Dear Elmwood Park Residents:                                                                           October 24, 2018

Please be advised that in light of the recent pedestrian fatalities that have occurred on Broadway (Route 4) in Elmwood Park, I have instructed my Traffic Division to contact the New Jersey Department of Transportation to insist that the appropriate steps are taken, immediately, to enhance pedestrian safety and to deter pedestrians from crossing that stretch of roadway, unless they are in the crosswalk at the traffic control device.

The Elmwood Park Police Department Traffic Division reported that the individual that they spoke with from the D.O.T. was very receptive and is making this issue a priority. Any changes or enhancements to a state highway must be approved by the Department of Transportation.

We expressed to them that we would like a short term immediate barrier to be put in place and are further seeking a long term solution of some sort of fencing. We have requested that the barrier be placed from the Broadway Bridge up to Iozia Terrace.

The safety and security of our residents and visitors is an absolute priority and we will work diligently regarding this matter until the appropriate change is made.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this issue or if I could be of assistance in anyway, please feel free to contact my office at 201-796-0764.

Sincerely,

Michael Foligno

Chief of Police

Elmwood Park residents have a long history of volunteering for their community. Each year, residents offer their time, energy, knowledge, and talents to our municipality by offering to serve on one of our boards or committees.

Please use the below Municipal Volunteer Form to express your interest in an appointment to any municipal committee, commission or board. Please e-mail or fax your completed form to the Municipal Clerk's office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 201-794-0976. You may also print and mail your completed form to 182 Market Street, Elmwood Park, NJ 07407. Thank you!

Q: How do I register to vote?

A: For information on registering to vote, and to download a voter registration form, visit the Borough Clerk's page on Elections & Voting.

Q: Where do I go to vote?

A: Elmwood Park is divided into election districts; click here to view the town's polling locations.

Q: When does my garbage get picked up?

A: Detailed information is contained in the "Waste Watchers Handbook", which is available for download below. You can also click the "Calendar" navigation tab.

Q: When do I put out my recycling?

A: Click the "Calendar" navigation tab to view the recycling pickup dates. You can also download the Waste Watchers Handbook from the previous link.

Q: How do I get rid of my leaves and yard debris?

A: Detailed information about the pickup of grass clippings, yard debris, and leaves is available in the Waste Watchers Handbook, which you can download from the above link. You can also check out the "Calendar" section of this site for pickup dates.

Q: How do I know what "section" of town I'm in for recycling and DPW pickup?

A: Section 1: from Kipp Avenue to Route 80, west of Boulevard to River Drive. Section 2: from Dye Avenue to Gilbert Avenue, east of Boulevard to railroad tracks, including all of Cherry Hill. Section 3: from Route 80 to Route 4,west of Boulevard to River Drive. Section 4: Rosemont Section and Route 4 to Washington Avenue, east of Boulevard to railroad tracks.

Q: How do I pay my property taxes?

A: Visit the Tax Collector's Office page for details.

Q: Do I need a license for my dog or cat?

A: Information on the licensing of dogs and cats is found on the Health Department's Health Services & Programs page.

Q: What do I have to do to hold a garage sale?

A: Information on garage sales is available on the Police Department's page, along with a downloadable application form.

Q: How do I get a marriage license?

A: Click here for details and a downloadable application: Marriage Licenses

Q: How do I get a building permit?

A: Click to contact the Building Department.

Q: How do I apply for a variance?

A: Click to contact the Building Department. For information on the Planning Board including application forms, click here. For information on the Zoning Board of Adjustment including application forms, click here.

Q: How do I obtain a Certificate of Occupancy?

A: Click to contact the Building Department.

Q: Where are the Borough parks & playgrounds?

A: Click here for a listing of town parks and playgrounds, including maps to their locations.

Q: What recreation programs does the town offer?

A: Visit the Recreation Department's page for details, including a downloadable program brochure.

Q: What services and activities are there for senior citizens?

A: Information on senior citizen services is available here.

Q: How do I find out what's going on in town?

A: Click on the "News" navigation tab to read recent Notices & Announcements and Community News. You can also click on the "Calendar" tab to see upcoming meetings, events, recreation activities, and more.

