Wayne, New Jersey

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Wayne, New Jersey
Map of Wayne Township in Passaic County
Map of Wayne Township in Passaic County
Coordinates: 40°56′31″N 74°15′2″W / 40.94194, -74.25056
Country United States
State New Jersey
County Passaic
Incorporated March 15, 1898
Government
 - Type Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council)
 - Mayor Christopher P. Vergano
Area
 - Total 25.2 sq mi (65.2 km²)
 - Land 23.8 sq mi (61.7 km²)
 - Water 1.4 sq mi (3.5 km²)
Elevation [1] 174 ft (53 m)
Population (2006)[2]
 - Total 54,849
 - Density 2,269.5/sq mi (876.3/km²)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes 07470, 07474, 07477
Area code(s) 973, 862
FIPS code 34-77840[3]
GNIS feature ID 0882314[4]
Website: http://www.waynetownship.com

Wayne is a Township in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States, located less than 20 miles from midtown Manhattan. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township had a total population of 54,069. Wayne was formed as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 12, 1847, from portions of Manchester Township. Totowa was formed from portions of Manchester and Wayne Townships on March 15, 1898.[5]

Wayne was ranked at No. 32 on Money magazine's 2006 "best places" list, among towns in the nation with populations greater than 50,000.[6]

Wayne is home to Willowbrook Mall, Wayne Hills Mall, Wayne Towne Center, and also High Mountain Park Preserve.

Contents

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 25.2 square miles (65.2 km²), of which, 23.8 square miles (61.7 km²) of it is land and 1.4 square miles (3.5 km²) of it (5.44%) is water. Due to its large geographic area, Wayne shares its borders with 11 neighboring towns. Franklin Lakes and Oakland in Bergen County; Fairfield and North Caldwell in Essex County; Lincoln Park and Pequannock in Morris County; and Haledon, Little Falls, North Haledon, Pompton Lakes and Totowa in Passaic County.

[edit] Neighborhoods/Lake Communities

Wayne has a number of lakes, with distinct communities and neighborhoods located around them. These include Pines Lake, Packanack Lake, Lions Head Lake, Tom's Lake and Pompton Lakes (half of which is in Wayne). The Passaic River also flows through a portion of Wayne and often floods near Willowbrook Mall and riverside neighborhoods.

[edit] History

In 1694, Arent Schuyler, a young surveyor, miner and land speculator, was sent into north-western New Jersey to investigate rumors that the French were trying to incite the local Lenni-Lenape Native American population to rebel against the English. Schuyler found no evidence of a rebellion, but discovered a rich fertile valley where the Lenni-Lenape grew a variety of crops. Schuyler reported his findings to the English and then convinced Major Anthony Brockholst, Samuel Bayard, Samuel Berry, Hendrick and David Mandeville, George Ryerson and John Mead to invest in the purchase of the land he referred to as the Pompton Valley. The seven chose Schuyler to be negotiator with the Lenape for the rights to the area. Samual Bayard, however, was chosen to negotiate with the East Jersey Company which maintained land rights over the area that is now Wayne. Approximately 5,000 acres were purchased on November 11, 1695. The area now known as Wayne Township then became part of New Barbadoes Township in Bergen County.

In 1710, this same area became part of Saddle River Township in Bergen County. By 1837, the residents of Wayne found themselves in Manchester Township in the newly named Passaic County. Finally, on April 12, 1847 the first Wayne Township organization meeting was held at the Henry Casey House on the Paterson-Hamburg Turnpike. The first mayor, called the Chairman of the Township Committee until 1962, was William S. Hogencamp. The citizens voted to name the town after American Revolutionary War General Anthony Wayne.

Throughout the 18th and 19th Centuries, Wayne Township remained a peaceful farming community. The Morris Canal ran through the southwestern part of Wayne, carrying produce to market and coal from Pennsylvania. The canal was replaced by the railroad at the end of the 19th century. In the early 20th century, Wayne grew as a vacation retreat for wealthy New Yorkers. In the summer, hordes of people from Manhattan and Brooklyn came to live in the summer bungalows and enjoy the beautiful rivers.

World War II marked the impetus for tremendous change in Wayne. Summer bungalows were converted to year-round residences to accommodate factory workers. Following the war, farmland was converted to residential living. As Wayne grew, it adopted its current form of government in 1962.[7] Modern highways, including New Jersey Route 23, U.S. Route 46, and Interstate 80 made Wayne Township easily accessible, and several national firms have located here.

