River Vale, New Jersey

Template:Short description Template:Distinguish Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement River Vale is a township in Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. River Vale is the easternmost municipality in an area of the county referred to as the Pascack Valley. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 9,909,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> an increase of 250 (+2.6%) from the 2010 census count of 9,659,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected an increase of 210 (+2.2%) from the 9,449 counted in the 2000 census.<ref>Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref> The township was ranked #29 on the 100 Best Places to Live 2007 survey published by CNN/Money magazine.<ref>Merritt, Jennifer. "Best Places to Live: Top 100: 29. River Vale, N.J.", CNN / Money magazine, July 7, 2007. Accessed December 16, 2013.</ref>

River Vale was formed as a township on April 30, 1906, from portions of both Hillsdale Township (now Hillsdale Borough) and Washington Township.<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 86. Accessed May 30, 2024.</ref><ref>Honeyman, Abraham Van Doren. Index-analysis of the Statutes of New Jersey, 1896-1909: Together with References to All Acts, and Parts of Acts, in the 'General Statutes' and Pamphlet Laws Expressly Repealed: and the Statutory Crimes of New Jersey During the Same Period, p. 235. New Jersey Law Journal Publishing Company, 1910. Accessed September 23, 2015.</ref> The township was named for its location along the Hackensack River.<ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 23, 2015.</ref>

On January 5, 1904, the temperature in River Vale fell to Template:Convert, the lowest temperature ever recorded in New Jersey.<ref>State Climate Extremes Committee: Records, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Climatic Data Center. Accessed October 7, 2019.</ref>

History

The earliest settlers of what would become River Vale were the Lenape Native Americans.

Before 1841, present-day River Vale was part of Harrington Township. It used to be known as the "Over Kill Neighborhood" or just "Over Kill"—it being over the kill (Hackensack River) from Tappan. Its southern part, known as Eastwood (named in contrast to Westwood), became an independent borough in 1894, but was dissolved and re-absorbed into Washington Township in 1896.<ref name=Story/>

River Vale was incorporated as a township in 1906, formed from portions of both Hillsdale and Washington Township. On July 15, 1929, part of River Vale was ceded to Park Ridge. On May 20, 1959, territory was acquired from Montvale.<ref name=Story/>

In 1967, a mass grave site was discovered in River Vale from an event in 1778 during the American Revolutionary War, the Baylor Massacre. This became widely known due to a February 1968 report to the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders, "1778 – The Massacre of Baylor's Dragoons." The burial site was made into a county park that was dedicated on October 15, 1972.<ref>Baylor Massacre, Township of River Vale. Accessed October 7, 2019.</ref>

On July 28, 1994, the residents of River Vale voted to recall Mayor Walter Jones, Councilwoman Patricia Geier and Councilman Bernard Salmon, following a battle between residents and the mayor and some council members over the mayor's plan to merge River Vale's 9-1-1 center to a regional dispatch center located in Park Ridge.<ref>James, Michael S. "River Vale Sets Recall Election", The Record, May 14, 1994. Accessed December 16, 2013. "The recall election for Mayor Walter V. Jones and two Township Council members will be held on July 26, Borough Clerk Corinne Verhille announced. Voters will be asked whether they want to remove Jones, Patricia Geier, and Bernard T. Salmon from office."</ref><ref>James, Michael S. "New Mayor Names Allies To River Vale Posts", The Record, July 30, 1994, Accessed December 16, 2013.</ref>

A River Vale resident, Henry Hoffman, directed the scrapping of Template:USS in Kearny from 1958 to 1960. Following Hoffman's death in 1965, the stern plate of the Enterprise was placed on a Little League baseball field as a memorial. The field was later named Hoffman Field. On October 2, 2000, the stern plate was moved to the township's Veterans' Memorial Park.<ref name=Enterprise>Shepherd, Joel. Stern Plate Dedication Ceremony, USS Enterprise CV-6, December 9, 2000. Accessed December 16, 2013. "On December 9, 2000 – a clear, crisp winter day – eleven veterans of Enterprise CV-6 joined Raymond Z. Darakjian, mayor of New Jersey's River Vale Township, Rear Admiral Richard Naughton, who commanded Enterprise CVN-65 in 1993, and other dignitaries to dedicate the stern plate of Enterprise CV-6, in its new resting place in River Vale's Veterans' Memorial Park."</ref>

