Verona, New Jersey

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Township of Verona Township of the Borough of Verona
Flag Seal
Location of Verona in Essex County (L); Location of Essex County in New Jersey (R)
Coordinates: 40°49′57″N 74°14′32″W / 40.8325, -74.24222
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Essex
Settled	1702
Incorporated	April 30, 1907
Government
- Type	Faulkner Act (Council-Manager)
- Mayor	Ken McKenna (June 30, 2009)
- Manager	Joseph Martin
Area
- Total	2.8 sq mi (7.2 km²)
- Land	2.8 sq mi (7.1 km²)
- Water	0.1 sq mi (0.04 km²)
Elevation [1]	410 ft (125 m)
Population (2006)[2]
- Total	12,937
- Density	4,917.4/sq mi (1,900.0/km²)
- Housing Units	5,719
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	07044
Area code(s)	973
FIPS code	34-75815[3]
GNIS feature ID	1729716[4]
Website: http://www.veronanj.org

Verona is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 13,533, making it the 181st most populous municipality in New Jersey (out of 566 statewide).^[5]

In 2008, New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Verona #1 in Essex County and #3 in New Jersey as "Top Places to Live in New Jersey".^[6]

Contents 1 History 2 Geography 3 Climate 4 Demographics 5 Government 5.1 Local government 5.2 Federal, state and county representation 5.3 Politics 6 Education 6.1 Public Schools 6.2 Private Schools 7 Transportation 8 Local Media 8.1 Newspaper 8.2 Radio 8.3 Television 9 Community services 10 Parks and Recreation Area 11 Noted Verona residents 11.1 Native Verona Residents 11.2 Current Verona residents 11.3 Past Verona Residents 12 Popular culture 13 References 14 External links

[edit] History

Verona and several neighboring towns were all originally one town known as the Horseneck Tract. In 1702, a group of settlers left Newark and purchased a large tract of land northwest of their home city for the equivalent of a few hundred dollars from the Lenni Lenape Native Americans. This piece of land extended west and north to the Passaic River, south to the town center of what would become Livingston, and east to the First Watchung Mountain, and was called Horseneck by the natives because it resembled the neck and head of a horse.

What was then known as Horseneck contained most of the present day northern Essex County towns: Verona, along with Caldwell, West Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell, and Roseland are all located entirely in Horseneck, and parts of what are today Livingston, Montclair, and West Orange also were contained in the Horseneck tract. After the Revolutionary War, Horseneck changed its name to "Caldwell Township" in honor of a local war hero and pastor, James Caldwell, who used burning pages from his church's bibles to ignite the ammo in soldiers' cannons and helped to drive the British out of Horseneck.^[7]

By the mid-19th century, the area of Caldwell to the east of today's Caldwell Borough and Montclair became known as Vernon Valley. However, when application was made for a United States Post Office, the townspeople were informed that another Vernon Valley, in Sussex County, had first claim to the name. The name Verona was put forth by the townspeople as a suitable alternative and was eventually accepted.

At various times between 1798 and 1892, issues arose which caused dissatisfaction between the Caldwell and Verona areas. These included a desire of the citizens of Verona to more closely control their own governmental affairs. With the population growing, Verona needed to centrally locate essential services such as schools and places of worship; problems with the water supply; and the disposition of road repair funds. On February 17, 1892, the citizens of Verona voted to secede from Caldwell Township to form Verona Township.^[8] Further growth and the need for a water system and other public utilities found Verona moving ahead of the other half of the township and in 1902 the two areas decided to separate into two separate municipalities: Verona Township and Verona Borough. It took two sessions of the state legislature to approve the new borough, but on April 18, 1907, the borough of Verona was approved by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature, pending the results of a referendum held on April 30, 1907, in which the new borough passed by a 224-77 margin.^[8] Residents of the newly formed borough had sought to disassociate themselves from the Overbrook County Insane Asylum and the Newark City Home (a reform school), as well as from the settlement of Cedar Grove, which was considered a settlement of farmers.^[9]

Verona Township renamed itself to Cedar Grove Township as of April 9, 1908.^[8]

In the 1970s, the borough of Verona renamed itself “The Township of the Borough of Verona,” as part of an effort to obtain greater federal revenue-sharing aid from programs that granted additional funds to Townships, but not to Boroughs and other types of local government. As an example of the potential benefits of switching to a township, Verona Borough received $213,000 in federal aid in 1976, while similarly-sized Cedar Grove Township received $1.24 million.^[10] Today, Verona uses just “Township of Verona” in most official documents, but some other official documents still include “…the Borough of…”.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Geography

Verona is located at 40°49′57″N, 74°14′32″W (40.832449, -74.242276)^[11].

