Montvale was incorporated as a borough on August 31, 1894, from portions of Orvil Township and Washington Township.[22] The borough was formed during the "Boroughitis" phenomenon then sweeping through Bergen County, in which 26 boroughs were formed in the county in 1894 alone.[23] On February 15, 1896, Montvale acquired part of Orvil Township. In 1906, Montvale added further land from Orvil and Washington townships, and in 1912, Montvale added territory from Upper Saddle River.[22] On May 20, 1959, portions of Montvale were passed to River Vale, and on December 9 and 14, 1965, territories were exchanged between Montvale and Upper Saddle River.[24] The borough's name is derived from its topography.[25]
Montvale is nicknamed "The Pride of the Pascack Valley".[26]
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 4.03 square miles (10.45 km2), including 4.02 square miles (10.42 km2) of land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) of water (0.25%).[1][2]
The 2020 United States census counted 8,436 people and 3,016 households residing in the borough. The population density was 2,093.3 per square mile (808.2/km2). There were 3,115 housing units with a density of approximately 773 per square mile (298/km2). The racial makeup was 79.5% (6,709) White, 2.7% (225) Black or African American, 0.5% (45) Native American, 17.4% (1,471) Asian, 0.1% (8) Pacific Islander, and 6.8% (576) from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.1% (683) of the population.[38]
Of the 3,016 households, 37% (1,116) had children under the age of 18. 67.1% (2,023) were married couples living together, 19.6% (590) had a female householder with no spouse present, and 10.5% (318) had a male householder with no spouse present.[38]
77% of the population were over the age of 18, and 18.4% of the population were over the age of 65. The median age was 43.8. The median age for men was 43, and the median age for women was 44.8.[38]
Of the 2,778 households, 39.3% had children under the age of 18; 68.6% were married couples living together; 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 20.7% were non-families. Of all households, 17.6% were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.22.[19]
26.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 93.1 males.[19]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $111,633 (with a margin of error of +/− $13,448) and the median family income was $140,026 (+/− $14,508). Males had a median income of $100,000 (+/− $13,987) versus $55,000 (+/− $4,957) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $53,974 (+/− $7,262). About 3.6% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 1.5% of those age 65 or over.[39]
Same-sex couples headed 10 households in 2010, an increase from the 8 counted in 2010.[40]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census,[16] there were 7,034 people, 2,509 households, and 1,999 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,769.8 inhabitants per square mile (683.3/km2). There were 2,590 housing units at an average density of 651.7 per square mile (251.6/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 92.79% White, 0.44% African American, 0.09% Native American, 5.36% Asian, 0.63% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.09% of the population.[36][37]
There were 2,509 households, out of which 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.4% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.3% were non-families. 17.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.18.[36][37]
In the borough, the population was spread out, with 25.9% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.[36][37]
The median income for a household in the borough was $93,031, and the median income for a family was $104,047. Males had a median income of $80,355 versus $37,440 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $45,448. About 0.9% of families and 0.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.4% of those under age 18 and 1.0% of those age 65 or over.[36][37]
Economy
Montvale is home to the corporate headquarters of numerous major companies including Sharp Corporation (U.S. headquarters)[41] and Benjamin Moore.[42] In January 2015, Mercedes-Benz USA announced that they would be moving their headquarters from New Jersey to the Atlanta area later that year. The company had been based in North Jersey since 1972 and had 1,000 employees on a 37-acre (15 ha) campus in Montvale. Despite incentive offers from the State of New Jersey to remain in Bergen County, Mercedes-Benz cited proximity to manufacturing facilities and a growing customer base in the southeast in addition to as much as $50 million in tax incentives from Georgia governmental agencies.[43] The borough was the world headquarters for The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (parent company of supermarket chains including A&P Markets, Pathmark and Waldbaum's) from the 1970s until its bankruptcy in 2015.[44]
Montvale is home to the operational headquarters of Ingersoll Rand, Pentax and KPMG[45] have a large local presence. The international marketing and commercial services headquarters of Western Union are located in Montvale.[46]
The Shoppes at DePiero's Farm is a strip mall located on the former site of DePiero's Farm that opened on September 24, 2017. It is located just off exit 172 of the Garden State Parkway, directly across from the former Mercedes-Benz headquarters office. Notable tenants include the first location of Wegmans in Bergen County.[47] Due to state blue laws in effect in Bergen County, most retail stores in the strip mall are closed on Sundays except for grocery stores and restaurants.
