Misplaced Pages

#92907

60-500: West Milford is a township in Passaic County , in the U.S. state of New Jersey . As of the 2020 United States census , the township's population was 24,862, a decrease of 988 (−3.8%) from the 2010 census count of 25,850, which in turn reflected a decline of 560 (−2.1%) from the 26,410 counted in the 2000 census . It is the largest in the county by total area, covering 80.32 square miles (208.0 km) and more than 40% of

120-805: A student–teacher ratio of 10.8:1. Schools in the district (with 2021–22 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics ) are Apshawa Elementary School with 999 students in grades K-5, Maple Road Elementary School with 231 students in grades PreK-5, Marshall Hill Elementary School with 251 students in grades K-5, Paradise Knoll Elementary School with 192 students in grades K-5, Upper Greenwood Lake Elementary School with 192 students in grades K-5, Macopin Middle School with 777 students in grades 6-8 and West Milford High School with 936 students in grades 9-12. Westbrook Elementary School, which had 238 students in grades K-5 in 2021-22,

180-635: A countywide basis are: Clerk Danielle Ireland-Imhof (D, Hawthorne , 2028), Acting Sheriff Gary Giardina (D, Wayne, 2024) and Surrogate Zoila S. Cassanova (D, Wayne, 2026). Each of the four primary communities in the township has a post office. In 2004, the New Jersey Legislature passed the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act , which regulates the New Jersey Highlands region. West Milford

240-442: A female householder with no husband present and 26.4% were non-families. Of all households, 21.7% were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.12. 22.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 33.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

300-466: A few large marinas and lakeside restaurants with docks. A public airport called Greenwood Lake Airport is located just south of the lake on top of a mountain ridge and has two landing strips; one is long enough to handle small jets. There is one private airport in the township on a private estate. After World War II and for the next 20 years the area underwent a major change from a resort area to year-round residences. Before there were year-round houses,

360-490: A huge amusement park, but residents concerned with excessive traffic voted this proposal down in 1976, which resulted in an abrupt closing and exit. Some of the animals in the wildlife park were subsequently moved to the then-recently established drive through safari at Great Adventure in Jackson Township . The former site of Jungle Habitat in recent years has become a location for various Township activities such as

420-416: A one-year term. Partisan elections are allowed under this law. Voters may initiate a referendum to change the membership to consist of either 3 or 5 members. While many township committees directly supervise the operation of their municipality, the revised act allows the committee to delegate all or a portion of its responsibilities to an appointed municipal administrator. A number of municipalities changed to

480-607: A reorganization meeting held in January, the board selects a Director and Deputy Director from among its members to serve for a one-year term. As of 2024, Passaic County's Commissioners are: Bruce James ( D , Clifton , 2026), Deputy Director Cassandra "Sandi" Lazzara (D, Little Falls , 2024), Director John W. Bartlett (D, Wayne , 2024), Orlando Cruz (D, Paterson , 2026), Terry Duffy (D, West Milford , 2025), Nicolino Gallo ( R , Totowa , 2024) and Pasquale "Pat" Lepore (D, Woodland Park , 2025). Constitutional officers, elected on

540-470: A township, as townships are equivalent to all other forms of local municipalities. Municipalities in New Jersey may be classified into one of five types , of which townships are one. Townships may retain the township form of government, or adopt one of the modern forms of government, which are not restricted to a particular type of municipality. In New Jersey, a municipality's name (such as X Township)

600-483: A turnout of 75.3% (vs. 70.4% in Passaic County). In the 2004 presidential election , Republican George W. Bush received 7,920 votes (60.9% vs. 42.7% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 4,783 votes (36.8% vs. 53.9%) and other candidates with 109 votes (0.8% vs. 0.7%), among the 13,000 ballots cast by the township's 16,932 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.8% (vs. 69.3% in the whole county). In

660-585: Is a 224-acre (91 ha) county park that is located off Union Valley Road and adjacent to Abram S. Hewitt State Forest . Portions of the township are owned by the City of Newark , Essex County , for its Pequannock River Watershed, which supplies water to the city from an area of 35,000 acres (14,000 ha) that also includes portions of Hardyston Township , Jefferson Township , Kinnelon , Rockaway Township and Vernon Township . A small residential development known as "New City Village" or "New City Colony"

SECTION 10

#1732782827093

720-731: Is also a mailing address for Green Pond (just north of the Picatinny Arsenal in Rockaway Township , Morris County ), a private lake community owned by Green Pond Corporation and Lake End Corporation, which lies in Rockaway Township where the Pequannock River divides Passaic County from Morris County. The 2003 film The Station Agent was set, and filmed, largely in Newfoundland. There

