River Vale Pushes Public Safety Complex Toward Year-End Wrap-Up

November 25, 2025 Michael Olohan
River Vale Township hired Settembrino Architects to design the New Public Safety Complex. Then firm says online, "The surrounding site caters to several neighborhoods on both Rivervale Road and Prospect Avenue, Settembrino Architects has approached the Public Safety Complex to have a more residential feel to fit within the neighborhood’s context."
River Vale Township hired Settembrino Architects to design the New Public Safety Complex. Then firm says online, "The surrounding site caters to several neighborhoods on both Rivervale Road and Prospect Avenue, Settembrino Architects has approached the Public Safety Complex to have a more residential feel to fit within the neighborhood’s context."

RIVER VALE—Most exterior work is near completion and interior work continues on the township’s new Public Safety Complex on Rivervale Road, officials say, with hopes for completion by year-end.

Administrator and CFO Gennaro Rotella told Pascack Press that Change Order No. 21 was approved at the Nov. 24 council meeting. The $2,382 order covers shower upgrades at the complex’s sally port.

The resolution notes a “remaining contingency allowance” of $202,349.85 from the original $750,000 set aside for construction change orders. Unless that fund is exhausted, the project’s final price will not increase, officials said. Epic Management, the project’s construction manager, provided a detailed statement of recent changes to the council.

Rotella said the contractor, Dobco Inc., hopes to complete the project soon.

As previously reported on Dec. 4, 2023, the Township Council voted 3–0 on Nov. 27 to award a nearly $15 million construction contract to Dobco, Inc. of Wayne for the new Public Safety Complex at Rivervale Road and Prospect Avenue. Councilmember John Donovan and Council President Paul Criscuolo were absent. Approving the award were Council Vice President Denise Sieg and members Ari Ben-Yishay and Jim Tolomeo.

Dobco’s $14,778,500 bid was the lowest of five submitted, following the council’s earlier rejection of higher bids that averaged $500,000 to $1 million more.

Also on Nov. 24, the council approved two resolutions for improvements at the township-owned River Vale Country Club: a $51,450 contract with Gadaleta Heating & Cooling LLC of Belleville for HVAC upgrades, and a $30,320 contract with Robert W. Wogisch, Landscape Contractor Inc. of Ringwood for renovation of the golf course’s tee boxes. Both projects will be funded through the golf course’s capital account, not local taxpayers, Rotella said.

Due to rising costs in the State Health Benefits Program, the council also approved a resolution to terminate participation in the state plan. Rotella said the township intends to join the Bergen Municipal Employee Benefits Fund for employee health coverage.

In addition, the council extended its interlocal agreement with Hillsdale for use of the borough’s indoor pistol range in 2026, at a new annual rate of $2,827.