MONTVALE—A new police chief, a new borough administrator, a new borough attorney and three reelected Republican council members —along with other borough professionals — were sworn in on New Year’s Day during an hour-plus reorganization ceremony at Borough Hall.
Montvale’s’ was the Pascack Valley’s first municipal reorganization of 2023.
Councilwoman Theresa Cudequest was sworn in for a one-year unexpired term; incumbent councilman Christopher Roche was sworn in for a second three-year term; incumbent councilman Timothy Lane was sworn in for his sixth consecutive term.
All three incumbents ran unopposed in the Nov. 8 General Election.
Mayor Michael Ghassali swore in the borough’s new police chief, Douglas McDowell, who was flanked by prior police chiefs Joseph Sanfilippo and Jeremy Abrams.
The 80-minute meeting can be seen by clicking on “My Montvale TV” on the borough website.
In an email to residents Jan. 3, Ghassali said, “I want to congratulate councilwoman Cudequest, Lane and Roche on their re-election. And congratulations to Chief McDowell, business administrator Joe Voytus and our new attorney Dave Lafferty. Also, congratulations to the fire department elected leadership,” said the mayor.
He added, “We will miss Maureen (Iarossi-Alwan) in her role as a business administrator and as a clerk in a few months, many thanks to Maureen for all her time and service to our community.” Ghassali shared the same sentiments in his monthly email update.
Iarossi-Alwan served nearly three decades in Montvale.
Sworn in as the new administrator was former borough attorney Joseph Voytus, who replaces the retiring Iarossi-Alwan, and sworn in as new borough attorney was David S. Lafferty, of Huntington Bailey, LLP, Westwood.
Councilman Douglas Arendacs was unanimously elected council president for a second consecutive year after being nominated by AnnMarie Russo-Vogelsang.
Arendacs thanked members for selecting him as council president and congratulated the reelected members. He congratulated Iarossi-Alwan on her retirement after 26 years in Montvale. He said she was the first person he met when he came to Borough Hall after moving there in 2014.
“Over time she has taught me a lot about municipal government and been a mentor to me throughout my council run as I’m always learning how to better serve our residents,” Arendacs said.
Arendacs congratulated Voytus on his appointment as borough administrator, after serving Montvale as borough attorney for 15 years. He also congratulated Lafferty, a resident, on his appointment as borough attorney.
Councilman Dieter Koelling said he was looking forward to working with new Police Chief Douglas McDowell, and to enhance the Junior Police Academy. He praised the new professionals joining the borough staff in 2023.
Councilwoman Theresa Cudequest said safety had always been her major issue in Montvale, and said she will continue “to hold safety as my utmost priority.” She encouraged residents to attend council meetings and raise issues and concerns.
“We’re here to serve you, so no question that you have is ridiculous in regards to the way that things are done here in town. So I encourage you to get involved. Make that maybe your New Year’s resolution for 2023. Get involved in the town a little bit more, we’d love to have you and have your input,” said Cudequest.
Councilman Chistopher Roche congratulated Iarossi-Alwan on her retirement, noting “You will be missed” and welcomed Voytus, adding “you have some big shoes to fill but I know you’ll be an asset to the borough” and welcomed new borough attorney Lafferty.
Councilman Timothy Lane. reelected to his sixth term, said he thanked the other two mayors and 15 council members he has worked with since 2008. He said though they don’t always share the same opinions, “We all shared an interest and desire to do what’s right for Montvale.”
He said residents should know that the council will face important, complex issues in the next several years. “Just know that we really do want your engagement and feedback.”
He said he served as liaison to Montvale Fire Department for 15 years and recognized top fire officials and volunteers. He congratulated new police chief McDowell and thanked former chief Sanfillipo.
Ghassali said he saw more changes for Montvale in 2023, including: purchasing more properties as they become available to add recreation/open space; a new water tank tower; affordable housing for post-2025; new shared-service possibilities; a new waste collection contract; more road paving and sewer system upgrades; negotiations with a “major land owner” that may affect plans for a new community center and pool.
He would not provide any details about the land negotiations ongoing or possible impacts on the pool and community center location or cost. He said negotiations should conclude in a month when details will be made public.
He said $1.7 million more in property tax bills were paid in 2022 and in February an additional
$1.2 million in tax bills will go out. He said as new developments fill in 2023, an additional $1 million in tax revenue will flow back to Montvale, totaling a nearly $4 million increase in tax revenue from this point forward.
Ghassali said this was his eighth year as mayor, constitutung his 13th year on the governing body. He said he was “always thrilled and happy to come to Borough Hall.”
He said he wondered what happened 100 years ago when the mayor addressed the council. He showed the 1923 Montvale mayor’s report to council and the 1923 budget that totaled $20,859.48, which he found in the borough archives.
He said the mayor’s report then cited traffic conditions that “endanger life” and requested the-then new sidewalk committee to make recommendations to council.
The 1923 mayor made six recommendations to council related to tax sales, fire protection, better records management, and providing some funds to the Board of Health, “should occasion arise making its use necessary.”