780-630: Is appointed to oversee the day-to-day operation of the township. The Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. As of 2023, the Mayor of West Milford Township is Republican Michele A. Dale, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the Township Council are Council President Kevin L. Goodsir (R, 2025), Michael Chazukow (R, 2023), Matthew P. Conlon (R, 2025), Ada Erik (R, 2024), Marilyn Lichtenberg (R, 2024) and David S. Marsden (R, 2023). In December 2019,

840-723: Is divided by the Pequannock River , which divides Passaic and Morris Counties; a small part of Newfoundland lies within Jefferson Township. A large part of the township, including the New City Village area, is reservoir property owned by the City of Newark in Essex County for its water supply. Prior to the Second World War , the township was a resort area with trains coming from New York City to stations at Charlotteburg, Newfoundland, Oak Ridge in

900-466: Is not necessarily an indication of its form of government. In New Jersey, the township form of government consists of a three to five-member township committee usually elected at-large in partisan elections. At its organization meeting, held after an election, the committee selects one of its elected members to serve as mayor and preside at meetings. The other members of the township committee serve as commissioners of various township departments, overseeing

960-590: Is represented by Josh Gottheimer ( D , Wyckoff ). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker ( Newark , term ends 2027) and George Helmy ( Mountain Lakes , term ends 2024). For the 2024-2025 session , the 25th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Anthony M. Bucco ( R , Boonton Township ) and in

1020-559: Is used by 27% of New Jersey municipalities; however, slightly over 50% of the state's population resides within them. Townships in New Jersey differ from townships elsewhere in the United States. In many states, townships can be an intermediate form of government, between county government and municipalities that are subordinate parts of the township, with different government responsibilities allocated at each level. In New Jersey, there are no subordinate municipalities located within

1080-631: The 2013 gubernatorial election , Republican Chris Christie received 69.3% of the vote (5,380 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 29.2% (2,264 votes), and other candidates with 1.6% (122 votes), among the 7,885 ballots cast by the township's 18,420 registered voters (119 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 42.8%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election , Republican Chris Christie received 5,261 votes (60.8% vs. 43.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 2,720 votes (31.5% vs. 50.8%), Independent Chris Daggett with 525 votes (6.1% vs. 3.8%) and other candidates with 84 votes (1.0% vs. 0.9%), among

1140-795: The Faulkner Act , formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, under the Mayor-Council-Administrator plan adopted as of January 1, 2004. This plan is described as a "Faulknerized" version of the borough form of government, which was added to the Faulkner Act as the fourth optional form of municipal government in 1981 by the New Jersey Legislature . The township is one of three (of the 564) municipalities statewide that use this form of government. The voters of West Milford Township adopted

1200-539: The General Assembly by Christian Barranco (R, Jefferson Township ) and Aura K. Dunn (R, Mendham Borough ). Passaic County is governed by Board of County Commissioners , composed of seven members who are elected at-large to staggered three-year terms office on a partisan basis, with two or three seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle. At

1260-478: The New York state line. It was originally called Long Pond. It was dammed up to increase the size of the lake for water power down stream. During the resort era, several steamboats operated on the lake, the most famous and grand was the two deck steamer, Montclair . These steamboats met the trains and took passengers to the various resorts around the lake in both states. There is a seaplane area on Greenwood Lake,

SECTION 20

#1732782827093

1320-540: The 12-month period ending March 25, 2010, the airport had 18,099 general aviation aircraft operations, an average of 49 per day. At that time there were 64 aircraft based at this airport: 91% single- engine , 6% multi-engine, 2% helicopter , and 2% ultralight . When Jungle Habitat was opened in 1972, the on-field FBO offered aerial tours in Cessna 152 and Cessna 172 aircraft painted with tiger and leopard stripes. This article about an airport in New Jersey

1380-632: The 18th century, having been settled by disenchanted Dutch from Milford, New Jersey (later renamed by the British as Newark). These same Dutch also built a town of New Milford in eastern Bergen County . When both New Milfords applied for post offices in 1828, a clerk in Washington, D.C. is said to have approved the other application first and assigned the name "West Milford" to the New Milford in western Bergen County in order to distinguish between

1440-497: The 8,646 ballots cast by the township's 17,322 registered voters, yielding a 49.9% turnout (vs. 42.7% in the county). The West Milford Township Public Schools serve students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade at its five elementary schools (grades K–5), one middle school (grade 6–8) and one high school (grades 9–12). As of the 2021–22 school year, the district, comprised of eight schools, had an enrollment of 3,028 students and 279.2 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for