Government
Local government
Montvale is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.[48] The governing body is comprised of a mayor and a borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council is comprised of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.[6] The borough form of government used by Montvale is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.[49][50]
The mayor and council meet every second Tuesday of the month for formal public meetings and on the last Tuesday of the month for informal work sessions. Meetings are open to the public and residents are given the opportunity to speak on proposed ordinances and other matters of concern at the formal meetings. Government-access television (GATV) usually televises the first meeting of each month on the local Public-access televisioncable TV channel.
The mayor is the chief executive officer of the borough, and as such presides over all public meetings, provides leadership in the development of community projects and makes appointments to various boards. The borough council exercises all legislative powers including adoption of the municipal budget, bond ordinances and the general business of the community.
The council's powers include adoption of ordinances; reviewing, revising and adopting the budget; making appropriations; levying taxes; authorizing bond issues; providing for the internal structure of local government; providing by ordinance for the creation and abolition of jobs; fixing salaries and establishing general municipal policy.
As of 2023[update], the mayor of Montvale Borough is Republican Michael Ghassali, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. The Montvale Borough Council is comprised of Council President Douglas M. Arendacs (R, 2023), Theresa Sileo Cudequest (R, 2023; elected to serve an unexpired term), Dieter Koelling (R, 2024), Timothy E. Lane (R, 2025), Christopher A. Roche (R, 2025), and Annmarie Russo-Vogelsang (R, 2024).[3][51][52][53][54][55][56]
In December 2021, the council appointed former councilmember Theresa Cudequest from a list of three names nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by Rose Curry until she resigned from office. Cudequest served on an interim basis until the November 2022 general election, when voters chose her to serve the balance of the term of office.[57][53]
Federal, state and county representation
Montvale is located in the 5th Congressional District[58] and is part of New Jersey's 39th state legislative district.[59][60][61]
Bergen County is governed by a directly elected County Executive, with legislative functions performed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of seven members who are elected at-large to three-year terms in partisan elections on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election each November; a Chairman and Vice Chairman are selected from among its seven members at a reorganization meeting held every January. As of 2024[update], the county executive is James J. Tedesco III (D, Paramus), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2026.[68]
As of March 2011, there were a total of 5,132 registered voters in Montvale, of which 1,080 (21.0% vs. 31.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,546 (30.1% vs. 21.1%) were registered as Republicans and 2,499 (48.7% vs. 47.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 7 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[90] Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 65.4% (vs. 57.1% in Bergen County) were registered to vote, including 89.3% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 73.7% countywide).[90][91]
In the 2020 presidential election, Democrat Joe Biden received 2,696 votes, ahead of Republican Donald Trump who received 2,437 votes (51.4% to 46.4%).[92] In the 2016 presidential election, Republican Donald Trump received 2,221 votes (51.0% vs. 41.1% countywide), ahead of Democrat Hillary Clinton with 1,960 votes (45.0% vs. 54.2%) and other candidates with 178 votes (4.1% vs. 4.6%), among the 4,402 ballots cast by the borough's 5,780 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.2% (vs. 72.5% in Bergen County).[93] In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 2,275 votes (56.1% vs. 43.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 1,718 votes (42.3% vs. 54.8%) and other candidates with 39 votes (1.0% vs. 0.9%), among the 4,057 ballots cast by the borough's 5,494 registered voters, for a turnout of 73.8% (vs. 70.4% in Bergen County).[94][95]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 69.5% of the vote (1,714 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 29.5% (728 votes), and other candidates with 0.9% (23 votes), among the 2,514 ballots cast by the borough's 5,299 registered voters (49 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 47.4%.[96][97] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,590 votes (57.9% vs. 45.8% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 972 votes (35.4% vs. 48.0%), Independent Chris Daggett with 133 votes (4.8% vs. 4.7%) and other candidates with 15 votes (0.5% vs. 0.5%), among the 2,744 ballots cast by the borough's 5,197 registered voters, yielding a 52.8% turnout (vs. 50.0% in the county).[98]
