TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—A packed council chamber erupted in applause multiple times during the town’s annual council reorganization meeting on Monday, Jan. 6. Officers were promoted, new hires were announced, and council members reflected on the previous year while laying out priorities for 2025.
The council unanimously re-elected Michael DeSena as council president and Steven Cascio as vice president. Both expressed gratitude for their colleagues’ support as they resumed their leadership roles.
Police Chief John Calamari introduced the department’s promotions, sharing anecdotes about each officer’s achievements. Mayor Peter Calamari administered the oaths.
- Sgt. Vincent Santa was promoted for his leadership and dedication.
- Cpl. Robert Luscombe was recognized for his consistent service.
- Police Officer Steven Riedel, promoted to corporal, was also celebrated alongside his father, Sgt. Steven Riedel Sr., who retired after 26 years. The elder Riedel (#121) received his retirement badge, with the mayor highlighting his years of service.
Four officers were also promoted within the Special Law Enforcement Officer program:
- Justin Boesch and Vincent Montalbano III to SLEO II.
- Morgan Scherer and Andrew Eckhardt to SLEO I.
The newly promoted officers will attend the Bergen County Police Academy.
The mayor introduced the 2025 fire department leadership:
- Chief Zachary Miros
- Deputy Chief Frank Aiello
- Battalion Chief Christopher Campo
- Captain Chris Meier
- Lieutenants: Tie Stutzer, Keith Mahoney, Scott Meier, and Tim Meier
In year-end remarks, Mayor Calamari told residents to check the website for availability of the 2025 town calendar, noting they won’t be mailed this year, in a departure, and only a limited amount were printed, which—in a zing to the council majority—saved about a dollar per household.
Starting his eighth year as mayor, Calamari noted the police department’s accreditation last year provided the township a discount on its annual insurance premium; summer recreation programs served over 500 children in various programs; he thanked volunteers at WCTV for coverage of town meetings and community events.
He cited two recently approved shared-service agreements with neighboring towns and said he looked forward to the new DPW facility “getting underway” in 2025, noting he had worked to lower costs. He said a “long overdue” property revaluation would be getting underway this year and hoped that the revaluation would equalize school taxes between the township and Westwood for support of the K-12 regional school district. He also mentioned the DPW needs two new garbage trucks and suggested ordering both soon, noting such orders were taking years to fill.
Regarding the swim club, and recent contamination by PCBs found there, he noted, “We, unfortunately, had a setback for achieving our plans at the former swim club property. I look forward to getting remediation done as quickly as possible.”
He also said officials were also awaiting NJDEP approval on an emergency application to restabilize two areas of eroded Musquapsink Brook stream banks near sanitary manholes. He said they had applied for federal grant funds to help cover estimated costs of $700,000.
Other councilors offered thanks to local employees and mentioned 2024 highlights and achievements in brief remarks. Tom Sears cited the Green Team’s accomplishments, a stormwater presentation by Montclair State University students, and a highly successful guitar-learning program set up for local veterans.
Daisy Velez said she starts her fourth year on council, and thanked the mayor and administrator for successfully completing the Emergency Services Building, upgrading the Pascack Road-Washington Avenue intersection, and recreational field upgrades.
She said that she was proud of the banner program honoring local veterans that she and Sears had initiated and brought to town. She thanked all township employees and volunteers who contributed to the township, and lastly, she urged councilors to get DPW employees a building in 2025.
Michael Ullman said he hoped to move forward with 2025’s budget and try to continue to “deliver quality programs at a reasonable price to the community.” He said he tries to stay off social media, noting the DPW had responded to complaints and cleaned up leaves previously cited in parts of town on social media. He noted some on social media also complained about roads that were brined ahead of a predicted snow storm, noting “you really can’t please everyone” and that social media posts need to be taken “with a grain of salt.”
The council approved 33 resolutions, addressing matters such as temporary budget appropriations, delinquent tax interest rates, and mutual aid agreements.
A resolution for a developer’s agreement with Cohen Development Group LLC for a 44-unit multifamily inclusionary project was tabled at Township Attorney Siobhan Spillane Bailey’s request. The agreement, necessary for construction to begin, will be discussed at a later date.
The full meeting is available on the township’s YouTube.