West Milford, New Jersey
West Milford is a township in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 26,410.
History
West Milford started out as New Milford in western Passaic County in 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. By chance both New Milfords applied for a post office in 1828. As the traditional story goes, a clerk in Washington, D.C. saw New Milford in eastern Bergen County and approved their application for a post office. Next seeing a second New Milford in (what was then still) western Bergen County, the word 'NEW' was crossed out and the word 'WEST' was written in, then the application was approved. Thus, the town found out when they received their approval and New Milford in western Bergen County had become West Milford with the stroke of a quill pen.West Milford became a municipality by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 10, 1834, when it was formed from the westernmost portions of both Franklin Township and Saddle River 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.There are old name places in the township like Postville, Utterville, Corterville, Browns, Awosting, Echo Lake, Macopin, Charlotteburg (named after King George III's wife, Queen Charlotte and the town is now under the Charlotteburg Reservoir), Clinton (or sometimes called Clinton Furnace, now under the Clinton Reservoir, and the furnace still stands), Moe Mountain, Oak Ridge (a nameplace, but town is under the Oak Ridge Reservoir), Newfoundland, Apshawa, New City, and Smith Mills. Newfoundland is divided by the Pequannock River, which divides Passaic and Morris Counties; a small part of Newfoundland lays within Jefferson Township. A large part of the township is reservoir property owned by the City of Newark in Essex County for their 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 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 lying in both New Jersey and New York State. 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, a few large marinas and lakeside restaurants with docks. There is a public airport called Greenwood Lake Airport just south of the lake on top of a mountain ridge and has two landing strips; one is long enough to handle small jets. Plus 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, 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, now say 26,485 [Source: Hagstrom Maps].Jeremiah 'Jerry' Goodfellow, a white German shepherd and the senior canine member of the New Jersey Search and Rescue was inducted into the Animal Hall of Fame in 2009. Jerry lives with his owner and trainer, Sue Lavoie, on Union Valley Road in West Milford.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 208.3 km2 (80.4 sq mi). 75.4 square miles (195.4 km2) of it is land and 5.0 square miles (12.9 km2) of it (6.18%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,029 people, 9,190 households, and 7,186 families residing in the township. The population density was 350.1 people per square mile (135.2/km2). There were 9,909 housing units at an average density of 131.4/sq mi (50.7/km2). 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 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 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.According to a 2007 estimate,[citation needed] the median income for a household in the township was $87,502, and the median income for a family was $97,658. In 2000, males had a median income of $51,105 versus $37,159 for females. In 2000, the per capita income for the township was $28,612. In 2000, 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.
Newfoundland and Green Pond
Newfoundland is a neighborhood of West Milford located along the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway (NYS&W Rwy, formerly NYS&W RR) tracks (freight service only) and Route 23. It 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 lays 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 was an early non-talking 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 Sesquicentennial book entitled The Day the Earth Shook and the Sky Turned Red, copyright 1984.
Commerce
For decades, West Milford was rural with only a couple service stations, a couple small eating establishments, and a bank or two. The community was mostly residential. In the mid 1960s a then-average-sized 20,000-square-foot (1,900 m2) A&P Supermarket was built. 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. 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 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 [[Six Flags Great Adventure]|Great Adventure]] in Jackson Township, New Jersey. The former site of Jungle Habitat, in recent years has become a location for various Township activities such as the annual Fourth of July Fireworks display.With the loss of tax revenue and the needs of the residents in mind, the township did approve the addition of more businesses to the township. In the late 1970s, a 45,000-square-foot (4,200 m2) ShopRite supermarket was built, and was expanded in the mid-1980s. Shortly after other businesses joined the area. Near the ShopRite are several restaurants and fast food establishments were built including McDonald's as well as a four-screen movie theater, which recently closed down. In the late 1990s, A & P closed its obsolete store and built a 60,000-square-foot (5,600 m2) supermarket a few miles away from the town center, but next door to their former store.West Milford businesses are represented by the West Milford Chamber of Commerce, an organization of business men and women that has been in existence since 1949. Its mission is to improve and enhance the business community in West Milford.In May 2009, Eden Farms, an eight acre 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.
