Totowa, New Jersey

Totowa (pronounced "TO-tuh-wuh"<ref>Cohen, Saul Bernard. "Totowa", The Columbia Gazetteer of the World: P to Z, p. 3923. Columbia University Press, 2008. Template:ISBN. Accessed January 15, 2013. "Totowa (TO-tuh-wuh), borough (2006 population 10,634), Passaic county, NE New Jersey"</ref> Template:IPAc-en) is a borough in Passaic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 11,065,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> an increase of 261 (+2.4%) from the 2010 census count of 10,804,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected an increase of 912 (+9.2%) from the 9,892 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>

Totowa was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 15, 1898, from portions of Wayne Township and the now-defunct Manchester 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. 211. 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Together with References to All Acts, and Parts of Acts, in the 'General Statutes' and Pamphlet Laws Expressly Repealed: and the Statutory Crimes of New Jersey During the Same Period, p. 288. New Jersey Law Journal Publishing Company, 1910. Accessed October 11, 2015.</ref>

Etymology

The name of Totowa comes from the Native American name for the Great Falls of the Passaic River in nearby Paterson, and literally means "sinking or falling water", or "between mountains and water".<ref>Chadwick, A. F. "In the Dayd of Early Paterson. Origin and Progress of the Silk City of America. Told for Little People", The Sunday Chronicle (Paterson)', April 1, 1906. Accessed August 16, 2012. "They called the falls Totowa, which means the great falling-water."</ref><ref>Ruttenberg, Edward Manning. History of the Indian tribes of Hudson's River: their origin, manners and customs, p. 376.</ref><ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 12, 2015.</ref><ref>Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 302. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed October 12, 2015.</ref>

History

In 1696, George Willocks, a Scottish land speculator, purchased a tract of land known as Willock's Patent, which included most of modern-day Totowa, Woodland Park (formerly West Paterson) and Little Falls. Located in the western part of Manchester Township, Willock's Patent was resold to Anthony Brockholls and the Van Houten family. The land was retitled the "Totowa Patent", and divided into three parcels, and more land was acquired through the "Garret Mountain Purchase".<ref>Nelson, William; and Shriner, Charles Anthony. History of Paterson and its Environs (The Silk City), p. 116. Lewis Historical Pub. Co., 1920. "The Totowa Patent embraced nearly all of what is now the First Ward of Paterson, all of what is now the Second Ward of Paterson and a great deal of what was afterwards Manchester township."</ref>

In 1895, residents of the southern section of Manchester Township began to become disenchanted with governing officials, and following the election of 1896, many independent municipalities were formed. The formation of the Borough of Totowa was discussed at the Willard Park Hotel on Totowa Avenue, and headed by brothers Joseph and Robert Boyle. On March 15, 1898, the Borough of Totowa was officially incorporated under Chapter 56 of the Laws of New Jersey, signed by Governor John Griggs.<ref name=Story/> On April 12, 1898, the first election of the Borough of Totowa was held at the Willard Park Hotel, which would become the unofficial town hall until the municipal building was completed in 1910.<ref>Borough of Totowa: 100th Anniversary 1898–1998, 1998.</ref>

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of Template:Convert, including Template:Convert of land and Template:Convert of water (1.86%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

The borough borders the Passaic County communities of Haledon, Little Falls, Paterson, Wayne and Woodland Park.<ref>Areas touching Totowa, MapIt. Accessed March 12, 2020.</ref><ref>Passaic County Map, Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed March 12, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 10,804 people, 3,783 households, and 2,826 families in the borough. The population density was 2,704.9 per square mile (1,044.4/km²). There were 3,918 housing units at an average density of 980.9 per square mile (378.7/km²). The racial makeup was 85.44% (9,231) White, 2.30% (248) Black or African American, 0.10% (11) Native American, 5.92% (640) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 4.22% (456) from other races, and 2.02% (218) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.35% (1,550) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 3,783 households, 28.9% had children under the age of 18; 58.8% were married couples living together; 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 25.3% were non-families. Of all households, 21.8% 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 2.73 and the average family size was 3.19.<ref name=Census2010/>

