a resolution committing $5,000 for a consultantʼs study of the challenges facing the Tri-Boro Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Tri-Boro neighbors Park Ridge and Montvale are expected to take up similar funding resolutions next.

TBVAC provides volunteer emergency medical service and transport for all three towns, which now plan to commit a total of $15,000 for a consultantʼs study of the corpsʼshort-term volunteer recruitment and retention issues, plus a long-term look at ways to sustain the corps and better serve the area.

Woodcliff Lake councilman Benjamin Pollack — a member of the advisory committee meeting on the corpsʼcritical needs — said the work should take about 45 days, and yield recommendations.

A couple months back, the corps sent a letter to its constituent towns outlining its problems with volunteer recruitment. Members said they seek $100,000 from each town to establish a volunteer stipend program to incentivize volunteers who dedicate 60 hours monthly. Each volunteer serving 60 hours would receive $750 per month.

The tri-town committee is considering the proposal as it works toward greenlighting a con-

sultant study.

Pollack said representatives from the three towns have met regularly this year over how best to support the corps. He said the “safety of residents is paramount” and that how best to support the corps “is a complex issue with a lot of different components.”

He said all three towns agreed to bring in a consultant who has examined other volunteer emergency services. He said questions such as whether the Tri-Boro squad should remain fully volunteer, or a hybrid, are issues that the committee is considering.

He said volunteers riding on the ambulances require hundreds of hours of training and he urged residents interested in volunteering to learn more about such valuable

WOODCLIFF LAKE

service.

“Rather than potentially doing a Band-Aid,” he said the committee wants to look at all the challenges affecting the corps. “No one knows now whatʼs going to solve the problems that the corps has,”including how to boost recruitment and retention.

Pollack said the committee was “not necessarily saying no” to a volunteer stipend program but rather that the committee wanted to look at the corps as a whole.

He noted recruitment problems were being experienced by volunteer ambulance corps countywide. “Weʼre doing our homework now.”

He said the three towns were starting to have conversations with assisted living and nursing facili-

DORCHESTER

KINDERGARTENREGISTRATION

The Dorchester Elementary School is accepting applications for kindergarten registration for the 2023-24 school year. To be eligible for kindergarten in September 2023, children must be 5 years of age by Oct.1, 2023.

For a complete registration packet, visit the school website at woodcliff-lake.com . Click on Dorchester School under schools,

and then 2023-24 Kindergarten Registration under Links & Announcements.

The school requests you email a completed registration form and all required documentation as directed on the Kindergarten Registration page by Friday, Feb. 10, 2023.

For help, call the main office at (201) 930-5600 ext. 100.

ties to reduce the volumes on transport calls.

And he said the study would give towns “a couple of tools to make sure decisions made are in the best interests of the community.

Ideally we would love them to stay volunteer, but is volunteer service the best service in perpetuity? This is critical for us to really make sure we get this right.”

Michael Olohan

Divorce, Custody, Visitation Rights...

Words the average person would only read about in newspapers years ago.

Today they are woven into the fabric of our society and they impact half of our population. Our office has handled hundreds of cases like these and this experience has made us highly proficient in dealing with them.

We sincerely hope you are never affected by these problems...but if you are, please call us. We

WOODCLIFF LAKE

Love: Third Valentine’s Day Food Drive Feb. 1–13

FROM PAGE 1

and deliver the donated food biweekly.

N ilaweera says that since early summer, customers have donated more than 1,500 pounds of food to the overall collection effort.

The sturdy wooden bins stand by inside the store at the exit of Hillsdale ShopRite; you can drop off as well at the Hillsdale, River Vale, and Montvale public libraries; and at the lobbies of Pascack Valley High School and Pascack Hills High School.

You also can drop off dona-

tions at the porches of 272 Ruckman Ave., Hillsdale; 38 Rivervale Road, River Vale; and 200 Glen Road, Woodcliff Lake.

And you can arrange for someone from the team to pick up your donations by writing piparents@team1676.

This is a busy time for Pascack Pi-oneers FIRST Robotics Competition Team 1676, a 74-person multi-talented force from the Pascack Valley Regional High School District. The team build season — when the team begins

designing and building its competition robot — starts the first Saturday in January.

In the FIRST Robotics competition, teams design, program, and build a robot starting with a standard parts kit and set of rules.

Meanwhile, weʼre told the teamʼs management, outreach and design division is updating the website and creating apps, writing award submissions, creating graphics and team publications, creating an animation submission, and conceiving the team video.