1500-613: The Mayor-Council-Administrator Plan at a special election held on December 10, 2002. Under the mayor-council-administrator plan, the governing body is comprised of the Mayor and the Township Council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The Township Council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year. A municipal administrator

1560-649: The ShopRite supermarket in 2012. In May 2009, Eden Farms, an 8-acre (3.2 ha) floral farm on Union Valley Road, became the first "preserved farm" in Passaic County. County officials used money from the Farmland Preservation Funds to purchase development rights to the farm. Owners George and Diana Cluff initially began working on the agreement in 2007. The deal prevents the farm from being built upon. West Milford sports are overseen by

1620-523: The Township Committee unanimously passed a non-binding resolution declaring West Milford to be a " Second Amendment sanctuary " that opposes the enforcement of gun control on the local level, becoming the first municipality in the state to do so. West Milford is located in the 5th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 25th state legislative district. For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 5th congressional district

1680-560: The Township type, or the Township form of government, between 1979 and 1982. A federal law, The State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972 provided funding to the states to be divided between state and municipal governments. In 1981, states were removed from the program and the law was amended to provide direct grants to the most popular form of local government in the United States - townships. In Essex County alone, 11 municipal governments changed their form or name to take advantage of

1740-559: The Year award. High school students also have the option of attending Passaic County Technical Institute , a public vocational high school that serves selected students throughout Passaic County . The old Newfoundland, two-room schoolhouse was the Village Square Inn Restaurant until it closed in 2010. The old Hillcrest School was formerly the township's community center. The few one-room schoolhouses are all gone;

1800-422: The age of 18 living with them, 67.3% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.8% were non-families. 16.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.23. In the township the population was spread out, with 27.2% under

1860-464: The age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.4 males. The median income for a household in the township was $ 74,124, and the median income for a family was $ 80,264. Males had a median income of $ 51,105 versus $ 37,159 for females. The per capita income for

West Milford, New Jersey - Misplaced Pages Continue

1920-506: The annual Fourth of July Fireworks display and is a popular regional mountain biking destination. According to the United States Census Bureau , the township had a total area of 81.06 square miles (209.94 km), including 75.93 square miles (196.66 km) of land and 5.13 square miles (13.28 km) of water (6.32%). Unincorporated communities , localities and place names located partially or completely within

1980-433: The borough was $ 37,905 (+/− $ 2,289). About 1.7% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 3.5% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over. Same-sex couples headed 63 households in 2010, an increase from the 58 counted in 2000. As of the 2000 United States census there were 26,410 people, 9,190 households, and 7,186 families residing in the township. The population density

2040-421: The county. West Milford was home to a Warner Bros. -owned theme park from 1972 to 1976 entitled Warner Bros. Jungle Habitat . The 800-acre (320 ha) Jungle Habitat property, with 26 miles (42 km) of paved roads, was purchased by the state in 1988 for $ 1.45 million and remnants of the theme park remain until today. West Milford started out as New Milford in what was then western Bergen County in

2100-776: The last one was the Hewitt School, destroyed by fire set by vandals (it had been the former Methodist church before a new, larger church was built). Township (New Jersey) A township , in the context of New Jersey local government , refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government . As a political entity, a township in New Jersey is a full-fledged municipality, on par with any town , city , borough , or village . They collect property taxes and provide services such as maintaining roads, garbage collection, water, sewer, schools, police and fire protection. The Township form of local government

2160-472: The mayor's office each year, while others elect the same mayor for 2–3 consecutive years. Out of the 240 townships in the state, the township form of government is used by 140. On road signs, township is often abbreviated TWP or Twp . Some official documents abbreviate it as "Twsp." Historically, a variety of legislation has been passed by the state legislature that has defined and refined the township form of municipal government: The Township Act of 1798

2220-437: The park opened, a tourist being driven through the safari in a taxi was attacked by a lion on October 19, 1972, bringing negative publicity to the park. The park was plagued by problems, including reports of dangerous animals escaping into West Milford. Jungle Habitat was a mixed blessing due to the amount of summer and weekend traffic into this rural area made up of small two lane roads. Jungle Habitat wanted to expand and become

2280-532: The program. There are a total of 240 townships in the state, including: Greenwood Lake Airport An old Lockheed Constellation sits on the ramp. This aircraft is no longer flyable, and has been built into part of the terminal building and houses an office for Sky Training LLC. Greenwood Lake Airport covers an area of 150 acres (61 ha ) at an elevation of 790 feet (241 m) above mean sea level . It has one runway designated 6/24 with an asphalt surface measuring 3,471 by 60 feet (1,058 x 18 m). For

