Pascack Press

10/16/2025

YOUR PASCACK PRESS for the week of Oct. 20 has arrived! With a few quick edits made in the final minutes before deadline, we fit in fantastic news of an all-hands-on-deck rescue in Westwood. Inside, you’ll find local news, views, and features — plenty of it, thanks to staff writer Michael Olohan, organized around the Nov. 4 General Election. Thanks to everyone who helps make this important community project possible!

https://isu.pub/KdP9Zgw

10/14/2025

See you there!

🗳️ Candidates’ Night 🗳️

Come out and meet the four candidates running for Woodcliff Lake Borough Council at this informative evening moderated by the League of Women Voters.

🎤 Hear where the candidates stand on key issues
🤝 Ask questions and engage in meaningful civic dialogue
🏛️ Learn more about the future of our community
This is a great opportunity to get informed before Election Day — because your voice and your vote matter.

📅 Tuesday, October 14th | 7:00 PM
📍 Tice Senior Community Center, 411 Chestnut Ridge Road

Let’s show up, stay informed, and shape the future of Woodcliff Lake together!

10/14/2025

KUDOS TO staff writer Michael Olohan on his entries in our 2025 Election Guide! Mayor and council races are in the spotlight. Reports on area school board races are headed your way. Early voting is underway, and Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—The local ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 4 features a three-way mayoral race and two Township Council seats sought by incumbent Republicans Tom Sears and Daisy Velez and Independent [...]

10/13/2025

Could have been worse.

PASCACK VALLEY— A late-season nor’easter swept through northern New Jersey Sunday night into Monday, bringing more than two inches of rain and gusty winds but sparing the Pascack Valley from major [...]

10/09/2025

STUDENT SUCCESS, CANDIDATE PROFILES, TOWN NEWS, AND YOUR LETTERS! All that and much more in this weekend's Pascack Press, the Pascack Valley's hometown newspaper. Grab yours at the link!

https://isu.pub/WRMaWWL

10/09/2025

TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—Former school board member Douglas Cusato thanked God and his family and friends as he reflected on his service to the community, and said he had no regrets after the state ordered his seat vacated, effective Sept. 29, over incomplete governance training required of all school board members. The seat will remain vacant into Election Day, as the position is uncontested.

TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON — The New Jersey Commissioner of Education has ordered the removal of Westwood Regional Board of Education member Douglas Cusato, effective Sept. 29, following his failure to complete the state’s [...]

10/09/2025

A CHANGE on the Westwood Regional school board… Story with next steps to come.

10/05/2025

Mayor Calamari follows up—

UPDATED to cover a couple of repeat questions in one location.

The negotiated cost to utilize Bethany’s facilities is $1,200 per election. This includes:

• Secure storage of voting machines for 8 days prior to Election Day
• Extended facility operation times
• Rental of two large rooms and one small room for 1.5 days (setup & breakdown)

With children in their classrooms on Nov 4th, we did not consider using schools for polling locations due to serious safety concerns, security requirements and learning disruption issues.

We also decided against utilizing the library due to the very limited parking situation at that location.

ORIGINAL POST: I’m excited to share some good news that started as an idea I brought to the table a while back. After months of planning, I officially signed an agreement with the Bethany Community Center to move our polling location there for this year’s election on November 4. We’ll also use it for next year’s Primary and General elections, and if it works out well, it may even become our long-term location.

With construction about to begin on the new DPW facility, parking at Town Hall will be limited. Bethany is a great alternative, it has plenty of parking and its location on Pascack Road will make getting in and out much easier than the usual Hudson Avenue spot, which always gets congested on Election Day.

Thank you to our Clerk and Chief Administrative Election Officer, Sue Witkowski, the Bergen County Board of Elections staff, and the folks at Bethany Community Center for working with me to make this happen.

Official notices will be sent to all Twp of Washington, NJ - Bergen County affected households soon, so keep an eye out for those!

Mayor Peter Calamari
September 24, 2025

10/05/2025

PARK RIDGE VOTES! Staff writer Michael Olohan looks at the borough's council race…

PARK RIDGE—Two Democratic newcomers, Thomas Greco and Lynda Nettleship-Carraher (Park Ridge United), are challenging Republican incumbents Gregory Hoffman and Bruce Goldsmith (Preserve Park Ridge) for two open three-year council seats [...]

10/04/2025

WHEN RIVER VALE GATHERS for its town-wide celebration on Sunday, Oct. 5, one new tradition will greet residents at the gate: a commemorative poster by sophomore artist Yi-An Jin, chosen to capture “the spirit of River Vale Day.” John Snyder reports.

RIVER VALE—When River Vale gathers for its town-wide celebration on Sunday, Oct. 5, one new tradition will greet residents at the gate: a commemorative poster by sophomore artist Yi-An Jin, [...]

10/04/2025

HILLSDALE—This year's council election pits Republicans Anthony DeRosa (a former councilman) and Louis Casale against Democrats Christopher Camp and Gabriella Ianni for two open seats. "Deer, development, and dollars in Hillsdale’s spotlight," by Michael Olohan.

HILLSDALE—Six of eight Pascack Valley towns feature contested council races this Nov. 4, and Pascack Press reached out to candidates for their views on key themes and local issues. Montvale’s [...]

10/03/2025

WESTWOOD—Lots of great ideas in the mix! Four talented candidates vying for two three-year seats at the Borough Council. Michael Olohan reports.

WESTWOOD—Six of eight Pascack Valley towns feature contested council races this Nov. 4. Montvale’s race is uncontested, with two incumbent Republicans unchallenged;  River Vale has no local seats on the [...]