Saddle Brook, New Jersey

History

Saddle River Township was created on March 20, 1716, consisting of all of the territory in Bergen County west of the Saddle River, making it one of the oldest municipalities in Bergen County. It was incorporated on February 21, 1798 by the Township Act of 1798 as one of the initial group of 104 townships incorporated in New Jersey. The historic name of the township was from the Saddle River, a tributary of the Passaic River, which in turn was named for a stream and valley in Saddell, Argyll, Scotland.

After its formation in 1716, Saddle River Township was split up in 1772 by royal decree with the northernmost half becoming Franklin Township, named after the last royal governor of New Jersey, William Franklin, son of Benjamin Franklin. Pompton Township was established in 1797 from parts of both Franklin and Saddle River Townships west of the Ramapo River, leaving sections of both townships disconnected to the west of Pompton Township. West Milford Township was formed from the discontinuous, western sections of both Franklin and Saddle River townships in 1834.

In the initial wave of "Boroughitis" in which 26 new boroughs were created in 1894 alone and two more in 1895, Glen Rock (on September 14, 1894) and Lodi (December 22, 1894) split off from Saddle River Township, followed shortly thereafter by Wallington (January 2, 1895). Garfield (March 15, 1898), East Paterson (April 18, 1916; renamed to Elmwood Park effective January 1, 1973) and Fair Lawn (April 5, 1924) subsequently split off.

Saddle Brook adopted its current name on November 8, 1955, replacing Saddle River Township.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 2.716 square miles (7.034 km²), including 2.689 square miles (6.964 km²) of land and 0.027 square miles (0.071 km²) of water (1.00%).

The township borders the Bergen County municipalities of Elmwood Park, Fair Lawn, Garfield, Lodi, Paramus and Rochelle Park.

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Coalberg and Passaic Junction.

2010 Census

The 2010 United States Census counted 13,659 people, 5,286 households, and 3,690 families residing in the township. The population density was 5,080.2 per square mile (1,961.5/km²). The township contained 5,485 housing units at an average density of 2,040.0 per square mile (787.6/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 84.35% (11,521) White, 2.31% (316) Black or African American, 0.16% (22) Native American, 8.21% (1,121) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 3.19% (436) from other races, and 1.78% (243) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 12.20% (1,666) of the population.

Out of a total of 5,286 households, 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the township, 20.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.4 years. For every 100 females the census counted 91.4 males, but for 100 females at least 18 years old, it was 88.2 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $79,279 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,351) and the median family income was $92,861 (+/- $9,495). Males had a median income of $60,214 (+/- $5,753) versus $44,243 (+/- $3,010) for females. The per capita income for the township was $33,674 (+/- $2,295). About 0.0% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.6% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.

Same-sex couples headed 40 households in 2010, an increase from the 15 counted in 2000.

2000 Census

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 13,155 people, 5,062 households, and 3,578 families residing in the township. The population density was 4,830.8 people per square mile (1,867.3/km²). There were 5,161 housing units at an average density of 1,895.2 per square mile (732.6/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 90.73% White, 1.39% Black, 0.04% Native American, 4.74% (U.S. Census), 1.70% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.27% of the population.

Among those resident who reported their ancestry in the 2000 Census, the most common were Italian (35.7%), Irish (15.7%), Polish (13.1%) and German (11.0%). The number of residents who reported being of Italian ancestry in the 2000 Census (adjusted for the total number of ancestries reported) was the 15th highest of any municipality in New Jersey.

There were 5,062 households out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the township the population was spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $63,545, and the median income for a family was $73,205. Males had a median income of $49,834 versus $34,542 for females. The per capita income for the township was $27,561. About 1.4% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.8% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

Local government

Saddle Brook operates within the Faulkner Act (formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law) under the Mayor-Council system of municipal government (Plan 2), implemented by direct petition as of January 1, 1991, after voters approved a referendum supporting the change in June 1990. The township is governed by a Mayor and a five-member Township Council. Members of the Township Council are elected at-large in partisan elections to four-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two seats (plus the mayoral seat) or three seats up for election in even-numbered years as part of the November general election.

As of 2017, the Mayor of Saddle Brook is Democrat Robert D. White, whose term of office ends December 31, 2018. Members of the Township Council are Council President Joseph Camilleri (D, 2020), Todd J. Accomando (D, 2018), Andrew Cimiluca (R, 2020), Karen D'Arminio (D, 2018) and Florence Mazzer (D, 2020).

List of Mayors

Prior to 1969, the township committee chose a chairman to head the township committee. Below is a list of former chairmen and mayors of Saddle River Township and Saddle Brook:

Federal, state and county representation

Saddle Brook is located in the 9th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 38th state legislative district.

New Jersey's Ninth Congressional District is represented by Bill Pascrell (D, Paterson). 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 38th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Robert M. Gordon (D, Fair Lawn) and in the General Assembly by Tim Eustace (D, Maywood) and Joseph Lagana (D, Paramus). 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 8,377 registered voters in Saddle Brook Township, of which 2,890 (34.5% vs. 31.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,603 (19.1% vs. 21.1%) were registered as Republicans and 3,882 (46.3% vs. 47.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 2 voters registered to other parties. Among the township's 2010 Census population, 61.3% (vs. 57.1% in Bergen County) were registered to vote, including 76.8% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 73.7% countywide).