Q: When are the meetings of the meetings of the Mayor & Council?

A: Click here for a list of the Mayor & Council's scheduled meetings. You can also click on the "Calendar" tab to see upcoming meetings.

Q: What's on the Mayor & Council's Agenda?

A: Agendas and minutes of the Mayor & Council are available for viewing/downloading from the "Downloads" tab.

Q: When is the Municipal Court in session?

A: Information on the Elmwood Park Municipal Court is available here. You can also click on the "Calendar" tab to find out when the court is in session.

Q: How do I pay a motor vehicle ticket?

A: Please refer to the Municipal Court & Violations Office page. You can also pay certain tickets online at http://www.njmcdirect.com.

Q: Where do I get information about the schools in Elmwood Park?

A: Click here: Elmwood Park Public School System.

Q: Where is the library?

A: Click here: Elmwood Park Public Library.

Elmwood Park Related Sites

• Elmwood Park Police Department
• Elmwood Park Fire Department
• Elmwood Park Fire Department on Facebook
• Elmwood Park Volunteer Ambulance Corps
• Elmwood Park Volunteer Ambulance Corps on Facebook
• Elmwood Park Public Library
• Elmwood Park Public Schools
• Elmwood Park Regional Chamber of Commerce

Government Sites

• County of Bergen
• Bergen County Utilities Authority
• Bergen County Sheriff's Office
• Bergen County Office Emergency Management
• State of New Jersey
• Office of the Governor
• New Jersey State Police
• New Jersey Office of Emergency Management
• New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
• New Jersey Municipal Courts Direct (pay tickets online)
• New Jersey State Library
• New Jersey State Courts
• Assemblywoman Shavonda E. Sumter (District 35)
• Assemblyman Benjie E. Wimberly (District 35)
• Senator Nellie Pou (District 35)
• New Jersey State Legislature
• Congressman Bill Pascrell (9th Congressional District)
• United States House of Representatives
• Senator Cory Booker
• Senator Robert Menendez
• United States Senate
• The White House
• FEMA
• Department of Homeland Security

Utilities & Helpful Resources

• PSE&G
  
• Verizon
• Time Warner Cable
• Cablevision/Optimum
• DirecTV
• National Weather Service
• National Hurricane Center
• National Flood Insurance Program

Located at 210 Lee Street, the Elmwood Park Public Library contains more than 50,000 materials including a wide variety of books, magazines, newspapers, CDs, DVDs, and books on tape and CD. Downloadable audio books are also available to Elmwood Park patrons via the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS) website.

As a member of BCCLS, the library’s patrons can use their Elmwood Park library card to borrow books and audiovisual materials from any of the 70+ BCCLS member libraries. Materials can also be borrowed from throughout the state and the country through our Interlibrary Loan program.

The Library offers a wide variety of services to the public that includes:

• Weekly Story Time Programs for pre-school children and toddlers
• Summer reading program for children
• Drop-in activities for children year-round

For more information, please visit the Library's web site at http://www.elmwoodparklibrary.com.

Where in Elmwood Park is it?

Area:

- Total 2.8 sq mi (7.1 km²)
- Land 2.7 sq mi (6.9 km²)
- Water 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²)
Elevation: 46 ft (14 m)

Population (2010):
- Total 19,403
- Density 7,129.8/sq mi (2,757.4/km²)

Historical Populations:
Year / Population / % ±
1930 4,779
1940 4,937 3.3%
1950 15,386 211.6%
1960 19,344 25.7%
1970 20,511 6.0%
1980 18,377 -10.4%
1990 17,623 -4.1%
2000 18,925 7.4%
2010 19,403 2.5%

ZIP Code: 07407
Area Code: 201

The 2010 United States Census reported that there were 19,403 people, 7,032 households and 5,140 families residing in the borough. The racial makeup of Elmwood Park was 75.4% (14,624) White, 5.3% (1,019) African American, 0.3% (65) Native American, 10.7% (2,080) Asian, 0.0% (4) Pacific Islander, 5.5% (1,062) from other races, and 2.8% (549) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21.2% (4,117).

