Verona, New Jersey
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).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'.
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.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. 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. 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. Verona and Cedar Grove Public Schools are rivals, and to this day residents disassociate themselves from each other.In 1982, Verona became a township to take advantage of federal revenue sharing policies. 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. Today, Verona uses just 'Township of Verona' in most official documents, but some other official documents such as purchase orders still include 'Township of Borough of…'.
Geography
Verona is located at 40°49′57″N 74°14′32″W / 40.832449°N 74.242276°W / 40.832449; -74.242276 (40.832449, -74.242276).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, Montclair, West Orange, Essex Fells and North Caldwell.
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 30s (Fahrenheit) and lows in the lower 20s. July is the warmest months with high temperatures in the mid 80s and lows in the mid 60s. 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, a weather station in nearby Newark, New Jersey recorded over 31.8 inches (.81 m) of snow from the Blizzard of 1996.
Demographics
As of the census 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. 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.
Local government
Verona operates under the Faulkner Act (Council-Manager) form of municipal government, and is governed by a five-member Township Council. Members are elected in nonpartisan elections to four-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with two or three seats coming up for election every other year.[18] The members of the Verona Township Council are Mayor Teena Schwartz (term ends December 21 2012) Deputy Mayor Frank Sapienza (2011) Bob Manley (2013) Jay Sniatkowski (2013).[19] The day-to-day activities are supervised by Township Manager Joseph Martin.
Federal, state and county representation
Verona is in the Eighth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 40th Legislative District.
Politics
On the national level, Verona leans toward the Republican Party. In 2008, Republican John McCain received 3,730 votes (49.6%) here, defeating Democrat Barack Obama, who received 3,664 votes (48.8%).
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) 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)
Laning Avenue School(229)
In additionHenry B. Whitehorne Middle Schoolfor grades 5-8 (602)
Verona High Schoolfor grades 9-12 (597)
The high school mascot is the 'Hillbilly'. However, this mascot has become controversial as a result of opposition from previous school Superintendent Earl Kim. In the face of community support for the traditional name, the mascot was retained.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'.
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.
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, 29 and 75. DeCamp Bus Lines also offers commuter service that goes into New York City: 33, West Caldwell / Port Authority Bus Terminal.Train stations, also run by New Jersey Transit, are located in the neighboring towns of Little Falls and Montclair. Prior to 1966, the Erie Railroad's Caldwell Branch (a part of New York and Greenwood Lake Railway) ran passenger service through Verona from Great Notch. The line was removed in 1979 after a washout four years prior. On July 14, 2010, the town of Verona announced it was the honoring the old freight shed at the Verona station, which remains as the last standing structure of the railroad. The project of naming it a historic landmark in Verona, the first of many proposed by the Verona Landmarks Preservation Commission. Proposals include moving the structure to a more accessible place in Verona or turning the shed into a one-room museum.In the early 20th century, Verona was serviced by a trolley line which operated on Bloomfield Avenue. The tracks still lie underneath the roadway, and are visible when the roadway is under construction.Verona is 14.3 miles (23.0 km) from Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark / Elizabeth, and almost double the miles farther from John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport.
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.
Radio
Verona falls in the New York Market, as well as the Morristown Market.
Television
Verona Cable television is served by Comcast of New Jersey. However, in the 2000s, Verizon 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.
Community services
TheVerona Fire Departmentis one of the largest fully volunteer Fire Departmentsin Essex County, staffed by over 60 firefighters. They have two stations, three engines, one ladder truck, one reserve engine, one brush truck, one utility truck, and two command vehicles. The Department celebrated its 100th year of service in 2009.
The Verona Rescue Squad (volunteer) has three ambulances, one heavy rescue truck, and one command vehicle 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 theAmerican Revolutionary War,George Washingtonand his troops usedEagle Rock Reservationas 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 & Companyis the official flag manufacturer to theUnited Nations, and a major supplier to the United States Government. Annin produced flags that were used onIwo Jima, planted on the surface of theMoon, at theNorthandSouth Poles, atopMount Everestand the rubble of theWorld Trade Center.
Before its ceasing operation in 1977, theEssex Mountain Sanatoriumboasted 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 theColorado Springsof the east and second only to Denver for beneficial results in the treatment ofTuberculosis.
Most of Verona's housing stock is pre-World War II.
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 or inMontclair.
Everett Field, a smallbaseballandfootballpark dedicated to the family who donated the land to the township.
Hilltop Reservation, composed of lands in the grounds of the formerEssex Mountain Sanatorium, Home to many hiking and mountain biking trails Opened spring 2003.
Kip's Castle Park, the newest park to theEssex County Park System, which features a turn of the century castle-stylemansionwith largecarriage houseon 10.5 acres (42,000 m2).