Emergency services
Montvale has a volunteer fire department that was established in 1924. The department consists of a chief, an assistant chief, two captain companies, and two lieutenant companies. The station is home to Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 4, and Tower 5.[99][100] MFD is part of Bergen County Fire Battalion 8 and dispatching is contracted to Ridgewood-based Northwest Bergen Central Dispatch.[101]
Along with Park Ridge and Woodcliff Lake, Montvale is one of the communities that is part of the Tri-Boro Volunteer Ambulance Corps, founded in 1938 and provides EMS service to these three communities. Tri-Boro is a non-profit and full volunteer group which provides free emergency service to those in the community who need it at any time. Its headquarters is located in Park Ridge near Mill Pond.[102]
Montvale has its own police department. The police station is located in the Borough Hall on Mercedes Drive.[103]
Public school students from Montvale in ninth through twelfth grades attend Pascack Hills High School along with students from neighboring Woodcliff Lake. The school is part of the Pascack Valley Regional High School District, which also serves students from Hillsdale and River Vale.[111][112] Pascack Hills High School was the 7th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 339 schools statewide, in New Jersey Monthly magazine's September 2014 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", after being ranked 18th in 2012 out of 328 schools.[113] As of the 2018–19 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 842 students and 70.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.0:1.[114] Seats on the high-school district's nine-member board of education are allocated based on the population of the constituent municipalities, with two seats assigned to Montvale.[115]
Public school students from the borough, 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.[116][117]
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 46.82 miles (75.35 km) of roadways, of which 36.54 miles (58.81 km) were maintained by the municipality, 8.49 miles (13.66 km) by Bergen County and 1.79 miles (2.88 km) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.[120]
Each Memorial Day, the Tri-Boro area consisting of Montvale, Woodcliff Lake, and Park Ridge all participate in the annual Memorial Day Parade.[156]
Since the 1920s, Santa arrives every Christmas Eve in the park on a fire truck and distributes stockings and toys to each child.
In late June there is a Day in the Park featuring, rides for the children, contests, food, and live music, concluding with fireworks.
In October, the Montvale Chamber of Commerce holds the annual Montvale Street Fair.
On September 11, a candle-lit Memorial Service is held. In 2021, a monument was erected in honor of those who died in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
^Harvey, Cornelius Burnham. Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey, p. 11, New Jersey Genealogical Publishing Company, 1900. Accessed September 2, 2013. "For a period of sixteen years following the passage of this act few boroughs were organized in the State, only three of them being in Bergen County.... As it was twenty-six boroughs were created in the county from January 23, 1894, to December 18, of the same year."
^Olohan, Michael. "Shovels Are In: ‘Urban Neighborhood’ Under Construction in Montvale", Pascack Press, February 11, 2020. Accessed March 14, 2023. "Following up on Hekemian’s presentation, Planning Board Chair John DePinto, who served as chair for 35 years and 42 years on the board, said Montvale has 'always been known as the pride of the Pascack Valley' and noted with corporate partners such as KPMG, S. Hekemian and other corporations, 'we are the envy of the northern portion of Bergen County and we are very proud of it,' he said."
^Global Locations, Western Union Business Solutions. Accessed August 3, 2015.
^Verdon, Joan. "The Wegmans: Why we are in Montvale", The Record, September 18, 2017. "Wegmans, the supermarket chain consistently ranked the best in the country by Consumer Reports, is opening a store in Montvale this week — in part because chairman Danny Wegman fell in love with the family farm on the site.... Wegman said he felt an immediate emotional connection to the farm and country store, which the DePiero family had operated in Montvale since 1924, and to the DePieros who were still running the farm.... Bergen County's first Wegmans is slated to open in Montvale this September."
^"Cudequest returns to Borough Council", Pascack Press, December 9, 2021. Accessed April 11, 2022. "The Montvale Borough Council has unanimously approved the appointment of Theresa Sileo Cudequest to serve out the remainder of former councilwoman Rose Curry's term. Cudequest served on the Montvale council 2011–2015 and served and volunteered on many town boards.... He said the chairman of the Republican committee, Chris Roche, would submit three names to the council on Tuesday, Nov. 30, for consideration. The council voted on the replacement. Ghassali said there will be a special election in November 2022 to fill the remainder of Curry's term of office."