2340-809: The south and Hewitt (also known as Sterling Forest station) and Awosting in the north. Railroad service in the south was from the New Jersey Midland starting around the 1850s and in the north around the 1870s from the Montclair Railroad, out of Montclair, New Jersey and later the Erie Railroad (before their merger with the Lackawanna Railroad). Greenwood Lake is an interstate lake approximately 9 miles (14 km) long and covering 1,920 acres (780 ha), lying in both West Milford and Greenwood Lake, New York , across

2400-404: The summer residence of Cecil B. DeMille was West Milford. Road maps of the 1950s showing the population on the backside said 2,000 winter and 10,000 summer. In 1972, Warner Brothers opened up a wildlife theme park called Jungle Habitat . This park consisted of a drive through safari and a small park with various shows. Initially, this brought huge tourist revenue to the township. Shortly after

2460-413: The term "municipality" and recognized five types of government: borough , township, city , town , and village and granted each equal legal standing. The Township Act of 1989 simplified the much-amended Act of 1899. It retains a three or five member township committee serving staggered terms, whose members are generally elected at-large. The committee elects a mayor from among its members to serve

West Milford, New Jersey - Misplaced Pages Continue

2520-522: The township department of Community Services and Recreation. The township has individual organizations that run each youth sports program, including: Junior wrestling, Youth Lacrosse, Little League Baseball (WMLL), Police Athletic League (PAL) Basketball, PAL Soccer, West Milford-Star Athletics Cheerleading, Midget Football Association (WMMFA) Football, WMMFA Cheerleading, Amateur Baseball Association (WMABA) Baseball, and Girls Softball Association softball (WMGSA). The Township of West Milford operates under

2580-520: The township for a rent of at least five dollars a year. A group of five freeholders was elected to one-year terms on the Township Committee, which was responsible to oversee the expenditure of revenue in between town meetings. The Township Act of 1899 abolished the town meeting and strengthened the role of the Township Committee, which was initially set at three and amended to allow for expansion to five members. Members were elected for staggered three-year terms. The Home Rule Act of 1917 legally defined

2640-797: The township include Apshawa, Awosting, Bearfort Waters, Beaver Pond, Boy Scout Lake, Browns, Buckabear Pond, Camp Hope, Cedar Pond, Charlotteburg, Clinton, Clinton Reservoir, Cooper, Dunker Pond, Echo Lake, Forest Hill Lake, Fox Island, Gordon Lakes, Green Valley Park, Greenwood Lake, Greenwood Lake Glens, Hacks Pond, Henion Pond, Hewitt , Himes Pond, Lake Lockover, Lakeside, Lindy Lake, Littletown, Lower Mt. Glen Lake, Macopin , Matthews Lake, Moe, Mount Laurel Lake, Newfoundland , Oak Ridge , Pettets Pond. Pine Crest Lake, Pinecliff Lake, Postville, Shady Lake, Smiths Mills, Surprise Lake, Terrace Pond, Upper Greenwood Lake , Upper Macopin, Upper Mt. Glen Lake, Uttertown, Vreeland Pond, West Milford Lakes, West Pond, Wonder Lake and Zeliff Pond. According to Mayor Bettina Bieri,

2700-802: The township is "a larger geographical area consisting of numerous towns" and that "the massive territory covered by the township warrants the distinction" in place names commonly used in the township, with the four primary communities in the township being the township center, Hewitt, Newfoundland, and Oak Ridge. The township borders the municipalities of Bloomingdale and Ringwood in Passaic County; Butler , Jefferson Township , Kinnelon and Rockaway Township in Morris County ; Hardyston Township and Vernon in Sussex County ; and Warwick in Orange County, New York . Highlands Preserve

2760-585: The township was $ 28,612. About 2.6% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over. West Milford businesses are represented by the West Milford Chamber of Commerce, an organization of business men and women that has worked to improve and enhance the business community in West Milford since it was established in 1949. The Abby Theater opened in 1976 and

2820-402: The township's 18,268 registered voters (85 ballots were spoiled ), for a turnout of 66.1%. In the 2008 presidential election , Republican John McCain received 7,672 votes (56.5% vs. 37.7% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 5,515 votes (40.6% vs. 58.8%) and other candidates with 161 votes (1.2% vs. 0.8%), among the 13,575 ballots cast by the township's 18,016 registered voters, for

2880-406: The township's 2010 Census population, 68.0% (vs. 53.2% in Passaic County) were registered to vote, including 87.7% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 70.8% countywide). In the 2012 presidential election , Republican Mitt Romney received 58.4% of the vote (7,003 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 40.3% (4,832 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (154 votes), among the 12,074 ballots cast by

