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Westwood, New Jersey

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Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Westwood (known as "The Hub of the Pascack Valley"<ref>Brief History of Westwood, Borough of Westwood. Accessed March 28, 2007.</ref>) is a borough in Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Westwood is part of the New York metropolitan area.<ref>New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA Combined Statistical Area, United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 20, 2016.</ref> Many of its residents regularly commute to New York City for work and leisure, many using public transportation.<ref name=NYT1996>Rondinaro, Gene. "In a Bergen Borough, Diversified Growth", The New York Times, September 1, 1996. Accessed June 20, 2016. "And at dawn, while harried commuters in other municipalities rise early only to stream onto crowded roadways en route to jobs in Manhattan across the Hudson River, residents often walk to the train station or a commuter bus for the one-hour trip."</ref><ref>Table 4. Residence MCD/County to Workplace MCD/County Commuting Flows by Travel Mode for the United States and Puerto Rico Sorted by Residence Geography: 5-Year ACS, 2009-2013, United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 21, 2016.</ref> As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 11,282,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> an increase of 374 (+3.4%) from the 2010 census count of 10,908,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected a decline of 91 (−0.8%) from the 10,999 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>

Westwood was officially incorporated as a borough on May 8, 1894, from portions of Washington Township, early during the "Boroughitis" phenomenon then sweeping through Bergen County, in which 26 boroughs were formed in the county in 1894 alone.<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. 88. Accessed May 30, 2024.</ref><ref>Harvey, Cornelius Burnham. Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey, p. 11, New Jersey Genealogical Publishing Company, 1900. Accessed September 1, 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."</ref> Isaac D. Bogert served as the first mayor of the borough.<ref>Burrow, Megan. "Mayors portrait project is complete", Pascack Valley Community Life, February 18, 2010. Accessed September 1, 2013. "Westwood Heritage Society member Jim Gines, who bears a striking resemblance to Westwood's first mayor, Isaac D. Bogert, said it was lucky that the older pictures were preserved so well."</ref> In April 1909, Westwood was enlarged through the annexation of the "Old Hook" section of the borough of Emerson,<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. 314. New Jersey Law Journal Publishing Company, 1910. Accessed October 27, 2015.</ref> and on September 24, 1957, portions of the borough were exchanged with Emerson.<ref name=Story/>

History

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The Lenni-Lenape Native Americans inhabited this part of the state and shared it with the transient hunters and trappers until the permanent settlers began to enter in mid-18th century.<ref>History, Borough of Westwood. Accessed October 10, 2019.</ref> In the early 19th century, the area that would later become Westwood was within the larger political boundaries of Harrington Township, which had been established by royal charter in 1775. In 1840, the western half of Harrington Township became Washington Township, with the Hackensack River as the dividing line.<ref name=Story/> Washington Township was an agrarian region with isolated farmsteads. Early families, including the Hoppers and Ackermans, are buried at the Old Hook Cemetery. An 18th-century mill was situated at the dammed stream near the intersection of today's Mill Street and First Avenue. This mill was on an important east west pathway and was the first on Musquapsink Brook.<ref>Durie, Howard I. Bogert's Mill, Westwood; The Earliest Pascack Mill Site, 1990; pp. 8, 23.</ref> The mill was largely destroyed after a fire set by an arsonist and was dismantled in 1910.<ref name=MasterPlanHistoric>McCabe & Associates. Master Plan: Historic Preservation Element, Borough of Westwood, April 2007. Accessed October 10, 2019.</ref>

File:Bogert Mill House Established 1773.jpg
2 1st Ave Westwood NJ Built in 1773. Owned by the Bogert family till 1910. currently owned by the Sandt Family.

A brief description of Washington Township written in 1844 described it as a township with six stores, four schools for 135 students, six grist mills, and 14 saw mills.<ref>Barber, John W.; and Howe, Henry. Historical Collections of the State of New Jersey, (1844); p. 85</ref>

The first wave of concentrated development took place as the result of the coming of the Hackensack and New York Railroad in 1870, which followed the route of today's Pascack Valley Line. On March 5, 1870, service began between Westwood and New York City (via Jersey City and a ferry ride). Several small hotels were built near the depot, and in 1872 several houses in the latest European-influenced styles began to be built along Centre Avenue.<ref name=Timeline>Oettinger Jr., Joseph. Westwood Time Line 1861-1905, 2006.</ref> Old maps show that growth occurred simultaneously on the land both to the east and west of the tracks. The commercial buildings included lumber and coal sheds, stores, and a bakery. There was a chapel on the corner of Third and Park Avenues. The triangular park that has played an important role as a place of community gatherings is also shown on the 1876 map.<ref>Walker's 1876 Atlas of Bergen County</ref>

By the 1880s, Westwood had four factories, several distilleries, a new school, a laundry and grocery store, and a new Reformed Church. In 1890, following a meeting of interested residents, those favoring the incorporation of Westwood as an independent borough conducted a petition drive. In 1894, Westwood separated from Washington Township and became an independent borough. Elected as the borough's first mayor was Isaac D. Bogert.<ref>Rogers, Georgia and Knopf, Edward. History of Westwood, Bergen County and New Jersey (Westwood, NJ: The Westwood Press, Inc., 1942); p. 32</ref>

In 1899, a water plant constructed by Cornelius S. DeBraun provided service to the houses that had been built along the borough's newly laid streets.<ref name=Timeline/> By the time of the 1905 New Jersey Census, there were 234 dwellings housing a population of 1,044.<ref>Meeker, Ellis R. New Jersey: A Historical, Commercial and Industrial Review. (Elizabeth, N.J.: Commonwealth Publishing Co., 1906).</ref>

File:Park Place Westwood Xmas wreath FD jeh.jpg
Westwood Park Place decorated for the holidays. Notice that the Fire Bell is covered with a Christmas Wreath

Lincoln High School was constructed around the turn of the 20th century, which also saw the introduction of electricity, telephones, and automobiles to the town. Underwood & Underwood Stereoscope Company opened a plant during the first decades of the 20th century, and many congregations established their first chapels, which were replaced in later years as the congregations grew in numbers and wealth.<ref name=Timeline/> Following a typical pattern of development throughout the 20th century, the results are a mature railroad suburb almost covered with housing units, commercial, municipal and ecclesiastical buildings. The borough still retains the open space of the triangular park at its center.<ref name=MasterPlanHistoric/>

Geography

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File:Aeroview of Westwood, New Jersey 1924. LOC 76693065.jpg
Panoramic map of Westwood from 1924 with list of landmarks and images of several inset

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.30 square miles (5.95 km2), including 2.26 square miles (5.85 km2) of land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) of water (1.74%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

The borough borders the Bergen County municipalities of Emerson, Hillsdale, River Vale And Washington Township.<ref>Areas touching Westwood, MapIt. Accessed March 15, 2020.</ref><ref>Bergen County Map of Municipalities, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 15, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

Demographics

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Template:US Census population

2010 census

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The 2010 United States census counted 10,908 people, 4,438 households, and 2,858 families in the borough. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 4,636 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 82.98% (9,052) White, 4.62% (504) Black or African American, 0.31% (34) Native American, 7.38% (805) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 2.77% (302) from other races, and 1.93% (211) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.58% (1,263) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 4,438 households, 29.1% had children under the age of 18; 52.0% were married couples living together; 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 35.6% were non-families. Of all households, 31.2% were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.11.<ref name=Census2010/>

21.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 88.8 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $79,133 (with a margin of error of +/− $5,195) and the median family income was $107,966 (+/− $10,189). Males had a median income of $70,598 (+/− $14,566) versus $52,721 (+/− $10,753) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $40,839 (+/− $2,990). About 1.8% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.9% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Westwood borough, Bergen County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 11, 2012.</ref>

Same-sex couples headed 21 households in 2010, an increase from the 19 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 September 15, 2014.</ref>

2000 census

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As of the 2000 United States census, there were 10,999 people, 4,485 households, and 2,879 families residing in the borough. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 4,610 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the borough was 86.60% White, 4.39% Asian, 5.72% African American, 1.67% from other races, 0.14% Native American, 0.01% Pacific Islander, and 1.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.00% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Westwood borough, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 3, 2013.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Westwood borough, Bergen County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 3, 2013.</ref>

There were 4,485 households, out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.08.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the borough the population was spread out, with 21.5% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.1 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the borough was $59,868, and the median income for a family was $77,105. Males had a median income of $50,800 versus $42,459 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $32,083. About 1.8% of families and 4.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.8% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

Government

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Local government

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Westwood is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the state's most common 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 a mayor directly elected by the voters and a borough council. The mayor serves a four-year term of office, and the borough council includes six members who serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.<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> The borough form of government used by Westwood 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.<ref>Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask" Template:Webarchive, New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Accessed November 30, 2014.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref>

Template:As of, the mayor of Westwood is Republican Raymond Arroyo, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the Westwood Borough Council are Council President Beth Dell (R, 2025), Robert Bicocchi (R, 2025), Erin Collins (D, 2023), Anthony Greco (R, 2024), Cheryl Hodges (R, 2024), and Christopher Montana (R, 2023).<ref name=MayorCouncil>Mayor & Council, Borough of Westwood. Accessed March 17, 2023.</ref><ref>2022 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Westwood. Accessed July 9, 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=Bergen2021>Bergen County Statement of Vote November 2, 2021 Official results, Bergen County, New Jersey, updated November 17, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.</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><ref name=Bergen2019>Bergen County November 5, 2019 General Election Statement of Vote, Bergen County, New Jersey Clerk, updated December 10, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.</ref>

In January 2020, Cheryl Hodges was selected from three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2021 that became vacant when Raymond Arroyo took office as mayor; Hodges served on an interim basis until the November 2020 general election, when voters selected her to serve the balance of the term of office.<ref>Snyder, John. "Arroyo Sworn as Westwood Mayor; Hodges Joins Council", Pascack Press, January 3, 2020. Accessed February 10, 2020. "Under Arroyo, the council voted for Cheryl Hodges, one of three names put forward by the Westwood Republican County Committee, to fill out Arroyo’s council term, which ends Dec. 31, 2021."</ref>

In May 2018, the borough council selected Alyssa Dawson from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the vacant seat of Peter Grefrath expiring in December 2018.<ref>Nolan, Sarah. "New Westwood councilwoman becomes youngest woman serving in New Jersey", The Record, June 8, 2018. Accessed October 10, 2019. "Republican Alyssa Dawson was sworn in as a Westwood councilwoman recently. At age 24, she is the youngest female in office in the state."</ref>

In September 2015, the borough council selected Beth Dell from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the vacant seat of Robert Miller expiring in December 2016. In announcing his resignation, Miller cited commitments to his family, and concerns about the impact of extended service by elected officials.<ref>Wyrich, Andrew. "Westwood appoints fill-in for council", The Record, September 22, 2015. Accessed September 22, 2015. "The Borough Council has appointed the vice president of a local education non-profit to fill a seat vacated by a resignation this year. Beth Dell will succeed Councilman Robert Miller, whose resignation, which he announced in July, was effective Sept. 2. Miller cited family obligations and reluctance to stay on the council too long when announcing his departure."</ref>

Federal, state and county representation

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Westwood 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, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref>

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Template:NJ Bergen County Freeholders

Politics

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As of March 2011, there were a total of 6,847 registered voters in Westwood, of which 1,805 (26.4% vs. 31.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,986 (29.0% vs. 21.1%) were registered as Republicans and 3,049 (44.5% vs. 47.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 7 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.<ref name=VoterRegistration>Voter Registration Summary - Bergen, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 23, 2013.</ref> Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 62.8% (vs. 57.1% in Bergen County) were registered to vote, including 80.4% 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 23, 2013.</ref>

In the 2016 presidential election, Democrat Hillary Clinton received 2,877 votes (50.6% vs. 54.8% countywide), ahead of Republican Donald Trump with 2,598 votes (45.7% vs. 41.6%) and other candidates with 214 votes (3.8% vs. 3.0%), among the 5,742 ballots cast by the borough's 7,517 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.4% (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, 2018.</ref> In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 2,701 votes (50.4% vs. 54.8% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 2,564 votes (47.9% vs. 43.5%) and other candidates with 49 votes (0.9% vs. 0.9%), among the 5,355 ballots cast by the borough's 7,151 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.9% (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 23, 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 23, 2013.</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 2,915 votes (51.5% vs. 53.9% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 2,657 votes (46.9% vs. 44.5%) and other candidates with 47 votes (0.8% vs. 0.8%), among the 5,664 ballots cast by the borough's 7,130 registered voters, for a turnout of 79.4% (vs. 76.8% in Bergen County).<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Bergen County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed December 23, 2013.</ref><ref name=Results2008>2008 General Election Results for Westwood, The Record. Accessed June 11, 2012.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 2,795 votes (51.4% vs. 47.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 2,576 votes (47.4% vs. 51.7%) and other candidates with 47 votes (0.9% vs. 0.7%), among the 5,436 ballots cast by the borough's 6,837 registered voters, for a turnout of 79.5% (vs. 76.9% in the whole county).<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Bergen County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed December 23, 2013.</ref>

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In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 64.3% of the vote (2,134 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 34.7% (1,150 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (34 votes), among the 3,404 ballots cast by the borough's 6,830 registered voters (86 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 49.8%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 4,288 votes (62.9% vs. 45.8% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 2,104 votes (30.8% vs. 48.0%), Independent Chris Daggett with 352 votes (5.2% vs. 4.7%) and other candidates with 26 votes (0.4% vs. 0.5%), among the 6,822 ballots cast by the borough's 12,051 registered voters, yielding a 56.6% 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 23, 2013.</ref>

Emergency services

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Westwood has a police department founded in September 1894, months after the borough was established, with the appointment by Mayor Bogert of two marshals; The first permanent officer was hired in 1921.<ref>Staff. "Time Was: Westwood P.D. dates back to 1894", Pascack Valley Community Life, March 3, 2011. Accessed October 27, 2015. "In September 1894, Mayor I.D. Bogert appointed Aaron Tuers and Genest Houseman to serve as marshals.... In May 1921, Mayor Ward appointed Westwood's first permanent officer, Arthur Bird at a salary of $1,500."</ref> The department is located in the municipal building.<ref>History, Westwood Police Department. Accessed March 19, 2015.</ref>

Westwood has its own volunteer fire department. It was established in 1894. The station is home to Engine 12, Engine 1, Truck 1, Rescue 1, Utility 1, and Marine 1. The department responds to over 300 calls a year. It is located at 93 Center Ave. There is a chief, deputy chief, 2 captains and 4 lieutenants, approx. 60 regular firefighters, 10 probationary firemen, and 10 cadets led by a cadet captain.<ref>History, Westwood Fire Department. Accessed March 19, 2015.</ref>

Westwood also has a separate volunteer ambulance corps that was formed in 1935, located at borough hall.<ref>Home Page, Westwood Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Accessed March 19, 2015.</ref>

Education

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Students in public school for kindergarten through twelfth grade attend the Westwood Regional School District, a comprehensive regional school district serving both Westwood and Washington Township.<ref>Westwood Regional Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Westwood Regional School District, adopted December 14, 2006. Accessed February 20, 2025. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades kindergarten through twelve in the Westwood Regional School District. Composition: The Westwood Regional School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of the Borough of Westwood and the Township of Washington."</ref><ref>About Our District: Community and District Profiles, Westwood Regional School District. Accessed July 24, 2022. "The Westwood Regional School District serves the Borough of Westwood (population 10,400) and the Township of Washington (population 9,800). These two communities are located approximately fifteen miles northwest of midtown Manhattan."</ref> The district is the county's only regional district serving grades K-12.<ref>Westwood Regional School District 2016 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 26, 2020. "The Westwood Regional School District is the only K-12 regional school district in Bergen County, serving approximately 2,740 students from the Borough of Westwood and the Township of Washington."</ref> As of the 2023–24 school year, the district, comprised of six schools, had an enrollment of 2,828 students and 259.2 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.9:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Westwood Regional School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 15, 2024.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2023–24 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics<ref>School Data for the Westwood Regional School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 15, 2024.</ref>) are Berkeley Avenue Elementary School<ref>Berkeley Avenue Elementary School, Westwood Regional School District. Accessed February 20, 2025.</ref> with 282 students in grades K–5, Brookside Elementary School<ref>Brookside Elementary School, Westwood Regional School District. Accessed February 20, 2025.</ref> with 375 students in grades K–5, Jessie F. George Elementary School<ref>Jessie F. George Elementary School, Westwood Regional School District. Accessed February 20, 2025.</ref> with 283 students in grades K–5, Washington Elementary School<ref>Washington Elementary School, Westwood Regional School District. Accessed February 20, 2025.</ref> with 322 students in grades K–5, Westwood Regional Middle School<ref>Westwood Regional Middle School, Westwood Regional School District. Accessed February 20, 2025.</ref> with 683 students in grades 6–8 and Westwood Regional High School<ref>Westwood Regional High School, Westwood Regional School District. Accessed February 20, 2025.</ref> with 839 students in grades 9–12.<ref>School Performance Reports for the Westwood Regional School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 3, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Westwood Regional School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref> Seats on the nine-member board are allocated based on population of the constituent municipalities, with five allocated to Westwood and four to Washington Township.<ref>Board of Education, Westwood Regional School District. Accessed February 20, 2025.</ref>

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.<ref>About Us, Bergen County Technical Schools. Accessed December 22, 2013.</ref><ref>Admissions, Bergen County Technical Schools. Accessed December 29, 2016.</ref>

Zion Lutheran School, adjacent the eponymous church founded in 1905, is a private school for students in Kindergarten through eighth grade.Template:Citation needed

Infrastructure

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Transportation

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File:2018-07-20 15 17 03 View east along Bergen County Route 502 (Broadway) just east of Westwood Avenue and Washington Avenue in Westwood, Bergen County, New Jersey.jpg
View east along County Route 502 in central Westwood

Roads and highways

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Template:As of, the borough 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, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed December 23, 2013.</ref>

The most significant roads passing directly through Westwood are County Route 503 (Kinderkamack Road)<ref>County Route 503 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated June 2012. Accessed February 4, 2023.</ref> and County Route 502.<ref>County Route 502 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated June 2012. Accessed February 4, 2023.</ref> The closest limited-access highway is the Garden State Parkway in neighboring Washington Township, where Exit 168 links CR 502 to the borough.<ref>Bergen County Highway Map, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed February 4, 2023.</ref>

Public transportation

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Westwood is served by NJ Transit at the Westwood train station, located at Broadway and Westwood Avenue.<ref>Westwood station, NJ Transit. Accessed December 23, 2013.</ref> The Pascack Valley Line runs north–south to Hoboken Terminal with connections via the Secaucus Junction transfer station to New York Penn Station and to other NJ Transit rail service. Connections are available at Hoboken Terminal to other NJ Transit rail lines, the PATH train at the Hoboken PATH station, New York Waterways ferry service to the World Financial Center and other destinations and Hudson-Bergen Light Rail service.<ref>Pascack Valley Line, NJ Transit. Accessed December 23, 2013.</ref>

NJ Transit bus route 165 serves Westwood with service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. Westwood is the terminus for bus route 165.<ref>Routes by County: Bergen County, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of October 23, 2010. Accessed June 11, 2012.</ref><ref>Bergen County System Map, NJ Transit. Accessed September 14, 2016.</ref>

Rockland Coaches offers service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal on routes 11 and 47.<ref>Commuter Routes Template:Webarchive, Rockland Coaches. Accessed December 22, 2013.</ref><ref>Available Schedules from Westwood, NJ to New York, NY, Rockland Coaches. Accessed December 23, 2013.</ref>

Healthcare

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Pascack Valley Hospital (PVH), a 291-bed hospital located at 250 Old Hook Road,<ref>PVH About our Hospital, Pascack Valley Hospital. Accessed October 21, 2007.</ref> filed for bankruptcy on September 24, 2007, and shut down on November 21, 2007.<ref>Important Information from Pascack Valley Hospital, Pascack Valley Hospital. Accessed October 21, 2007.</ref> On October 1, 2008, Hackensack University Medical Center opened Hackensack University Medical Center at Pascack Valley as a satellite emergency department. As of 2013, the facility has been expanded to include 128 patient beds, all in single rooms.<ref>Washburn, Lindy. "HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley plans new emergency room", The Record, November 9, 2014. Accessed August 23, 2015. "Nearly 18 months after a bankrupt Pascack Valley Hospital reopened as a modernized, all-single-room facility, its for-profit owners are embarking on a project to relocate and expand the emergency department.... It's a big investment in a 128-bed hospital whose liftoff has been slower than expected, with operating losses of nearly $20 million last year and an average census of just 37 patients a night."</ref>

Shopping and entertainment

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File:Westwood Cinema in Westwood New Jersey.jpg
Originally opened in 1928 as the 1,275-seat Pascack Theater,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the Westwood Cinema now has nine screens showing first-run movies.

Downtown Westwood is a regional hub that offers many options for shopping and dining. The Westwood Plaza is an outdoor shopping mall that had a Kmart and other stores and restaurants.<ref>Capuzzo, Jill P. "Westwood, N.J., Busy Hub, With Ponds and Parks", The New York Times, March 9, 2016. Accessed June 20, 2016.</ref> The Westwood location was one of the last three operating Kmart stores in the United States and was the last location in the state until it closed in 2023.<ref>Sundel, Jenna."What happened to Kmart and what's happening to all the empty stores?", The Record, December 7, 2022. Accessed February 26, 2023. "Only eight Kmart locations remain, with three in the mainland United States, one in Guam and four in the Virgin Islands. The only remaining store in New Jersey is in Westwood at the Westwood Plaza. The store opened in 1982 and recently celebrated its 40th anniversary."</ref><ref>Sobko, Katie; and Pascarella, Nancy. "Last New Jersey Kmart to close as Westwood store will shut down in fall", The Record, August 3, 2023. Accessed October 5, 2023. "Soon, Kmart will be just a memory in New Jersey, as the last location in the Garden State is expected to close this fall. The chain’s Westwood location, at 700 Broadway, will close in September or October and already has signs in the windows noting that 'everything must go.'"</ref> Westwood has a movie theater located on Center Avenue that is open seven days a week until midnight.<ref>Home Page, Westwood Cinema. Accessed March 19, 2015.</ref>

The Fritz Deitl Ice Rink, which opened in 1958, is home to AM3 Hockey Academy and offers open ice sessions, figure skating lessons, skating school, birthday party rentals, and Stick Time open hockey.<ref>About Us, Fritz Dietl Ice Rink. Accessed December 23, 2013.</ref>

Every Saturday, from May through November, there is a Farmer's Market held in the parking lot of the Knights of Columbus on Crest Street.<ref>Nolan, Sarah. "Farmers' market coming to Westwood", Pascack Valley Community Life, June 18, 2015. Accessed June 20, 2016.</ref>

In the summer, there are multiple concerts in the park where anyone can bring chairs or blankets, and watch the movie projected on the back of the train station.<ref>Staff. "Westwood Recreation Department hosts 10th Annual 'Summer Movies in the Park'", Pascack Valley Community Life, August 8, 2013. Accessed June 20, 2016.</ref>

Westwood also has a Community Center that is home to the Recreation Department where children and adults can get participate in sports and other activities.<ref>Westwood Community Center, Borough of Westwood. Accessed October 10, 2019.</ref>

Annual events

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Each December, Westwood holds its own holiday parade called "Home for the Holidays". Participants of the parade include The Westwood Regional High School Marching Band, The Park Ridge High School marching band, The Emerson High School marching band, and many more. The parade ends with Santa Claus riding on top of one of the fire trucks. Afterwards, there is a tree and candle lighting with hot foods included.<ref>Westwood NJ Events Holiday Parade Bergen County Template:Webarchive, Mybergen.com. Accessed August 10, 2015.</ref>

Downtown Westwood has a sidewalk sale held every summer. People can shop indoors or outdoors during this event. There are also fun activities and games included.<ref>Westwood Street Festival and Sidewalk Sale, Macaroni Kid. Accessed August 10, 2015.</ref>

Notable people

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

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See also

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References

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Sources

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