^Biography, Congressman Josh Gottheimer. Accessed January 3, 2019. "Josh now lives in Wyckoff, New Jersey with Marla, his wife who was a federal prosecutor, and their two young children, Ellie and Ben."
^Biography of Bob Menendez, United States Senate, January 26, 2015. "Menendez, who started his political career in Union City, moved in September from Paramus to one of Harrison's new apartment buildings near the town's PATH station.."
^Cattafi, Kristie. "Democrats pick Bergenfield councilman to fill vacancy on Bergen County commissioners board", The Record, March 13, 2023. Accessed March 16, 2023. "A Democratic councilman from Bergenfield will be sworn in as a Bergen County commissioner Wednesday night, filling a vacancy on the governing body for almost 1 million residents. Rafael Marte will serve until Dec. 31, taking on the unexpired term left by former Commissioner Ramon Hache, a Democrat who resigned last week to lead the Ridgewood YMCA as its chief executive officer."
^About Us, Northwest Bergen Central Dispatch. Accessed November 29, 2023. "Today NWBCD provides 9-1-1 call-take and radio dispatch services for Franklin Lakes, Glen Rock, Montvale, New Milford, Oakland, Old Tappan, Oradell, Park Ridge, Ridgewood, River Edge, River Vale, Rutherford, Waldwick, Washington Township, and Woodcliff Lake."
^History and Mission, Tri-Boro Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Accessed March 14, 2015.
^Welcome, Montvale Public Schools. Accessed May 11, 2020. "The Montvale School District is made up of two schools serving students in grades Pre-K-4 at Memorial Elementary School and grades 5-8 at Fieldstone Middle School.... From Montvale, our students attend top-rated Pascack Hills High School."
^Welcome to Montvale, Montvale Public Schools. Accessed January 14, 2017. "The Montvale School District is made up of two schools serving students in grades PreK-4 at Memorial Elementary School and grades 5-8 at Fieldstone Middle School.... From Montvale, our students attend top-rated Pascack Hills High School."
^Board of Education, Pascack Valley Regional High School District. Accessed April 30, 2020. "The Pascack Valley Regional High School District Board of Education is comprised of nine board members elected by constituents in the four municipalities whose students attend Pascack Valley Regional High School District. Currently, three members are elected from the Borough of Hillsdale, two from the Borough of Montvale, two from the Township of River Vale, and two from the Borough of Woodcliff Lake."
^Finley, Bill. "Last Go-Round", The New York Times, May 13, 2007. Accessed September 7, 2015. "Yet the Rink in Montvale is scheduled to close June 3 to make way for a housing development, and roller skating fans in northern New Jersey will soon have to find something else to do or someplace else to skate."
^Home Page, Montvale Lanes. Accessed April 7, 2015.
^Josephs, Susan. "10 Women to Watch in 5771: Dana Bash", Jewish Woman Magazine. Accessed December 11, 2013. "Raised in Montvale, N.J., Bash grew up 'with an enormously strong Jewish identity' and can still remember all the songs she learned at her UAHC summer camp."
^Marco Capozzoli, ArenaFootball.com. Accessed May 17, 2016. "Hometown: Montvale, NJ"
^"Catalfo nears berth in Olympics", The Record, June 19, 1984. Accessed March 18, 2023, via Newspapers.com. "Former Pascack Hills High School wrestler Chris Catalfo of Montvale is two wins away from a berth on the United States Olympic Greco-Roman team."
^"Mills, Catalfo pace Syracuse", The Record, February 2, 1981. Accessed October 19, 2019. "Former New Jersey State wrestling champions Gene Mills of Pompton Lakes and Tim Catalfo of Montvale helped lead Syracuse to a 19-16 college wrestling victory over Navy yesterday.... Catalfo, a State champion at Pascack Hills in 1977, added to the Syracuse victory drive with a decision at 158 pounds."
