Montvale, New Jersey

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 4.009 square miles (10.383 km²), including 4.000 square miles (10.359 km²) of land and 0.009 square miles (0.024 km²) of water (0.23%).

The borough borders six neighboring municipalities: Woodcliff Lake, Upper Saddle River, Park Ridge, and River Vale in Bergen County; and both Pearl River (in the Town of Orangetown) and Chestnut Ridge (in the Town of Ramapo) in Rockland County, New York.

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Chestnut Ridge and Upper Montvale.

Montvale is serviced by the Garden State Parkway at exits 171 and 172, as well as the New York State Thruway in Chestnut Ridge.

2010 Census

The 2010 United States Census counted 7,844 people, 2,778 households, and 2,203 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,961.2 per square mile (757.2/km²). The borough contained 2,872 housing units at an average density of 718.1 per square mile (277.3/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 84.83% (6,654) White, 1.03% (81) Black or African American, 0.08% (6) Native American, 11.04% (866) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 1.63% (128) from other races, and 1.39% (109) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 5.34% (419) of the population.

Out of a total of 2,778 households, 39.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.6% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.7% were non-families. 17.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the borough, 26.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.9 years. For every 100 females the census counted 95.6 males, but for 100 females at least 18 years old, it was 93.1 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $111,633 (with a margin of error of +/- $13,448) and the median family income was $140,026 (+/- $14,508). Males had a median income of $100,000 (+/- $13,987) versus $55,000 (+/- $4,957) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $53,974 (+/- $7,262). About 3.6% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 1.5% of those age 65 or over.

Same-sex couples headed 10 households in 2010, an increase from the 8 counted in 2010.

2000 Census

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 7,034 people, 2,509 households, and 1,999 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,769.8 people per square mile (684.1/km²). There were 2,590 housing units at an average density of 651.7 per square mile (251.9/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 92.79% White, 0.44% African American, 0.09% Native American, 5.36% Asian, 0.63% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.09% of the population.

There were 2,509 households out of which 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.4% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.3% were non-families. 17.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the borough the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $93,031, and the median income for a family was $104,047. Males had a median income of $80,355 versus $37,440 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $45,448. About 0.9% of families and 0.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.4% of those under age 18 and 1.0% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Montvale is home to the corporate headquarters of numerous major companies including The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P grocery stores), and Benjamin Moore, as well as the U.S. headquarters of Mercedes-Benz. In January 2015, Mercedes-Benz USA announced that they would be moving their headquarters from New Jersey to the Atlanta area as of July. The company had been based in North Jersey since 1972 and has had 1,000 employees on a 37-acre (15 ha) campus in Montvale. Despite incentive offers from the State of New Jersey to remain in Bergen County, Mercedes-Benz cited proximity to manufacturing facilities and a growing customer base in the southeast in addition to as much as $50 million in tax incentives from Georgia governmental agencies.

Montvale is home to the operational headquarters of Ingersoll Rand. Pentax and KPMG have a large local presence. The international marketing and commercial services headquarters of Western Union are located in Montvale.

Local government

Montvale is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The governing body consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle. The Borough form of government used by Montvale, the most common system used in the state, is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.

The Mayor and Council meet every second Tuesday of the month for formal public meetings and on the last Tuesday of the month for informal work sessions. Meetings are open to the public and residents are given the opportunity to speak on proposed ordinances and other matters of concern at the formal meetings. Government-access television (GATV) usually televises the first meeting of each month on the local Public-access television cable TV channel.

The Mayor is the Chief Executive Officer of the Borough, and as such presides over all public meetings, provides leadership in the development of community projects and makes appointments to various boards. The Borough Council exercises all legislative powers including adoption of the municipal budget, bond ordinances and the general business of the community.

The Council's powers include adoption of ordinances; reviewing, revising and adopting the budget; making appropriations; levying taxes; authorizing bond issues; providing for the internal structure of local government; providing by ordinance for the creation and abolition of jobs; fixing salaries and establishing general municipal policy.

As of 2016, the Mayor of Montvale Borough is Independent Michael Ghassali, whose term of office ends December 31, 2019. Members of the Montvale Borough Council are Council President Timothy E. Lane (R, 2016), Rose Curry (R, 2017), Leah J. LaMonica (R, 2017), Dieter Koelling (R, 2018) and Salvatore J. Talarico (R, 2016) and Michael Weaver (I, 2018).

In the November 2011 general elections, Roger Fyfe was re-elected to his second four-year term of office, while his Republican running mates Rose Curry and Leah LaMonica won three-year terms on the Borough Council, with all three taking their seats as of January 2012.

Federal, state and county representation

Montvale is located in the 5th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 39th state legislative district.

New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District is represented by Josh Gottheimer (D, Wyckoff). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Cory Booker (D, Newark, term ends 2021) and Bob Menendez (D, Paramus, 2019).

For the 2016–2017 session (Senate, General Assembly), the 39th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Gerald Cardinale (R, Demarest) and in the General Assembly by Holly Schepisi (R, River Vale) and Robert Auth (R, Old Tappan). The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham Township). The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).