20.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.8 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $72,568 (with a margin of error of +/− $11,834) and the median family income was $82,750 (+/− $13,865). Males had a median income of $58,750 (+/− $10,202) versus $42,641 (+/− $10,936) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $35,978 (+/− $4,380). About 4.3% of families and 9.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.8% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Totowa borough, Passaic County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 16, 2012.</ref>

Same-sex couples headed 25 households in 2010, almost double the 13 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 October 28, 2014.</ref>

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 9,892 people, 3,539 households, and 2,643 families residing in the borough. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 3,630 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the borough was 93.40% White, 1.12% African American, 0.02% Native American, 2.26% Asian, 1.97% from other races, and 1.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.37% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Totowa borough, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 16, 2012.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Totowa borough, Passaic County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 16, 2012.</ref>

As of the 2000 Census, 37.2% of town residents were of Italian ancestry, the seventh-highest percentage of any municipality in the United States, and second-highest in New Jersey (behind Hammonton, at 45.9%), among all places with more than 1,000 residents identifying their ancestry.<ref>Italian Communities Template:Webarchive, Epodunk. Accessed June 9, 2007.</ref>

There were 3,539 households, out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.3% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.3% were non-families. Of all households 21.8% were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.09.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the borough the population was spread out, with 18.3% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the borough was $60,408, and the median income for a family was $69,354. Males had a median income of $44,462 versus $33,869 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $26,561. About 0.8% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

Economy

Big M, a privately held clothing retailer which operates the brands Mandee, Annie Sez and Afaze, is based in Totowa. Big M filed for bankruptcy protection in 2013, precipitated by damage from Hurricane Sandy.<ref>Gleason, Stephanie. "Mandee's Owner Files for Chapter 11, Blaming Sandy", The Wall Street Journal, January 7, 2013. Accessed October 28, 2014. "Totowa, N.J.-based Big M employs 1,200 people, including 250 workers represented by two unions. The privately held company continues to be owned by the Mandelbaum family, which established it after World War II."</ref>

The headquarters of Greater Community Bancorp was located in the borough. The bank operated 16 branches in North Jersey until its 2008 acquisition by Valley National Bank.<ref>Staff. "Valley National Bancorp to Acquire Greater Community Bancorp", Reuters, March 19, 2008. Accessed August 11, 2013. "Greater Community is a financial holding company headquartered in Totowa, New Jersey. Greater Community operates 16 full-service branches in thenorthern New Jersey counties of Bergen, Passaic and Morris through its state-chartered commercial bank subsidiary Greater Community Bank."</ref>

Sports

The Totowa Police Athletic League (PAL) is a volunteer organization that offers several sports to the children of Totowa from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade. Established in 1952, the PAL strives to provide children throughout the borough with the fellowship of sports. These include baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, football, hockey, and cheerleading. Although the Totowa PAL is independent from the Borough of Totowa, it uses fields and facilities owned by the municipality. Meetings, registrations, and events are held at the PAL building, built in 1963 and located on Chamberlain Avenue.

In 1961–1962, the New York Gladiators of the short-lived National Bowling League rolled its home matches at "Gladiator Arena", a converted movie theater in Totowa.<ref>Lardner, Rex. "Bowling's Big League—a $14 Million Dollar Gamble: Hyped-up rules, new lanes and new gimmicks make bowling a novel spectator sport prospect", Sports Illustrated, October 30, 1961. Accessed March 22, 2011. "The bowlers warmed up. Some of the crowd ooed and aahed at the big hook of the New York Gladiators' young Johnny Meyer, a left-hander, and at the power of the Dallas Broncos' J.B. Solomon.... Unable to find a home on top of Manhattan's Grand Central Station, where it had hoped to perch like a city pigeon, the New York team finally landed in a new stadium at Totowa, N.J."</ref>

