Closter, New Jersey

Borough of Closter, New Jersey
—  Borough (New Jersey)  —
Nickname(s): "Hub of the Northern Valley"
Map highlighting Closter's location within Bergen County. Inset: Bergen County's location within New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Closter, New Jersey
Coordinates: 40°58′19″N 73°57′52″W / 40.97194°N 73.96444°W / 40.97194; -73.96444Coordinates: 40°58′19″N 73°57′52″W / 40.97194°N 73.96444°W / 40.97194; -73.96444
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Bergen
Incorporated	January 1, 1904
Government[1]
- Type	Borough (New Jersey)
- Mayor	Sophie Heymann (R, term ends 2014)[2]
- Administrator	Quentin Wiest[3]
Area[4]
- Total	3.29 sq mi (8.5 km2)
- Land	3.17 sq mi (8.2 km2)
- Water	0.12 sq mi (0.3 km2)  3.65%
Elevation[5]	36 ft (11 m)
Population (2010 Census)[6]
- Total	8,373
- Density	2,545/sq mi (985.1/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	07624[7]
Area code(s)	201/551
FIPS code	34-13810[8][9]
GNIS feature ID	0875515[10]
Website	http://www.closterboro.com

Closter (pronounced KLO-ster, with a long o^[11]) is a Borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,373.^[6] After the turn of the century, Closter changed from being sprawling estates and farms into a middle and upper middle class suburban town.

Closter, settled in 1704, was formed by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on January 1, 1904, from portions of Harrington Township. On March 29, 1904, Harrington Park was created from portions of Closter, Harrington Township and Washington Township.^[12][13]

Geography

Closter is located at 40°58′19″N 73°57′52″W / 40.971896°N 73.964368°W / 40.971896; -73.964368.^[14]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 3.29 square miles (8.5 km²), of which, 3.17 square miles (8.2 km²) of it is land and 0.12 square miles (0.31 km²) of it (3.65%) is water.^[4]

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1900	1,057		—
1910	1,483		40.3%
1920	1,840		24.1%
1930	2,502		36.0%
1940	2,603		4.0%
1950	3,376		29.7%
1960	7,767		130.1%
1970	8,604		10.8%
1980	8,164		−5.1%
1990	8,094		−0.9%
2000	8,383		3.6%
2010	8,373		−0.1%
Population sources: 1900-1990[15][16] 2000[17] 2010[6][18]

As of the 2010 Census, Closter had a population of 8,373. The median age was 43.2. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 64.2% White, 1.3% Black or African American, 0.0% Native American, 31.6% Asian, 1.5% some other race and 1.3% reporting two or more races. 6.0% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.^[18]

As of the census^[8] of 2000, there were 8,383 people, 2,789 households, and 2,320 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,644.3 people per square mile (1,021.0/km²). There were 2,865 housing units at an average density of 903.7 per square mile (349.0/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 75.32% White, 0.93% African American, 0.10% Native American, 21.56% Asian, 0.81% from other races, and 1.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.09% of the population.^[17]

As of the 2000 Census, 12.75% of Closter's residents identified themselves as being of Korean ancestry, which was the seventh highest in the United States and fifth highest of any municipality in New Jersey, for all places with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry.^[19]

There were 2,789 households out of which 43.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.9% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.8% were non-families. 14.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.30.^[17]

In the borough the population was spread out with 28.0% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% 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 91.0 males.^[17]

The median income for a household in the borough was $83,918, and the median income for a family was $94,543. Males had a median income of $65,848 versus $39,125 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $37,065. About 1.7% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over.^[17]

History

Closter was inhabited by the Lenape Native Americans. The Dutch arrived in the early 17th century, with records dating back to 1669 showing that Balthaser De Hart was granted a property by Governor Philip Carteret between the Hudson River and the Tiena Kill (perhaps the Tenakill Brook). What is now Closter was part of property between the Hudson and the Hackensack River that was deeded by the Tappan tribe to David Des Marets in 1677. The borough's name is said to derive from Frederick Closter, who was the recipient of a grant from King Charles I of England.^[20] The first English language teacher in the town was Benjamin Blackledge (d. 1783).^[20]

In November 1776, a farmer from Closter witnessed British troops landing at Closter Dock on the Hudson River and rode to Fort Lee to warn Continental Army General Nathaniel Greene, allowing the Americans the opportunity to retreat to Hackensack at New Bridge Landing ahead of the British along with the remnants of General George Washington's troops after the failed Battle of Fort Washington.^[21] It is this unnamed rider who is recognized on the seal of the Borough of Closter.^[20] During the American Revolutionary War, no battles took place in present-day Closter, though the residents were seen largely as supporters of the rebels and became the target of British foraging and reprisal raids.^[20]

