PASCACK VALLEY—Hillsdale’s new Democratic mayor, Michael Sheinfield, said that working together on common local and Pascack Valley problems, despite political parties, makes sense as towns deal with concerns related to flooding, taxes, and emergency services.
The mayor heads up a council composed of six Republicans—including his predecessor, John Ruocco.
The breakfast, at The Tavern at the Iron Horse in Westwood, is an annual tradition and major fundraiser for the chamber, which serves the eight towns of the Pascack Valley and nearby Oradell and Old Tappan.
Sheinfield, who arrived to the breakfast after dropping off his kids at school, said, “What’s interesting is listening to everybody talk about problems we’re experiencing in Hillsdale, and to realize we’re not going through it alone.”
He said those issues include flooding, “Water isn’t our friend, it is our friend we need to drink it but we’re all inundated with it.”
He said Hillsdale has issues with its DPW, and Woodcliff Lake helped them find temporary space for DPW office operations at 160 Broadway and additional parking at 150 Broadway, while they sort out a long-term solution to DPW flooding problems.
He said the borough was working to improve the downtown economy, and areas in need of rehabilitation that were recently identified.
He said officials were looking to keep taxes down while “balancing that” with an upcoming fourth round of affordable housing obligations set to begin in July 2025.
“So there are just a lot of moving pieces, it’s wonderful to see everybody here and to know that we’re all working together,” said Sheinfield, noting issues with emergency services staffing, including recruiting volunteers for the local ambulance service, similar to other towns’ recruiting concerns.
He said incentives and towns working together can help improve the situation.
“It’s not easy but we’re going to get it done and I really appreciate everyone in this room. It’s not political parties, it’s about getting the job done and everybody here, this is my first time here, Peter [Calamari of the Township of Washington] your seventh [the event was held virtually amid the pandemic], so you’ve got a heck of a lot more experience than I do but the fact that I know these people, beyond party, really makes it easy for us and I’m looking forward to working with them,” said Sheinfield.
He cited drone studies of Pascack Brook and regional flooding as concerns, noting Hillsdale cannot dredge its waterways without impacting downstream communities.
He said he appreciated the efforts of State Sen. Holly Schepisi, including addressing flooding.