Verona lies between two mountains, the First and Second Watchung Mountains with a small river, the Peckman, flowing at the bottom of the valley.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 2.8 square miles (7.2 km²), of which, 2.8 square miles (7.1 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.72%) is water.

Verona is bordered by Cedar Grove (North), Montclair (East), West Orange (South), Essex Fells (Southwest) and North Caldwell (Northwest).

[edit] Climate

Verona has a temperate climate, with warm/hot humid summers and cool/cold winters. The climate is slightly cooler overall during the summer than in New York City because there is no urban heat island effect.

January tends to be the coldest month, with average high temperatures in the upper 30's and lows in the lower 20's. July is the warmest months with high temperatures in the mid 80s and lows in the mid 60's. From April to June and from September to early November, Verona enjoys temperatures from the lower 60s to upper 70s. Rainfall is plentiful, with around 44 inches (1,100 mm) a year. Snowfall is common from mid January to early March and nor'easters can bring a lot of snow. In January 1996, Verona received about 3 feet (0.91 m) of snow from the Blizzard of 1996.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1930	7,161		—
1940	8,957		25.1%
1950	10,921		21.9%
1960	13,782		26.2%
1970	15,067		9.3%
1980	14,166		-6.0%
1990	13,597		-4.0%
2000	13,533		-0.5%
Est. 2006	12,937	[2]	-4.4%
Population 1930 - 1990.[12]

As of the census^[3] of 2000, there were 13,533 people, 5,585 households, and 3,697 families residing in the township. The population density was 4,917.4 people per square mile (1,900.0/km²). There were 5,719 housing units at an average density of 2,078.1/sq mi (803.0/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 92.99% White, 1.53% African American, 0.02% Native American, 3.41% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.71% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.45% of the population.

There were 5,585 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the township the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $74,619, and the median income for a family was $97,673. Males had a median income of $60,434 versus $43,196 for females. The per capita income for the township was $41,202, making it the 8th highest community in Essex County and 95th in the State. ^[13] About 1.4% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.6% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Government

[edit] Local government

Verona operates under the Faulkner Act (Council-Manager) form of municipal government.^[14]

The members of the Verona Township Council are Mayor Ken McKenna (term ends June 30, 2009), Deputy Mayor Jay Sniatkowski (2009), Santi Condorelli (2009), Frank Sapenzia (2011) and Teena Schwartz (2011).^[15]

On May 8, 2007, an election was held for two council seats up for re-election: Robert Detore, who chose not to seek another term, and Jim Robbins. Teena Schwartz (630 votes) and Frank Sapenzia (609 votes) were elected. Incumbent Jim Robbins (578 votes) lost his seat. The new councilmen were sworn in on July 1, 2007.

The day-to-day activities are supervised by Township Manager Joseph Martin.

[edit] Federal, state and county representation

Verona is in the Eighth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 40th Legislative District.^[16]

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).^[17] The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).^[18]

Essex County's County Executive is Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. The executive, along with the Board of Chosen Freeholders administer all county business. Essex County's Freeholders are Freeholder President Blonnie R. Watson, Freeholder Vice President Ralph R. Caputo, Freeholders-At-Large Johnny Jones, Donald M. Payne, Jr., and Patricia Sebold, Freeholder District 1 Samuel Gonzalez, Freeholder District 2 D. Bilal Beasley, Freeholder District 3 Carol Y. Clark, Freeholder District 4 Linda Lordi Cavanaugh and Freeholder District 5 Ralph R. Caputo.

[edit] Politics

On the national level, Verona leans toward the Republican Party. In 2004, Republican George W. Bush received 51% of the vote here, defeating Democrat John Kerry, who received around 48%.