As of the census of 2000, there were 18,925 people, 7,089 households, and 5,075 families residing in the borough. The population density was 7,129.8 people per square mile (2,757.4/km2). There were 7,242 housing units at an average density of 2,728.3 per square mile (1,055.2/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 78.53% White, 4.16% African American, 0.11% Native American, 7.80% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 4.44% from other races, and 2.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.39% of the population.

There were 7,089 households out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.4% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% 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 3.17.

In the borough the population was spread out with 20.9% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 31.4% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $52,319, and the median income for a family was $59,131. Males had a median income of $40,684 versus $39,535 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $28,588. About 4.7% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

Map of Elmwood Park's Location

The Elmwood Park Public Schools serve students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Schools in the district consist of three K-5 elementary schools, Gantner Avenue School with approximately 289 students, Gilbert Avenue School with 329 students, and Sixteenth Avenue School with 300 students; Memorial Middle School with approximately 542 students in grades 6-8; and Elmwood Park Memorial High School with approximately 648 students in grades 9-12.

Click below to visit the web site of the particular school for additional information:

• Gantner Avenue School (Grades K-5)
• Gilbert Avenue School (Grades K-5)
• Sixteenth Avenue School (Grades K-5)
• Memorial Middle School (Grades 6-8)
• Memorial High School

For more information, visit the Elmwood Park Board of Education web site at www.elmwoodparkschools.org.

Private Schools in Elmwood Park

St. Leo's School
300 Market Street
Elmwood Park, NJ 07407

www.stleosschool.org

As recently as 300 years ago, New Jersey was Indian territory, roamed freely by the Lenni Lenape, a branch of the Algonquins. That changed as Europeans settlers moved into the area, gradually forcing the native peoples to move west.

Originally part of the Dutch colony of New Netherland, this territory fell into English hands in 1664, when all the land between the Hudson and Delaware Rivers was given as a gift to the Lords Berkeley and Carteret, who named it Nova Caesaria or New Jersey. In 1676 the colony was divided into two portions, with Carteret holding the eastern part of the colony, which became known as East Jersey.

Earliest settlements in East Jersey developed along the western side of the Hudson River near Jersey City and Hoboken as well as on the Hackensack River. In time settlers spread further north and west, locating near other rivers and streams.

This immediate area was attractively situated between two rivers later known as the Passaic and Saddle Rivers. It was part of a tract that was settled in the early 1700s by Dutch farmers, most of them named Cadmus, Toers, Garretson, Van Horn and Van Houten. Later in the century, they were joined by the Van Riper, Doremus, Berdan, Romeyne and Post families as well as others.

When the earliest settlers came to farm this tract, it was part of New Barbadoes Township, but that changed when the township was subdivided in 1716. The tract was then incorporated as part of Saddle River Township for the next 200 years. Within the large Township, the stretch of land along the Passaic River now known as Garfield, Elmwood Park and Fair Lawn was known as Slotterdam or Slooterdam through much of the eighteenth century.

The tract flourished as farmland until the latter half of the nineteenth century, when this quiet agrarian countryside was stirred by outside forces. A major influence was the Dundee Water Power and Land Company, which built a dam for water power across the Passaic River south of what is today Elmwood Park. The Dundee Dam, completed in 1860 between what is now Garfield and Clifton, promoted development of manufacturing in the area.

Though the land just north of the dam did not receive water power, it was certainly affected by it. With the dam and its subsequent back-up of water and the widening of the river to form what appeared to be a lake, the topography of our immediate section of the river was altered. The lake, called Dundee Lake, became a landmark, providing a popular recreation spot as well as a name by which to identify the contiguous area.

This became evident when in 1872 the New Jersey Midland Railroad Company ran the first passenger train between Hackensack and Paterson. One of the line's stops was on River Drive just north of what is today Market Street. Named the “Dundee Lake Station and Post Office,” it gave this portion of Saddle River Township its own separate identity.

Dundee Lake, like the rest of Saddle River Township. remained primarily agricultural until the end of the nineteenth century, when farmland around the Dundee Lake and Warren Point train depots and later the trolley line that ran along Broadway was sold to developers. These properties were divided into small home lots, and though few homes were actually built, the community began to change. Also built near the Dundee Lake Depot during this era was the Northern New Jersey Fair Grounds, which, for a number of seasons, attracted many visitors, especially for horse racing.