In March 2004, the township became the first municipality in the state to be placed on probation by the Municipal Excess Liability Joint Insurance Fund, a fund that covers legal expenses of member municipalities and government agencies. The issue was due to the number and scope of legal cases against the township, its employees and its governance, plus what David Grub, chief executive of the fund, called "a general environment of personal attack". The fund urged the township to update employment practices and better train managers to avoid liabilities. As a result of these issues, The New York Times called the township "small but litigious".<ref>James, George. "Communities; Political Liability", The New York Times, June 27, 2004. Accessed October 7, 2019. "Call it small but litigious.... But since March, River Vale has held the dubious distinction of being the first municipality in the state ever to be placed on probation by the Municipal Excess Liability Joint Insurance Fund, a self-insured governmental agency that covers legal expenses of lawsuits incurred by its members."</ref>

Geography

File:Lake Tappan.jpg

The Lake Tappan reservoir straddles the Bergen County municipalities of Old Tappan and River Vale, as well as a smaller portion within adjacent Rockland County, New York.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 4.31 square miles (11.17 km²), including 4.07 square miles (10.54 km²) of land and 0.24 square miles (0.63 km²) of water (5.64%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

The township is bordered by Montvale to the northwest, Park Ridge, Woodcliff Lake (a very small section) and Hillsdale to the west, Westwood to the southwest, a small section bordering Emerson to the south, Harrington Park to the southeast, Old Tappan to the east, and Pearl River, New York to the north.<ref>About, Township of River Vake. Accessed March 4, 2020. "Located in the Pascack Valley region of Bergen County, New Jersey, River Vale is a 4.3 square mile suburban community of about 10,000 full time residents. River Vale is bordered by the New Jersey towns of Montvale, Park Ridge, Woodcliff Lake, Hillsdale, Westwood, Emerson, Harrington Park, Old Tappan and to the north, Pearl River, New York."</ref><ref>Areas touching River Vale, MapIt. Accessed March 4, 2020.</ref><ref>Bergen County Map of Municipalities, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 4, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

Its borders are defined by the Hackensack River to the east, which was dammed to form Lake Tappan, and Pascack Brook to the south. The northern border is defined by the New York-New Jersey state border. The western border has several sections, including a section defined by an unnamed creek and a section defined by Cedar Lane.

The southern portion of the township lies between the Hackensack River and Pascack Brook, and is relatively flat. The northern portion slopes down from rolling hills in the west into Lake Tappan to the east. Much of the land is developed as suburban single-family residences, but there remain some undeveloped areas. The undeveloped areas are mostly wooded and are south and west of Lake Tappan, following the Cherry Brook and the Hackensack River watershed. In 1996, plans to develop watershed land received resistance from the community.<ref>Chen, David W. "What Price Progress? Battle Lines Drawn in the Watershed", The New York Times, November 24, 1996. Accessed January 30, 2012.</ref> In the southwest of the township, the Pascack Brook County Park also preserves a wooded area.<ref>Pascack Brook County Park, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed October 7, 2019.</ref> There are three golf courses in the township, two 18-hole public courses, and a private 18-hole course.

There is a small commercial district surrounding the intersection of Rivervale Road and Westwood Avenue in the southern portion of the township.

Demographics

2020 census

River Vale township, Bergen County, New Jersey – Racial and Ethnic Composition
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Template:Nobold

Race / Ethnicity	Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref>	Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref>	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	9,178	7,756	86.17%	78.27%
Black or African American alone (NH)	64	117	0.60%	1.18%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	2	8	0.02%	0.08%
Asian alone (NH)	809	993	7.60%	10.02%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	0	1	0.00%	0.01%
Some Other Race alone (NH)	10	30	0.09%	0.30%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH)	107	273	1.00%	2.76%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	481	731	4.52%	7.38%
Total	9,659	9,909	100.00%	100.00%

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 9,659 people, 3,421 households, and Template:Round families in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 3,521 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was Template:Round% (8,582) White, Template:Round% (68) Black or African American, Template:Round% (4) Native American, Template:Round% (813) Asian, Template:Round% (0) Pacific Islander, Template:Round% (51) from other races, and Template:Round% (141) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were Template:Round% (481) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 3,421 households, 37.4% had children under the age of 18; 70.2% were married couples living together; 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 20.8% were non-families. Of all households, 18.4% were made up of individuals and 11.5% 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 3.24.<ref name=Census2010/>