Local government
The Township of West Milford operates under the Faulkner Act: New Jersey’s Optional Municipal Charter Law, Mayor-Council-Administrator Plan as of January 1, 2004. This plan is described as a 'Faulknerized' version of the borough form of government. The Legislature accepted the recommendation of the commission, and added the Mayor-Council-Administrator plan to the Faulkner Act as the fourth optional form of municipal government in 1981.The voters of West Milford Township adopted the Mayor-Council-Administrator Plan at a Special Election held on December 10, 2002. Under the mayor-council-administrator plan, West Milford is governed by an elected mayor and council, with an appointed municipal administrator. The government consists of a Mayor and a Township Council made up of six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Township Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.The Mayor holds executive power under the mayor-council-administrator plan. The Mayor presides over meetings of the Township Council but does not vote except to break a tie. When the Township Council passes an ordinance, the Mayor has ten days upon receiving it to exercise one of three options: 1. sign the ordinance into law; or, 2. veto all or any part of it by delivering it to the Township Clerk with a written statement of his objections for return to the Township Council; or 3. let the ordinance become law automatically by neither signing nor vetoing it within the ten days of receiving it.If the Mayor vetoes an ordinance, the Township Council can override it by a ⅔ majority vote. The Mayor’s veto, however, in the mayor-council-administrator plan, as in the borough form, is rather ineffectual. In both forms of government the four vote simple majority needed to pass an ordinance is also the ⅔ extra-majority needed to override the Mayor’s veto. In both forms, the Mayor’s veto is more of a symbolic gesture.The Mayor appoints, with the advice and consent of the Township Council, the Township Administrator, the Township Clerk, the Township Attorney, the Tax Assessor, the Tax Collector, the Treasurer and such other officers as may be provided by ordinance.The Township Council’s responsibilities include enacting ordinances and resolutions, establishing policies, preparing the annual budget with the assistance of the Township Administrator and the Treasurer, and levying taxes. Additionally, the council makes appointments to both the policy and decision-making boards and various advisory committees in accordance with general law and Township ordinances and resolutions.The Township Administrator in the mayor-council-administrator plan supervises the administration of each of the departments established by ordinance, may investigate the organization and operation of any municipal department, prescribe standards and rules of administrative practice and procedure, and consult with the department heads. The Township Administrator also directs the business affairs of the Township, and has, as provided by ordinance, such powers and performs such duties which are not required by the mayor-council-administrator plan or by general law to be exercised by the Mayor, Township Council or other officer, board or body. The Township Administrator serves during the term of the Mayor appointing him, however the Township Council may remove the administrator by a ⅔ majority vote.The Mayor of West Milford Township is Bettina Bieri, whose term of office ends December 31, 2011.Members of the Township Council are:Marilyn Lichtenberg (R)(2010)
Robert Nolan (D)(2010)
Carmelo P. Scangarello (R)(2008)
Salvatore Schimmenti (R)(2009)
Joseph Smolinski (R)(2009)
Philip H. Weisbecker (R)(2008)
On November 4, 2008, township residents elected Dan Jurkovic (R) to fill the vacancy left by Scangarello, who did not run for re-election. Weisbecker won his bid for re-election. On November 3, 2009, the citizens of West Milford reelected Council President Joseph Smolinski (R) to another 3 year term. His running mate, Michael Ramaglia (R), was also elected and will assume the seat of Salvatore Schimmenti, who chose to not see reelection.
Federal, state and county representation
West Milford Township is in the Fifth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 26th Legislative District.New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District is represented by Scott Garrett (R, Wantage Township). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).The 26th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Joseph Pennacchio (R, Pine Brook) and in the New Jersey General Assembly by Alex DeCroce (R, Morris Plains) and Jay Webber (R, Morris Plains). The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham). The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).Passaic County is governed by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, who are elected to staggered three-year terms on an at-large basis, with two or three seats coming up for election each year. As of January 2010[update], Passaic County's Freeholders (and the year their term ends) are Freeholder Director Bruce James (2012, D-Clifton), Freeholder Deputy Director Pat Lepore (2011, D-Woodland Park), Deborah E. Ciambrone (2013, R-Wayne), Terry Duffy (2011, D-West Milford), Greyson P. Hannigan (2012, D-Paterson), Michael Marrotta (2013, R-Wayne), Edward O'Connell (2013, R-Wanaque).
Highlands protection
In 2004, the New Jersey Legislature passed the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act, which regulates the New Jersey Highlands region. West Milford 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.
Education
The West Milford Township Public Schools serve 4,500 students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade. West Milford has six elementary schools (grades K-6), one middle school (grade 7-8), and one high school (grades 9-12). Further, the district supports a Center for Adult/Community Education. The school system has 361 certified staff members, over 50% of whom have a master's degree or higher.Schools in the district are West Milford High School (known for its kilted pipers and Scottish-themed marching band, the Highlanders), Macopin Middle School, and the six elementary schools: Maple Road School, Westbrook School, Apshawa School, Upper Greenwood Lake School, Paradise Knoll School and the Marshall Hill School.There was also one Catholic school, Our Lady Queen of Peace, located in the community of Hewitt until 2010. OLQP School celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2009, and was honored to have its Fourth Grade teacher, Lorraine Ford, named as a finalist for the 2008 New Jersey Nonpublic School Teacher of the Year award.The old Newfoundland, two-room schoolhouse was the Village Square Inn Restaurant until it closed in 2010. The old Hillcrest School is now the township's community center. The few one-room schoolhouses are all gone; 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).
