| Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey | |
|---|---|
| — Borough — | |
| Map highlighting Woodcliff Lake's location within Bergen County. Inset: Bergen County's location within New Jersey. | |
| Census Bureau map of Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Bergen |
| Incorporated | August 31, 1894 as Woodcliff |
| Name Changed | March 1, 1910 to Woodcliff Lake |
| Government | |
| • Type | Borough (New Jersey) |
| • Mayor | Joseph LaPaglia (R, 2011)[1] |
| • Administrator | Lori Sciara (acting)[2] |
| Area[3] | |
| • Total | 3.54 sq mi (9.2 km2) |
| • Land | 3.33 sq mi (8.6 km2) |
| • Water | 0.21 sq mi (0.5 km2) 5.93% |
| Elevation[4] | 233 ft (71 m) |
| Population (2010 Census)[5][6] | |
| • Total | 5,730 |
| • Density | 1,618.6/sq mi (622.8/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 07677[7] |
| Area code(s) | 201 |
| FIPS code | 34-82300[8][9] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885449[10] |
| Website | http://www.wclnj.com |
Woodcliff Lake is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the borough population was 5,730.[5]
Woodcliff Lake is also the name of the reservoir that lies primarily within the borough, with a small part of it located in neighboring Hillsdale.
The borough is an upscale New York City suburb with most houses on lots of at least 15,000 square feet (1,400 m2).
It was the world headquarters of Ingersoll Rand until they moved in 2004 and its property was taken over by the North American headquarters of BMW. The borough is also the corporate headquarters of Perillo Tours, which consists of an elaborate Italian revival where Richard Nixon had an office after his Presidency.[11]
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The borough was originally incorporated as the Borough of Woodcliff, on August 31, 1894, at the height of the "Boroughitis" phenomenon sweeping through Bergen County at the time, from parts of Orvil Township and Washington Township, based on the results of a referendum held three days earlier.[12] On March 1, 1910, after the creation of the reservoir, the name of the borough was changed to Woodcliff Lake, to match the name of the post office.[12] In this era prior to ZIP codes, two post offices in a state could not have the same name, and there was already a "Woodcliff" in Hudson County. On January 1, 1956, and again on July 1, 1958, Woodcliff Lake exchanged sections of land with Park Ridge. On October 13, 1960, portions were exchanged with Hillsdale.[13]
Woodcliff Lake has many historic houses and buildings, some dating from the 18th century. The best example of this is probably the Wortendyke Barn, a colonial-era barn and all its implements that has been preserved as a Bergen County Historic Site. Many other old buildings are also present, but are likely to have been modified through the years. The borough has seen intense development over the past fifty years, as virtually all areas available for construction have been developed.
Woodcliff Lake is located at (41.023343, -74.058629).[14]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 3.54 square miles (9.2 km2), of which 3.33 square miles (8.6 km2) is land and 0.21 square miles (0.54 km2), or 5.93%, is water.[3] It is bounded by six municipalities: Montvale, Park Ridge, Hillsdale, Saddle River, and small portions of Upper Saddle River and River Vale. The Garden State Parkway runs through the town and may be entered, southbound, or exited from, northbound, at exit 171. Due to the fact that not all movements are possible at that exit, exits 168 in Washington Township and 172 in Montvale are also used to access the borough. Woodcliff Lake is located approximately 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Manhattan.