Government

Local government

File:Totowa, NJ borough hall, Dec. 2024.jpg

Totowa Municipal Building

Totowa is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.<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 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. 151.</ref> The borough form of government 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 council's advice and consent.<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 Totowa is Republican John Coiro, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026. Members of the Totowa Borough Council are Council President Lou D'Angelo (R, 2025), William Bucher Jr. (R, 2026), John F. Capo (R, 2025), Patrick Fierro (R, 2024) and Anthony L. Picarelli (R, 2024) and Sanders Reynoso (R, 2026).<ref name=Officials>Town Officials, Borough of Totowa. Accessed February 18, 2024.</ref><ref>2023 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Totowa. Accessed February 18, 2024.</ref><ref name=PassaicDirectory>Passaic County 2023 Directory, Passaic County, New Jersey. Accessed February 18, 2024.</ref><ref name=Passaic2023>2023 General Election November 7, 2023 Official Results, Passaic County, New Jersey, November 29, 2023. Accessed January 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=Passaic2022>2022 General Election November 8, 2022 Summary Report Passaic County Official Results, Passaic County, New Jersey, updated December 7, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Passaic2021>2021 General Election November 2, 2021 Official Results, Passaic County, New Jersey, updated November 18, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref>

Councilmember John Waryas resigned from office in June 2014, citing personal issues.<ref>Kadosh, Matthew. "Six-term Totowa councilman steps down, cites personal reasons", Passaic Valley Today, June 12, 2014. Accessed August 16, 2015. "John Waryas resigned from the council this week after serving on the council for 15 years. He cited personal reasons for leaving and was praised by his fellow council members at this week's council meeting."</ref> That month, the borough council selected Brendan Murphy from three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill Waryas' vacant seat on an interim basis.<ref>Kadosh, Matthew. "Accountant with deep Republican ties chosen to fill vacant Totowa council seat", Passaic Valley Today, June 25, 2014. Accessed August 16, 2015. "Brendan Murphy, who is the son of Peter Murphy, chairman of the Totowa Borough Republican Club, was chosen on Tuesday night to fill seat left vacant by Councilman John Waryas and is set to be sworn into his new position at the July 8 council meeting."</ref> In the November 2014 general election, Phil Puglise was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.<ref name=Passaic2014>November 4, 2014 Summary Report Passaic County Official Results Template:Webarchive, Passaic County, New Jersey, updated November 12, 2014. Accessed July 28, 2016.</ref>

Federal, state and county representation

Totowa is located in the 11th 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 40th state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2023>Municipalities Sorted by 2023-2031 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed September 1, 2023.</ref>

Politics

As of March 2011, there were a total of 6,950 registered voters in Totowa, of which 1,355 (19.5% vs. 31.0% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 2,562 (36.9% vs. 18.7%) were registered as Republicans and 3,030 (43.6% vs. 50.3%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 3 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.<ref name=VoterRegistration>Voter Registration Summary - Passaic, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed January 16, 2013.</ref> Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 64.3% (vs. 53.2% in Passaic County) were registered to vote, including 80.5% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 70.8% countywide).<ref name=VoterRegistration/><ref>GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State – County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 16, 2013.</ref>

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 57.2% of the vote (2,834 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 42.1% (2,083 votes), and other candidates with 0.7% (35 votes), among the 5,004 ballots cast by the borough's 7,265 registered voters (52 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 68.9%.<ref name=2012Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 3,118 votes (58.0% vs. 37.7% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 2,026 votes (37.7% vs. 58.8%) and other candidates with 63 votes (1.2% vs. 0.8%), among the 5,375 ballots cast by the borough's 7,013 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.6% (vs. 70.4% in Passaic County).<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Passaic County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed January 16, 2013.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 2,981 votes (57.1% vs. 42.7% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 2,029 votes (38.8% vs. 53.9%) and other candidates with 24 votes (0.5% vs. 0.7%), among the 5,224 ballots cast by the borough's 6,686 registered voters, for a turnout of 78.1% (vs. 69.3% in the whole county).<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Passaic County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed January 16, 2013.</ref>