The arrival of the Northern Branch in the late 1850s, followed by additional train service from what became the West Shore Railroad, brought residents to the community who could commute to Manhattan via the ferry across the Hudson River at the railroad's Weehawken depot.^[21] Closter's central location earned it the nickname "Hub of the Northern Valley".^[20]

Government

Local government

Closter is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising 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 Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.^[1]

The Mayor of Closter Borough is Sophie Heymann (Republican Party, term ends December 31, 2014). Members of the Closter Borough Council are Council President David Barad (R, 2011), Victoria Amitai (R, 2013), Arthur Dolson (R, 2012), John C. Glidden, Jr. (R, 2013), John Kashwick (R, 2011) and Alissa Latner (R, 2012).^[22]

In the 2011 general election, incumbent Councilmembers John Kashwick and David Barad are running unopposed for re-election.^[23]

In the 2010 general election, Mayor Sophie Heymann (1386 votes) was elected to a new, four-year term over former Councilwoman Linda Albelli (913 votes) while Councilman John C. Glidden, Jr. (1402 votes) and Councilwoman Victoria R. Amitai (1401 votes) were elected to new, three-years terms over former Councilman Michael "Jack" Kelly.^[24]

In the 2009 election incumbents Tom Hennessey and Cynthia Tutoli dropped out of the race in September and were replaced by former Councilman Arthur Dolson and newcomer Alissa Latner. On November 3, Dolson (1,183 votes) and Latner (1,119) defeated former Councilwoman Linda Albelli (1,093 votes) and former Councilman Michael "Jack" Kelly (1,032).^[25]

In the 2008 General Election, Republican incumbents David H. Barad (1,616 votes) and John Kashwick (1,590) won re-election to new, three-year terms in office, fending off Democratic challengers Leonard J. Asch (1,541) and running mate Michael "Jack" Kelly (1,453).^[26]

The Borough Administrator is Quentin Wiest.^[3]

Federal, state and county representation

Closter is in the 5th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 39th state legislative district.^[27] The legislative district was kept unchanged by the New Jersey Apportionment Commission based on the results of the 2010 Census.^[6]

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).

39th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature, which is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Gerald Cardinale (R, Demarest) and in the New Jersey General Assembly by Bob Schroeder (R, Washington Township) and Charlotte Vandervalk (R, Hillsdale).^[28] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham).^[29] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).^[30]

Bergen County's County Executive is Kathleen Donovan (R, Rutherford; term ends December 31, 2014).^[31] The Board of Chosen Freeholders is the county's legislative body and its seven members are elected at-large on a staggered basis, with two or three seats coming up for election each year.^[32] As of 2011, Bergen County's Freeholders are Chairman John Driscoll, Jr. (R, 2012; Paramus),^[33] Vice-Chairwoman Maura DeNicola (R, 2013; Franklin Lakes),^[34] Chair Pro Tempore John D. Mitchell (R, 2013; Cliffside Park)^[35] John A. Felice (R, 2013; River Edge),^[36] David L. Ganz (D, 2011; Fair Lawn),^[37] Robert G. Hermansen (R, 2012; Mahwah)^[38] and Bernadette P. McPherson (D, 2011; Rutherford).^[39][40] Other countywide constitutional officials are Sheriff Michael Saudino (R), Surrogate Michael R. Dressler (D, Cresskill) and County Clerk Elizabeth Randall (R, Westwood).^[41]

Politics

As of Election Day, November 2008, there were 4,712 registered voters. Of registered voters, 1,346 (28.6%) were registered as Democrats, 1,067 (22.6%) were registered as Republicans and 2,299 (48.8%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.^[42]

In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 54.1% of the vote here, defeating Republican John McCain, who received 44.9% of the vote, with 75.6% of registered voters participating.^[42] In the 2004 election, Democrat John Kerry received 53% of the vote here, defeating Republican George W. Bush, who received around 46%.^[43]

Education

The Closter Public Schools serve students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics^[44]) are Hillside Elementary School (with 592 students in grades K-4) and Tenakill Middle School (with 546 students in grades 5-8).

Public school students in grades 9-12 attend Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest in Demarest, together with students from Demarest and Haworth.^[45] The high school is part of the Northern Valley Regional High School District, which also serves students from Harrington Park, Northvale, Norwood and Old Tappan. Local students had attended Closter High School until Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest opened in 1955, whereupon the Closter school was closed.^[20]

Transportation

The New Jersey Transit 167 bus route provides service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan.^[46] Coach USA's Red and Tan Lines also provides service from Closter to the Port Authority Bus Terminal via the 20 and 14E bus routes, with limited service to the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal offered on the 84 route.^[47]

County Route 501, County Route 502 and County Route 505 travel through Closter.

Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of Closter include:

• Abram Belskie (1907–88), British born scupltor.^[48]
• Benjamin Blackledge (1743–1815), first English teacher in Closter and ""the most prominent man in the northern part of Bergen County".^[49]
• Emme (born 1963), plus-size model.^[50]
• Tom Gorman (1919–86), Major League Baseball umpire.^[51]
• Bruce Harper (born 1955), former running back and kick returner who played for the New York Jets.^[52]
• Israel Horowitz (1916–2008), record producer who became an editor and columnist on classical music at Billboard magazine.^[53]
• Richard Hunt (1951–92) puppeteer best known for his association with The Muppets.^[54]
• Marcel Jovine' (1921-2003), sculptor and creator of The Visible Man, The Visible Woman and The Closter Seal.^[55][56]
• Robert Lipsyte (born 1938) sports journalist and author.^[57]
• Sam Lipsyte (born 1968), author.^[58]
• Mike Stanton (born 1967) relief pitcher for the New York Yankees.^[59]
• Tom Waddell (born 1958), former Major League Baseball pitcher.^[60]

Sources

• "History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1630-1923;" by "Westervelt, Frances A. (Frances Augusta), 1858-1942."
• "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.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 165.
2. ^ 2011 New Jersey Mayors Directory, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed July 22, 2011.
3. ^ ^{a b} Directory, Borough of Closter. Accessed March 2, 2011.
4. ^ ^{a b} GCT-PH1. Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2000 for Bergen County, New Jersey -- County Subdivision and Place, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 12, 2011.
5. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Borough of Closter, Geographic Names Information System, accessed April 16, 2007.
6. ^ ^{a b c d} 2011 Apportionment Redistricting: Municipalities sorted alphabetically, New Jersey Department of State, p. 2. Accessed July 22, 2011.
7. ^ Look Up a ZIP Code, United States Postal Service. Accessed September 12, 2011.
8. ^ ^{a b} "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
9. ^ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.
10. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
11. ^ Westergaard, Barbara. "Closter: Bergen", New Jersey: A Guide to the State, p. 78. Rutgers University Press, 2006. ISBN 0813536855. Accessed July 22, 2011. "Known locally as the "hub of the Northern Valley," Closter (pronounced with a long o) was an early settlement - the first individual purchases in the records date to 1701 - and many of its Dutch houses remain (try Hickory La. and Piermont Rd.)"
12. ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 76.
13. ^ "History of Bergen County" p. 343 has the date as April 13, 1903 for the formation of Closter.
14. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
15. ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 2, 2009. Accessed September 12, 2011.
16. ^ Bergen County Census Data, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed December 23, 2007.
17. ^ ^{a b c d e} Census 2000 Demographic Profile Highlights: Closter borough, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 22, 2011.
18. ^ ^{a b} Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Closter borough, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed September 12, 2011.
19. ^ Korean Communities, EPodunk. Accessed March 2, 2011.
20. ^ ^{a b c d e f} History, Borough of Closter. Accessed July 22, 2011.
21. ^ ^{a b} DePalma, Anthony. "Closter", The New York Times, February 27, 1983. Accessed July 22, 2011.
22. ^ Mayor & Council, Borough of Closter. Accessed March 2, 2011.
23. ^ http://www.co.bergen.nj.us/countyclerk/forms/Election_Results_2011_Primary.pdf
24. ^ Baskind, Amanda. "Heymann elected to second term in Closter", The Record (Bergen County), November 3, 2010. Accessed March 2, 2011.
25. ^ Sudol, Karen. Election 2009: Closter, The Record (Bergen County), November 3, 2009. Accessed March 2, 2011.
26. ^ Staff. "County, town races across Bergen County", The Record (Bergen County), November 5, 2008. Accessed November 6, 2008.
27. ^ 2011 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 56. Accessed July 22, 2011.
28. ^ "Legislative Roster: 2010-2011 Session". New Jersey Legislature. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/roster.asp. Retrieved 2010-10-22. 
29. ^ "About the Governor". New Jersey. http://www.nj.gov/governor/about/. Retrieved 2010-01-21. 
30. ^ "About the Lieutenant Governor". New Jersey. http://www.nj.gov/governor/lt/. Retrieved 2010-01-21. 
31. ^ Bergen County Executive, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed January 3, 2011.
32. ^ What Is a Freeholder?, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed January 6, 2011.
33. ^ Freeholder John Driscoll, Jr., Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed January 11, 2011.
34. ^ Maura R. DeNicola, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed January 11, 2011.
35. ^ John D. Mitchell, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed January 11, 2011.
36. ^ John A. Felice, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed January 11, 2011.