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 3,264 votes (51.5% vs. 54.8% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 2,945 votes (46.5% vs. 43.5%) and other candidates with 76 votes (1.2% vs. 0.9%), among the 6,334 ballots cast by the township's 8,789 registered voters, for a turnout of 72.1% (vs. 70.4% in Bergen County). In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 3,495 votes (51.5% vs. 44.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 3,159 votes (46.6% vs. 53.9%) and other candidates with 60 votes (0.9% vs. 0.8%), among the 6,785 ballots cast by the township's 8,628 registered voters, for a turnout of 78.6% (vs. 76.8% in Bergen County). In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 3,467 votes (52.7% vs. 47.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 3,025 votes (46.0% vs. 51.7%) and other candidates with 53 votes (0.8% vs. 0.7%), among the 6,576 ballots cast by the township's 8,369 registered voters, for a turnout of 78.6% (vs. 76.9% in the whole county).

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 63.3% of the vote (2,489 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 35.7% (1,404 votes), and other candidates with 0.9% (36 votes), among the 4,040 ballots cast by the township's 8,459 registered voters (111 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 47.8%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 2,025 votes (50.0% vs. 45.8% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 1,775 votes (43.8% vs. 48.0%), Independent Chris Daggett with 212 votes (5.2% vs. 4.7%) and other candidates with 16 votes (0.4% vs. 0.5%), among the 4,049 ballots cast by the township's 8,478 registered voters, yielding a 47.8% turnout (vs. 50.0% in the county).

Education

The Saddle Brook Public Schools serves students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. As of the 2011-12 school year, the district's five schools had an enrollment of 1,695 students and 132.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.79:1. Schools in the district (with 2011-12 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Washington School, which houses a number of the district's early intervention special education programs (PreK; 23 students), three K-6 elementary schools — Franklin Elementary School (253 students), Long Memorial Elementary School (312 students) and Helen I. Smith Elementary School (307 students) - and Saddle Brook High/Middle School for grades 7-12, combining both middle school and high school in a single building (802 students).

Public school students from the township, 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.

Roads and highways

As of May 2010, the township had a total of 41.73 miles (67.16 km) of roadways, of which 31.45 miles (50.61 km) were maintained by the municipality, 6.91 miles (11.12 km) by Bergen County, 2.40 miles (3.86 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation, and 0.97 miles (1.56 km) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.

Saddle Brook hosts the intersection of the Garden State Parkway (Exit 159) and Interstate 80 (Exit 62), along with portions of U.S. Route 46. New Jersey Route 4 and Route 17 are within a quarter mile of its borders.

The Parkway extends across the center of the township for 1.0 mile (1.6 km), heading northeast from Elmwood Park to Rochelle Park. Two toll gates are located in the township, with one toll gate on the northbound lanes of the parkway (just north of Exit 159), and the other toll gate used at the interchange for Exit 159.

Interstate 80 heads east through Saddle Brook for 1.6 miles (2.6 km) from Elmwood Park to Lodi. U.S. Route 46 clips the township's southwest corner, heading southeast for 0.6 miles (0.97 km) from Garfield to Lodi on Saddle Brook's southern border.

Public transportation

NJ Transit's Plauderville rail station is near the township's southwest corner, just across the border in Garfield, south of the intersection of Plauderville Avenue and Midland Avenue. The station provides service on the Bergen County Line to Hoboken Terminal, with transfers available at Secaucus Junction to New York Penn Station, Newark Penn Station, and Newark Airport, and with transfers at Hoboken to PATH trains, Hudson Bergen Light Rail, and New York Waterway ferries.

NJ Transit bus service is offered to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 144, 145, 148, 160, 161 and 164 routes; and to other New Jersey communities served on the 707, 712 and 758 routes.

Television station

From 1999 to January 1, 2009, Saddle Brook had a public-access cable TV station with news bulletins (channel 77 on Cablevision and channels 38 and 39 on Verizon FiOS). This station, called SBC-TV, was created after Hurricane Floyd hit Saddle Brook in September 1999 so the town would have a system for emergency alerts. The station was shut down in 2009 because of budget constraints. The station resumed operations in 2011 with an all-volunteer staff, airing Township Council meetings and providing information of Township services, events and activities via a scrolling message board.

Points of interest

Riverside Cemetery is a plot-holder-owned Jewish cemetery with over 65,000 burials. Acquired by the Lakewood Cemetery Association in 1906, the 105-acre (42 ha) property includes an Italianate style home used as administrative offices that has been restored and expanded after the building was extensively damaged in a 1950 fire.

Passaic Junction is a rail yard owned by New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway that has a connection to and is the official interchange location with Norfolk Southern.

The Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation maintains a campus in Saddle Brook, in addition to other main campuses in Chester and West Orange. The Saddle Brook campus was established after the acquisition of Saddle Brook/Kennedy Memorial Hospital in 1993, and operates 112 beds, specializing in rehabilitation from stroke, brain injury, amputation, neurological conditions (including Multiple Sclerosis, ALS and Parkinson's disease), joint replacement and orthopedic trauma

The First Reformed Church of Saddle Brook, located at 5 Ackerman Avenue, was the first church to be established in the present boundaries of the township. It was officially established in 1900, with its first worship service being held on May 5, 1901.

Notable people

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