Westfield, New Jersey

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Westfield, New Jersey
Map of Westfield in Union County. Inset: Location of Union County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Map of Westfield in Union County. Inset: Location of Union County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Westfield, New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Westfield, New Jersey
Coordinates: 40°39′06″N 74°20′38″W / 40.65167, -74.34389
Country United States
State New Jersey
County Union
Formed January 27, 1794
Incorporated February 21, 1798
Government
 - Type Special Charter
 - Mayor Andrew Skibitsky
Area
 - Total 6.7 sq mi (17.5 km²)
 - Land 6.7 sq mi (17.4 km²)
 - Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²)
Elevation [1] 118 ft (36 m)
Population (2006)[2]
 - Total 29,944
 - Density 4,403.1/sq mi (1,700.1/km²)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes 07090-07091
Area code(s) 908
FIPS code 34-79040[3]
GNIS feature ID 0885436[4]
Website: http://www.westfieldnj.gov

Westfield is a town in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the town population was 29,644.

The area was settled in the late 17th century as part of the Elizabethtown Tract.

Westfield was originally formed as a township on January 27, 1794, from portions of Elizabeth Township, while the area was still part of Essex County, and was incorporated as a one of New Jersey's first 104 townships by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. It became part of the newly-formed Union County on March 19, 1857. Portions of the township have been taken to form Rahway Township (February 27, 1804), Plainfield Township (April 5, 1847), Cranford Township (March 14, 1871), Fanwood Township (March 6, 1878, now known as Scotch Plains), Mountainside (September 25, 1895) and Hillside (April 3, 1913). The Town of Westfield was incorporated on March 4, 1903, replacing Westfield Township. Barely two weeks later, the Borough of Garwood was created from portions of Westfield and Cranford Township, on March 19, 1903.[5]

Contents

[edit] Geography

Westfield is located at 40°38′60″N, 74°20′35″W (40.649869, -74.343183).[6] Westfield's ZIP Code is 07090.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.8 square miles (17.5 km²), of which, 6.7 square miles (17.4 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.30%) is water.

Six municipalities border the town of Westfield: Mountainside to the north, Springfield Township to the northeast, Garwood and Cranford to the east, Clark to the southeast and Scotch Plains to the west and southwest.

[edit] Police

The Westfield Police Department has been a vital part of the town's culture since its foundation. The chief of police is John Parizeau. The WPD currently operates several marked and unmarked Ford Crown Victorias, a Chevy Suburban, a Ford F-150, a Ford E-Series, Ford Expedition, and a trailer. The marked vehicles bear a black and white paint scheme.

[edit] Fire

The Westfield Fire Department was formed in 1875 following a fire that destroyed a city block on East Broad St.. Today the WFD is a combination department with 40 paid/career firefighters and 10 volunteer firefighters. There are 4 platoons of 9 (1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, and 6 Firefighters) working a 24/72 hour work schedule out of 2 fire stations. Administrative members include the Chief of Department, 2 Deputy Chiefs and 1 Lieutenant/Inspector. The Chief of Department is Daniel J. Kelly. The WFD currently operates a fleet of 4 Engines and 1 Ladder with 2 support pick-ups and 4 staff 4x4 vehicles. The paint scheme for the older apparatus (1 Engine and the Ladder) are yellow, with the newer apparatus (3 Engines and support vehicles) are red bodies with white cabs. The WFD responds annually to approxiamtely 2,000 calls for service. The WFD currently serves as a back-up EMS agency for the town if the Westfield Volunteer Rescue Squad is not available.

[edit] Downtown

Downtown Westfield, NJ. July 21, 2005
Downtown Westfield, NJ. July 21, 2005

Westfield's downtown is highly successful, featuring many local and national stores, such as Lord and Taylor and several landmarks that were shown and used in the television show Ed such as the Rialto Theater. There are about 50 restaurants and casual dining establishments throughout town. Downtown is located mostly north of the Westfield train station. The downtown area has a wonderful mix of independent stores and boutiques as well as national stores and provides a pleasant shopping environment. Over one-third of the retailers and restaurants have existed for 25 years or more.

Downtown Westfield, with over 200 retail establishments and 400 commercial enterprises, is a regional destination in New Jersey. The Downtown Westfield Corporation (DWC) manages the downtown area's growth and enhancement. The DWC is a National Main Street program associated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It is funded by a Special Improvement District assessment on downtown properties and operates as the district's management agency. The DWC sponsors marketing efforts and promotions, special event planning, urban design and building improvement projects. The DWC works closely with the town government and volunteer groups to improve the downtown area. In 2004, Westfield won the Great American Main Street Award from the National Trust.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 29,644 people, 10,622 households, and 8,178 families residing in the town. The population density was 4,403.1 people per square mile (1,700.7/km²). There were 10,819 housing units at an average density of 1,607.0/sq mi (620.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 89.98% White, 3.88% African American, 0.09% Native American, 4.08% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.82% of the population.