Bergen County is governed by a directly elected County Executive, with legislative functions performed by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. As of 2015, the County Executive is James J. Tedesco III (D, Paramus; term ends December 31, 2018). The seven freeholders are elected at-large in partisan elections on a staggered basis, with two or three seats coming up for election each year, with a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Chairman Pro Tempore selected from among its members at a reorganization meeting held each January. Bergen County's Freeholders are Freeholder Chairwoman Joan Voss (D, 2017; Fort Lee), Vice Chairman Steve Tanelli (D, 2015; North Arlington) Chairman Pro Tempore John A. Felice (R, 2016; River Edge), David L. Ganz (D, 2017; Fair Lawn), Maura R. DeNicola (R, 2016; Franklin Lakes) Thomas J. Sullivan Jr., (D, Montvale, 2015; serving the unexpired term of office that had been occupied by James Tedesco before he was sworn in as County Executive) and Tracy Silna Zur (D, 2015; Franklin Lakes). Countywide constitutional officials are County Clerk John S. Hogan (D, Northvale), Sheriff Michael Saudino (R) and Surrogate Michael R. Dressler (D, Cresskill).

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 5,132 registered voters in Montvale, of which 1,080 (21.0% vs. 31.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,546 (30.1% vs. 21.1%) were registered as Republicans and 2,499 (48.7% vs. 47.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 7 voters registered to other parties. Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 65.4% (vs. 57.1% in Bergen County) were registered to vote, including 89.3% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 73.7% countywide).

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 2,275 votes (56.1% vs. 43.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 1,718 votes (42.3% vs. 54.8%) and other candidates with 39 votes (1.0% vs. 0.9%), among the 4,057 ballots cast by the borough's 5,494 registered voters, for a turnout of 73.8% (vs. 70.4% in Bergen County). In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 2,277 votes (54.4% vs. 44.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 1,854 votes (44.3% vs. 53.9%) and other candidates with 30 votes (0.7% vs. 0.8%), among the 4,186 ballots cast by the borough's 5,272 registered voters, for a turnout of 79.4% (vs. 76.8% in Bergen County). In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 2,221 votes (55.7% vs. 47.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 1,738 votes (43.6% vs. 51.7%) and other candidates with 18 votes (0.5% vs. 0.7%), among the 3,988 ballots cast by the borough's 4,874 registered voters, for a turnout of 81.8% (vs. 76.9% in the whole county).

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 69.5% of the vote (1,714 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 29.5% (728 votes), and other candidates with 0.9% (23 votes), among the 2,514 ballots cast by the borough's 5,299 registered voters (49 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 47.4%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,590 votes (57.9% vs. 45.8% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 972 votes (35.4% vs. 48.0%), Independent Chris Daggett with 133 votes (4.8% vs. 4.7%) and other candidates with 15 votes (0.5% vs. 0.5%), among the 2,744 ballots cast by the borough's 5,197 registered voters, yielding a 52.8% turnout (vs. 50.0% in the county).

Emergency services

Montvale has a volunteer fire department that was established in 1924. The department consists of a chief, an assistant chief, two captain companies, and two lieutenant companies. The station is home to Engine 2, Engine 4, and Tower 5.

Along with Park Ridge and Woodcliff Lake, Montvale is one of the towns that is part of the Tri-Boro Volunteer Ambulance Corps, founded in 1938 and provides EMS service to these three communities. 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. Its headquarters is located in Park Ridge near Mill Pond.

Montvale also has its own police department. The police station is located in the Borough Hall on Mercedes Drive.

Education

The Montvale Public Schools serve students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. As of the 2014-15 school year, the district and its two schools had an enrollment of 1,563 students and 85.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 18.4:1. Schools in the district (with 2014-15 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Memorial Elementary School with 5598 students in grades pre-K through 4 and Fieldstone Middle School with 497 students in grades 5 to 8.

Public school students from Montvale in ninth through twelfth grades attend Pascack Hills High School along with students from neighboring Woodcliff Lake. The school is part of the Pascack Valley Regional High School District, which also serves students from Hillsdale and River Vale. As of the 2014-15 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 845 students and 68.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.3:1. Pascack Hills High School was the 7th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 339 schools statewide, in New Jersey Monthly magazine's September 2014 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", after being ranked 18th in 2012 out of 328 schools.

Public school students from the borough, and all of Bergen County, are eligible to attend the secondary education programs offered by the Bergen County Technical Schools, which include the Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, and the Bergen Tech campus in Teterboro or Paramus. The district offers programs on a shared-time or full-time basis, with admission based on a selective application process and tuition covered by the student's home school district.

Montvale is the home of Saint Joseph Regional High School, a college preparatory school for young men founded in 1962 in the Xaverian tradition of Catholic education, operating under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.

Roads and highways

As of May 2010, the borough had a total of 46.82 miles (75.35 km) of roadways, of which 36.54 miles (58.81 km) were maintained by the municipality, 8.49 miles (13.66 km) by Bergen County and 1.79 miles (2.88 km) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.

The Garden State Parkway and County Route 503 pass through Montvale. The last stop going north on the Garden State Parkway is in Montvale and features a large rest stop area.

Public transportation

Montvale is served by NJ Transit at the Montvale train station, located at the intersection of Kinderkamack Road and Grand Avenue. The station offers service on the Pascack Valley Line, which 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.

Rockland Coaches provides service on routes 11T/AT, 14ET and 45/46/47 to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. Saddle River Tours / Ameribus provides service to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station on route 11C.

Entertainment

Montvale formerly had a roller skating rink called The Rink. It closed in 2007.

Montvale Lanes includes a bar, 38 lanes, small arcade, and an internet jukebox.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Montvale include:

Annual events

Each Memorial Day, the Tri-Boro area consisting of Montvale, Woodcliff Lake, and Park Ridge all participate in the annual Memorial Day Parade.