Community Mourns Student's Death This Past Week

River Dell Student Killed in Route 4 Pedestrian Accident

A 17-year-old Oradell youth was killed on Route 4 late Saturday around 11pm near Hackensack Avenue was a senior at River Dell High School, River Dell Schools’ superintendent confirmed Sunday. Current and former RDHS students identified the teenager as Rafael Acosta on Twitter.

Students turned to Twitter after learning of Acosta's death, sharing memories and condolences under the hashtag #RIPRAF referring to the teen's nickname, Raff, as well as #RDFamily. The regional school district has been offering grief counseling to students throughout the week and for the forseeable future as needed. Acosta's death is still under investigation by the Bergen County Police Department.

With the River Dell community still processing the loss of 17-year-old Rafael Acosta, the regional Board of Education opted to postpone several major presentations and discussions until the Oct. 15 meeting. Instead board members quickly approved several agenda items before concluding until next month.

Organized by the Oradell Special Events, borough residents flocked to Prospect Avenue and Memorial Field on Sunday for the annual Family Day to enjoy great food and music, mingle with friends and family, shop at a variety of vendors and play games supplied by local organizations.

Over 100 residents, comprised of SOD and CAPO members, many with children, some with bullhorns, packed the sidewalk in front of Borough Hall on River Road holding signs asking the Mayor and Council to join them in their fight to keep the United Water property as open space and agree to hold off on rezoning it until the application has run its course through the Zoning Board.

Several months ago, Joe Polaco had intended to build a pair of 2500-square-foot houses along Park Avenue but following the borough's reassessment, those plans changed and this week has requested a conditional zoning change for that property to allow duplexes on site.

Volunteer-based construction work for the Habitat for Humanity Oradell project of four 3-bedroom duplexes along Westervelt Place and Lake Avenue had gotten off to a slow start over the summer as work was continually delayed due to a rainy season. But with the framing having started for one duplex, work can hopefully pick up for the finalized May to June 2013 ribbon cutting ceremony.

River Edge resident Patrick Silvestri had the idea to open not only a traditional coffeehouse with coffee and baked goods, but also to serve as a place for artists, musicians, poets and authors to showcase their work. In February 2012, he opened The Coffee Machine, located at 175 Main Street, Ridgefield Park.

Antoinette Rainone shares her experiences of attending the OPS back-to-school night and the memories it brought with it.

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