River Vale, New Jersey

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River Vale, New Jersey
Official seal of River Vale, New Jersey
Seal
Map highlighting River Vale's location within Bergen County. Inset: Bergen County's location within New Jersey.
Map highlighting River Vale's location within Bergen County. Inset: Bergen County's location within New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of River Vale, New Jersey
Census Bureau map of River Vale, New Jersey
Coordinates: 41°0′55″N 74°0′37″W / 41.01528, -74.01028
Country United States
State New Jersey
County Bergen
Incorporated April 30, 1906
Government
 - Type Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council)
 - Mayor Joseph Blundo (D, 2010)
Area
 - Total 4.3 sq mi (11.2 km²)
 - Land 4.1 sq mi (10.6 km²)
 - Water 0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Elevation [1] 128 ft (39 m)
Population (2006)[2]
 - Total 9,449
 - Density 2,317.7/sq mi (894.9/km²)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 07675
Area code(s) 201
FIPS code 34-63690[3]
GNIS feature ID 0882310[4]
Website: http://www.rivervalenj.org/

River Vale is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 9,449. The community was ranked #29 on the 100 Best Places to Live 2007 survey published by CNN/Money magazine.[5]

River Vale was formed as a township on April 30, 1906, from portions of Hillsdale Township (now the Borough of Hillsdale) and Washington Township.[6]

On January 5, 1904, the temperature in River Vale fell to −34 °F (−36.7 °C), the lowest temperature ever recorded in New Jersey.[7]

Contents

[edit] Geography

River Vale is located at 41°0′55″N, 74°0′37″W (41.015284, -74.010324)[8].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 4.3 square miles (11.2 km²), of which, 4.1 square miles (10.6 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it (5.34%) is water.

River Vale is bordered by Montvale to the northwest, Park Ridge, Woodcliff Lake (a very small section) and Hillsdale to the west, Westwood to the southwest, a small section bordering Emerson to the south, Harrington Park to the southeast, Old Tappan to the east, and Pearl River, New York to the north.

Its borders are defined by the Hackensack River to the east, which was dammed to form Lake Tappan, and the Pascack Brook to the south. The northern border is defined by the New York-New Jersey state border. The western border has several sections, including a section defined by an unnamed creek and a section defined by Cedar Lane.

[edit] History

Before 1841, the area comprising River Vale was part of Harrington Township. It used to be known as the "Over Kill Neighborhood" or just "Over Kill" — it being over the kill (Hackensack River) from Tappan. Its southern part, known as Eastwood (named in contrast to Westwood), became an independent borough from 1894 to 1896, but was later re-absorbed into Washington Township.

River Vale was incorporated as a Bergen County township in 1906. It was formed from portions of both Hillsdale and Washington Township. On July 15, 1929, part of River Vale was ceded to Park Ridge. On May 20, 1959, territory was acquired from Montvale.

In 1967, a mass grave site was discovered in River Vale from an event in 1778 during the American Revolutionary War, the Baylor Massacre. This became widely known due to a February 1968 report to the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders, "1778 - The Massacre of Baylor's Dragoons". The burial site was made into a county park that was dedicated on October 15, 1972.[9]

[edit] Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop.  %±
1910 450
—
1920 583 29.6%
1930 871 49.4%
1940 1,112 27.7%
1950 1,699 52.8%
1960 5,616 230.5%
1970 8,883 58.2%
1980 9,489 6.8%
1990 9,410 −0.8%
2000 9,449 0.4%
Est. 2006 9,751 [2] 3.2%
historical data sources:[10][11]

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 9,449 people, 3,275 households, and 2,675 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,317.7 people per square mile (894.2/km²). There were 3,312 housing units at an average density of 812.4/sq mi (313.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 92.33% White, 0.58% African American, 5.89% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.22% of the population.