The team is in the fourth week of build season, preparing for the FIRST competition season, which begins in March.

Nilaweera says the team is competing at Mount Olive High School and Warren Hills High School to start. “We competed with the robot at the 2022 FIRST World Championship in Houston, becoming semi-finalists in our division.”

Nilaweera says the team won the 2022 FIRST Mid-Atlantic District Championship Engineering Inspiration Award “for contin-

ued STEAM outreach to the community and for mentoring FIRST teams internationally. We mentor teams in South Africa, Nigeria, Haiti, and Taiwan.”

And the team designed and created “Ready, Set, Speak!,” a website that uses verbal imitation to help children with autism and speech apraxia pronounce basic sounds and words. The website is translated into Spanish and is being translated into French in light of a new mentorship with a FIRST team in Haiti.

The team says itʼs proud to partner with the French Honor Society at PVHS and French teacher Mrs. DelGiudice.

And it says it partnered with the PHHS Medical Club to host its second Red Cross Blood Drive. For more voices from Team 1676 and its outreach in the valley, see “Delivering on STEAM: District robotics team building a ladder up,” Pascack Press, Dec. 25, 2021.

For more team information, visit team1676.com To sponsor Team 1676, write piparents@team1676.com

Pascack Pi-oneers FIRST Robotics Team 1676 are winners on and off the competition floor.They’re turning to the community to support their Third Annual Valentine’s Day Food Drive to support local pantries “and inspire food donations throughout the winter.” Lisa Ruggieri photo

Pascack Pi-oneers FIRST Robotics Team 1676’s 2022 robot,Randall.In FIRST Rapid React, Randall can pick up and accurately shoot into the high goal,can quickly collect “ammunition” from the ground,and can pull itself up on to the highest rung of the hanger.

Lisa Ruggieri photo

Community Calendar

FROM PAGE 10

attendance, and copies will be available for $20. First come, first seated.

• Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 2 p.m.: Wednesday Movie Matinee “The Lost City.” A reclusive romance novelist on a book tour with her cover model is swept up in a kidnapping attempt that lands them in a cutthroat jungle adventure.

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. Call George Galuschak at (201) 391-5090 or write george.galuschak@montvale.bccls.org and provide your

name, telephone number, and BCCLS Library bar code number.

• Thursday, Feb. 2 at 1:30 p.m.: Little Learners Preschool Fun. Stories, activities, and more.

Ages 3 and older experience this class on their own, but donʼt worry, grownups, you will be just on the other side of the door. Registration required.

• Thursday, Feb. 2 at 6:30 p.m.: ChessWired will continue to offer kids chess classes twice a month in February. No experience or supplies are needed. Grades 3 and older. Registration required for each class.

• Thursdays, Feb. 2 & 16 at 7:30 p.m.: Adult Chess. Whether you want to learn the basics of chess or improve your in-game strategy, this adult program is for

you. Materials supplied. Register for as many sessions as you want.

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

•Mondays in January and February at 11:30 a.m.: Yoga. All levels welcome. Please register with payment at the library.

• Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 10 a.m.: Story Time with Miss Renee

• Thursday, Feb. 2 at 10 a.m.: Story Time with Miss Renee

• Friday, Feb. 3 at 10 a.m.: Virtual Crafts with Miss Renee. Pick up a craft bag at the library.

• Friday, Feb. 3 at 10:30 a.m.: Mahjong. All welcome, drop in.

• Saturday, Feb. 4 at 10 a.m.: Virtual Story Time with Miss Eileen

R RIIVVEER R V VAALLE E 412 Rivervale Road (201) 391-2323 rivervalelibrary.org

•Monday, Jan. 30 at 10 a.m.: Baby Time: Ages 0–2. Come listen to stories and sing songs with Miss Rebecca. At 4 p.m.: YarnWrapped Letters: For 4th grade and up. Make a cardboard-wrapped letter for decoration or as a gift for someone else.

• Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 1 p.m.: Movie Matinee: “Amsterdam.” Tuesdays at 10 a.m.: Story time: Ages 2–3 Song, movement, and stories

VALLEY

• Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 10 a.m.: Winter Storytime for ages 2–5. Great stories with fun songs and coloring.