^Shengold, David. "Focused on Her Game; OCP favorite Mary Dunleavy tackles a new Mozart role.", Philadelphia City Paper, May 4–10, 2006. Accessed August 3, 2015. "'Philadelphia feels like my second home,' smiles Mary Dunleavy over lunch in Bella Vista. The attractive, engaging soprano is a Jersey girl: She grew up in Montvale and now (aptly enough for one who has both Bellini's and Gounod's versions of Romeo and Juliet in her repertory) lives with her husband, Hal, in Verona."
^Evans, Shane. "Chivas USA deals Eskandarian to Galaxy", Sports Illustrated, July 1, 2009. Accessed August 3, 2015. "A native of Montvale, N.J., Eskandarian has scored 28 goals in his MLS career and has also been capped by the U.S. national team on one occasion."
^Eisenbraun, Mildred. "Edith M. Faulstich, 65, stamp expert and author", The Record, September 6, 1972. Accessed August 19, 2020, via Newspapers.com. "Edith M. Faulstich of 37 Inwood St., formerly of Montvale, N.J., and founder in 1945 of the Pascack Stamp Club, died Monday in United Hospital, Port Chester. She was 65. She was born in Brooklyn and lived in Montvale until 1951."
^Mrnarevic, Karen F. "Pascack Hills alum nominated for Emmy", Pascack Valley Community Life, October 1, 2009. Accessed August 3, 2015. "Zac grew up in Montvale, and even as a young boy, he exhibited a propensity for drawing."
^Cooper, Darren. "Liliko Ogasawara, New Jersey's first female wrestler, to be recognized at Boardwalk Hall", The Record, February 28, 2019. Accessed April 29, 2020. "NJSIAA Assistant Director Bill Bruno confirmed that former Pascack Hills wrestler Liliko Ogasawara would attend the girls state finals Saturday at Boardwalk Hall, present medals and be recognized by the crowd.... Ogasawara, a Montvale native, wrestled four matches for Pascack Hills in 1989 and has been recognized as the first girl to compete against boys in a varsity wrestling match."
^Politi, Steve. "Scottie Scheffler's Masters victory is a great moment for New Jersey sports, too", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. April 11, 2022. Accessed April 11, 2022. "The Scheffler family moved from Montvale to Dallas when Scottie was just 6 years old, so history will lump him with all the great Masters champion from Texas. But let's be clear on this: New Jersey has every right to claim him as one of its own, too, because his parents made sure that their Bergen County roots were never lost on the golf prodigy they were raising."
^Kieran Scott, Teenreads.com. Accessed December 1, 2012. "A Jersey-girl through and through, Kieran grew up in Montvale, New Jersey, and attended Pascack Hills High School where she was a cheerleader, singer, actress and occasionally a student. She attended Rutgers University, graduated with a double-major in English and Journalism and now resides in Ridgewood, New Jersey in her very own bachelorette pad."
^Staff. "A Christmas story with a difference; Jersey Ink", The Star-Ledger, December 25, 2003. "Author: Kieran Scott * Book: Jingle Boy, Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, hardcover, $9.95. * New Jersey ties: Scott grew up in Montvale and now lives in Ridgewood."
^Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey: 2004 Edition, p. 295. Lawyers Diary and Manual, LLC. ISBN9781577411871. Accessed August 3, 2015. "Charlotte Vandervalk, Rep., Montvale - Assemblywoman Vandervalk was sworn to the Assembly Feb. 21, 1991, after being selected by Republican County Committee members of the 39th District to fill a vacancy."
^Sartor, Michelle. "So you think you can do science?", Pascack Valley Community Life, August 5, 2010. Accessed August 3, 2015. "Montvale resident Jeffrey Vinokur has taken a combination of two passions and shown the country that learning can also be entertaining."
^Beckerman, Jim. "Archive: Montvale's Shaun Weiss on the ups and downs of being a star", The Record, August 6, 2018. Accessed October 19, 2019. "In the comedy Heavyweights, opening today, 15-year-old Shaun Weiss of Montvale plays an overweight teen in a diabolical 'fat camp' that seeks to strip him of dignity and candy bars."
Municipal Incorporations of the State of New Jersey (according to Counties) prepared by the Division of Local Government, Department of the Treasury (New Jersey); December 1, 1958.
United States
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