37. ^ Freeholder David L. Ganz, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed January 11, 2011.
38. ^ Freeholder Robert G. Hermansen, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed January 11, 2011.
39. ^ Freeholder Bernadette P. McPherson, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed January 11, 2011.
40. ^ Freeholder Home Page, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed January 3, 2011.
41. ^ Constitutional Officers, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed January 3, 2011.
42. ^ ^{a b} 2008 General Election Results for Closter, The Record (Bergen County). Accessed November 7, 2008.
43. ^ 2004 Presidential Election results: Bergen County, New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety: Division of Elections, dated December 13, 2004.
44. ^ Data for the Closter Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed July 22, 2011.
45. ^ Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living In / Demarest, N.J.; Small Town, Large Sense of History", The New York Times, April 4, 1999. Accessed July 22, 2011. "Following eighth grade, students go on to Northern Valley Regional High School in Demarest, which the borough shares with Haworth and neighboring Closter."
46. ^ Routes by County: Bergen County, New Jersey Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 22, 2009. Accessed July 22, 2011.
47. ^ Available Schedules, Coach USA. Accessed July 22, 2011.
48. ^ Abram Belskie, Belskie Museum of Art and Science. Accessed August 16, 2007. "In 1931, Abram Belskie moved to Closter, where he would remain for the next fifty-seven years. Here he worked at the studio of the master-carver Robert Alexander Baillie."
49. ^ History of Closter, Borough of Closter. Accessed March 2, 2011.
50. ^ Pedota, Chris. "One couple's climb to hope Supermodel and husband tell their sides of coming back from his depression", The Kansas City Star, April 2, 2002. Accessed June 2, 2007. "Emme and Phillip Aronson at home in Closter, New Jersey."
51. ^ via Associated Press. "Former major league ump, Tom Gorman, Dies", Williamson Daily News, August 13, 1986. Accessed March 2, 2011. "CLOSTER, N.J. - Tom Gorman, a major league umpire for 25 years until his retirement in 1976, is dead of a heart attack. Gorman died Tuesday at the age of 67 at his home in this Northern New Jersey town."
52. ^ Spelling, Ian. "Hero Worship: Former Jets star Bruce Harper inspires sportsmanship and good character", (201) magazine, August 1, 2009. Accessed July 26, 2011. "Likewise, Harper is a Bergen lifer. He was born in Englewood, lived for a time in Fort Lee, bought a house in Englewood, moved to Norwood, and currently resides in Closter with his wife, Nancy."
53. ^ Kozinn, Allan. "Israel Horowitz, Record Producer and Billboard Columnist, Dies at 92", The New York Times, January 8, 2009. Accessed January 9, 2009. "Israel Horowitz, a record producer who was also an executive editor and classical music columnist for Billboard magazine, died at his home in Closter, N.J., on Dec. 26."
54. ^ Alex, Patricia. "RICHARD H. HUNT, AT 40; BROUGHT MUPPETS TO LIFE", The Record (New Jersey), January 8, 1992. Accessed March 6, 2008. "Richard H. Hunt, a puppeteer who created several Muppets characters including Kermit the Frog's zealous sidekick 'Scooter,' died Tuesday. The Closter resident was 40."
55. ^ via Closter Historic Preservation Commission, [1], Closter Historic Preservation Commission, Accessed. November 8, 2011.
56. ^ Kaufman, Michael T. "Marcel Jovine, 81; Designed Toys and Coins", The New York Times, January 27, 2003. Accessed November 8, 2011. "Marcel Jovine, who shaped such popular toys as the Visible Man and the Visible Woman before becoming an award-winning designer of coins and a sculptor of racehorses, died last Monday in Greenwich, Conn., at the home of his daughter, Andrea Coopersmith. He was 81 and lived and worked in Closter, N.J."
57. ^ Horner, Shirley. "ABOUT BOOKS", The New York Times, October 3, 1993. Accessed December 19, 2007. "The other inductees are... Robert Lipsyte of Closter, a sports columnist for The New York Times and the author of The Contender, a young-adult novel published by Harper in 1967 and still in print..."
58. ^ Staff. "Corrections", Poets & Writers, May/June 2010. Accessed July 28, 2011. "Sam Lipsyte's hometown is Closter, New Jersey, not Demarest, as stated in Failure's Fortune by Frank Bures (March/April 2010)."
59. ^ Staff. "Meet the Reds", The Cincinnati Enquirer, March 29, 2007. Accessed June 2, 2011.
60. ^ via Associated Press, "Baseball career good fit for hurler", The Rock Hill Herald, August 3, 1981. Accessed July 28, 2011. "Former clothing salesman Tom Waddell's new career as a baseball pitcher for the Anderson Braves suits him fine.... The Closter, N.J. native signed as a free agent and is now pitching for the Braves' team in the South Atlantic League."

External links

• Closter official website
• Closter Public Schools
• Closter Public Schools's 2009–10 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
• Data for the Closter Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics
• Northern Valley Regional High School District