• Wednesday, Feb. 1 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 a themed craft. At 4 p.m.: Childrenʼs Bingo: For River Vale residents in grades 1–5 Play bingo for a chance to win a prize! Registration required. At 6 p.m.: Snowflake Suncatcher: Paint a snowflake suncatcher. Open to River Vale residents 18 and older. Registration required.

• Thursday, Feb. 2 at 10 a.m.: Movie Club: “Lawrence of Arabia” (1962). Watch first, meet later group. Pick up a copy of the movie from the library and watch at your own convenience, then meet at the library on the first Thursday morning of the month for a lively discussion with light refreshments. Register to reserve a seat. 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.

• Thursdays at 3:45 p.m.: Preschool story time: Ages 3–5, Song, movement, and stories.

•Friday, Feb. 3 at 10:30 a.m.: Storytime with a Twist. Ages 6 months to 4 years. Storytime and Yoga by Miss Shelley from Every Little Thing Yoga. Fridays at 10 a.m: First Friends: For infants and toddlers up to 2 years. Rhyme, songs

Give to ‘Soup’r Bowl’

Sunday, 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 donations of soup, packaged or canned, will be greatly appreciat-

ed 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 community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. For more info, call (201) 916-1580.

and story time. At 1 p.m.: Rebellion and Redcoats:American Revolution: John Van Vliet presents on the American Revolution from the British perspective.

T TOOWWNNSSHHIIP P O OF F W WAASSHHIINNGGTTOON N 144 Woodfield Road (201) 664-4586 twpofwashingtonpl.org

• Annual Bookmark Contest

Until 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. There will also be a prize for winning entries. Winners will be invited to bring friends and family to a ceremony on March 1 at 6:30 p.m.

• 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.

• Tuesday, Jan. 31: After School Zone. Teen Tuesdays: In the Community Room after school until 4:30 p.m. No meeting Feb. 21. A combination of Nintendo Switch gaming, crafts, games, and snacks. Drop in.

•Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 3:45 p.m.: Crafts to Share:Beaded Heart Sculpture. Registration required.

• Thursday, Feb. 2 at 11 a.m: Chair Yoga: Largely chair based poses for all abilities. At noon: Advanced Chair Yoga. Chair poses as well as more standing poses and some mat based poses on the ground depending on the class. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Tech Assistant: Learn basic computer skills, how to use eBooks and e-audiobooks, how to send pictures from your phone to a friend or wireless printer, and other helpful things to stay connected and productive. Convenient one-to-one lessons.

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

• Monday, Jan. 30–Feb. 27, Book Buddies.

• 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.

• Friday, Jan. 27 at 10:30 a.m.: Sensory Storytime: Up to age 5: Register online.

• Thursdays, Feb. 2, March 2, April 6 and May 11 at 3:45 p.m. Anime Club grades 6–12.

PASCACK

REAL ESTATE

Armenian: DiPaola says home plans to re-invest here

FROM PAGE 1

M oreover, she said, the homeʼs owners tell her “they can fully fund with funds from their sister company and they are not selling their property, but they do intend to build a new, state-of-theart facility.”

DiPaola suggested residents interested in following the proposal keep an eye on Land Use Board agendas.

ANRC closed its doors on Easter Sunday 2021 after 83 years in operation. Services included long-term care, sub acute rehabilitation, hospice care, and shortterm or respite care.

Its mission statement:“To provide quality healthcare and rehabilitative services to the aged and indigent, to promote wellness, relieve suffering, and to extend charitable relief to persons regardless of race, gender, religion or ethnicity.”

From the outside, the 3.5-acre property, with its 86 beds, still appears well-maintained. Commons areas and grounds appear ready for use.

All residents “were safely and appropriately transitioned” to

other nearby facilities, according to an April 23, 2021 announcement on the homeʼs website.

That statement noted, “It has been an arduous journey for our collective community, and although the COVID-19 pandemic created challenges and changes to our vision, the end is in sight and development planning is underway!”

It said, “As additional progress is made, further updates will be provided. In the interim, rest assured that our organizations are working diligently to bring about the development of a new facility, to fulfill our collective missions, and to support senior citizens and the needy in our communities. We thank you for your past, current and ongoing support!”

Nearly 18 months ago, we reported that the Armenian Home had said it was embarked on exciting expansion plans.

The Armenian Mirror-Spectator reported in 2018 that the board of directors for New Yorkʼs only residential facility for Armenian seniors, the New York Armenian Home, decided to sell their building in Flushing and

ADVERTISEYOURSERVICEINTHE SERVICE DIRECTORYINTHE PASCACK PRESS.

relocate. They finally agreed with Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (ANRC) on a joint venture in Emerson, for which they were then finalizing the paperwork.