[edit] Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop.  %±
1930 4,469
—
1940 6,868 53.7%
1950 11,822 72.1%
1960 29,353 148.3%
1970 49,141 67.4%
1980 46,474 -5.4%
1990 47,025 1.2%
2000 54,069 15.0%
Est. 2006 54,849 [2] 1.4%
Population 1930 - 1990.[8]

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 54,069 people, 18,755 households, and 14,366 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,269.5 people per square mile (876.4/km²). There were 19,218 housing units at an average density of 806.7/sq mi (311.5/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 90.05% White, 1.66% African American, 0.10% Native American, 5.67% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.17% from other races, and 1.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.09% of the population.

There were 18,755 households out of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.4% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.4% were non-families. 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the township the population was spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.4 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $83,651, and the median income for a family was $95,114. Males had a median income of $61,271 versus $39,835 for females. The per capita income for the township was $35,349. About 1.6% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.1% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.

As of 2007, according to "Sperling's Best Places" and Fidelity National Financial, the median income for a household in the township now stands at $91,416, with the income per capita at $40,834. The median home value in Wayne is $599,000.[citation needed]

[edit] Government

[edit] Local government

Wayne Township is governed under the Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council) system of municipal government. A mayor is elected by the voters in partisan elections to serve a four-year term. A nine-member council forms the legislative branch of the township government. Three council members are elected at large and one from each of six wards for a term of four years.[9]

Wayne's mayor is Christopher P. Vergano, appointed at the 2008 Reorganization Meeting to replace Scott Rumana.[10] Members of the Wayne Township Council are:[7]

  • Ward 1 Councilmember: Alan Purcell
  • Ward 2 Councilmember: Joseph DiDonato
  • Ward 3 Councilmember: Gerard Porter (Council President)
  • Ward 4 Councilmember: Joseph Scuralli
  • Ward 5 Councilmember: Chris F. McIntyre
  • Ward 6 Councilmember: Paul V. Margiotta
  • Councilmember at Large: Lawrence Maron
  • Councilmember at Large: Joseph G. Schweighardt
  • Councilmember at Large: Ann Mary O'Rourke

[edit] Federal, state and county representation

Wayne is part of New Jersey's 40th Legislative District and is in the Eighth Congressional District.[11]

New Jersey's Eighth Congressional District, covering the southern portion of Passaic County and northern sections of Essex County, is represented by Bill Pascrell Jr. (D, Paterson). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).

For the 2008-2009 Legislative Session, the 40th District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Kevin J. O'Toole (R, Cedar Grove) and in the Assembly by Scott Rumana (R, Wayne) and David C. Russo (R, Ridgewood).[12] The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).[13]

Passaic County is governed by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, who are elected to staggered three-year terms on an at-large basis, with two or three seats coming up for election each year.[14] As of 2008, Passaic County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Sonia Rosado (2009, Ringwood), Freeholder Deputy Director Tahesha L. Way (2009, Wayne), Terry Duffy (2010, West Milford), Elease Evans (2008, Paterson), James Gallagher (2009, Paterson) Bruce James (2008, Clifton) and Pat Lepore (2010, West Paterson).[15]

[edit] First Aid Squad

The Wayne Township Memorial First Aid Squad provides BLS (Basic Life Support) to all to reside in or travel through the Township of Wayne, New Jersey. The squad operates five Type I Rescue Ambulances, three boats, and one Heavy Rescue Vehicle. The First Aid Squad operates from two buildings known as Uptown and Downtown. The Uptown building, located on Hamburg Turnpike, houses three ambulances, Rescue 976 and one boat. The Downtown building, located between Taylor Drive and PAL Drive, houses two ambulances and two boats. The Squad is run by an elected Chief and several other line officers. The township is divided into two zones (Uptown and Downtown).

[edit] Education

[edit] Public School

The Wayne Public Schools operate 14 public schools in Wayne.

Elementary Schools

Middle Schools

High Schools

[edit] Other schools

[edit] Transportation

Wayne is criss-crossed by several major roadways, including Interstate 80, U.S. Route 46, U.S. Route 202 and Route 23.

Wayne is served by the Mountain View New Jersey Transit station, offering service on the Montclair-Boonton Line to Hoboken Terminal or on Midtown Direct trains (about 55%) to Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan via the Secaucus Junction. A Wayne-Route 23 station opened in January 2008 which offers train service via the Montclair-Boonton Line and regular bus service into the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan.