26.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 19.1% from 25 to 44, 32.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 89.3 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $120,820 (with a margin of error of +/− $7,009) and the median family income was $135,612 (+/− $8,972). Males had a median income of $100,594 (+/− $8,458) versus $61,516 (+/− $11,658) for females. The per capita income for the township was $49,586 (+/− $4,018). About 0.7% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 2.4% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for River Vale township, Bergen County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 30, 2012.</ref>

Same-sex couples headed 23 households in 2010, an increase from the 9 counted in 2000.<ref>Lipman, Harvy; and Sheingold, Dave. "North Jersey sees 30% growth in same-sex couples", The Record, August 14, 2011, backed up by the Internet Archive as of February 3, 2013. Accessed August 21, 2014.</ref>

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 9,449 people, 3,275 households, and 2,675 families residing in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 3,312 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the township was 92.33% White, 0.58% African American, 5.89% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.22% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for River Vale township, Bergen County, New JerseyTemplate:Dead link, United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 13, 2013.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for River Vale township, Bergen County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 13, 2013.</ref>

There were 3,275 households, out of which 40.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.1% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.3% were non-families. 15.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.22.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the township the population was spread out, with 27.2% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the township was $95,129, and the median income for a family was $105,919. Males had a median income of $77,794 versus $39,732 for females. The per capita income for the township was $40,709. 2.8% of the population and 2.4% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 2.1% of those under the age of 18 and 5.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

Government

Local government

River Vale is governed within the Faulkner Act (formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law) under the Mayor-Council system of municipal government (Plan E), implemented by direct petition as of January 1, 1979.<ref>"The Faulkner Act: New Jersey's Optional Municipal Charter Law" Template:Webarchive, New Jersey State League of Municipalities, July 2007. Accessed November 5, 2013.</ref> The township is one of 71 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government.<ref>Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The governing body is comprised of two separate and coequal power centers, each directly elected by voters, with the Mayor serving as Chief Executive, while the Council is the municipal legislature. The Township Council has five members elected at-large to four-year staggered terms on a partisan basis, with either two seats (plus the mayor) or three seats coming up for vote in even-numbered years as part of the November general election.<ref name=DataBook>2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 165.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 10. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref><ref>Mayor & Council, Township of River Vale. Accessed October 7, 2019.</ref>

Template:As of, the Mayor of River Vale is Republican Mark Bromberg, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026.<ref name=Mayor>Office of the Mayor, Township of River Vale. Accessed March 15, 2023.</ref> The members of the Township Council are Council President Paul J. Criscuolo (R, 2024), Vice President Denise E. Sieg (D, 2026), Ari Ben-Yishay (R, 2024), John Donovan (R, 2024) and James Tolomeo Jr. (R, 2026).<ref>Town Council, Township of River Vale. Accessed March 15, 2023.</ref><ref>2022 Municipal Data Sheet, Township of River Vale. Accessed July 18, 2022.</ref><ref name=BergenCountyDirectory>2024 County and Municipal Directory, Bergen County, New Jersey, April 2024. Accessed April 15, 2024.</ref><ref name=Bergen2022>Bergen County November 8, 2022 General Election Statement of Vote, Bergen County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Bergen2020>Precinct Summary Results Report - Combined 2020 Bergen County General Election - November 3, 2020 Official Results, Bergen County, New Jersey, December 3, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.</ref>

In February 2014, the Township Council selected John Donovan from among a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the vacancy of Noel Matos, who resigned from office in the previous month due to work commitments.<ref>Spear, Lisa. "River Vale Council welcomes new member" Template:Webarchive, Pascack Valley Community Life, February 13, 2014. Accessed January 8, 2015. "'I believe in this town," said newly appointed Councilman John Donovan in the days after Monday, Jan. 27, when the River Vale Council unanimously voted to install him as a member of the governing body.... Former Councilman Noel Matos resigned from his post on the council in January, citing work obligations that prevented him from continuing to fulfill his role."</ref>