Presidential elections results

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third Parties
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2024<ref name="2024Elections">Template:Cite web</ref>	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|64.7% 3,970	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|31.4% 1,927	3.9% 136
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2020<ref name="2020Elections">Template:Cite web</ref>	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|58.6% 3,804	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|39.3% 2,553	2.1% 59
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2016<ref name="2016Elections">Template:Cite web</ref>	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|61.0% 3,323	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|36.1% 1,966	2.5% 136
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2012<ref name="2012Election">Template:Cite web</ref>	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|57.2% 2,834	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|42.1% 2,083	0.7% 35
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2008<ref name="state.nj.us">2008 Presidential General Election Results: Passaic County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed January 11, 2025.</ref>	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|58.0% 3,118	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|37.7% 2,026	1.2% 63
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2004<ref name="Presidential Election 2004">2004 Presidential Election: Passaic County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed January 11, 2025.</ref>	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|57.1% 2,981	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|38.8% 2,029	0.5% 24

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 68.2% of the vote (2,201 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 31.3% (1,009 votes), and other candidates with 0.5% (15 votes), among the 3,338 ballots cast by the borough's 7,323 registered voters (113 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 45.6%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 2,299 votes (60.3% vs. 43.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 1,236 votes (32.4% vs. 50.8%), Independent Chris Daggett with 142 votes (3.7% vs. 3.8%) and other candidates with 29 votes (0.8% vs. 0.9%), among the 3,811 ballots cast by the borough's 6,967 registered voters, yielding a 54.7% turnout (vs. 42.7% in the county).<ref>2009 Governor: Passaic County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed January 16, 2013.</ref>

Emergency services

Police

The Borough of Totowa Police Department, located within the Totowa Municipal Building on Totowa Road, is responsible for law enforcement.<ref>Totowa Police Department, Borough of Totowa. Accessed August 16, 2012.</ref>

Fire

The Totowa Fire Department (TFD) is an entirely volunteer fire department and was established in April 1908.<ref>Totowa Fire Department, Borough of Totowa. Accessed August 31, 2013.</ref> The TFD consists of four "companies:" Volunteer Fire Company #1 (1908), Lincoln Fire Company (1908), Riverview Fire Company #3 (1925), and Fire Rescue Company #4 (1955). The TFD consists of 98 volunteer firefighters.<ref>Totowa, firedepartments.net. Accessed April 7, 2009.</ref>

Ambulance

The Borough of Totowa First Aid Squad was founded in 1951 to provide a free, volunteer based service to the residents of Totowa. The Borough of Totowa First Aid Squad Auxiliary was also formed to help raise funds to support and benefit the first aid squad.<ref>Home page, Boro of Totowa First Aid Squad. Accessed August 16, 2012.</ref> During the day, between the hours of 6:00 am and 6:00 pm, the emergency services are provided by mutual aid agreements with surrounding municipalities or private ambulance companies.Template:Citation needed

Office of Emergency Management

The Borough of Totowa OEM is responsible for organizing, aiding, and providing emergency response units in the case of a "state of local disaster emergency".<ref>NJ Office of Emergency Management. Accessed April 7, 2009.</ref> The OEM recruits volunteers of various disciplines to respond to local disasters and collaborates with both county and state officials in the event of a disaster.