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 329 |
|
|
| 1910 | 470 | 42.9% | |
| 1920 | 587 | 24.9% | |
| 1930 | 871 | 48.4% | |
| 1940 | 1,037 | 19.1% | |
| 1950 | 1,420 | 36.9% | |
| 1960 | 2,742 | 93.1% | |
| 1970 | 5,506 | 100.8% | |
| 1980 | 5,644 | 2.5% | |
| 1990 | 5,303 | −6.0% | |
| 2000 | 5,745 | 8.3% | |
| 2010 | 5,730 | −0.3% | |
| Population sources: 1930-1990[15][16] 2000[17] 2010[5][6] |
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As of the census[8] of 2000, there are 5,745 people, 1,824 households, and 1,605 families residing in the borough. The population density is 1,725.3 people per square mile (666.1/km2). There are 1,842 housing units at an average density of 553.2 per square mile (213.6/km2). The racial makeup of the borough is 93.84% White, 0.87% African American, 0.03% Native American, 4.47% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. 2.33% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.[17]
There are 1,824 households out of which 47.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 80.2% are married couples living together, 6.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 12.0% are non-families. 10.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.08 and the average family size is 3.31.[17]
In the borough the population is spread out with 29.9% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100 females there are 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.1 males.[17]
The median income for a household in the borough is $123,022, and the median income for a family is $133,925. Males have a median income of $90,000 versus $45,150 for females. The per capita income for the borough is $53,461. 1.5% of the population and 0.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 1.4% of those under the age of 18 and 2.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.[17]
A Mayor and a six-member Borough Council structure govern Woodcliff Lake. In addition there are a number of Boards, and Committees. The Mayor generally appoints the members of these with consent of the majority of the Council. The Mayor is elected for a four-year term and Council members are each elected for three-year terms. Partisan elections are held in November on an at-large basis and the terms start on January 1 of the following year. Positions are held on a part-time basis. The Council members elect a Council President at the beginning of each year. Each member of the Council serves as chairperson or liaison to one or more of the Boards, and/or Committees. The assignments are made at the beginning of each calendar year.
As of 2011[update], the Mayor of Woodcliff Lake is Joseph LaPaglia (R, term ends December 31, 2011). Members of the Borough Council are Council President Jeff Bader (R, 2013), Kenneth Baum (R, 2013), Paul Camella (R, 2011), John Glaser (R, 2012), Jeffrey Hoffman (R, 2011) and Michael Struk (R, 2012).[18]
Controversy erupted in the borough in August 2008 when Mayor LaPaglia described Councilmen Bader and Rosenblatt as "the temple twins", an apparent reference to the Jewish religion. The two councilmen demanded an apology, which LaPaglia has not given, denying anti-Semitic intent and stating that he is prone to colorful nicknames.[19]
Woodcliff Lake is in the 5th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 39th state legislative district.[20] The legislative district was kept unchanged by the New Jersey Apportionment Commission based on the results of the 2010 Census.[5]
New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District is represented by Scott Garrett (R, Wantage Township). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
39th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature, which is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Gerald Cardinale (R, Demarest) and in the New Jersey General Assembly by Bob Schroeder (R, Washington Township) and Charlotte Vandervalk (R, Hillsdale).[21] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham).[22] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).[23]
Bergen County's County Executive is Kathleen Donovan (R, Rutherford; term ends December 31, 2014).[24] The Board of Chosen Freeholders is the county's legislative body and its seven members are elected at-large on a staggered basis, with two or three seats coming up for election each year.[25] As of 2011, Bergen County's Freeholders are Chairman John Driscoll, Jr. (R, 2012; Paramus),[26] Vice-Chairwoman Maura DeNicola (R, 2013; Franklin Lakes),[27] Chair Pro Tempore John D. Mitchell (R, 2013; Cliffside Park)[28] John A. Felice (R, 2013; River Edge),[29] David L. Ganz (D, 2011; Fair Lawn),[30] Robert G. Hermansen (R, 2012; Mahwah)[31] and Bernadette P. McPherson (D, 2011; Rutherford).[32][33] Other countywide constitutional officials are Sheriff Michael Saudino (R), Surrogate Michael R. Dressler (D, Cresskill) and County Clerk Elizabeth Randall (R, Westwood).[34]