There were 10,622 households out of which 40.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.0% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.0% were non-families. 19.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.20.

Historical populations
Census Pop.  %±
1930 15,801
—
1940 18,458 16.8%
1950 21,243 15.1%
1960 31,447 48%
1970 33,720 7.2%
1980 30,447 −9.7%
1990 28,870 −5.2%
2000 29,644 2.7%
Est. 2006 29,944 [2] 1%
Population 1930 - 1990.[7]

In the town the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $98,390, and the median income for a family was $112,145. Males had a median income of $82,420 versus $45,305 for females. The per capita income for the town was $47,187. About 1.7% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Government

[edit] Local government

Westfield is governed under a Special Charter granted by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature. The government consists of a Mayor and an eight-member Town Council, with all positions filled in partisan elections. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Town Council consists of eight members, with two members elected from each of four wards. Town Council members are elected to serve four-year terms on a staggered basis, with one seat in each ward coming up for election every other year.[8] The Town Council holds weekly meetings open to the public where it discusses legislation under consideration.

Members of the Town Council are:[9]

  • Mayor - Andrew Skibitsky (R)
  • 1st Ward - Frank Arena (R) and Sal Caruana (R)
  • 2nd Ward - Jo Ann Neylan (R) and Vicki Kimmons (R)
  • 3rd Ward - Mark Ciarrocca (R) and David Haas (D)
  • 4th Ward - James Foerst (R) and Tom Bigosinski (D)

In the 2007 Town Council election, Republican incumbents Jo Ann Neylan, Mark Ciarrocca, and James Foerst all were victorious in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wards, respectively. In the 1st Ward, newcomer Republican Frank Arena was victorious over Democrat Ross Katz.[10] The GOP will continue to hold a 7-2 majority in the council (including Mayor Skibistky) through 2009 when the mayoral seat and four town council seats will be open.

Westfield politics are dominated by a two-party system in which the Republican Party and the Democratic Party compete for elected offices. Of late, Westfield politics have been dominated by the GOP, and in 2003 Republicans took complete control of the Town Council. A majority of registered voters in the town are Republican. However, in the 2004 Presidential election, a majority of Westfield voters voted for Democrat John Kerry over Republican George W. Bush, who made a visit to the town in 2005 to discuss his plan for Social Security, and in the 2005 Gubernatorial election, a majority of Westfield voters voted for Democrat Jon Corzine over Republican Doug Forrester. The Westfield Republican Committee is chaired by Assemblyman Jon Bramnick and the Westfield Democratic Committee is chaired by Ken Rodder.

[edit] Federal, state and county representation

Westfield is in the Seventh Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 21st Legislative District.[11]

New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District, covering portions of Hunterdon County, Middlesex County, Somerset County and Union County, is represented by Mike Ferguson (R). 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 21st District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Thomas Kean Jr. (R, Westfield) and in the Assembly by Jon Bramnick (R, Westfield) and Eric Munoz (R, Summit).[12] The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).[13]

Union County is governed by a nine-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, elected at-large to three-year terms on a staggered basis. As of the January 2008 reorganization, Union County's Freeholders are Freeholder Chairman Angel G. Estrada (Elizabeth), Freeholder Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella (Roselle Park), Chester Holmes (Rahway), Bette Jane Kowalski (Cranford), Rick Proctor (Rahway), Deborah P. Scanlon (Union), Daniel P. Sullivan (Elizabeth), Rayland Van Blake (Plainfield) and Nancy Ward (Linden).[14]

[edit] Union County Freeholder meetings

Union County Freeholders meet publicly on a monthly basis. Citizens have the ability to provide feedback and comment on issues that concern them. A sample Freeholder meeting held in September 2003 can be viewed by clicking:

  1. Union County, NJ Freeholder Meeting -- 25 September 2003

[edit] Neighborhoods

  • Wychwood
  • Brightwood
  • Indian Forest
  • Gardens
  • Stoneleigh Park
  • Downtown

[edit] Education

Students in Kindergarten through 12th grade attend the Westfield Public Schools. The district has six K - 5 elementary schools and two grade 6 - 8 middle schools, which are divided by a "North Side / South Side" boundary. The schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[15]) are as follows:

The public schools on the north side consist of Franklin Elementary School with 592 students, Washington Elementary School with 348 students, Wilson Elementary School with 582 students and Theodore Roosevelt Intermediate School [1] with 721 students.