Sports
West Milford sports are overseen by the township department of Community Services and Recreation. The township has individual organizations that run each youth sports program, including West Milford Little League Baseball (WMLL), West Milford Police Athletic League (PAL) Basketball, West Milford PAL Soccer, West Milford PAL Cheerleading, West Milford-Star Athletics Cheerleading, West Milford Midget Football Association (WMMFA) Football, WMMFA Cheerleading, West Milford Amateur Baseball Association (WMABA) Baseball, and West Milford Softball. These organizations work collaboratively to provide the best athletic experience for township residents.West Milford also offers a variety of travel sports teams to offer selected athletes a higher level of competition. These teams include (or have previously included) West Milford Xtreme softball, West Milford Wolverines baseball, West Milford Wolfpack baseball, West Milford Warhawks baseball, West Milford Wildcats basketball, West Milford-Star Athletics competition cheerleading, West Milford/Jackson Elite-Hurricanes baseball,PC Crush baseball and the Connie Mack baseball program.Some township athletic accomplishments are listed below:Youth Sports:--Little League All-Stars (Baseball): In 2004, the West Milford 10 Year-Old National All-Stars placed second in the New Jersey, losing the state championship to the team from Jackson, New Jersey. That team won the New Jersey District-2 title and the New Jersey Section-1 title en route to the state finals. In 2006, a team made up of most of the same players placed second in the state in 12 year old All-star play. They lost to the team from Livingston, New Jersey, who went on to place second in the Mid-Atlantic Region. This team again won the District-2 and Section-1 championships. Also in 2004, the 12 Year-Old American All-Stars won the District-2 championship.In 2007, the West Milford 12 Year-Old and 10 Year-Old All-Star teams both won their respective District-2 championships.In 2008 and 2009, the West Milford 10 year old all stars again won their respective District-2 championships.--PAL Wildcats (Travel Basketball): In 2004-05, the West Milford Wildcats-4 travel team won the Morris County Boys and Girls Club League championship. That same team, after moving up to be the Wildcats-5, won the Lakeland Basketball League championship, the first in the West Milford PAL program's history, in 2005.In 2006-07, the Wildcats-4 team finished the season undefeated in league play. The Wildcats-5 team won the Lakeland Basketball League championship. In 2007-08, both the Wildcats-5 and Wildcats-6 teams won the championship of their respective age brackets of the New Jersey Junior Basketball League. In 2008-2009 the Wildcats-6 team won the championship for the third time.In 2009-2010 the Wildcats-8 won the New Jersey Junior Basketball League. They were the first Wildcat-8 team to win a championship, it was their third overall.--Pony Softball: In 2007, the West Milford 14U Pony softball team won second in the state and advanced to the National Tournament.--Travel Baseball (West Milford Wolverines, West Milford Wolfpack, West Milford Warhawks, West Milford/Jackson Elite-Hurricanes, West Milford Connie Mack program, PC Crush): West Milford's travel baseball programs have combined to win over 100 league and tournament championships. These programs serve competitive young athletes of the township, and programs are offered at every age level.For more about the athletic programs at West Milford High School, please visit the 'Athletics' section of that page.
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of West Milford include: C & M World WideJasper Francis Cropsey(1823–1900), famed Hudson River School landscape painter, referred to as 'America's Painter of Autumn'.
Samantha Czulada (born 1995), original member of the Broadway cast ofBilly Elliot the Musical.
Lennie Friedman(born 1976), offensive lineman with theCleveland Browns.
Sam Garnes(born 1974), former safety for theNew York GiantsandNew York Jets.[citation needed]
Giulia Griffith(born 1991), winner of 2008's 'Miss Dance of the United States'.
Jeremy Glick(1970–2001), passenger/hero ofUnited Flight 93onSeptember 11, 2001.
Billy Howerdel(born 1970), founding member, guitarist, songwriter, and producer for the bandsA Perfect CircleandAshes Divide.
Gary Oppenheimer (born 1952),CNN Heroand founder ofAmpleHarvest.org- a nationwide anti-hunger charity connecting millions of home gardeners who grow food with local food pantries.
Carol-Lynn Parente, executive producer ofSesame Streetand winner of sevenEmmy Awardsfor her work on the program.
Kevin Walker(born 1965), former linebacker for theCincinnati Bengals.
Donna Weinbrecht(born 1965), First woman to win the first gold medal awarded in the first Olympic mogul competitions.
Tom Wopat(born 1951), actor who played Luke Duke inThe Dukes of Hazzard.