The paper quoted Khoren Bandazian, secretary of ANRCʼs board of directors: “Weʼre going to be establishing a new nonprofit company that each side will have participation in. And, we are currently talking with the Hack-

ensack Meridian Health Network to be the developer, to build the new building, and also to manage the building going forward once itʼs completed.”

According to Bandazian, construction on the Emerson property was to begin within the next nine months and was expected to be completed 18 months later. That did not occur.

Hermansen said the homeʼs representatives said they were try-

ing to arrange a meeting date with nearby residents to let neighbors know what plans are likely. He said the meeting should help end inaccurate gossip and speculation about the siteʼs plans.

L ocal officials said they were not sure where or when the meeting with residents would be held.

We reached out to named Armenian Nursing Home officials for comment but did not hear back by press time.

M eanwhile, the homeʼs website appears as it was when the property closed. There are several testimonials up, including this one, from Yeghishe G., which appears typical:

“Words are not adequate to express my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to everyone for your kindness and thoughtfulness during my stay in the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to know everyone and enjoy your warm friendship. I shall always cherish and value your friendship. Many thanks again for everyone's kind consideration and may God bless you.”

For more, see “Armenian homeʼs plans? ʻNo comment,ʼ weʼre told,” Pascack Press, July 23, 2021.)

ANRC closed its doors on Easter Sunday,2021,after 83 years in operation. Services included long-term care,sub acute rehabilitation,hospice care,and short-term or respite care.It could be poised for a return. John Snyder/file.

REAL ESTATE & BUSINESS

450: Calamari, Morgan at odds on property buy

FROM PAGE 5 made.)

Following nearly a dozen residents urging the council to purchase 450 Pascack Road and Calamari saying he has long supported its purchase, he noted that two r ecently approved large-scale housing projects (Vivianoʼs American Dream 66 units and Franklin Court 44 units) both resulted from affordable-housing settlements.

H e called them “COAH” housing, referencing the defunct Council on Affordable Housing declared “moribund” by the state Supreme Court in 2015. Since 2015, state Superior Courts, towns and Fair Share Housing Center have negotiated affordable obligations.

Calamari said he was “speculating” that the developer who proposed a 48-unit senior development at 450 Pascack Road in 2020 was waiting until 2025, when a new round of affordable housing begins, to propose a development including affordable housing.

He said the Viviano and Franklin Court developments did not go through the Zoning Board but rather the Planning Board after the affordable settlements were approved by the courts.

Public comments, including concern for tree canopy Ridgewood Boulevard East resident Michael Proto said about 2.5 years ago he was handed an application to develop property adjacent to his backyard for a 48unit senior complex. The proposal at 450 Pascack Road by Lakos Construction Inc. was submitted in mid-2020 and soon withdrawn.

Proto said all over North Jersey, examples of developments “jammed in where theyʼre not supposed to be” can be found. Proto said unless the town buys 450 Pascack, “This threat remains. [Lakos Construction] can come back at any time.”

Proto said the town can protect residents by “acquiring the property and guarantee that no affordable housing is jammed in there.”

Noting Washington Elementary Schoolʼs planned expansion and nearby Memorial Field, he said, “Weʼre not just talking about our interests. Weʼre talking about the interests of the entire town. This is the last remaining open space.”

Morgan told him that she had to “look at the town globally” and sometimes make unpopular decisions. She told Proto he needed to separate the sale of 450 Pascack Road from Memorial Field. She said 450 Pascack Road was “not Memorial Field…itʼs a house thatʼs up for sale.”

Proto noted the prior application to develop the 3.2-acre parcel and Morgan told him thatʼs why the township has a Zoning Board. They argued about trusting the

ry homes, noting itʼs not laid out for a larger development, and no development proposal for the property has been approved.

She said “buying (450) and spending money on property we donʼt have a plan for does not resonate with the rest of town.”

Zoning Board, as Morgan said, “doing the right thing for us.”

Morgan said the Zoning Board should protect residentsʼ interests.

P roto said he was unsure about trusting the Zoning Board, citing the Four Seasons Marketplaceʼs proposed 17,000-squarefoot retail complex at the PascackWashington intersection. No decision on that proposal has been made.

Morgan said that she understood why people donʼt want certain things near their property and that while Proto saw 450ʼs acquisition as “a greater good for the town, I donʼt see it that way.”

