PASCACK VALLEY—The boroughs of Westwood and Emerson will each receive million-dollar federal grants, with the former to help elevate homes in flood prone areas and the latter to improve local stormwater drainage to reduce flooding near a middle school and high school.
Emerson—The Family Town—was notified by Fifth District Congressman Josh Gottheimer March 11 that it will receive a whopping $959,000 federal grant to install drainage infrastructure and realign stormwater system piping near Dorchester Road, Vivian Avenue and side streets.
These streets house more than 50 residents and are located close to a high school, middle school, and several recreational fields.
Westwood—The Hub of the Pascack Valley—was notified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that it will receive a $1 million grant to elevate four homes in flood-prone areas on Harding, Fitzgerald, and Benson avenues.
The disbursements, signed into law last Saturday, are part of multiple new federal investments totaling more than $4.7 million Gottheimer characterizes as “clawed back” from Washington, D.C. and so-called “moocher states.”
On March 12, Gottheimer announced more than $10 million in new federal investments and projects for North Jersey communities and families In our area, that includes:
- $963,000 — Emergency Services Communications Equipment to improve equipment for first responders and emergency services in Paramus.
- $447,000 — Safety Equipment to help the Sheriff’s office and Regional Crisis Negotiation Unit in Bergen County.
- $160,000 — Security cameras to help the police department protect residents in Woodcliff Lake.
Gottheimer represents New Jersey’s Fifth Congressional District in the northern part of the state, which includes parts of Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex counties.
Joy in Westwood
Mayor Ray Arroyo was ecstatic March 11, posting the grant news on his Facebook page: “Congratulations to Westwood’s successful applicants for securing $1,000,000 in Federal Funding for Flood Elevation Grants! And thanks to our borough staff who provided information about the process, and guidance along the way. Especially Borough Clerk Karen Hughes!”
Arroyo previously said that the borough applied for the grant as another tool in its arsenal to help local homeowners suffering from repeated flooding.
He told us the $1,017,803 grant will “provide financial assistance to those four residential property owners who have experienced severe repetitive loss as a result of flooding due to the Musquapsink and Pascack brooks.”
The Flood Mitigation Assistance grant funding period continues through March 6, 2027, said the mayor.
Arroyo said recently that Westwood had completed a drone study of Pascack Brook to highlight potential challenges and obstructions, joining Washington Township in having completed such a study.
Nearby communities River Vale, and likely Hillsdale, are planning to conduct studies to get a more comprehensive look at the Pascack drainage basin, including downed trees, sediment shoals, and eroded stream banks. The drone studies will also likely help in applying for regional grants for flood-mitigation projects, officials said.
Moreover, borough officials had posted an application link for interested local homeowners to apply for the state’s Blue Acres Program, which appropriates funds to buy out homeowners whose properties are repeatedly flooded or damaged by floods.
A public notice on the borough website posted in late December said four homes are proposed to be elevated under FEMA’s Flood Mitigation Assistance Program.
“The proposed scope of work consists of elevating flood prone homes to the base flood elevation (BFE), as indicated by best available flood map data, plus a minimum of two feet of freeboard. Raising the living spaces will offer protection to the homeowners and their belongings,” said the FEMA public notice.
It adds, “FEMA has determined that elevating the structures is the most practicable alternative to ensure that the homes and their occupants are out of harm’s way. FEMA has also determined that investment of funds to reduce flood risk is in the public interest.”
Emerson’s federal grant, and a promise
Gottheimer joined local leaders from Emerson, Englewood, Leonia and Tenafly at a ceremony March 11 in Englewood to announce the $4.7 million in federal grants overall.
A statement by Gottheimer noted, “These investments will help build climate resilient infrastructure to prevent flooding and avoid its disastrous effects in Englewood, Emerson, Leonia, and Tenafly. These new investments were signed into law just two days ago, on Saturday.”
Mayor Danielle DiPaola thanked Gottheimer for the much-needed flood mitigation funding.
“The small borough of Emerson is very grateful to the Congressman and everyone who made this possible today in order to claw back the money from our federal government. This is going to fix our hundred-year-old infrastructure in a section of town that is vitally important to over 100 residents. For that, we are very grateful.”
The borough had considered a comprehensive study of stormwater infrastructure following a heavy September 2023 storm that caused flooding but took no action at the time. They asked the engineer to return with a study that can be done in several parts over time, and at less cost.
Also, concerns were raised by a resident about stormwater management at the under-construction Emerson Station residential-retail project, following two recent floods at his business along Palisade Avenue. He said no flooding had occurred before the Block 419 project was undertaken. (This grant will address neither of those concerns.)
DiPaola told Pascack Press on March 12 that the borough anticipates a project start date in 2025.
“This is only the beginning. Improvements are part of this mayor and council’s long-term initiative to mitigate the effects of severe weather events throughout the borough.”
She said, “Last fall, as part of the borough’s road paving program, repairs and drainage improvements were made on Emwood Road, which have substantially helped to alleviate flooding conditions in that section of town. In addition, the borough has also received a grant from the New Jersey DEP’s Stormwater Assistance Grant program to map Emerson’s waterways to better understand how water moves through the borough.”
DiPaola said renovations to the Cindy Lane and Randolph Avenue pump stations, substantially funded through Bergen County CDBG grants, are underway along with constant maintenance of the catch basins by the borough’s DPW.
Desilting efforts in Emerson’s smaller streams and waterways are also being explored, though that will require state approval.
The mayor said, “Just like most towns, our infrastructure is old and often taken for granted. Most people never think about the hundreds of miles of drainage and wastewater pipes under our streets until they break or cannot handle demand.”
She said, “My administration will continue to work tirelessly to secure funds for essential infrastructure upgrades that will benefit our whole community long into the future.”