Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey

 

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey
Map highlighting Woodcliff Lake's location within Bergen County. Inset: Bergen County's location within New Jersey.
Coordinates: 41°1′24″N 74°3′31″W / 41.02333, -74.05861
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Bergen
Area
- Borough	sq mi (km²)
- Land	sq mi ( km²)
- Water	sq mi ( km²)
Elevation	ft ( m)
Population (2000)
- Borough
- Density	/sq mi (/km²)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	07677
Area code(s)	201
FIPS code	34-823002
GNIS feature ID	08819163

Woodcliff Lake is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 5,745.

Woodcliff Lake is also the name of the reservoir that lies primarily within the town--a small part of it lies in neighboring Hillsdale. 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.^[1] 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.^[1] 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.^[2]

Woodcliff Lake has many historic houses and buildings, some dating from the 1700s. 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.

Geography

Woodcliff Lake is located at 41°1′24″N, 74°3′31″W (41.023343, -74.058629)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 9.2 km² (3.5 mi²). 8.6 km² (3.3 mi²) of it is land and 0.5 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (5.93%) is water. 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 northwest of Manhattan.

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1930			—
1940			19.1%
1950			36.9%
1960			93.1%
1970			100.8%
1980			2.5%
1990			-6.0%
2000			8.3%
Est. 2006		[3]	3.6%
Population 1930 - 1990[4]

As of the census² of 2000, there are 5,745 people, 1,824 households, and 1,605 families residing in the borough. The population density is 666.1/km² (1,725.3/mi²). There are 1,842 housing units at an average density of 213.6/km² (553.2/mi²). 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.

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.

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.

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.

Government

Local government

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. Elections are held in November and the terms start on January 1st 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.

The Mayor of Woodcliff Lake is Joseph LaPaglia (R, term ends [{December 31]], 2007). Members of the Borough Council are Council President Joanne Howley (R, 2009), Jeff Bader (R, 2007), Paul Camella (R, 2008), John Glaser (R, 2009), Jared Shapiro and Fred Singer (R, 2007).^[5][6]

On Election Day, November 7, 2006, Woodcliff Lake voters filled two seats on the Borough Council. As of Election Day, the council was comprised of five Republicans and one Democrats in a community in which registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by an almost 5-4 margin. Republican incumbents Joanne C. Howley (1,341 votes) and John J. Glaser (1,264) both won re-election to their third terms in office, defeating Democratic newcomers Chet Rubackin (1,039) and Chet Smith (980).^[7][8][9]

Federal, state and county representation

Woodcliff Lake is in the Fifth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 39th Legislative District.^[10]

New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District, covering the northern portions of Bergen County, Passaic County and Sussex County and all of Warren County, is represented by Scott Garrett (R, Wantage Township). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).

The 39th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Gerald Cardinale (R, Cresskill) and in the Assembly by John E. Rooney (R, Emerson) and Charlotte Vandervalk (R, Westwood). The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).

Bergen County's County Executive is Dennis McNerney (D). The executive, along with the Board of Chosen Freeholders administer all county business. Bergen County's Freeholders are Chairman Tomas J. Padilla (D, Park Ridge), Vice-Chairman Elizabeth Calabrese (D, Wallington), David L. Ganz (D, Fair Lawn), James M. Carroll (D, Demarest), Bernadette P. McPherson (D, Rutherford), Julie O'Brien (D) and Connie Wagner (D).

Other countywide elected officials are Sheriff Leo McGuire (D), Surrogate Court Judge Mike Dressler (D, Cresskill) County Clerk Kathleen Donovan (R, Rutherford).

Politics

As of April 1, 2006, out of a 2004 Census estimated population of 5,886 in Woodcliff Lake, there were 3,976 registered voters (67.6% of the population, vs. 55.4% in all of Bergen County). Of registered voters, 689 (17.3% vs. 20.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 856 (21.5% vs. 19.2% countywide) were registered as Republicans and 2,431 (61.1% vs. 60.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared. There were no voters registered to other parties.^[11]

On the national level, Woodcliff Lake is split almost evenly. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 50% of the vote here, narrowly edging Democrat John Kerry, who received around 49%.^[12]

Education

The Woodcliff Lake Public Schools serve students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. The schools in the district (with 2003-04 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Dorchester School with 594 students in grades Pre-K through 5 and Woodcliff Middle School which has 293 students in grades 6-8.

Since Woodcliff Lake does not have its own high school, Woodcliff Lake and Montvale public school students (and those from a portion of Hillsdale) attend Pascack Hills High School as part of the Pascack Valley Regional High School District.

Transportation

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.

The Pascack Valley Line is a single-track line providing service towards Hoboken during the morning rush hour and service from Hoboken in the evening rush hour.

Garden State Parkway and County Route 503 passes through Woodcliff Lake.

Community

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, and other fall products. Beginning in the 1970's, 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 Tices Corner after the family name, and includes such stores as Apple Store, Bath and Body Works, Victoria's Secret, Gap to name a few.

VanRiper's Farm was also a favorite in town. Founded in the late 1700's, sadly, it was closed to make way for an A&P Supermarket.

BMW calls Woodcliff Lake home, and is the predominate land owner in town as of date. Located on Chestnut Ridge Road, it is built, and currently being expanded on land once owned by the Tice Family.

A small reminder of Woodcliff Lake's rural history is Fusco's Market, located on the corner of Werimus and Saddle River Road. Nearby is the Old Mill Pond, which is now the town's pool. Fusco's is the town's "general store", and is owned and operated by the Fusco family.

Woodcliff Lake lacks its own public library, however it offers its residents reimbursement if they get a library membership from a neighboring town.

Notable residents

• Steven M. Goldman, Commissioner of Banking and Insurance of New Jersey.^[13]
• Randolph Perkins, represented New Jersey's 6th congressional district from 1921-1936.^[14]

References

External links

• Woodcliff Lake official website
• Woodcliff Lake Public Schools
• Woodcliff Lake Public Schools's 2005-06 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
• National Center for Education Statistics data for the Woodcliff Lake Public Schools
• Pascack Valley Regional High School District

Coordinates: 41.023343° N 74.058629° W

Municipalities and communities of Bergen County, New Jersey
County seat: Hackensack
Boroughs	Allendale | Alpine | Bergenfield | Bogota | Carlstadt | Cliffside Park | Closter | Cresskill | Demarest | Dumont | East Rutherford | Edgewater | Elmwood Park | Emerson | Englewood Cliffs | Fair Lawn | Fairview | Fort Lee | Franklin Lakes | Glen Rock | Harrington Park | Hasbrouck Heights | Haworth | Hillsdale | Ho-Ho-Kus | Leonia | Little Ferry | Lodi | Maywood | Midland Park | Montvale | Moonachie | New Milford | North Arlington | Northvale | Norwood | Oakland | Old Tappan | Oradell | Palisades Park | Paramus | Park Ridge | Ramsey | Ridgefield | River Edge | Rockleigh | Rutherford | Saddle River | Tenafly | Teterboro | Upper Saddle River | Waldwick | Wallington | Westwood | Wood-Ridge | Woodcliff Lake
Cities	Englewood | Garfield | Hackensack
Townships	Lyndhurst | Mahwah | River Vale | Rochelle Park | Saddle Brook | South Hackensack | Teaneck | Washington Township | Wyckoff
Villages	Ridgefield Park | Ridgewood

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