Schools on the south side are Jefferson Elementary School with 491 students, McKinley Elementary School with 334 students, Tamaques Elementary School with 468 students and Thomas Alva Edison Intermediate School with 719 students.

Students on each side of town are divided amongst the three elementary schools on their side, go to a common intermediate school, and then join the other side of town in Westfield High School, which has 1,789 students in grades 9 - 12. The sides of town are divided into North side and South side, and they are divided by the train track for the New Jersey Transit Raritan Line that runs directly through town.

The Westfield school district is currently planning on combining kindergartens from across the district to a single location to free up space for other grades. This topic was discussed at the May and June 2006 Board of Education monthly meetings. This was planned to commence with the Fall 2007 school year.

There is also a Catholic school, Holy Trinity Interparochial School, which offers education from Pre-Kindergarten to 8th grade.

[edit] Public transportation

New Jersey Transit's Raritan Valley Line provides rail service from the Westfield train station to Newark Penn Station in Newark with connecting service to Penn Station New York. Westfield's position and schedule on the Raritan Valley line make it highly desirable for commuters, as several times in the morning and evening rush hours a non-stop service is operated to/from the Newark transfer station. On these non-stop services, the one-way journey time to/from New York Penn Station is 50 minutes, or 20 minutes to/from Newark Penn Station[2]. New Jersey Transit's 113 route provides bus service to New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminal seven days per week from the town center, taking approximately 1 hour to NYC. In addition, express service to New York City is available along Route 22 on the northern edge of the town, taking approximately 45 minutes. Olympia Trails also offers weekday bus service to New York City. New Jersey Transit's 59 route provides local bus service, operating between Plainfield and Newark.

Newark Liberty International Airport is approximately 20 minutes away, most conveniently reached via Route 22, and Linden Airport, a general aviation facility is in nearby Linden, New Jersey.

[edit] Services

Residential telephone service is handled by Verizon Communications [3]. Westfield cable television is supplied by Comcast [4], which also delivers the Westfield Community Channel (ch 36), News 12 New Jersey (ch 62) and Scotch Plains Local Access Channel (ch 34). Verizon's Fiber Optic Service (FiOS) is also offered in Westfield, which gives the option of digital cable, high-speed internet and telephone service. Power is supplied through the Public Service Electric and Gas Company. Gas is supplied via Elizabethtown Gas and water by American Water of NJ. Recycling is collected curbside by the Department of Public Works on a weekly basis, while trash is collected by private haulers.

[edit] Media

Westfield is served by two weekly newspapers The Westfield Leader, The Record-Press and is one of the communities served by the daily newspaper The Courier News (based in Bridgewater N.J.)

Westfield Community Television (WCT)

The local community access channel 36 operates out of the Municipal Building on Broad Street in Westfield on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and half of every Sunday. WCT provides limited community related programming, coverage of town council meetings, and operates the WCT Bulletin Board. WCT shares time on channel 36 with Blue Devils Television which originates from Westfield High School and produces nearly 200 original productions each academic year.[16]