There were 3,275 households out of which 40.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.1% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.3% were non-families. 15.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the township the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $95,129, and the median income for a family was $105,919. Males had a median income of $77,794 versus $39,732 for females. The per capita income for the township was $40,709. 2.8% of the population and 2.4% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 2.1% of those under the age of 18 and 5.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

[edit] Government

[edit] Local government

River Vale is governed by a Mayor-Council system of municipal government under the Faulkner Act. The Mayor-Council plan consists of two separate and coequal power centers, each directly elected by the people: the Mayor as Chief Executive, and the Council as the municipal legislature.[12][13]

The Mayor of River Vale is Joseph Blundo (D, term ends December 31, 2010).[14]

The Township Council consists of five members elected at large to four-year staggered terms on a partisan basis, with either two (plus the mayor) or three seats coming up for election in even years. The members of the Township Council are President Glen Jasionowski (R, 2008), Mark Bromberg (D, 2010), Dwight de Stefan (R, 2008), Noel Matos (R, 2008) and Denise Seig (D, 2010).[15][16]

On Election Day, November 7, 2006, voters elected a mayor to a four-year term of office and filled two three-year seats on the Township Council. As of Election Day, the council was made up of three Republicans, one Democrat and an Independent, in a community where registered Republicans outnumbered Democrats by a 7-4 margin. Democrat Joseph Blundo (1,757 votes) unseated independent Mayor George Paschalis (1,259) and former Republican Councilman James Hanna (857). In the council race, Democratic newcomers Mark Bromberg (1,740) and Denise Sieg (1,667) won three-year terms in office, defeating incumbent independent Robert Menville (1,120), independent Karen Landau (1,055) and Republicans Deborah Romano (994) and Joseph Massin (952). The 2007 council consisted of three Republicans and two Democrats.[17][18][19]

[edit] Federal, state and county representation

River Vale is in the Fifth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 39th Legislative District.[20]

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).

For the 2008-2009 Legislative Session, the 39th District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Gerald Cardinale (R, Demarest) and in the Assembly by John E. Rooney (R, Northvale) and Charlotte Vandervalk (R, Hillsdale).[21] The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).[22]

Bergen County's County Executive is Dennis McNerney (D).[23] The executive, along with the seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders administer all county business. As of 2008, Bergen County's Freeholders are Chairman Tomas J. Padilla (D, Park Ridge), Vice-Chairman Elizabeth Calabrese (D, Wallington), James M. Carroll (D, Demarest), David L. Ganz (D, Fair Lawn), Bernadette P. McPherson (D, Rutherford), Julie O'Brien (D, Ramsey) and Vernon Walton (D, Englewood).[24]

Other countywide elected officials are Sheriff Leo McGuire (D), Surrogate Court Judge Mike Dressler (D, Cresskill) County Clerk Kathleen Donovan (R, Rutherford).[25]

[edit] Politics

As of April 1, 2006, out of a 2004 Census estimated population of 9,812 in River Vale, there were 6,575 registered voters (67.0% of the population, vs. 55.4% in all of Bergen County). Of registered voters, 968 (14.7% vs. 20.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,726 (26.3% vs. 19.2% countywide) were registered as Republicans and 3,881 (59.0% vs. 60.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared. There were no voters registered to other parties.[26]

On the national level, River Vale leans toward the Republican Party. In the 2004 presidential election 5,414 votes were cast. Republican George W. Bush received 54.4% of the vote here, defeating Democrat John Kerry, who received 44.8%. Ralph Nader received 22 votes, 0.4% of those cast. Other minor candidates received seven votes, 0.13% of those cast.[27]

[edit] Education

River Vale has three schools operated under the aegis of the River Vale Public Schools (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[28]):

River Vale's high school students for public school attend Pascack Valley High School in Hillsdale, together with students from Hillsdale, as part of the Pascack Valley Regional High School District.[29]

[edit] Transportation

Main roads in River Vale include Westwood Avenue, Rivervale Road and Prospect Avenue.

