MONTVALE—Hurricane Ida wreaked havoc on Huff pond and the new trail and the inlets the borough built this summer. That’s according to Mayor Michael Ghassali, who adds, “Unfortunately, we will have to empty the pond again and clean and adjust the inlets.”
Ghassali said FEMA will be footing most of the bill. “The initial cost of about $250,000 was donated to us by a generous donor and combined with grants, the cost was covered.”
(For more, see “$268K awarded for Huff Pond care; summer fun in sight,” Pascack Press, Jan. 9, 2021.)
Meanwhile, the borough is assessing required responses due to the impacts from Hurricane Ida. Among the most crucial efforts is the removal of fallen trees within the Pascack Brook. Ghassali said the borough obtained a proposal from Downes Tree Service which was discussed at the Sept. 28 council meeting. “We will file the necessary paperwork required for reimbursement.”
Planes plain loud; lobbying effort under way
Ghassali added in his Sept. 25 report to residents, “The airplane traffic you see and hear above us has been an issue for the region. We are working with the surrounding towns to lobby the FAA to reroute the traffic over Route 17.”
He said, “The FAA uses the route above us when there is extra traffic. We passed a resolution in support of the rerouting and sent it over to the FAA along with other towns’ resolutions.”
(For more, see “Teterboro flight path adjusted; Woodcliff Lake, in victory, urges vigilance,” Pascack Press, July 12, 2021.)
Residents aid Rochelle Park
Ghassali reported on the success of local residents, heeding a call to action, in aiding Rochelle Park, which was badly affected by storm flooding.
The effort, organized by the council and headed by councilman Doug Arendacs, responded to the need after 650 Rochelle Park homes were damaged in Tropical Storm Ida.
“Our amazing and generous Montvale residents sent over $4,000 worth of essential supplies and $2,500 to buy more essential products. Rochelle Park Township’s committee recognized and thanked our residents for the needed help. Thank you to all who came and contributed,” Ghassali said.
Water pressure
In his roundup, Ghassali spoke to water pressure issues on the west side of town and the solution the borough developed with SUEZ. He said a town hall to present and discuss the matter will be announced. He said water pressure woes have been a problem here since the 1990s. (For more, see “Where to site water tanks? Suez proposal looks to cure water pressure woes,” Pascack Press, July 5, 2021.)
Get vaccinated
According to to Ghassali, the borough’s Covid-19 and Delta-variant positive cases have been consistent at five to six cases per week since this June. “The majority of the cases are younger unvaccinated residents. Please continue to use safe practices. Vaccines are available at our CVS and Wegmans.” (It wasn’t so long ago: “Ghassali: Stay home now; we’ll make up for lost time this summer,” Pascack Press, March 15, 2020.)
