Residents Encouraged to Continue Writing Letters in Support of New Hospital

After getting word that the , Westwood Mayor John Birkner Jr. is encouraging residents to continue writing letters of support to the commissioner.

In a letter addressed to residents, which also appears on the borough website, Birkner said what residents have sent to Commissioner Poonam Alaigh so far is "a big part of the documentation that has been reviewed and led to this decision."

Birkner asks that members of the Westwood community continue to show their support for a new hospital in the borough and demonstrate the need for it. He, along with many others in the area, have been fighting for a full acute care hospital in Westwood since Pascack Valley Hospital closed its doors in 2007.

Oposition from area hospitals and the years of waiting haven't discouraged Birkner or others who have been outspoken and heavily involved. The mayor said he looked forward to the application process.

"Anybody that's opposed to this hospital better be prepared for a fight," Birkner said.

Hackensack University Medical Center President and CEO Bob Garrett said the hospital would submit an application to open a full acute care facility at the former Pascack Valley Hospital site in the borough. The deadline for applications is June 1.