Federal, state and county representation

River Vale is located in the 5th Congressional District<ref name=PCR2012>Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 39th state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2011>Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref><ref name=LWV2019>2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.</ref><ref>Districts by Number for 2011-2020 Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref>

Politics

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As of March 2011, there were a total of 6,881 registered voters in River Vale Township, of which 1,607 (23.4% vs. 31.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,889 (27.5% vs. 21.1%) were registered as Republicans and 3,381 (49.1% vs. 47.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 4 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.<ref name=VoterRegistration>Voter Registration Summary - Bergen Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 16, 2013.</ref> Among the township's 2010 Census population, 71.2% (vs. 57.1% in Bergen County) were registered to vote, including 97.1% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 73.7% countywide).<ref name=VoterRegistration/><ref>GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 16, 2013.</ref>

In the 2016 presidential election, Republican Donald Trump received 2,904 votes (50.2% vs. 41.6% countywide), ahead of Democrat Hillary Clinton with 2,609 votes (45.1% vs. 54.8%) and other candidates with 202 votes (3.5% vs. 3.0%), among the 5,781 ballots cast by the township's 7,704 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.0% (vs. 72.5% in Bergen County).<ref>Presidential November 8, 2016 General Election Results - Bergen County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, November 8, 2016. Accessed May 24, 2020</ref> In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 2,962 votes (55.6% vs. 43.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 2,303 votes (43.2% vs. 54.8%) and other candidates with 33 votes (0.6% vs. 0.9%), among the 5,330 ballots cast by the township's 7,189 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.1% (vs. 70.4% in Bergen County).<ref>Presidential November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Bergen County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 16, 2013.</ref><ref>Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Bergen County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 16, 2013.</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 2,963 votes (53.2% vs. 44.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 2,529 votes (45.4% vs. 53.9%) and other candidates with 33 votes (0.6% vs. 0.8%), among the 5,573 ballots cast by the township's 7,088 registered voters, for a turnout of 78.6% (vs. 76.8% in Bergen County).<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Bergen County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed December 16, 2013.</ref><ref name=Results2008>2008 General Election Results for River Vale Template:Webarchive, The Record. Accessed January 30, 2012.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 2,946 votes (54.4% vs. 47.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 2,424 votes (44.8% vs. 51.7%) and other candidates with 29 votes (0.5% vs. 0.7%), among the 5,414 ballots cast by the township's 6,646 registered voters, for a turnout of 81.5% (vs. 76.9% in the whole county).<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Bergen County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed December 16, 2013.</ref>

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 68.3% of the vote (2,067 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 30.5% (922 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (38 votes), among the 3,083 ballots cast by the township's 7,027 registered voters (56 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 43.9%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 2,017 votes (56.0% vs. 45.8% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 1,369 votes (38.0% vs. 48.0%), Independent Chris Daggett with 174 votes (4.8% vs. 4.7%) and other candidates with 12 votes (0.3% vs. 0.5%), among the 3,604 ballots cast by the township's 7,009 registered voters, yielding a 51.4% turnout (vs. 50.0% in the county).<ref>2009 Governor: Bergen County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed December 16, 2013.</ref>

Emergency services

Police

The River Vale Police Department is a full-time department that has provided police services to the township since 1930.<ref>History of The River Vale Police Department, Township of River Vale. Accessed October 7, 2019.</ref> As of 2015, there were a total of 21 members of the department: one Chief, two Lieutenants, five Sergeants, 11 Officers, and one Dispatcher.<ref>Police Department Staff Directory, Township of River Vale. Accessed October 7, 2019.</ref>

The force is responsible for all aspects of policing in the township, including responding to fire and medical emergency calls. Each patrol car is equipped with a first aid kit, oxygen tank, and an Automated external defibrillator.

Dispatch for all River Vale emergency services (police, fire, ambulance) is contracted to Ridgewood, New Jersey based Northwest Central Bergen Dispatch (NWBCD).