[edit] Popular culture

[edit] Notable residents

Current and former notable residents of Westfield include

[edit] Musical groups based in Westfield

[edit] References

  1. ^ USGS GNIS: Town of Westfield, Geographic Names Information System, accessed January 4, 2008.
  2. ^ a b Census data for Westfield town, United States Census Bureau, accessed March 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. 242.
  6. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  7. ^ Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
  8. ^ 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 94.
  9. ^ Town Officials, Town of Westfield. Accessed June 23, 2006.
  10. ^ Election Coverage 2007, Westfield Leader, November 8, 2007. Accessed November 17, 2007.
  11. ^ 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 66, New Jersey League of Women Voters. 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. ^ Board of Chosen Freeholders, Union County, New Jersey. Accessed February 20, 2008.
  15. ^ Data for the Westfield Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed March 7, 2008.
  16. ^ What is Westfield High School Television?, Westfield, New Jersey. Accessed May 17, 2007.
  17. ^ Maslin, Janet. In Search of the Dark Muse of a Master of the Macabre: Book Review of Charles Addams: A Cartoonist’s Life, The New York Times, October 26, 2006. Accessed March 7, 2008.
  18. ^ Dr. Virginia Apgar's test for babies, accessed November 30, 2006. Accessed March 7, 2008.
  19. ^ Sports of The Times; Brown Obeys Phil Simms's Golden Rule, The New York Times, September 5, 1994. "AS a boy growing up in nearby Westfield, N.J., Dave Brown attended only one Giants game at Giants Stadium."
  20. ^ Fox, Margalit. "Robert N. Buck Dies at 93; Was Record-Setting Aviator", The New York Times, May 20, 2007. Accessed June 17, 2007. "Robert Nietzel Buck was born on Jan. 29, 1914, in Elizabethport, N.J., and reared in Westfield, N.J."
  21. ^ Chiefs Sign P Steve Cheek, Kansas City Chiefs press release dated October 13, 2004. Accessed March 6, 2008.
  22. ^ PoliticsNJ.com Inside the Beltway, accessed December 20, 2006. "...Michael Chertoff of Westfield was appointed U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security..."
  23. ^ a b Mule Bone: Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston's Dream Deferred of an African-American Theatre of the Black Word., African American Review, March 22, 2001. Accessed March 7, 2008. "In February 1930, Hurston headed north, settling in Westfield, New Jersey. Godmother Mason (Mrs. Rufus Osgood Mason, their white protector) had selected Westfield, safely removed from the distractions of New York City, as a suitable place for both Hurston and Hughes to work."
  24. ^ "AUTHOR TO LEAVE JAPAN.; J.L. Hughes Will Depart After Questioning as to Communism.", The New York Times, July 25, 1933.
  25. ^ Chen, David W. "For Menendez and Kean, a Fierce First Debate", The New York Times, June 26, 2006. Accessed March 7, 2008. "Then, a few minutes later, the most dramatic exchange occurred when Mr. Kean sought to contrast his own background and record in Westfield, a wealthy suburb, with Mr. Menendez's in Hudson County."
  26. ^ Kean prepares to launch '06 U.S. Senate bid, PoliticsNJ.com, March 9, 2005.
  27. ^ Kevin Kelly -- Chronology. Accessed March 8, 2008. "Graduated from Westfield High School, Westfield NJ."
  28. ^ Marilyn Lange, Playboy. Accessed November 18, 2007.
  29. ^ to the Margaret Carver Leighton Papers, Washington State University. Accessed November 21, 2007.
  30. ^ Massacre, Court TV Crime Library, accessed December 30, 2006.
  31. ^ Smith, Kenneth. " Profound to profane, rock stars say the darndest things", University Wire, June 25, 2002. Accessed July 28, 2007. "I just realized that I said, 'Can I tell you something off the record?' and now I feel like such a d--k," Luerssen said in a phone interview (his first time at the receiving end) from his home in Westfield, N.J.
  32. ^ "KIDSDAY CELEBRITY SPOTLIGHT ANDREW MCCARTHY", Newsday, July 31, 1988. "With his successes in 'St. Elmo's Fire,' 'Pretty in Pink' and last year's hit, 'Mannequin,' handsome 25-year-old Andrew McCarthy is well on his way to becoming a major star. He was born in Westfield, N.J., on Nov. 29, 1962."
  33. ^ Randolph Perkins biography, United States Congress. Accessed July 8, 2007.
  34. ^ #13 James Perry - Forbes.com
  35. ^ Legacy Recordings - Paul Robeson, accessed April 24, 2007. "Three years later, the Robeson family moved to Westfield, New Jersey."
  36. ^ Bret's Bio, accessed April 24, 2007. "As the youngest of nine-children growing up in Woodbridge and Westfield, NJ, Bret learned the importance of hard-work and honesty."
  37. ^ From bar mitzva boy to Wedding Singer: A composer gets his big Broadway break, New Jersey Jewish News by Elaine Durbach, July 6, 2006.
  38. ^ The Rutgers Olympic Sports Hall of Fame: Class of 1994, accessed January 6, 2007. "In his three-year career from 1961-63, the Westfield, NJ native batted .390, which still ranks third in Rutgers baseball annals."
  39. ^ Roy Vagelos, New Campaign Chair, Defines the Future, Columbia University Medical Center Spring 2004 update. Accessed July 8, 2007. "Dr. Vagelos, a Westfield, N.J. native, received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania before entering Columbia’s medical school."
  40. ^ Gregory, Deborah. "Malinda Williams", Essence (magazine), June 1999. Accessed June 17, 2007. "The Westfield, New Jersey, native is Mekhi Phifer's tres happy honey."
  41. ^ Anderson, Dave. "The Catch By Woolfolk", The New York Times, December 6, 1982, accessed April 24, 2007."Butch Woolfolk, who moved to nearby Westfield, N.J., as a high school sophomore and began rooting for the Giants, remembers Doug Kotar and Larry Csonka from a few years ago, and Ron Johnson from a decade ago."
  42. ^ Lustig, Jay. "A Lifetime later; How one scruffy N.J. hardcore band influenced a generation of musicians that followed.", The Star-Ledger, February 4, 2007.

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