MONTVALE—Two returning incumbent council members, Dieter Koelling and Ann Marie Russo-Vogelsang, were sworn in at the Jan. 1 council reorganization meeting, along with dozens of professional appointments and scores of appointments to town staff, boards and committees.
Timothy Lane, a 17-year council member, was nominated and selected as council president, replacing Christopher Roche.
Mayor Michael Ghassali performed the oaths of office for both Koelling and Russo-Vogelsang, both accompanied by family as they began another three-year term. An opening and closing prayer was offered by Pastor Sam Goertz, of Montvale Evangelical Free Church.
Bergen County Commissioner Tom Sullivan awarded commendations to Koelling and Russo-Vogelsang as they began their new terms.
Ghassali also swore in the officers for the local volunteer fire department, including Fire Chief Geoffrey Gibbons, Deputy Chief Bruce Hopper, Captain Michael Cintineo, Company #1, Ray Hutchinson, Lieutenant, and Rick Alton, Lieutenant.
The nearly hour-long swearing in and reorganization meeting included a 104-page agenda, accessible on the borough website. A meeting video is also viewable online.
The new council approved nearly 50 consent resolutions regarding government operations, fees, and professional contracts, including appointing borough attorney, auditor, engineer, planner, as well as a computer consultant and animal control services.
The resolutions approved Huntington Bailey LLP as borough attorney; Lerch, Vinci & Bliss LLP as borough auditor; Colliers Engineering & Design Inc., Andrew Hipolit as borough engineer; Colliers Engineering & Design Inc. Darlene Green, as borough planner; TriState Technical Services, Computers & Peripherals; and Tyco, Inc., for animal control services.
Ghassali said the level of volunteerism makes Montvale a special town. “I’m always amazed at how many volunteers we have that actually make us look good,” said the mayor. He said “over 350 volunteers” sit on various boards and committees, “and they all deserve to be recognized all the time,” said Ghassali.
After his election as council president, Lane thanked the council for expressing their “confidence” in him, noting he looked forward to serving with Ghassali. “We really do have a great team,” he told residents. He also thanked borough professionals, first responders, and noted he had long been a council liaison to the fire department, thanking fire department volunteers who are out there protecting residents day and night.
Lane urged residents to tune into upcoming municipal budget meetings for a first-hand look at the budget process, including the first meeting on Jan. 6, also broadcast on the Zoom platform.
He said officials would employ “common sense” when developing the budget, adding the upcoming budget was “going to offer the best value possible.”
Theresa Cudequest, liaison to the Board of Health, said the borough would be approving a three-year contract with Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission, Waldwick. She mentioned the service would provide a monthly well child and vaccine clinic, blood pressure monitoring at senior meetings, and school immunization audits.
The contract costs $83,688 for 2025; $85,368 for 2026 and $87,075.36 for 2027, officials said.
Douglas Arendacs, deputy police commissioner, congratulated the police department, and chief Douglas McDowell, for a successful year protecting residents. He noted summonses given out for 5,800 violations, plus 213 arrests, including 43 DWI arrests.
He also singled out Ghassali for his leadership on Montvale’s lawsuit challenging the fourth round of affordable housing mandates.
Reflecting on 2024, Ghassali noted that the customs officers at JFK Airport in New York City gave everyone in his family the same birthday, Jan. 1, when they arrived from Syria on that day in 1980. He congratulated Russo-Vogelsang and Koeeling on their reelection and service. He thanked all the professionals working for Montvale and residents of Montvale for their support.
On a sad note, he said his father passed away in 2024. Previously, he said his father thought he was — repeated in a heavy accent — “the mayor of New Jersey.” He said they are seeing Montvale grow “with infill of our business district” noting property owners continue making improvements to their properties.
He promised several announcements of businesses planning to relocate to Montvale in 2025. He said the town continues to invest in infrastructure, improve recreational facilities and upgrade equipment to provide municipal services.
He said the borough was working with 30 towns in its lawsuit “to assure that we build and grow responsibly” without state pressure to build high-density housing.
He said he is “filled with optimism” for 2025, including the use of DePiero’s Farm for a community garden and events, with a committee of volunteers spearheaded by councilors Koelling and Russo-Vogelsang meeting during the summer. Council purchased the 8.4-acre farm in May 2023 for $5.15 million.
He said they remain committed to the state’s affordable mandate but while keeping the town’s “unique character.”
He said in 2025, enhancing local services, supporting small businesses and strengthening bonds among each other will be priorities.