Verona Park, considered one of the most charming parks as well as the 5th largest in theEssex County Park SystemIt also was designed by the same designer as Central Park in New York City.
Lenape Trail, a trail that runs from the Pulaski Skyway in Newark to the Passaic river in Roseland. The Verona Section runs from the West Essex Trail, down and through Verona Park, and up toward Eagle Rock Reservation before entering West Orange.
Verona Community Center, built in 1997, provides agym, game room,ballroom, andconference roomfor any group or organization. also adjacent isVeteran's Field, also known as Linn Drive Field, provides 2 softball/baseball fields as well as an athetic field
Centennial Field, anartificial turffield, opened Spring of 2007.
Verona Pool, FeaturesanOlympic-Size swimming poolof various depths, with 2water slides, & 2springboards
a wading pool for younger children
playground,volleyball,basketball,raquetball, &Shuffleboardcourts, in addition toping-pongtables
Full showers and a snackbar
West Essex Trail, acquired in 1985 throughGreen Acresfunding, is a 2.84-mile (4.57 km) trail which runs from Arnold Way in Verona to the Passaic County line near theLenape Trail, on the former right-of-way of the Caldwell Branch of the oldErie Lackawanna Railroad.
Noted residents
Tommy Albelin(born 1964), former NHL Defenseman for theNew Jersey Devilsand now current coach of the De Paul High School Hockey team.
John Bogle(born 1929), founder ofThe Vanguard Group.
Joop Boutmy(1894-1972), 1912 Olympic bronze medalist in soccer for theNetherlands.
Bill Bradley(born 1943), Olympic Gold Medal Winner at the1964 Summer Olympics, professional basketball player for theNew York Knicks, member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, US Senator from New Jersey, and 2000 Presidential hopeful.
Peter David(born 1956),science fiction/fantasyauthor who spent his adolescence in Verona,and who has used it as a location in his fiction work.
Anthony Fasano(born 1984)Tight Endfor theMiami Dolphins.
Jed Graef(born 1942),Gold Medalwinner in the 200m Backstroke at the1964 Summer OlympicsinTokyo.
Fred Hill, Head Coach of theRutgers Universitymen's basketball team.
Harry Humphries(born 1940), consultant and actor on Hollywood films[citation needed]
Fred Krupp, President of theEnvironmental Defense Fund, spent his childhood and adolescence in Verona.
John MacLean(born 1964), former forward and current assistant coach for theNew Jersey Devils.[citation needed]
Charles V. Magatti, co-inventor ofLoratadine, or the drug commonly known as Claritin.Currently teaches atSeton Hall Prepand isfire chieffor the Verona Fire Department.
Jay Mohr(born 1970), actor/comedian.
Eugénie Olson, novelist, editor. Noted for her three books,Babe in Toyland,The Pajama Game (Book)andLove in the time of Tafetta.[citation needed]
Henry Orenstein(born c. 1925), professional poker player and helped push Hasbro to produceTransformers (toyline).
Kenneth Posner, lighting designer for such Broadway shows asWicked,Legally Blonde,The Pirate Queen, andThe Coast of Utopia, the latter of which won him a Tony award.
Brian Rafalski(born 1973), formerNew Jersey DevilsDefenseman.
John Roosma(1900–1983), captain ofErnest Blood's 'Wonder Teams' who became the first college player to total 1,000 points for his career while at theUnited States Military Academy.
David M. Satz, Jr.(1926-2009), an American lawyer, who served as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey from 1961 to 1969.
Popular culture
Two Guys from Verona, a novel, takes place in Verona.
The TV ShowThe Sopranostakes place in the area, thus the storyline includes Verona at times. The show films at various locations in town. A Verona Rescue Squad Ambulance is clearly seen when Livia Soprano dies in the episode 'Proshai, Livushka'. In the episode 'Cold Cuts', it's established that Bobby Bacala and Janice live in Verona.
The 1987 fictional movieDoom Asylumwas filmed at the now demolishedEssex Mountain Sanatorium.
Pizza My Heart, anABC Familymovie, is a contemporary retelling ofRomeo and Juliet, that takes place in Verona (New Jersey, not Italy). Although the storyline takes place in Verona, it was actually filmed inNew Orleans,Louisiana.
The original, unairedpilotof the television showStrangers With Candywas filmed at Verona High School. The VHS signboard is also used in almost every episode thereafter to display various witticisms, although the name has been changed to that of the school in the show,Flatpoint High School.
Choke, the film adapted from theChuck Palahniuknovel of the same name was filmed at the Essex County Hospital Center in neighboring Cedar Grove. It was said that the movie would not have been made if this filming location was not found.