Officers of the River Vale Police Department are members of Pascack Valley Local 206 of the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association.<ref>Home Page, Pascack Valley PBA Local 206. Accessed December 31, 2016. "New Jersey PBA Local 206 represents the officers of Emerson, Haworth, Old Tappan, Oradell, Park Ridge, River Vale, Washington Township, Westwood, and Woodcliff Lake."</ref>

Fire

File:River Vale NJ VFD 334 Rivervale Rd jeh.jpg

South firehouse

The River Vale Volunteer Fire Department (RVFD) is an all-volunteer fire department. Started in 1923, the department consists of one Chief, one Assistant/Deputy Chief, two Captains, and five Lieutenants (one for each apparatus). In addition, there is also a Fire Official who is in charge of the River Vale Bureau of Fire Prevention with 2 Fire Inspectors under his direction. The department is staffed by fully trained firefighters, junior firefighters, and fire police. The RVFD is a municipal-run public volunteer fire department that is funded by taxes. It is a member of the Pascack Valley mutual aid. In December 2021, the council removed the Fire Chief on charges of insubordination.<ref>Regular Council Meeting Minutes for December 13, 2021, Township of River Vale. Accessed November 30, 2023. "BE IT RESOLVED, in accordance with Chapter 17-3, due to insubordination as per Chapter 17-1, the River Vale Town Council hereby removes the Fire Department Chief Ron Manke and bars him from serving a leadership position in the River Vale Fire Department."</ref>

The department has two stations. The North Firehouse is located at 620 Rivervale Road, and houses one pumper, Engine 56 and the Fire Prevention Bureau. The South Firehouse is located at 334 Rivervale Road, and houses two pumpers, Engines 57 and 58, one tower ladder, Ladder 59, and one rescue unit, Rescue 54, and one rescue boat, Marine 5. There is also a fire command vehicle for the Chief, a vehicle for the Assistant Chief, both Ford Explorers and known as 55 and 551 respectively, and two vehicles for the Fire Prevention Bureau. Dispatching is contracted to Ridgewood, New Jersey based Northwest Central Bergen Dispatch (NWBCD).<ref>Home page, River Vale Volunteer Fire Department. Accessed December 16, 2013.</ref>

Ambulance

Begun in 1956, and formally incorporated in 1957, the River Vale Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc. (RVVAC) is located at 333 Rivervale Road. The corps is run by an executive board, consisting of the business officers and the line officers. The business officers are the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, and the line officers are the Captain, 1st Lieutenant, and 2nd Lieutenant. The RVVAC is an all-volunteer independent public emergency medical service. As such, they do not bill for services, and their equipment is not directly paid for by the township. Funding is provided by donations and support from the township.<ref>Ambulance Corps, Township of River Vale. Accessed October 7, 2019.</ref>

The corps provides basic life support, and is staffed primarily by certified Emergency Medical Technicians. CPR-trained drivers are also sometimes on duty. They have two Type III ambulances, Ambulance 50 and Ambulance 60, and three first responder vehicles that on-duty members use to respond to emergency calls. Dispatching is provided by the River Vale Police Department's 9-1-1 center.

The primary jurisdiction of the RVVAC is the Township of River Vale, but the corps also regularly responds to requests for mutual-aid from the neighboring First Aid Squads of Old Tappan, Emerson, Washington Township, Westwood, Hillsdale, and Tri-Boro (Park Ridge, Woodcliff Lake, and Montvale).

The RVVAC is a member of the New Jersey State First Aid Council, the Pascack Valley Volunteer Ambulance Association and the Pascack Valley Mutual Aid Group.

Education

The River Vale Public Schools serve students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.<ref>River Vale Board of Education District Bylaw 0110 - Identification, River Vale Public Schools. Accessed May 5, 2020. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through eight in the River Vale School District. Composition: The River Vale School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of River Vale."</ref> As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of three schools, had an enrollment of 1,073 students and 94.2 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.4:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for River Vale Public School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics<ref>School Data for the River Vale Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref>) are Roberge Elementary School<ref>Roberge Elementary School, River Vale Public Schools. Accessed February 23, 2022.</ref> with 302 students in pre-kindergarten to fifth grade, Woodside Elementary School<ref>Woodside Elementary School, River Vale Public Schools. Accessed February 23, 2022.</ref> with 342 students in kindergarten to fifth grade and Holdrum Middle School<ref>Holdrum Middle School, River Vale Public Schools. Accessed February 23, 2022.</ref> with 413 students in grades sixth to eighth.<ref>Contact Information, River Vale Public Schools. Accessed February 23, 2022.</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the River Vale Public School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 3, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the River Vale Public Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>