Education

Public school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade are educated by the Totowa Borough Public Schools. As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprised of two schools, had an enrollment of 908 students and 67.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.5:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Totowa Public School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2022–23 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics<ref>School Data for the Totowa Borough Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>) are Memorial School<ref>Memorial School Virtual BookBag, Totowa Borough Public Schools. Accessed March 15, 2024.</ref> with 416 students in grades PreK-3 and Washington Park School<ref>Washington Park School Virtual BookBag, Totowa Borough Public Schools. Accessed March 15, 2024.</ref> with 487 students in grades 4-8.<ref>2023–24 Public School Directory, Passaic County, New Jersey. Accessed March 1, 2024.</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the Totowa Borough Public Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 15, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Totowa Borough Public Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>

For ninth through twelfth grades, public school students attend Passaic Valley Regional High School, which also serves students from Little Falls and Woodland Park. The school facility is located in Little Falls Township.<ref>Passaic Valley Regional High School District No.1 Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Passaic Valley Regional High School. Accessed March 15, 2024. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades nine through twelve in the Passaic Valley Regional High School District No. 1. Composition: The Passaic Valley Regional High School District No. 1 is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Little Falls, Totowa, and Woodland Park."</ref><ref>District Overview, Passaic Valley Regional High School. Accessed March 15, 2024. "We believe that tri-boro community support and ownership of Passaic Valley is imperative to our success; thus assuring the future success of the Township of Little Falls, the Borough of Totowa and the Borough of Woodland Park."</ref> As of the 2022–23 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 1,039 students and 83.2 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.5:1.<ref>School data for Passaic Valley Regional High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>

Students going into high school also have the option to apply to the Passaic County Technical Institute, a high school in Wayne that is available to most children living within Passaic County. Students apply for different trades within the application for the school. The school itself is free but does require acceptance to attend. About 80 students from Totowa attended PCTI (Passaic County Technical Institute) as of 2018.

The Academy of St. Francis of Assisi is a K–8 Catholic school that operates under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson.<ref>Home Page, Academy of St. Francis of Assisi. Accessed August 16, 2015.</ref><ref>Passaic County Schools, Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson Catholic Schools Office. Accessed August 16, 2015.</ref>

Transportation

File:2021-06-16 15 45 22 View east along Interstate 80 (Bergen-Passaic Expressway) from the overpass for New Jersey State Route 62 and Passaic County Route 646 (Union Boulevard) in Totowa, Passaic County, New Jersey.jpg

Interstate 80 eastbound in Totowa

Roads and highways

File:Route 46 Bridge 20090427-jag9889.jpg

Route 46 Passaic River Bridge

Template:As of, the borough had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality, Template:Convert by Passaic County and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.<ref>Passaic County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed July 18, 2014.</ref>

Totowa is located on several major roadways, including Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 46. Nearby roadways include New Jersey Route 23, New Jersey Route 3, and the Garden State Parkway. Totowa is also crisscrossed by several Passaic County Routes, including New Jersey Route 62, CR 632, CR 642 and CR 644. There are several crossings of the Upper Passaic River.

Public transportation

NJ Transit provides bus service to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 193 and 197 routes, and local service on the 712 route. Train service is available on the Montclair-Boonton Line at the Little Falls station.<ref>Passaic County Bus / Rail Connections, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of July 26, 2010. Accessed August 16, 2012.</ref><ref>Passaic County System Map, NJ Transit. Accessed August 16, 2015.</ref>

