Emerson • Hillsdale • Montvale • Park Ridge • River Vale • Township of Washington • Westwood • Woodcliff Lake
PA S C AC K VA L L E Y ’ S H O M E TO W N N E W S PA P E R
VOLUME 27 ISSUE 44
JANUARY 15, 2024
TWISTS, TURNS, AND TOWNSHIP
Catholic Schools Week
Independents have edge, seek 10% budget cuts
See Page 12
FOUR
BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
Four homes might soon be elevated to protect them from flooding if an anticipated $1 million grant to the borough comes through from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Mayor Raymond Arroyo recently said the borough has applied for the grant as another tool in its arsenal to help local homeowners suffering from repeated flooding. The structures eyed to be elevated are on Harding, Fitzgerald, See FLOOD on page 214
HISTORIAN, SWORN IN AS POLICE CHIEF
BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
WESTWOOD
WW promotes buyouts; Pascack Valley lashed in Jan. 9–10 rainstorm
SMITH, HPD
Cheers promotions of sergeant, lieutenant; promises borough, ʻI will make you proudʼ
JANUARY 28 - FEBURARY 3
HOMES WOULD RISE ABOVE WATERS ON $1M GRANT
HILLSDALE
With his wife, Stacie, and son Dominick at his side, Independent Michael DeSena returns to service as a Township of Washington councilmember Jan. 3, sworn in by town clerk Susan Witkowski. He was promptly voted council president. John Snyder photos.
A
BY JOHN SNYDER AND MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS NEW,
INDEPENDEN T Township of Washington Council majority appears to hold the cards on the dais, leaving the two Republican members crying foul. At the townʼs annual reorganization meeting Jan. 3, Independents Michael DeSena and Steve Cascio, with running mate Michael Ullman streaming in
live, trumped Daisy Velez and Tom Sears on Zoning Board of Adjustment appointments the
SEASONED SOULS Members of the Woodcliff Lake Volunteer Fire Department with more than 50 years of service were honored on Jan. 4.
PAGE 8
latter two—and Republican Mayor Peter Calamari—never saw coming. The tactic appears to be comeuppance for reorganization 2021, during which residents spoke out against a change to the composition of the ZBA: the summary yanking of the bodyʼs chair and a a member. At the time DeSena and Cascio urged their new council colleagues to keep the ZBA intact, especially in light of an ongoing applica-
Continued on page 18
Almost 27 years ago to the day he was sworn in as the boroughʼs 10th police chief on Jan. 2, Sean Smith joined the police department after serving four years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Nearly three decades later, he remembered that day fondly. Itʼs bittersweet. “To the members of the Hillsdale Police Department: I want you to know that I work for you. I may be your chief, but I will never forget the roots of where I came from. My Marine experience left me with a dedication to duty and a deep loyalty. There is a lot of pride in the job we do and itʼs always been an honorable profession,” Smith said in brief remarks, his first as chief, at borough hall. He said, “I come from a law enforcement family and policing was my calling… Bear with me here, because this next sentence is tough.” His voice cracking, he said, “I want to dedicate this promotion to my mother: She passed See SMITH on page 244
B ck in time... The first newspaper in the valley launched 135 years ago. John C. Storms and James B.H. Storms launched the Park Ridge Local from their family's Park Ridge farm. PAGE 4