MONTVALE—Republican Mayor Michael Ghassali and two reelected Republican council members were sworn in on Jan. 1, at the Municipal Complex, joining a spate of returning and new professionals sworn in or appointed to positions in the local government.
Ghassali was sworn in to a third four-year term to lead the borough, along with incumbent running mates Douglas Arendacs and Theresa Cudequest, both of whom are serving three-year terms. Chris Roche was unanimously elected council president.
Also on council: Republicans Annmarie Russo-Vogelsang, Timothy E. Lane, and Dieter Koelling.
The meeting featured swearing in of Volunteer Fire Department officers, including Chief Geoffrey Gibbons; Deputy Chief Bruce Hopper; Captain Michael Cintineo; Lieutenant Company #1 Rick Alton; and Lieutenant Company #2, Daniel Demarest.
The meeting featured 43 consent agenda resolutions and 2024 appointments to staff, boards, committees, and mayoral appointments.
To the victor…
Ghassali surpassed Democratic challenger Elizabeth Gloeggler by a more than 2-to-1 margin in votes, and Arendacs and Cudequest won by nearly 2-to-1 margins to retain their seats.
39th District State Sen. Holly Schepisi swore in the mayor and council members. Montvale Evangelical Free Church Pastor Sam Goertz offered an opening prayer.
On Jan. 1, Ghassali praised the local successes in 2023 and looked forward to more in 2024, including welcoming more new businesses. In a speech following the swearing in ceremonies, Ghassali said the state of the borough “is both financially and operationally strong.”
He credited the council, professional staff, local employees and first responders — “our entire team” — for Montvale’s success in attracting new residents and new businesses.
He said, “This past year we saw a big influx of businesses to Montvale, 2024 will be no difference.”
He noted, “This year we are going to mount a big campaign branding Montvale as a medical hub. Medical professionals, their suppliers, vendors and patients will see Montvale as a town that boasts a prime location, with access to shopping and dining options.”
Ghassali, who also serves as Hillsdale’s borough administrator, said, “Studying the zoning of certain areas and mapping the wetlands in town will help us to better understand and plan ahead of what and where developers can build.”
He said, “We have and we will continue to make the case that regardless of what new affordable housing obligations come our way in 2025, we will fight to pause until 2028 while we assess our infrastructure and services deficit, if any, as a result of the population increase.”
He also extended “A big thank-you to my wife, Maryann, and my sons as we go on this journey together. From running our own business, to volunteering and working with an international nonprofit, to working with the feds and traveling the world, to being a mayor, yours truly admits he’s a handful. Thank you to my wife, Maryann, of 30 years.”
Ghassali said he was committed to working with the Borough Council to keep the town’s momentum going, including projects and events.
He said, “I am also very committed to working with residents. I believe residents provide a wealth of ideas and perspectives. Working in collaboration with the community is a major priority for me and the Council as this year moves forward. Montvale is a wonderful community because of the contributions of everyone who lives and works here, and I am very proud to represent this town we call home.”
He continued, “As I look ahead to this exciting year, it’s my hope for all residents and businesses that 2024 is ultimately filled with opportunity and joy, and that we can celebrate another year together in this amazing town.”
Among the resolutions were professional services contract awards to Borough Attorney Huntington Bailey LLP; Borough Auditor Lerch, Vinci & Bliss LLP; Borough Engineer and Borough Planner, Colliers Engineering & Design; animal control to Tyco Animal Control Services; affordable housing marketing to Piazza & Sons; Jeffrey Surenian for affordable housing counsel; an interlocal contract with Northwest Bergen Central Dispatch for emergency dispatch service; Health Awareness Regional Program at Hackensack University Medical Center; Planning Board Attorney Robert Regan; a Municipal Prosecutor for the Joint Municipal Court to Rosario Presti, Jr.
Resolutions appointing each were appended to the 304-page agenda posted online for the meeting. The agenda includes a copy of the borough’s Policy & Procedures Manual.
At the end of the online agenda is a seven-page listing of “Active Group Terms” that names the volunteers, employees, contractual employees, and elected officials that make up the departments, committees, groups, and agencies that comprise the Montvale government.
It includes entities such as the administration; Board of Health, COAH Committee; Economic Development Retention Committee; Emergency Management; FAA Committee; Historic Preservation; Pascack Valley DPW Joint Committee; Recreation; Special Events Committee; TV Access; Website; and Youth Guidance Council.
Wrapping up 2023
During the sine die meeting portion, completing unfinished 2023 business, the council awarded a not to exceed $50,000 contract to Colliers Engineering & Design for stormwater outfall inspections and completion of a Tier A Municipal Stormwater Permit.
It also approved two resolutions for the 2023 budget: one for budget transfers to cover expenses in four accounts; and one to add a $15,000 grant received by the state Department of Agriculture for a spotted lanternfly program.