NJ Transit provides bus service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 191, 193, 194 and 195; to Newark on the 11, 28 (Saturday and Sunday only) and 75 routes, with local service provided on the MCM1, 704, 705, 712, 744, 748, 970 and 971 routes.[16]

Wayne is 25.9 miles from Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark / Elizabeth, and 31.3 miles from LaGuardia Airport in Flushing, Queens.

[edit] Notable residents

Some noted current and former residents include:

[edit] Interesting facts

[edit] Filming on location

[edit] References

  1. ^ USGS GNIS: Township of Wayne, Geographic Names Information System, accessed January 4, 2008.
  2. ^ a b Census data for Wayne township, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 1, 2007.
  3. ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  5. ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 211.
  6. ^ Best Places to Live 2006: Wayne, New Jersey, Money magazine, accessed July 18, 2006.
  7. ^ a b The Governing Body. Wayne Township. Retrieved on February 4, 2008.
  8. ^ Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
  9. ^ 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 169.
  10. ^ Township of Wayne: Office of the Mayor, Township of Wayne. Accessed February 4, 2008.
  11. ^ 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 65. Accessed August 30, 2006.
  12. ^ Legislative Roster: 2008-2009 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed June 6, 2008.
  13. ^ About the Governor, New Jersey. Accessed June 6, 2008.
  14. ^ The Role of The Freeholders, Passaic County, New Jersey. Accessed April 21, 2008
  15. ^ 2008 Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Passaic County, New Jersey. Accessed April 21, 2008
  16. ^ Passaic County Bus/Rail Connections, New Jersey Transit. Accessed July 5, 2007.
  17. ^ Agnish, Jai. "Dramarama", The Montclair Times, November 28, 2005. Accessed October 6, 2007. ""The journey began in Wayne, where Easdale and the original bandmates - Mark “Mr. E Boy” Englert, Peter Wood, and Chris Carter -- grew up. It takes them through the hallways of Wayne Hills High School and rehearsals in the basement of the Sound Exchange record store on Route 23 in Wayne."
  18. ^ Black History: Biography of Queen Latifah, accessed December 11, 2006
  19. ^ "Vilas Extended by Mayer", The New York Times, February 13, 1977. Accessed December 10, 2007. "Guillermo Vilas, the Argentine left hander, had unexpectedly strong opposition, but ousted young Gene Mayer of Wayne, N.J., 7-6, 7-6, 6-1, in the semifinals of the $50,000 Springfield International, a Grand Prix tennis tournament."
  20. ^ Greg Olsen profile, Chicago Bears, accessed April 29, 2007.
  21. ^ Barry, Jan. "Army general from Wayne had key role at Ford funeral", The Record (New Jersey), January 1, 2007. Accessed July 20, 2007. "Swan, who grew up in Wayne, was the military escort for Betty Ford at the funeral ceremonies in California and in the nation's capital, where he is the commander of the Military District of Washington. Swan's widely televised role as Mrs. Ford's escort set off a buzz among former neighbors in the Pines Lake section where he grew up and among Wayne Hills High School classmates."
  22. ^ Dey Mansion, Passaic County, New Jersey.
  23. ^ http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0113088.html
  24. ^ The History of Wayne Township, Wayne Township. Accessed August 25, 2007. "Another national celebrity was the Preakness horse. Purchased in 1868 by Milton Holbrook Sandford, owner of the Preakness Stables at the corner of Valley Road and Preakness Avenue, for $4,000. On his maiden start Preakness was entered into the 'Dinner Plate Stakes' at the new Pimlico race Track in Maryland. Preakness won the first race on October 25th, 1870. In 1873 the Maryland Jockey Club started a new racing classic for three year olds and named it The Preakness in honor of the first horse to win a race at Pimlico."
  25. ^ Tyrangiel, Josh. "The Rise Of Mom's Boys", Time (magazine), December 22, 2003. Accessed August 25, 2007. "What drove Fountains of Wayne to Stacy's Mom was the usual soul-killing nightmare of the music industry. Schlesinger and Collingwood, both 36, met as undergraduates at Williams College and soon after started Fountains of Wayne (named after a lawn-ornament store near Schlesinger's New Jersey home), adding bassist Jody Porter and drummer Brian Young along the way."
  26. ^ Saturday Night Live @ theTravisty
  27. ^ Rockefeller Center Tree Lit During Star-Studded Ceremony, WESH-TV, December 1, 2005

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Municipalities and communities of
Passaic County, New Jersey
County seat: Paterson
Boroughs
Map of New Jersey highlighting Passaic County
Cities
Townships
Communities

Coordinates: 40°55′31″N, 74°16′36″W