MONTVALE—The Borough Council will hold a forum on Monday, June 12 at 6:30 p.m., at the Senior Community Center, 1 Memorial Dr., to field seniors’ (age 55 and up) questions on local issues
“Any senior can raise any topic or issue on their minds,” said Mayor Michael Ghassali, noting he hoped all council members would attend.
Ghassali said the seniors had requested to meet with him and council to discuss topics concerning them, including senior activities, taxes, local projects, development, and other needs.
“This is a wide-open opportunity for seniors to come and ask questions to us,” said the mayor, who is running for reelection this November. Challenging Republican Ghassali in this year’s election will be former Democratic councilwoman Elizabeth Gloeggler.
Ghassali’s slate includes incumbent Republicans Theresa Cudequest and Douglas Arendacs. Joining Gloeggler on her ticket will be newcomers Allison Barnes and Daniel Galeon.
At the May 11 Council meeting, Ghassali reported that 20 businesses were looking to move to town and looking for locations.
On May 11, the council moved to bond for and purchase 8.4 acres of DePiero farmland for possible future agricultural or recreational use.
In the last year, the council has bonded for nearly $10 million to purchase 37 acres of borough land. (See “Council clears $5.15M Bond for DePiero Land,” Michael Olohan, June, 5, 2023, Pascack Press.)
The borough attorney said a final closing on the DePiero property was anticipated by late August or September following the “due diligence” period.
Moreover, the borough is planning to place welcome signs at approximately 15 locations throughout the town. The mayor said some signs may be sponsored by local businesses while the majority of signs will likely be paid for and maintained by the borough.
Streets likely to get signs include Chestnut Ridge Road, Grand Avenue, Spring Valley Avenue, and Kinderkamack Road.
A resolution spelling out a contract for local businesses to sponsor a welcome sign was on the June 8 council agenda. The resolution noted “concession contracts” for each sign would cost local business sponsors $600 for each sign sponsored.