Morganʼs newly public opposition, and whether a council vote could occur on purchasing the tract remains up in the air after thousands of dollars in legal expenses over 18-plus months were likely spent to acquire the parcel.

Also, the initial $430,000 bid included a threat of condemnation, with Poller telling Pascack Press that the township had “more than enough” justification to condemn the property. The township, according to a public records search, had not begun legal proceedings to condemn the property.

The township tried to acquire 450 Pascack over the last two decades, going back to the administration of the late mayor Janet Sobkowicz.

Sobkowicz had told us she offered Robert Morris, one of the propertyʼs owners, $700,000 for the property, but that later Morris sought more for the property. Morris denied this account, saying that several administrations had dropped the ball in acquiring his property

He previously told Pascack Press that he has not fixed up his property because the township was going to acquire it and failed to do so.

In late 2021, Morris hired a property marketing company that listed the property and its “development potential” on several real estate sites for $2.1 million. An “available” sign has adorned his front yard since fall 2021.

Morris has declined to speak with us about negotiations, although heʼs generally complimentary of press coverage. He has repeatedly told us the township dropped the ball in acquiring his property.

Morgan said the only development she could likely see at 450 Pascack Road might be two luxu-

Councilman Tom Sears noted b etween 2017 and 2023, he l earned that the township lost more trees and tree coverage, going from a 29% reduction of tree canopy in 2017 to approximately 49% loss of tree canopy coverage in 2023.

“We are removing more trees than we are replacing; we are not planting the trees we are taking down, that concerns me,” said Sears.

He told residents to not call him and tell him to vote a specific way or suggest a colleague to vote a certain way.

Sears asked for more time to talk about 450ʼs acquisition. He said it would not take 10 months, and stressed there are no known plans for development.

Ridgewood Boulevard East resident Cari Orbe wondered if the township could subdivide the land at 450 Pascack for a parking lot at one end and the rest for open space, and possibly pursue an open space grant to reimburse costs.

Poller said the township could subdivide the property but

he said he could not comment on grant potential.

In other news, the council approved applying for a $68,300 grant from the state Department of Community Affairs Local Recrea tion Improvement Grant program. The grant would provide funds to study the swim club propertyʼs topography and drainage to determine what uses are possible,

said grants consultant David Biunno of GLD Associates. He said officials should hear back within 120 days on whether the grant was approved. He said should the council accept an awarded $438,750 county Open Space grant for the siteʼs acquisition, it could return those funds if an environmental investigation showed problems on the site.

CALAMARI MORGAN

PVHS alum signs debut novel Feb. 3

BY JOHNSNYDER OF PASCACK PRESS

Hillsdale native Jackson Rezen is debuting his first novel, “The Captain of The Crew,” at Bergen Book Studio on Friday, Feb. 3 from 4 to 6 p.m.

The free event will feature a meet and greet with the author, refreshments, book sales, and a signing.

This is the first of several upcoming author events planned by Bergen Book Studio, which opened for business in fall 2022 at 132A Broadway in Hillsdale, promising “books, art, and other necessities.”

Rezen, a member of Pascack Valley High School Class of 2013 now living in Cranford, earned a BFA in filmmaking from Montclair State University in 2017 then moved to Colorado, where he earned another degree in paramedics, enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard, and became a small-business owner (he and his wife opened an art studio and bar) all the while developing his writing craft.

In 2022, Sgt. Rezen returned to the Garden State, where he

continues both his paramedic and Army work, and his foray into fiction writing.

His first novel “The Captain of The Crew,” based on a screenplay heʼd written, was published by Trichotomy Media in October 2022. Trichotomy describes the work as “a heist thriller with a heart. Set in a near-dystopian

future with economic disparity at an all-time high, the fast-paced, thrill ride of a story is punctuated b y daring bank heists, whiteknuckle car chases, and crippling existential dread. Follow the Captain and his tech-savvy Cut Wrist Crew as they steal from the rich and run from their past.”

Rezen told Pascack Press on Jan. 24 he was inspired at PVHS by two English teachers in particular:Shawn Buchanan, for his work ethic and motivation, and “top of the top” William Rawson.

Bergen Book Studio owner Art Kieres told Pascack Press he was pleased to have Rezen as first guest author, and promised many more such events.