River Vale's public high school students attend Pascack Valley High School in Hillsdale, together with students from Hillsdale, as part of the Pascack Valley Regional High School District.<ref>Pascack Valley Regional High School District 2015 School Report Card District Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed May 5, 2020. "The district is comprised of two high schools. Pascack Hills High School, which is located in Montvale, receives students from the towns of Montvale and Woodcliff Lake. Pascack Valley High School, located in Hillsdale, enrolls students from Hillsdale and River Vale."</ref><ref>About the River Vale School District, River Vale Public Schools. Accessed May 5, 2020. "River Vale's students are educated in the district's two K-5 elementary schools, Roberge and Woodside, and Holdrum Middle School, which is home to grades 6-8. Upon graduation, the vast majority of students enroll at Pascack Valley High School, a comprehensive high school offering an outstanding array of programs and courses."</ref> As of the 2020–21 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 1,087 students and 93.2 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.7:1.<ref>School data for Pascack Valley High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref> Seats on the high school district's board of education are allocated based on the population of the constituent districts, with one seat assigned to River Vale.<ref>Board of Education, Pascack Valley Regional High School District. Accessed February 23, 2022. "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."</ref>

Public school students from the township, 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.<ref>About Us, Bergen County Technical Schools. Accessed December 16, 2013.</ref><ref>Admissions, Bergen County Technical Schools. Accessed December 29, 2016.</ref>

Transportation

File:2018-09-12 10 13 00 View north along Bergen County Route 53 (Rivervale Road) at Wilson Court in River Vale Township, Bergen County, New Jersey.jpg

County Route 53 (Rivervale Road) in River Vale

Roads and highways

Template:As of, the township had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality and Template:Convert by Bergen County.<ref>Bergen County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed December 16, 2013.</ref>

Main roads in River Vale include Westwood Avenue, Rivervale Road and Prospect Avenue.

Public transportation

Daily bus service is provided by Rockland Coaches (Red and Tan Lines) on routes 84 and 14K to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station and on route 14ET to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan.<ref>Commuter Routes Template:Webarchive, Rockland Coaches. Accessed December 16, 2013.</ref><ref>Schedule Details Rivervale, NJ to New York, NY, Rockland Coaches. Accessed December 16, 2013.</ref>

While there is no rail transport in River Vale, the NJ Transit Pascack Valley Line is available in adjacent communities to the west. Daily service is available to Hoboken and Secaucus Junction from the Montvale, Park Ridge, Woodcliff Lake, Hillsdale and Westwood stations.<ref>Pascack Valley Line, NJ Transit. Accessed January 1, 2017.</ref>

Notable people

Template:Category see also People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with River Vale include:

• Brooke Ammerman (born 1990), ice hockey forward who was the first player to score a goal in Metropolitan Riveters history<ref>Huth, Vince. "Women's Hockey: It's a sister thing After stumbling onto hockey at a young age, sisters Brooke and Brittany Ammerman brought their talents to Madison and turned Wisconsin hockey into a family affair", Wisconsin State Journal, February 29, 2012. Accessed May 5, 2020. "Having grown up in River Vale, N.J., she was certainly familiar with schools like Boston College and Boston University. In fact, Boston College—which was just a three-hour drive away from the Ammermans’ home in New Jersey—was one of Brooke’s final three choices."</ref>
• Mike Bajakian (born 1974), Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterbacks coach, former offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Volunteers football team<ref>Brown, Patrick. "2013 College Blitz - Can they score?" Template:Webarchive, Chattanooga Times Free Press, August 25, 2013. Accessed June 16, 2015. "Though he majored in history, Bajakian taught a variety of math classes, from algebra and geometry to trigonometry and pre-calculus, at the Delbarton School in Morristown, N.J., less than an hour east of New York City and 40 miles northwest of his hometown of River Vale, N.J."</ref>
• John Campbell (born 1955), harness racing driver and youngest ever person inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Richard Cottingham (born 1946), serial-killer also known as "the torso-killer", who is believed to have murdered 11 people and claimed to have killed 85–100<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Jack Curry, analyst on the New York Yankees pre and postgame shows on the YES Network<ref>Klapisch, Bob. "River Vale's Jack Curry is always prepared for NY Yankees commentary", The Record, June 1, 2017. "It's no surprise the River Vale resident has been nominated several times for an Emmy award.... Curry finds an island of peace every morning, however, going on a 4- to 5-mile run through River Vale."</ref>
• Chris Eliopoulos (born 1967), cartoonist<ref>"People to Watch in 2008", (201), January 2008.</ref><ref>O'Donnell, Chuck. "Comic book artist Chris Eliopoulos publishes first graphic novel" Template:Webarchive, Pascack Valley Community Life, April 5, 2012. Accessed August 19, 2013. "If you want to make comics kids will love, it helps if you can sometimes think like them. That's not a problem for River Vale's Chris Eliopoulos."</ref>
• Peter Enns (born 1961), author, former professor of Old Testament and hermeneutics at Westminster Theological Seminary<ref>About Peter Enns Template:Webarchive, a time to tear down | A Time to Build Up. Accessed June 11, 2008.</ref>
• Arthur Feuerstein (1935–2022), national chess champion<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Dan Fogelman (born 1976), Hollywood screenwriter<ref>Youngmisuk, Ohm. "Derrick Ward goes from movie gofer to Giant attraction", New York Daily News, September 30, 2007. Accessed August 19, 2013. "Dan Fogelman has a movie debuting this Christmas called Fred Claus starring Vince Vaughn, Paul Giamatti and Kevin Spacey.... Now the kid who used to run to get coffee and sandwiches is the starting running back for the New York Giants. 'It blows my mind,' says Fogelman, a lifelong Giants fan who grew up in River Vale, N.J."</ref>
• Stewart Krentzman (born 1951), former President and Chief Executive Officer of Oki Data Americas, Inc.<ref>"Oki Data Americas Promotes Stewart Krentzman to President and Chief Executive Officer.", Business Wire, October 2, 2003. Accessed June 24, 2007. "Oki Data Americas, Inc., a leading manufacturer of printers, fax machines and multifunction products, today announced the promotion of Stewart Krentzman, 52, of River Vale, N.J., to the post of president and chief executive officer."</ref>
• Florence Lawrence (1886–1938), the first ever "movie star", she lived in River Vale from 1913 through 1916<ref name=WFPP>Florence Lawrence, Women Film Pioneers Project. Accessed September 23, 2015. "Florence Lawrence intended her last Victor photoplay to be her second two-reel film, The Lady Leone (1912), and after its completion, she and Solter retired to their home in River Vale, New Jersey."</ref><ref name=PHS>PHS Answer Girl & Curator Template:Webarchive, Pascack Historical Society. Accessed September 23, 2015. "Florence Lawrence was America's first movie star according to movie historians. She lived at 565 Rivervale Road in River Vale from 1913 through 1916."</ref>
• Michelle Lewis (born 1971/72), singer-songwriter.<ref>Gavin, John A. "Workshops on words give clue to future", The Record, March 3, 2000. Accessed January 6, 2023, via Newspapers.com. "Lewis, the recording artist, had similar advice as she told students how she sat in the same classrooms in the mid-1980s. Now 28, Lewis lives in Manhattan, has written songs for prime-time television, and just cut her first CD. Yet she said she didn't want to miss the opportunity to come back to River Vale and talk to students who might have the same dream she had."</ref>
• Bill Maher (born 1956), comedian and actor<ref>Manahan, Kevin. "Attn: Bill Maher's high school girlfriend (he's not over it)' Template:Webarchive, NJ.com, May 17, 2012. Accessed August 27, 2024. "You know who you are: You broke Bill Maher's heart. Remember that? It was sophomore year at Pascack Hills High School, and the awkward kid from River Vale was on top of the world."</ref><ref>Condran, Ed. "Bill Maher: Jersey Rules",New Jersey Monthly, December 14, 2015. Accessed August 27, 2024. "You can take Bill Maher out of New Jersey, but you can’t take the Joizy out of the host of HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher. The provocative comic says growing up in River Vale (Pascack Hills High School, class of '74) has had a profound impact on him as a Californian."</ref>
• Daniel S. Nevins (born 1966), rabbi who is Dean at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America<ref>Leichman, Abigail. "North Jerseyan named JTS dean", The Record, February 8, 2007. Accessed August 19, 2013. "River Vale native Rabbi Daniel Nevins recently was named the next dean of the Rabbinical School of The Jewish Theological Seminary in Manhattan, the academic and spiritual center of Conservative Judaism worldwide."</ref>
• Ian O'Connor (born 1964), sports columnist and ESPN radio host who wrote the books Arnie & Jack: Palmer, Nicklaus & Golf's Greatest Rivalry and The Captain: The Journey of Derek Jeter<ref>Staff. "River Vale's O'Connor to sign copies of new book" Template:Webarchive, Pascack Valley Community Life, May 12, 2011. Accessed November 5, 2013. "River Vale resident Ian O'Connor, a nationally acclaimed columnist and author of "The Captain: The Journey of Derek Jeter," will sign copies of "The Captain" and speak about Jeter's career at Bookends in Ridgewood, 211 E. Ridgewood Ave., on Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m."</ref>
• Annette Sanders (born 1937/38), jazz vocalist and studio singer<ref>Wynne, Peter (June 29, 1973). "Opera Debut for Financier". The Hackensack Record. p. 31. Accessed January 5, 2022.</ref><ref>"Due to Croon Tony Bennett, Bill Evans Recordings Aug. 13". Pascack Valley Community Life. p. A33. Accessed January 5, 2022.</ref>
• Holly Schepisi (born 1971), member of the New Jersey General Assembly who has represented the 39th Legislative District since 2012<ref>Harris, Chris; and Gartl, Michael. "Bergen Freeholder Hermansen withdraws from Assembly race" Template:Webarchive, The Record, August 31, 2011. Accessed November 5, 2013. "Others Republicans vying for Vandervalk's open slot include Scott Mooney of Emerson and Holly Schepisi of River Vale."</ref>
• Celita Schutz (born 1968), judoka who competed on the women's team in the 1996 Summer Olympics, in the 2000 Summer Olympics and in the 2004 Summer Olympics<ref>Berkow, Ira. "Olympics; A Judo Champion Bounces Back From Heartbreak", The New York Times, July 23, 2004. Accessed November 24, 2017. "And so at the beginning of this year, after the emotional and even physical upheaval of the last few years, the 5-foot-5 Schutz (pronounced Shoots), 36, sat back on her couch in a tan T-shirt, blue jeans and silver earrings and recalled how she had decided to try a comeback to the sport that she has loved since she first took it up at age 6, in River Vale, N.J., after watching her older brother Del take judo lessons."</ref>
• William J. Snow, (1868–1947), major general in the United States Army<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Harry Solter (1873–1920), silent film actor, screenwriter and director<ref name=WFPP/><ref name=PHS/>

