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 ballot.
Westwood’s Borough Council election pits Republican incumbents Beth Anne Dell and Robert Bicocchi against Democratic challengers Kyle C. Lagatol and Kathryn M. Mundhenk for two open seats.
Below is a summary of responses to our emailed questions. Dell and Bicocchi replied jointly; the Democratic candidates responded individually. We asked about campaign priorities, deer management, flooding and stormwater, and future uses at Westwood Plaza (the former Kmart), and for their bios.
Candidate bios (as provided)
- Robert Bicocchi (R) — 29-year resident; married, one son; service on Planning Board and Board of Adjustment; active youth-sports coach (baseball, flag football).
- Beth Anne Dell (R) — 26-year resident; appointed to council in 2015 to fill an unexpired term; re-elected three times; active in PTO and Westwood-Washington Education Foundation.
- Kyle Clare Lagatol (D) — 13-year resident; married, two daughters; Girl Scouts leader and Service Unit Manager (supporting 18 troops); volunteer with Kiwanis, Celebrate Westwood, Girls on the Run, Brookside PTO.
- Kathryn M. Mundhenk (D) — 34-year resident; degrees in public health, nutrition education, and food science; active on the Westwood Green Team; volunteer with Meals on Wheels North Jersey and Head Start Centers in Essex County.
Incumbents Dell & Bicocchi (R) — joint response
- Priorities. The incumbents (running as Always Westwood) say they are focused—“within the scope of our municipal limitations”—on financial stability, community safety, and enhancing resident services. If re-elected, they say they’ll “continue to be responsible stewards of the borough’s finances, while delivering best-in-class services for residents of all ages,” citing “productive, bipartisan collaboration” among the governing body, school district, local businesses, and the hospital.
- Deer. They favor a regional approach, saying a single municipality acting alone faces “significant challenges” in a densely connected area. They added that state housing mandates have reduced open space, pushing deer into neighborhoods, and that piecemeal efforts lead to rebound as deer move across borders. “A regional solution ensures more lasting and equitable outcomes,” they said.
- Flooding/stormwater. The incumbents said the borough has tightened building requirements to manage runoff and allocated resources toward long-term fixes, including commissioning a drone study of a degraded drainage basin and investing in staff and council training to better serve and communicate with flood-affected residents. They voiced support for District 39 bills S2107 and A427—pending in Trenton—to require DEP and certain reservoir owners to implement flood-control measures and to empower the Office of Emergency Management to order drawdowns ahead of severe weather.
- Westwood Plaza (former Kmart). Calling the site’s potential “tremendous,” they said a family-focused indoor recreation use would complement the Shopping Center (SC) zone. They noted the privately owned property has ample parking and said the council unanimously expanded permitted indoor-recreation uses in the SC zone to attract such a tenant without detracting from downtown.
Democratic challenger Kyle C. Lagatol — individual response
- Priorities. Lagatol (One Westwood) would build partnerships with nearby towns to cut costs and boost services; improve street safety and walkability; keep residents informed and involved; streamline volunteer opportunities; organize public-space cleanups; and support youth groups to enhance public spaces and civic pride.
- Deer. Supports awareness about risks of feeding deer, deer-resistant landscaping, and humane repellents. Also emphasized driver education—slowing in known corridors, extra caution at dawn/dusk, high-beam use where safe, and never swerving to avoid a deer.
- Flooding/stormwater. Backs regional cooperation for stronger waterway protections, long-term flood strategies, and green design (e.g., water-absorbing plantings) in public spaces.
- Westwood Plaza. Lagatol supports keeping the site retail and would urge the owner to partner with the borough on stormwater, including maintaining the adjacent waterway, to protect business potential and local infrastructure.
Democratic challenger Kathryn M. Mundhenk — individual response
- Priorities. Mundhenk (One Westwood) said she aims to preserve Westwood’s small-town character, conduct needs assessments to address safety (sightlines for drivers to protect pedestrians and bicyclists), partner regionally for equitable services and lower taxpayer costs, and create volunteer groups to meet community needs.
- Deer. She proposes removing food sources, clearing yard waste/brush where ticks thrive, educating residents on protective attire and tick checks for people and pets, and promoting humane deterrents such as plants and sprays.
- Flooding/stormwater. Mundhenk supports partnering with surrounding towns to press the water company on pre-storm reservoir management, planting water-absorbing vegetation in flood-prone areas, and seeking grants for green infrastructure such as permeable pavement.
- Westwood Plaza. She favors retail at the plaza and said she’d like to see an affordable supermarket in the former Kmart building, noting many Westwood House seniors once relied on a short walk to Kmart for necessities that the current grocer doesn’t offer.
Editor’s note: Candidate responses were provided via email and edited for AP style, clarity, and length. Follow our ongoing coverage online.