“Heʼs our kickoff. We have t wo or three book signings a month as part of the plan. We have Jackson, we have another author event in February [Lisa Greenwald, Feb. 19 from 2 to 4 p.m.], and we have a three-author panel discussion coming up in March.”

He said, “Weʼve got a lot of things coming up. Itʼs going to be fun.”

Bergen Book Studio, bergenbookstudio.com, is at 132A Broadway. Call (856) 838-3416.

Mm! Valentine’s Day tasting Feb. 8

Mayor Danielle DiPaola hosts a free, healthy Valentineʼs Day Tasting on Wednesday, Feb. 8 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Emerson Senior Center.

Renowned Chef Michael Merida, winner of Food Networkʼs “Beat Bobby Flay” and owner of RockinʼRoots in Hills-

KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION/REGISTRATION

Park Ridge children who will be 5 years old by Oct. 1, 2023 will be eligible for full day kindergarten registration for the 20232024 school year.

Children living west of Pascack Road will attend West Ridge Elementary School. Children living on or east of Pascack Road will attend East Brook School.

Kindergarten orientation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 2 as follows: East Brook – 6 p.m. and West Ridge – 6:30 p.m. Kindergarten orientation is for parents only.

Kindergarten registration will be held Monday, Feb 6, through Friday, Feb. 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at both schools.

Access the online portion of the registration materials at p arkridgeschools.org/domain/17 starting on Friday, Feb. 3.

You can access and print the following required forms which you will need to bring into the school during registration hours.

•New student medical forms

•New student home language form

•New student owner/landlord affidavit form

In addition to the forms listed above, the following documents are also required when you register your child for kindergarten:

• Original and a copy of your childʼs birth certificate

• Proofs of residential identification

•Most recent immunization history from pediatrician For assistance, call Mrs. Syring at East Brook School at (201) 573-6000, ext. 2000 or Ms. McCarthy at West Ridge at (201) 573-6000, ext. 3000.

ADVERTISEYOURSERVICEINTHE SERVICE DIRECTORYINTHE PASCACK PRESS

OBITUARIES

David CARLSEN

dale, is preparing delicious, healthy creations to sample, and will be sharing menu recipes to inspire nutritious delights to celebrate this special holiday.

Pre-registration, limited to the first 100 Emerson residents to RSVP, is required by contacting the Emerson Board of Health at

healthdepartment@emersonnj.org or (201) 262-6086 ext. 1213 through Feb. 3.

This event is sponsored by a grant from the Mayors Wellness Campaign, promoting healthy lifestyles in New Jersey communities. Please join in for this fun evening.

David Carlsen of Bergenfield and formerly of Montvale passed away peacefully on Dec. 28, 2022, after a yearlong battle with cancer.

He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Linda Carlsen (née Kent).He was predeceased by his father, Henry Carlsen, and is survived by his mother, Constance Carlsen, of Montvale, and sister Laura Carlsen of Hillsdale; a myriad of in-laws; nephew, aunt, and cousins.

David was employed for over 40 years at BMW of North America in Woodcliff Lake.

A private funeral service was held for the family on Jan. 5 at Robert Spearing Funeral Home Inc., 155 Kinderkamack Road, Park Ridge. rsfhi.com.

Donations in Davidʼs name can be made to Bergenfield Volunteer Ambulance Corps., Inc. (BVAC), 1 Froelich St., Bergenfield, NJ 07621.

Earl C. VALDER

Earl C. Valder, 99, passed away, peacefully, among family on Jan. 20, 2023. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he grew up in Hollis, N.Y., raised his family in Franklin Square, Long Island, N.Y., and eventually moved to Woodcliff Lake.

Predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Katherine, sister Katherine, brother Joe, son Paul, and son-in-law William, he is survived by his wife of 74 years, Miriam; his daughter Carol; and daugh-

ter-in-law Merelene. He will be missed by his grandchildren, Brian (Janine), Keith (Suzana), Kaitlin, Melissa (Chris), Tracy (Mike), Allie (Jess) and great-grand children Lex, Victoria, Brayden, Reid, and Blair.

Earl graduated The New York Institute of Banking and received his masters in accounting at Pace University.

His work history included Hanover Bank and The Sperry Corporation in the defense and aerospace division. He was a disabled veteran who served four years in the U.S. Army/Air Force in WWII.

He was affectionately called The Earl of Bristal or Big Earl and known for his sense of humor and powerful voice. He never passed anyone without saying hello, good morning, or sharing a kind word.