By the turn of the century, with factory jobs available in nearby Garfield, Paterson and Passaic as well as a local silk mill, increased numbers of people moved to Dundee Lake or commuted here to work. Meanwhile a golf course built along Broadway brought others for recreation. Though the town was still largely agrarian, Dundee Lake was growing far beyond the rest of Saddle River Township and paying almost half of the tax dollars. Its additional population, traffic and commerce required street lighting, roads, sidewalks and other improvements that the rest of the farming community did not.

Angered by repeated delays in appropriations for improvements, a group of Dundee Lake citizens formed a committee to establish an independent municipality. They selected a name for the new community and spearheaded a drive to have a required bill drawn up by the Assembly. After its passage, Dundee Lake residents voted on April 18, 1916, to secede from Saddle River Township. The new town was quickly incorporated as the Borough of East Paterson, and by June, citizens had elected its first public officials. One year later, residents from the Rosemont section of Saddle River Township voted to be annexed to East Paterson, extending the new Borough's borders.

In the decade following incorporation, the Borough obtained services such as water supply, sewage disposal, gas, electricity, door-to-door mail delivery and additional fire protection. By 1930, there was still much available land, but the population had doubled from 2,440 to 4,779. As a result, educational and social facilities, commercial establishments and travel ways were, by necessity, increased or improved.

The 1940s introduced many changes as large tracts of land were purchased for development. Early in the decade the Cherry Hill section was bought by the government to build much needed housing for workers in nearby defense factories, including Wright's local aeronautical plant. But most building took place after the war, with large housing developments as well as the introduction of a thousand garden apartments and a new, modern retail mall on the site of the former country club and golf course. As a result of the post-World War II “boom,” our population swelled to almost 16,000 and the needs of the community rose accordingly. As an example, existing schools could not house the influx of students, so three new schools were built in the 1950s.

The next twenty years saw a smaller but substantial surge in population to 22,749 as well as considerable building development. By 1970 the community was ninety-five percent developed, and building became minimal except for family units. By far the biggest change in the community had been additional division by major highways for mass transit. Already crossed by New Jersey State Routes 4 and 46, the town was further divided in the 1960s by the completion of the Garden State Parkway and Interstate Route 80.

In November of 1972, a major decision was reached by residents when the town voted to change the name of the Borough from East Paterson to Elmwood Park. The new name became official on January 1, 1973.

History courtesy of Geraldine Mola

Welcome to our Elmwood Park web site. We hope that it meets with your approval and adds to your knowledge of our community.

A vast amount of Borough information has been included for you to access. Our plan is for the information to be continually expanded and updated.

We understand that the site can always use suggestions from the public and welcome submissions from our residents. Any ideas you have will be carefully reviewed and, if appropriate, added to the site.

Welcome to the official web site of the Borough of Elmwood Park, in Bergen County, New Jersey.

Prior to 1916, the area which is now Elmwood Park was known as Dundee Lake, a section of Saddle River Township. Residents of the Dundee Lake area voted on April 18, 1916 to secede from Saddle River Township, to form the Borough of East Paterson. In 1917, residents of the Rosemont section of Saddle River Township voted to be annexed to East Paterson. In November of 1972, residents voted to change the name of the Borough to Elmwood Park. The new name became official on January 1, 1973.

As of the 2010, census there were 19,403 people, 7,089 households, and 5,075 families residing in the Borough. The population density was 7,129.8/mi² (2,757.4/km²). For additional information, please see Demographics.

Form of Government in Elmwood Park

The Borough of Elmwood Park was originally incorporated in 1916, and is governed by a Mayor and six-member Council whose members oversee the Borough's administrative agencies. The Mayor is elected directly by the voters to serve a term of four years. Members of the Council serve overlapping terms, with two members elected at large each year to serve for three years.

Under the Borough form of government, Council members act as the legislative body with the Mayor presiding at meetings and voting in the event of a tie. Most appointments are made by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council. The Mayor also annually assigns Council committee and liaison duties to effectively carry on the business of government.