[edit] Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of River Vale include:

[edit] References

  1. ^ USGS GNIS: Township of River Vale, Geographic Names Information System, accessed December 31, 2007.
  2. ^ a b Population Finder: River Vale township, Bergen County, New Jersey. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2007-03-04. “The 2005 population estimate for River Vale township, Bergen County, New Jersey is 9,765.”
  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. ^ Jennifer Merritt. "Best Places to Live: Top 100: 29. River Vale, N.J.", CNN/Money Magazine, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-07-23. 
  6. ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 86.
  7. ^ Record Lowest Temperatures by State. NOAA (December 2003). Retrieved on 2007-02-26.
  8. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  9. ^ History, Township of River Vale. Accessed May 20, 2008.
  10. ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990. Retrieved on 2007-03-01.
  11. ^ Historical Population Trends in Bergen County (1900-2000). Bergen County Department of Planning & Economic Development (2001). Retrieved on 2007-03-04.
  12. ^ The Mayor-Council Plan under the Faulkner Act, Township of River Vale. Accessed June 4, 2006.
  13. ^ 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 165.
  14. ^ Office of the Mayor, Township of River Vale. Accessed August 15, 2006.
  15. ^ 2007 Town Council Members, Township of River Vale. Accessed February 25, 2007.
  16. ^ "County of Bergen: 2007 County and Municipal Directory", Bergen County, New Jersey, p. 61.
  17. ^ River Vale Election Guide, The Record (Bergen County), November 1, 2006.
  18. ^ River Vale election results, The Record (Bergen County), November 8, 2006.
  19. ^ Bergen County 2006 General Election Results, accessed February 1, 2007.
  20. ^ 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 63. Accessed August 30, 2006.
  21. ^ Legislative Roster: 2008-2009 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed June 6, 2008.
  22. ^ About the Governor, New Jersey. Accessed June 6, 2008.
  23. ^ Bergen County Executive, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 25, 2008.
  24. ^ Freeholder Home Page, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 25, 2008.
  25. ^ Constitutional Officers, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 25, 2008.
  26. ^ "County of Bergen: Voter Statistics by Municipality, Ward & District," dated April 1, 2006.
  27. ^ 2004 Presidential Election Results - Bergen County, accessed May 8, 2006.
  28. ^ River Vale Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 12, 2008.
  29. ^ Pascack Valley Regional High School District 2006 School Report Card District Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 12, 2008. "The district is comprised of [sic] two high schools. Pascack Hills High School, which is located in Montvale, receives students from the towns of Montvale and Woodcliff Lake. Pascack Valley High School, located in Hillsdale, enrolls students from Hillsdale and River Vale."
  30. ^ "People to Watch in 2008", (201), January 2008.
  31. ^ About Peter Enns, a time to tear down | A Time to Build Up. Accessed June 11, 2008.
  32. ^ The chess games of Arthur Feuerstein
  33. ^ " Oki Data Americas Promotes Stewart Krentzman to President and Chief Executive Officer.", Business Wire, October 2, 2003. Accessed June 24, 2007. "Oki Data Americas, Inc., a leading manufacturer of printers, fax machines and multifunction products, today announced the promotion of Stewart Krentzman, 52, of River Vale, N.J., to the post of president and chief executive officer."
  34. ^ Q&A. Pascack Historical Society. Retrieved on 2007-02-14. “Florence Lawrence ... lived at 565 Rivervale Road in River Vale from 1913 through 1916. (the house is still there)”
  35. ^ Biography for Bill Maher, IMDb.com accessed May 8, 2006.
  36. ^ Leichman, Abigail. North Jerseyan named JTS dean, The Record (Bergen County), February 8, 2007. Accessed May 29, 2007.
  37. ^ Dietsche, Erica. "Storefront: Belle Cose in Woodcliff Lake", The Record (Bergen County), May 29, 2007. Accessed July 23, 2007. "River Vale resident and Senses Fail guitarist Garrett Zablocki will promote his self-designed new line, Auric Apparel, at 1 p.m. Saturday."

[edit] Sources

[edit] External links

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Municipalities and communities of
Bergen County, New Jersey
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