As of Election Day, November 4, 2008, there were 4,021 registered voters. Of registered voters, 1,107 (27.5% of all registered voters) were registered as Democrats, 981 (24.4%) were registered as Republicans and 1,933 (48.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.[35]
In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 49.9% of the vote here (1,496 ballots cast), narrowly ahead of Democrat Barack Obama, who received 49.1% of the vote (1,474 ballots), with 75.0% of registered voters participating.[35] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 49.7% of the vote in Woodcliff Lake (1,656 cast), narrowly ahead of Democrat John Kerry, who received around 49.2% (1,638 votes), with 3,329 ballots cast among the borough's 4,108 registered voters, for a turnout of 81.0%.[36]
Woodcliff Lake is served by a volunteer fire department that was established in 1932 after residents became dissatisfied with fire protection paid for through Park Ridge.[37] The WLFD consists of a chief, a deputy chief, two captains and three lieutenants in addition to the 70+ members. Woodcliff Lake Fire Department is also known as Station 68. Station 68 is home to Engine 71, Squad 72, Ladder 75, and Rescue 76. The chiefs are assigned cars 710 and 711. WLFD is a member of the Tri-Boro mutual aid along with Montvale and Park Ridge.[38]
Woodcliff Lake is one of the three towns involved with the Tri-Boro Volunteer Ambulance Corps, founded in 1938 and providing provides EMS service to Park Ridge, Woodcliff Lake and Montvale. Tri-Boro is a non-profit and full volunteer group which provides free emergency service to those in the community who need it at any time. The headquarters is located in Park Ridge near Mill Pond.[39]
Woodcliff Lake has a police department, located next to borough hall, was founded in 1954.[40]
The Woodcliff Lake Public Schools serve students in Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade. The schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[41]) are Dorchester School with 561 students in grades Pre-K through 5 and Woodcliff Middle School which has 288 students in grades 6-8.
Woodcliff Lake and Montvale public school students attend Pascack Hills High School as part of the Pascack Valley Regional High School District.[42]
Woodcliff Lake is served by New Jersey Transit on the Pascack Valley Line at the Woodcliff Lake train station. The station is located at Broadway and Woodcliff Avenues.
This line runs north-south to Hoboken Terminal with connections via the Secaucus Junction transfer station to New Jersey Transit one-stop service to New York Penn Station and to other NJ Transit rail service. Connections are available at the Hoboken Terminal to other New Jersey Transit rail lines, the PATH train at the Hoboken PATH station, New York Waterways ferry service to the World Financial Center and other destinations and Hudson-Bergen Light Rail service.
Garden State Parkway and County Route 503 passes through Woodcliff Lake.
Tice Farms was a farm and roadside stand in Woodcliff Lake. Founded in 1808, it was a local landmark which attracted families from miles around, especially in the fall, when it was noted for pumpkins, apple cider, freshly baked donuts, and other fall products. Many people would make the drive to the area from New York City, causing massive traffic jams on autumn weekends. Beginning in the 1970s, the farm was increasingly squeezed by local land development, and Richard Tice, the head of the family, repeatedly sold land to accommodate development. Tice Farms is now an upscale strip mall, named Tice's Corner after the family, and includes such stores as Apple Store, Anthropologie, Victoria's Secret and Gap[43]
Van Riper's Farm, located approximately across the street from Tice's. was founded in the late 18th century and known for its apple cider and annual turkey shoot. It was closed to make way for an A&P supermarket, which is known as the company's trademark store.
BMW calls Woodcliff Lake home, and is the town's predominant landowner. Located on Chestnut Ridge Road, it is built, and currently being expanded on land once owned by the Tice family.[44]
A small reminder of Woodcliff Lake's rural history is Fusco's Market, located on the corner of Werimus and Saddle River Roads. Fusco's is the town's general store, owned and operated by the Fusco family. Nearby is the Old Mill Pond, which was established as the town's swimming pool around 1950 when the borough acquired the small, nearly silted-up mill pond near the headwaters of the Musquapsink Brook.
Woodcliff Lake lacks its own public library; however, it offers its residents reimbursement if they pay for a library membership from a neighboring municipality with its own library.[45]
Woodcliff Lake was originally given the ZIP code 07680. As part of post office consolidation in the early 1970s, it lost its postmaster (though not its post office) and was designated a branch of the Westwood post office, sharing the ZIP code 07675. Following longtime public protest, it regained its own ZIP code, 07677, in the late 1990s.
Notable current and former residents of Woodcliff Lake include: