Editing Closter, New Jersey (section)

==Government==
===Local government===
Closter is governed under the [[Borough (New Jersey)|borough]] form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.<ref>[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/inventory_of_municipal_forms_of_government_in_new_jersey.pdf ''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 and a borough council, with all positions elected [[at-large]] on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.<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 Closter 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 [[veto override|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. [http://www.njslom.org/magart0307_p14.html "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924045019/http://www.njslom.org/magart0307_p14.html |date=2014-09-24 }}, [[New Jersey State League of Municipalities]]. Accessed November 30, 2014.</ref><ref>[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/forms_of_municipal_government_in_new_jersey_9220.pdf#page=6 "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey"], p. 6. [[Rutgers University]] Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref>

{{As of|2025}}, the [[mayor]] of Closter Borough is [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] John C. Glidden Jr., whose term of office ends December 31, 2026. Members of the Closter Borough Council are Council President Alissa J. Latner (D, 2024), Victoria Roti Amitai (R, 2025), Christopher Cho (R, 2026), Jannie Chung ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]], 2024), Anna Maroules (R, 2026) and Joseph Yammarino (R, 2025).<ref name=Council>[https://www.closterboro.com/closter/Mayor%20%26%20Council/ Mayor and Council], Borough of Closter, updated January 5, 2024. Accessed April 21, 2024.</ref><ref>[https://www.closterboro.com/closter/Departments/Finance%20Department/Introduced%20Budgets/Borough%20of%20Closter%202023%20Introduced%20Municipal%20Budget.pdf?1713724263 2023 Municipal Data Sheet], Borough of Closter. Accessed April 21, 2024.</ref><ref name=BergenCountyDirectory>[https://www.co.bergen.nj.us/images/About_Bergen_County/2024-county-directory.pdf#page=37 ''2024 County and Municipal Directory''], [[Bergen County, New Jersey]], April 2024. Accessed April 15, 2024.</ref><ref name=Bergen2023>[https://www.bergencountyclerk.gov/_Content/pdf/ElectionResult/District%20Canvass%20NEW.pdf Official Statement of Vote 2023 General Election - November 7, 2023 Official Results], [[Bergen County, New Jersey]], November 27, 2023. Accessed January 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=Bergen2022>[https://www.bergencountyclerk.org/_Content/pdf/ElectionResult/Certified%20Statement%20of%20Vote%20Book%2011-21-22.pdf 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>[https://www.bergencountyclerk.org/_Content/pdf/ElectionResult/Statement%20of%20Vote%2011-17-21(1).pdf Bergen County Statement of Vote November 2, 2021 Official results], [[Bergen County, New Jersey]], updated November 17, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref>

In January 2015, the borough council selected former councilmember Tom Hennessey from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the vacant seat that had been held by John C. Glidden Jr., expiring in 2016 that became vacant when Glidden took office as mayor.<ref>Christie, Robert. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160921023651/http://www.northjersey.com/news/hennessey-is-appointed-to-vacant-council-seat-1.1264795 "Hennessey is appointed to vacant Closter council seat"], ''Northern Valley Suburbanite'', February 5, 2015, backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of September 21, 2016. Accessed September 11, 2017. "The governing body appointed a new member to fill a seat on the council that became vacant after voters elected a new mayor. Thomas Hennessey was appointed to the seat at the Jan. 14 Mayor and Council meeting. The term expires at the end of 2015. Hennessey replaces John Glidden who was elected mayor in November 2014."</ref>

In 2017, former borough council president Robert Di Dio was appointed to the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy by Governor [[Chris Christie]].<ref>Levine, Cecilia. [http://cresskill.dailyvoice.com/politics/christie-names-closter-politician-to-state-board-of-pharmacy/717452/ "Christie Names Closter Politician To State Board Of Pharmacy"], Cresskill-Closter Daily Voice, July 25, 2017. Accessed March 2, 2018. "Former Bergen County Freeholder candidate and Closter Council President Robert Di Dio was recently appointed to the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy by Governor Christie."</ref>

=== Emergency services ===
Closter has its own fire department formed in 1893. The department responds to an average of 269 calls a year.<ref>[http://www.closterboro.com/closter/Departments/Fire%20Department/ Fire Department], Borough of Closter. Accessed December 19, 2013.</ref>

The Closter Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Corps was formed in 1936, and serves three jurisdictions: Closter, the neighboring borough of [[Alpine, New Jersey|Alpine]], and the section of the [[Palisades Interstate Parkway]] within Alpine's borders.<ref>[http://www.closterboro.com/closter/Departments/Ambulance%20Corps/_top Ambulance Corps], Borough of Closter. Accessed May 18, 2021.</ref>

Closter also has its own police department.<ref>[http://www.closterboro.com/closter/Departments/Police%20Department/ Police Department], Borough of Closter. Accessed December 19, 2013.</ref> Led by Chief James Buccola, the department includes a captain, three lieutenants, five sergeants, and eleven patrol officers. Two of these officers (both sergeants) comprise the detective bureau of the department. The department has one Administrative Assistant, a non-officer role.<ref>[http://www.closterboro.com/closter/Departments/Police%20Department/Police%20Department%20Personnel%20Roster/ Police Department Personnel Roster], Borough of Closter. Accessed December 30, 2024.</ref>

===Federal, state and county representation===
Closter is located in the 5th Congressional District<ref name=PCR2012>[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2012-congressional-districts/njcd-2011-plan-components-county-mcd.pdf 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>[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2011-legislative-districts/towns-districts.pdf Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District], [[New Jersey Department of State]]. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref><ref name=LWV2019>[https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5bae63366fd2b2e5b9f87e5e/5d30f0a94a82c66427e564d2_2019_CitizensGuide.pdf ''2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government''], New Jersey [[League of Women Voters]]. Accessed October 30, 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/districtnumbers.asp#39 Districts by Number for 2011-2020], [[New Jersey Legislature]]. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref>

{{NJ Congress 05}} {{NJ Senate}}

{{NJ Legislative 39}}

{{NJ Bergen County Freeholders}}

===Politics===
As of March 2011, there were a total of 4,930 registered voters in Closter, of which 1,348 (27.3% vs. 31.7% countywide) were registered as [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]], 1,060 (21.5% vs. 21.1%) were registered as [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] and 2,519 (51.1% vs. 47.1%) were registered as [[Unaffiliated (New Jersey)|Unaffiliated]]. There were 3 voters registered as [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarians]] or [[Green Party (United States)|Greens]].<ref name=VoterRegistration>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-bergen-co-summary-report.pdf Voter Registration Summary - Bergen], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 4, 2013.</ref> Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 58.9% (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>[https://www.census.gov GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed December 4, 2013.</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; font-size: 95%;"
|+ Presidential elections results
|-
! Year
![[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
![[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
![[Third Party (United States)|Third Parties]]
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2024 United States presidential election in New Jersey|2024]]<ref name="2024Elections">{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2024/2024-official-general-results-president-bergen.pdf|title=Presidential General Election Results - November 5, 2024 - Bergen County|publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections|access-date=January 3, 2025}}</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|42.0% ''1,710''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.2%''' ''2,247''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |2.8% ''61''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2020|2020]]<ref name="2020Elections">{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2020/2020-official-general-results-president-bergen.pdf|title=Presidential General Election Results - November 3, 2020 - Bergen County|publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections|access-date=January 3, 2023}}</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|36.4% ''1,717''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''62.7%'''  ''2,953''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |0.9% ''42''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2016|2016]]<ref name="2016Elections">{{cite web|url=http://nj.gov/state/elections/2016-results/2016-gen-elect-presidential-results-bergen.pdf|title=Presidential General Election Results - November 8, 2016 - Bergen County|publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections|access-date=January 3, 2018}}{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|37.7% ''1,478''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''58.9%'''  ''2,309''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |3.3% ''131''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2012|2012]]<ref name="2012Elections">{{cite web|url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-presidential-bergen.pdf|title=Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Bergen County|date=March 15, 2013|publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections|access-date=December 23, 2014}}</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|46.4% ''1,639''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''52.6%'''  ''1,857''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |0.9% ''33''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2008|2008]]<ref name="state.nj.us">[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-bergen.rev.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Bergen County], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed November 21, 2012.</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|43.6% ''1,715''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.5%'''  ''2,184''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |1.0% ''38''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2004|2004]]<ref name="Presidential Election 2004">[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2004/2004-presidential_bergen_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election: Bergen County], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed November 21, 2012.</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|46.6% ''1,860''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''52.7%'''  ''2,100''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |0.7% ''27''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2000|2000]]<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014>[http://www.bergencountyclerk.org/web_content/pdf/elections/historical/General-1959-2014.zip General Election Results 1959 to 2014] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104074920/http://www.bergencountyclerk.org/web_content/pdf/elections/historical/General-1959-2014.zip |date=2018-01-04 }}, Bergen County Clerk. Accessed February 24, 2018.</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|42.4% ''1,595''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''54.1%'''  ''2,036''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |3.5% ''132''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 1996|1996]]<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|42.1% ''1,526''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''49.2%'''  ''1,783''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |8.7% ''316''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 1992|1992]]<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''45.9%''' ''1,847''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|40.0%  ''1,611''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |14.1% ''566''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 1988|1988]]<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''60.0%''' ''2,361''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|39.6%  ''1,555''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |0.4% ''16''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 1984|1984]]<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''66.1%''' ''2,871''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|33.7%  ''1,463''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |0.3% ''12''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 1980|1980]]<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''57.9%''' ''2,392''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|29.6%  ''1,222''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |12.5% ''518''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 1976|1976]]<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''59.4%''' ''2,505''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.8%  ''1,639''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |1.8% ''76''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 1972|1972]]<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''68.9%''' ''2,972''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|29.6%  ''1,277''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |1.5% ''65''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 1968|1968]]<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''59.0%''' ''2,466''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|36.0%  ''1,506''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |5.0% ''209''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 1964|1964]]<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|45.8% ''1,815''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''54.2%'''  ''2,150''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |0.0% ''1''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 1960|1960]]<ref name=BergenElections1959to2014/>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''68.8%''' ''2,626''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|31.2%  ''1,190''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |0.0% ''1''
|}

In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2016|2016 presidential election]], Democrat [[Hillary Clinton]] received 2,309 votes (58.4% vs. 54.2% countywide), ahead of Republican [[Donald Trump]] with 1,478 votes (37.4% vs 41.1% countywide) and other candidates with 96 votes (2.4% vs 3.0% countywide), among the 3,952 ballots cast by the borough's 5,557 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.1% (vs. 73% in Bergen County).<ref>[http://www.njelections.org/2016-results/2016-gen-elect-presidential-results-bergen.pdf Presidential November 8, 2016 General Election Results Bergen County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107140253/http://www.njelections.org/2016-results/2016-gen-elect-presidential-results-bergen.pdf |date=January 7, 2017 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]], December 14, 2016. Accessed September 11, 2017.</ref> In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2012|2012 presidential election]], Democrat [[Barack Obama]] received 1,857 votes (52.3% vs. 54.8% countywide), ahead of Republican [[Mitt Romney]] with 1,639 votes (46.2% vs. 43.5%) and other candidates with 30 votes (0.8% vs. 0.9%), among the 3,550 ballots cast by the borough's 5,136 registered voters, for a turnout of 69.1% (vs. 70.4% in Bergen County).<ref>[http://njelections.org/2012-results/2012-presidential-bergen.pdf Presidential November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Bergen County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926204006/http://njelections.org/2012-results/2012-presidential-bergen.pdf |date=September 26, 2018 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 4, 2013.</ref><ref>[http://njelections.org/2012-results/2012-ballotscast-bergen.pdf Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Bergen County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926203505/http://njelections.org/2012-results/2012-ballotscast-bergen.pdf |date=September 26, 2018 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 4, 2013.</ref> In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2008|2008 presidential election]], Democrat Barack Obama received 2,184 votes (55.2% vs. 53.9% countywide), ahead of Republican [[John McCain]] with 1,715 votes (43.4% vs. 44.5%) and other candidates with 28 votes (0.7% vs. 0.8%), among the 3,955 ballots cast by the borough's 5,187 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.2% (vs. 76.8% in Bergen County).<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-bergen.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Bergen County], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed December 5, 2013.</ref><ref name=Results2008>[http://dng.northjersey.com/media_server/tr/smaps/2008/electionresults2008/att/North_Jersey_election_results_30.html 2008 General Election Results for Closter] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814202546/http://dng.northjersey.com/media_server/tr/smaps/2008/electionresults2008/att/North_Jersey_election_results_30.html |date=2011-08-14 }}, ''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]''. Accessed November 7, 2008.</ref>

In the [[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2013|2013 gubernatorial election]], Republican [[Chris Christie]] received 64.2% of the vote (1,183 cast), ahead of Democrat [[Barbara Buono]] with 35.0% (646 votes), and other candidates with 0.8% (15 votes), among the 1,883 ballots cast by the borough's 4,945 registered voters (39 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 38.1%.<ref name=2013Elections>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-results-governor-bergen.pdf |title=Governor - Bergen County |date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-ballotscast-bergen.pdf |title=Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 5, 2013 - General Election Results - Bergen County|date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref> In the [[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2009|2009 gubernatorial election]], Democrat [[Jon Corzine]] received 1,238 ballots cast (48.7% vs. 48.0% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 1,156 votes (45.5% vs. 45.8%), Independent [[Chris Daggett]] with 112 votes (4.4% vs. 4.7%) and other candidates with 7 votes (0.3% vs. 0.5%), among the 2,543 ballots cast by the borough's 5,064 registered voters, yielding a 50.2% turnout (vs. 50.0% in the county).<ref>[http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-bergen.pdf 2009 Governor: Bergen County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128164457/https://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-bergen.pdf |date=2018-11-28 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed December 4, 2013.</ref>