[edit] Education

[edit] Public Schools

The Verona Public Schools is the public school district in Verona, which serves students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade. Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics^[19]) are four K-4 elementary schools, located in each corner of town — Brookdale Avenue School (144), Frederic N. Brown School (258), Forest Avenue School (217) and Laning Avenue School (229) — Henry B. Whitehorne Middle School for grades 5-8 (602) and Verona High School for grades 9-12 (597). The high school mascot is the "Hillbilly". However, this mascot has become controversial as a result of opposition from new school Superintendent.^[20] In the face of community support for the traditional name, the mascot was retained.^[20] While not officially changing the name, the school refers to teams as the "Maroon and White", referring to the school colors.^[20]

The district has been recognized on three occasions with the Best Practice Award, honoring specific practices implemented by a district for exemplary and/or innovative strategies. In Addition, three schools in the district was named a "Star School" by the New Jersey Department of Education, the highest honor that a New Jersey school can achieve. NJ Monthly Magazine places Verona High School in the top 50 nearly on a yearly basis of its list of "Top Public High Schools in New Jersey".

[edit] Private Schools

Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School serves students in pre-school through eighth grade, and is situated near Verona Park.

The Children's Institute (TCI) is a private, non-profit school approved by the New Jersey Department of Education, serving children facing learning, language and social challenges, for children ages 3-21.

[edit] Transportation

Within the limits of the town lies Route 23 and CR 506 which runs directly through the township. CR577 also runs through the southeastern portion of Verona. Other highways near Verona include the Garden State Parkway, Interstate 80, and the New Jersey Turnpike. New Jersey Transit has several bus routes that serve Verona: 11, 28, 29 and 75. DeCamp Bus Lines also offers commuter service that goes into New York City: 33, West Caldwell / Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Formerly running through Verona was the Erie Railroad's Caldwell Branch, but service declined and the line was destroyed in the 1960s.

Verona is 14.3 miles from Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark / Elizabeth, and several miles farther from John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport.

[edit] Local Media

[edit] Newspaper

Verona is served by two weekly newspapers: The Verona-Cedar Grove Times, and the Verona Observer. The Star-Ledger, the largest newspaper in New Jersey, covers important news stories that occur in Verona.

[edit] Radio

Verona falls in the New York Market, as well as the Morristown Market..

[edit] Television

Verona Cable television is served by Comcast of New Jersey. Recently, however, Verizon just introduced its Verizon FiOS service to the township. Comcast Channel 35 & Verizon FiOS Channel 24 is Verona Television (VTV), and it runs council meetings, school board meetings and community functions, as well as any other Verona related videos submitted by the residents. VTV is maintained by the Verona Public Library.

[edit] Community services

• The township celebrated its centennial in 2007.
• The Verona Fire Department is the largest fully volunteer Fire Department^[21] in Essex County, staffed by over 60 firefighters. They have two stations, three engines, one ladder truck, and one reserve engine.
• The Verona Rescue Squad (volunteer) has three ambulances, and one heavy rescue truck in one station on Church Street.
• The main street in Verona is Bloomfield Avenue, where the Town Hall, Library, Middle School, and many shops, restaurants, and businesses are located.
• During the American Revolutionary War, George Washington and his troops used Eagle Rock Reservation as one of a chain of observation posts.
• Annin Flag Company, is the world's oldest & largest flag manufacturer and has its main manufacturing plant in Verona. Annin & Company is the official flag manufacturer to the United Nations, and a major supplier to the United States Government. Annin produced flags that were used on Iwo Jima, planted on the surface of the moon, at the North and South Poles, atop Mount Everest and the rubble of the World Trade Center.^[22]
• Essex Mountain Sanatorium - During its years of operation it boasted of a 50% recovery rate and was regarded as one of the finest treatment centers in the nation, if not the world. Its location on the crest of the Second Mountain, with its pure air and water, was considered the Colorado Springs of the east and second only to Denver for beneficial results in the treatment of Tuberculosis. ^[23]
• Most of Verona's housing stock is pre-World War II.
• At one point, Verona was serviced by a trolley line.