Points of interest

• Annie's Road is a section of Riverview Drive between Totowa Road and Union Boulevard, which is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of a young woman killed in an accident.<ref>Archilla, Dylan. "Eccentric explorers Two New Jerseyans have made a career of discovering the state's 'weird' landmarks", The Hudson Reporter, March 10, 2005. Accessed August 16, 2012. "During a recent visit to the White Manna, a customer sitting at the counter shouted, 'Tell the authors to take Annie's Road out of the book!' The man turned out to be an officer in the Totowa Police Department. He said he was tired of 'the crazies' coming out to look at 'Annie's Road,' otherwise known as Riverview Drive in Totowa. Legend says the road is haunted by the ghost of a girl who was hit and dragged by a truck."</ref>
• Totowa was home to the North Jersey Developmental Center, which serves 400 developmentally disabled citizens on its Template:Convert campus.<ref>North Jersey Developmental Center, New Jersey Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities. Accessed August 16, 2012.</ref> The state announced a plan that would close the center in Totowa and another in Woodbridge Township, as part of a plan in which residents of the centers would be dispersed to smaller, community-based housing programs.<ref>Noda, Stephanie. "Fighting to keep developmental centers open, Englewood man seeks council support", The Record, August 1, 2013. Accessed August 24, 2013. "A state task force issued a binding decision to close Totowa's North Jersey Development Center and the Woodbridge Development Center in Middlesex County in August. The decision leaves the state with five open developmental centers. The state will redirect the funding toward community housing."</ref>
• There are more dead people than living in Totowa, as the borough includes four active cemeteries: Holy Sepulchre Roman Catholic Cemetery,<ref>History, Holy Sepulchre Roman Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum. Accessed June 25, 2017.</ref> Laurel Grove Memorial Park,<ref>Laurel Grove Cemetery Totowa, New Jersey, CMS Mid-Atlantic. Accessed June 25, 2017.</ref> Mount Nebo Jewish Cemetery<ref>Mt. Nebo Cemetery, Barnert Temple. Accessed June 25, 2017. "Our Mt. Nebo Cemetery was established in 1866 to provide a final resting place for future generations It is located a short drive south of the Barnert Temple, just off Route 80 in Totowa."</ref> and the A.M. White Lodge Jewish Cemetery.Template:Citation needed

Media and culture

Totowa is located within the New York media market, with most of its daily papers available for sale or delivery. The area is also served by The Record and The Star-Ledger, which cover northern New Jersey.

A segment of the April 12, 2013, episode of the American version of the reality television series Undercover Boss was filmed in Totowa. In the segment, Tony Wells, the CMO for the home security provider ADT, visits Totowa to pose as a new employee being trained as a local sales representative.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref>