2940-416: The two locations. West Milford became a municipality by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 10, 1834, when it was formed from the westernmost half of Pompton Township , while the area was still part of Bergen County . On February 7, 1837, Passaic County was created from portions of both Bergen County and Essex County , with West Milford as the western end of the newly formed county. The township

3000-439: The work of those areas along with overall legislative issues. Some mayors in this form of government also oversee specific departments. The mayor in this form of government is primarily ceremonial and has the same power as other township committee members. The mayor does hold the powers vested in all mayors under state law One township committee member is elected deputy mayor each year. Some towns with this form of government rotate

3060-452: Was 350.1 inhabitants per square mile (135.2/km). There were 9,909 housing units at an average density of 131.4 per square mile (50.7/km). The racial makeup of the township was 95.08% White , 1.23% African American , 0.60% Native American , 1.02% Asian , 0.61% from other races , and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.38% of the population. There were 9,190 households, out of which 39.9% had children under

SECTION 50

#1732782827093

3120-495: Was 42.7 years. For every 100 females, the population had 98.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 96.8 males. The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $ 88,692 (with a margin of error of +/− $ 4,308) and the median family income was $ 102,410 (+/− $ 7,418). Males had a median income of $ 62,925 (+/− $ 3,467) versus $ 45,449 (+/− $ 2,738) for females. The per capita income for

3180-414: Was 94.06% (24,315) White , 1.40% (362) Black or African American , 0.52% (134) Native American , 1.29% (334) Asian , 0.02% (4) Pacific Islander , 1.06% (273) from other races , and 1.66% (428) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.85% (1,512) of the population. Of the 9,625 households, 32.4% had children under the age of 18; 61.4% were married couples living together; 8.3% had

3240-769: Was an early silent movie produced in the township at the Mine Hole in the Hewitt section of the township. A still photo of that movie is published in the township's 1984 sesquicentennial book entitled The Day the Earth Shook and the Sky Turned Red . The 2010 United States census counted 25,850 people, 9,625 households, and 7,084 families in the township. The population density was 344.3 per square mile (132.9/km). There were 10,419 housing units at an average density of 138.8 per square mile (53.6/km). The racial makeup

3300-542: Was built on the property early in the 20th century to house workers of the Newark water supply system. It included a school and health facility. Proposed alternative uses for the village never materialized and the buildings were demolished after falling into disrepair. The land is still owned by the City of Newark. Newfoundland is a neighborhood of West Milford located along the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway (NYS&W) tracks (freight service only) and Route 23 . It

3360-548: Was closed for the start of the 2023-24 school year. Our Lady Queen of Peace was a Catholic school located in the community of Hewitt until it was closed in June 2010 by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson in the face of declining enrollment. OLQP School celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2009, and had its Fourth Grade teacher, Lorraine Ford, named as a finalist for the 2008 New Jersey Nonpublic School Teacher of

3420-423: Was designed by Milton Herson for Music Makers Theaters, with a seating capacity of 1,400. The theater was named for Abby Leigh, wife of Mitch Leigh, then board chairman of Music Makers. The Abby Theater closed down in 2009 after several unsuccessful business attempts, as the township did not have enough residents to keep the business in operation. It was slated to be demolished in order to make room for an expansion of

3480-780: Was included in the highlands preservation area and is subject to the rules of the act and the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council , a division of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection . All of the territory in the protected region is classified as being in the highlands preservation area, and thus subject to additional rules. As of March 2011, there were a total of 17,588 registered voters in West Milford, of which 3,397 (19.3% vs. 31.0% countywide) were registered as Democrats , 5,070 (28.8% vs. 18.7%) were registered as Republicans and 9,111 (51.8% vs. 50.3%) were registered as Unaffiliated . There were 10 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens . Among

3540-726: Was named for Milford, Connecticut . There are old place names in the township including Postville, Utterville, Corterville, Browns, Awosting, Echo Lake, Macopin , Charlottenburg (now under the Charlotteburg Reservoir, the community was named after Queen Charlotte ), Clinton (or sometimes called Clinton Furnace, now under the Clinton Reservoir, and the furnace still stands), Moe Mountain, Oak Ridge (partly located in Jefferson Township ), Newfoundland, Apshawa, New City, and Smith Mills. Newfoundland

3600-460: Was the first state legislation to incorporate municipalities. The government defined was a form of direct democracy , similar to the New England town meeting , in which the vote was available to all white males, at least 21 years old, who were citizens of New Jersey, and residents of the township for at least six months; and who paid taxes in the township, or who owned land, or rented a home in

#92907