His faith was his rock, and attended. Ascension Lutheran Church and Christ Lutheran Church. He was committed to volunteerism and was a longtime member of the VFW, American Legion, and Military Order of the Cooties, the Masons, and Civilian Patrol.

He enjoyed extensive traveling with his bride, Lady Miriam, as well as watching football, bowling; stamp collecting, history, theater, cruising, Halloween, and poker.

He was truly the cherished patriarch of the family who loved God and his country.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, Jan. 30 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Robert Spearing Funeral Home, 155 Kinderkamack Road, Park Ridge. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to Christ Lutheran Church at 32 Pascack Road, Woodcliff Lake, as they visited, prayed for, and never forgot him.

School: Referendum reduces town bond limit

FROM PAGE 3

not likely be sold until late 2023 or 2024, and an average Hillsdale taxpayers would not see a $95 monthly tax hike until 2024.

Ruocco told Pascack Press, “This issue of utilization of Hillsdaleʼs legal debt capacity first came to my attention when I and other council members received a Jan. 3 email from borough administrator David Troast in which he recounts the issue coming up from our bond counsel.

Ruocco said he had asked the borough Finance Committee on Jan. 10 to research the issue and report back Feb. 7, adding it was “appropriate for the public to know about this matter well before the referendum date.”

Ruocco, a retired finance officer and bank examiner with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, said the boroughʼs and school boardʼs borrowing capacity “is a function of two separate formulas that calculate a percentage of the total averaged equalized property value of the town.”

He said, “Right now, the amount of ʻnet debtʼthat has been issued by the regional and local schools, as well as Stonybrook (pool) and the borough itself amounts to only 0.13% of equalized property valuation. That is very low (i.e. good) as it gives us a lot of headroom.”

Ruocco said if the BOE issues an $82.7 million bond, that ratio will increase to 1.33%. “It also means a reduction in the boroughʼs overall net debt issuing capacity limit from $69.3 million to $43 million … because the amount of gross debt that the local school will have on its books of $83.1 million will exceed their limit of $59.4 million.”

Ruocco said “The excess of $23.7 million is automatically and

legally applied to reduce the overall town capacity limit.”

He said the $43 million borough debt limit is still enough to cover any plans the council has announced, including a long-discussed $10 million bond to pay for upgrades at Centennial Field, a community center at Stonybrook Swim Club, and possible relocation and floodproofing of DPW facilities.

“I suppose that the $43 million limit could pose a limitation on us if the regional high school district and the pool utility decide to embark on major projects requiring them to issue large amounts of debt. That is unknown,” Ruocco said.

The district says via its referendum portal, “A district can borrow beyond the margin that the stateʼs formula assigns. Hillsdale Public Schools would use some of the boroughʼs borrowing margin, but the borough itself would not take on any of this debt. Its day to day operations would remain unaffected. That arrangement has to be stated on the ballot.”

District officials said the referendum wording has not yet been approved. Lombardy told us a Jan. 30 approval is likely.

Sample voter ballots are mailed out the Wednesday before a ballot referendum or election, said the county clerkʼs office. That would give this one a March 8 target.

Lundy told Pascack Press, “Where Iʼm told the impact could be is on our bond rating, due to the change in debt to surplus ratio and our interest rate on future borrowings. While both changes are only possibilities, I feel that the BOE at the very least should have advised the governing body during their presentation in December.”

She said, “As far as I know, we

were only notified through our professionals (bond counsel and auditor) who are also the BOEʼs professionals. Iʼve not had any conversation with the BOE or superintendent on the matter.”

She also said, “A FAQ about

there being a borrowing margin on the ballot isnʼt being fully transparent in my opinion. I also did not see any reference to the borrowing margin until after I posted on Facebook. Itʼs possible I missed it or it may have been added after the fact.”

She said a Road To Referendum mailer she received last week did not mention the districtʼs need to exceed its borrowing capacity and borrow a portion of borough bond debt capacity.

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-

1.844.642.9627

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.

H

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

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

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.

SERVICES - CLEANING

Cleaning business that values honesty and integrity with many years exp. Competitively priced with close attention to detail. Ref. Avail. Satisfaction Guaranteed. Call or text Analu for free estimate. 973-474-7383

H HE

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 buildings and ground maintenance, grass cutting, operating a variety of motor vehicles including automated and rear load trash trucks, dump 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.

H HEELLP P W WAANNTTEED D Food Service/Lunch 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.