[edit] Parks and Recreation Area

• Eagle Rock Reservation, a 408.33 acre (1.7 km²) forest reserve and recreational park. Most of this reservation is in West Orange.
• Everett Field, a small baseball and football park dedicated to the family who donated the land to the township.
• Hilltop Reservation, composed of lands in the grounds of the former Essex County Hospital Center, Opened spring 2003.
• Centennial Field, a turf field adjacent to the Verona Community Center, opened Spring of 2007.
• Kip's Castle Park, the newest park to the Essex County Park System, which features a turn of the century castle-style mansion with large carriage house on 10.5 acres.
• Verona Park, considered one of the most charming parks as well as the 5th largest in the Essex County Park System.
• Verona Community Center, built in 1997, provides a gym, game room, ballroom, and conference room for any group or organization.
• West Essex Trail, acquired in 1985 through Green Acre funding, is a 2.84 mile trail which runs from Arnold Way in Verona to the Passaic County line near the Lenape Trail, on the former right-of-way of the Caldwell Branch of the old Erie-Lackawanna Railroad.

[edit] Noted Verona residents

[edit] Native Verona Residents

• John Bogle, founder of The Vanguard Group.^[24]
• Scott Chesney, Motivational speaker
• Anthony Fasano, NFL Player. Tight End for the Miami Dolphins.^[25]
• Jed Graef, Gold Medal winner in the 200m Backstroke at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.^[26]
• Fred Hill, Head Coach of the Rutgers University men's basketball team.^[27]
• Harry Humphries, consultant and actor on Hollywood films
• Ben Liebert, actor, currently playing Boq in Wicked (musical) on Broadway. [1]
• Jay Mohr, actor/comedian.^[28]
• Eugénie Olson, novelist, editor. Noted for her three books, Babe in Toyland, The Pajama Game (Book) and Love in the time of Tafetta.^{[citation needed]}
• Rod Trafford, NFL Player. Tight end for the St. Louis Rams.

[edit] Current Verona residents

• Tommy Albelin, former NHL Defenseman for the New Jersey Devils and now current coach of the De Paul High School Hockey team.^[29]
• Bill Bradley, Olympic Gold Medal Winner at the 1964 Summer Olympics, professional basketball player for the New York Knicks, member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, US Senator from New Jersey, and 2000 Presidential hopeful.^[30]
• John MacLean, former forward and current assistant coach for the New Jersey Devils.
• Dr. Charles V. Magatti, co-inventor of Loratadine, or the drug commonly known as Claritin.^[31] Currently teaches at Seton Hall Prep.
• Henry Orenstein, professional poker player and helped push Hasbro to produce Transformers (toyline).^[32]
• Kenneth Posner, lighting designer for such Broadway shows as Wicked, Legally Blonde, The Pirate Queen, and The Coast of Utopia, the latter of which won him a Tony award.^[33]

[edit] Past Verona Residents

• Joop Boutmy, 1912 Olympic bronze medalist in soccer for the Netherlands
• Brian Rafalski, Former New Jersey Devils Defenseman.^[34]
• John Roosma (1900-1983), captain of Ernest Blood's "Wonder Teams" who became the first college player to total 1,000 points for his career while at the United States Military Academy.^[35]

[edit] Popular culture

• Two Guys from Verona, a fictional novel, takes place in Verona.
• The TV Show The Sopranos takes place in the area, thus the storyline includes Verona at times. The show films at various locations in town.
• The 1987 fictional movie Doom Asylum was filmed at the now demolished Essex Mountain Sanatorium.
• Pizza My Heart, an ABC Family movie, is a contemporary retelling of Romeo and Juliet, that takes place in Verona (New Jersey, not Italy). Although the storyline takes place in Verona, it was actually filmed in New Orleans, Louisiana.^[36]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official Website of the Township of Verona
• Verona Public Schools
• Verona Public Schools's 2006-07 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
• Data for the Verona Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics
• Verona Fire Department
• Verona Rescue Squad
• Verona Illustrated History
• Verona-Cedar Grove Times (Local Newspaper)
• Verona Observer (Local Newspaper)
• Verona Codes & Ordinances

• Verona, New Jersey is at coordinates 40°49′57″N 74°14′32″W / 40.832449, -74.242276 (Verona, New Jersey)Coordinates: 40°49′57″N 74°14′32″W / 40.832449, -74.242276 (Verona, New Jersey)

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