Historical sites

• Baylor Massacre Burial Site, site of the 1778 American Revolutionary War battle.<ref>Wright, Kevin. "Overkill: Revolutionary War Reminiscences of River Vale", Bergen County Historical Society. Accessed August 21, 2014.</ref>
• River Vale's Veterans Memorial is home to the sixteen-foot, one-ton nameplate from the stern of Template:USS.<ref name=Enterprise/><ref>USS Enterprise (CV-6) Collection, River Vale Free Public Library. Accessed October 7, 2019. "The Township of River Vale is guardian of the stern plate of the USS Enterprise (CV-6) which rests in our Memorial Park."</ref>

Other points of interest

• River Vale Country Club has an 18-hole golf course that is open to the public.<ref>RIVER VALE COUNTRY CLUB: BERGEN, Golf Digest. Accessed December 15, 2023.</ref>

Sources

• 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.
• Clayton, W. Woodford; and Nelson, William. History of Bergen and Passaic Counties, New Jersey, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men., Philadelphia: Everts and Peck, 1882.
• Harvey, Cornelius Burnham (ed.), Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey. New York: New Jersey Genealogical Publishing Co., 1900.
• Moderacki, Edmund. River Vale (Images of America series), Arcadia Publishing, 2002. Template:ISBN
• Van Valen, James M. History of Bergen County, New Jersey. New York: New Jersey Publishing and Engraving Co., 1900.
• Westervelt, Frances A. (Frances Augusta), 1858–1942, History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1630–1923, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1923.

External links

• Template:Wikivoyage inline
• River Vale official website