Notable people

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

• Plaxico Burress (born 1977), NFL wide receiver who played for both the New York Giants and New York Jets<ref>Beeson, Ed. "Exclusive: Burress involved in domestic disputes" Template:Webarchive, The Record, September 24, 2008. Accessed November 16, 2008. "Totowa police responded to two domestic disturbance calls at Giants receiver Plaxico Burress's home the past few months, borough police Chief Robert Coyle confirmed today."</ref>
• Jeff Chase (born 1968), film and television actor who played for the Albany Firebirds of the Arena Football League<ref>Caldera, Pete. "Sniffen Has His Act Together after Football", The Record. Accessed October 8, 2018. "This wasn't the career that Jeff Chase envisioned at Passaic Valley in the mid '80s. But here he is, in the company of Tom Cruise, shooting a scene with Paul Giamatti, standing on a red carpet with Donald Sutherland. Back in West Paterson and Totowa, he was Jeff Sniffen, a high school tight end and basketball player growing into an agile and affable 6-foot-7, 300 pound man."</ref>
• Kristin Corrado (born 1965), politician who represents the 40th Legislative District in the New Jersey Senate<ref>Cowen, Richard. "Corrado slate wins GOP nod in 40th District", The Record, June 6, 2017. Accessed March 15, 2018. "Corrado, who is from Totowa, racked up huge pluralities on her home turf, where she beat DiGaetano by a 4-to-1 margin."</ref>
• Lou Duva (1922–2017), boxing trainer, along with his promoter sons, Dan and Dino<ref>Nash, Margo. "Memories Linger Of a 'Baaad Boy' From Paterson", The New York Times, March 24, 2002. Accessed April 21, 2008. "'I tell you, he loved this town,' said Mr. Duva, who now lives in Totowa. 'He loved his people, and he loved good people.'"</ref> Their offices remain in the borough
• D. C. Fontana (1939–2019), television script writer and story editor, best known for her work on the original Star Trek franchise and several western television series<ref>Beckerman, Jim. "Ex-Totowa resident a shaper of Star Trek", The Record, September 8, 2016. Accessed September 12, 2016. "'That was kind of the only way at the time,' says Fontana, who was born in Sussex, moved to Totowa a year later, and lived there for the next 19 years."</ref>
• Kyle Gurrieri (born 1998), professional soccer player who plays for the Wilmington Hammerheads FC of the United Soccer League<ref>D'Uva. Nancy. "Boys' Soccer: Totowa's Gurrieri working with U.S. Team", Wayne Today, September 11, 2013. Accessed October 12, 2015. "Totowa's Kyle Gurrieri played soccer at Passaic Valley High School his freshman year before accepting the invitation to the U.S. Soccer Under-17 Men's Residency Program for the 2013 fall semester."</ref>
• Lady Clover Honey, drag queen, comedian and television correspondent<ref>Biography Template:Webarchive, A Taste of Clover Honey. Accessed October 12, 2015. "Born as Kevin Clover Welsh in Totowa, New Jersey, a suburban town a few miles west of Manhattan, Clover eventually found her way across the Hudson River to become a sweet blossom in the New York City social and nightlife swirl."</ref>
• Ralph J. Marra Jr. (born 1953), acting United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey from December 2008 to October 2009<ref>Margolin, Josh. "Arrests shine spotlight on an unknown crime fighter", The Star-Ledger, August 1, 2009. Accessed December 31, 2016. "Despite his Hudson County roots, Marra, 56, grew up a world away from Hoboken in the quiet, suburban Passaic County town of Totowa."</ref>
• Juelz Santana (born 1982), rapper and actor, who has been a member of East Coast hip hop group The Diplomats<ref>Ortiz, Keldy; and Kanzler, Kaitlyn. "Rapper Juelz Santana will remain in jail on weapons charges", The Record, March 12, 2018. Accessed March 15, 2018. "Rapper Juelz Santana will likely remain in jail for the next two weeks, after he turned himself in to Port Authority police early Monday on charges he brought a loaded gun to Newark Liberty International Airport.The Totowa resident, whose birth name is LaRon James, allegedly fled the airport Friday after the gun was found in his carry-on luggage."</ref>
• Ernie Smith (1899–1973), shortstop who played for the Chicago White Sox<ref>Ernie Smith, Society for American Baseball Research. Accessed March 15, 2018.</ref>
• John Spencer (1946–2005), actor best known for his work on The West Wing<ref>Lee, Jennifer 8. "Obituary: John Spencer, 'West Wing' actor", International Herald Tribune, December 19, 2005. Accessed June 9, 2007. "Spencer was born on Dec. 20, 1946, in New York City to John and Mildred Speshock, a truck driver and a waitress, and grew up in Totowa, N.J."</ref>
• Aidan Stokes (born 2008), footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls and MLS Next Pro side New York Red Bulls II<ref>Dragone, Gabriella. "Homegrown Talent. Rising Soccer Star Aidan Stokes Signs Professional Contract with New York Red Bulls; 15-Year-Old Totowa Resident has Support of Family to Follow Dreams", TAPinto Passaic Valley, July 7, 2023. Accessed March 19, 2025. "Totowa resident Aidan Stokes isn't like most 15-year-olds.... Stokes is registered as a student at Passaic Valley High School, where he will be a sophomore."</ref>
• Mike Sullivan (born 1967), quarterback coach for the Denver Broncos<ref>Gleason, Kevin. "Sullivan’s roots suit Giants", Times Herald-Record, March 5, 2004, updated December 16, 2010. Accessed September 26, 2018. "Sullivan is laid-back with an easy, genuine smile. He will talk football all day if you want. But he still has a healthy glow that began taking shape on April 4, when wife Julie gave birth to Carmen Enriqueta. They are living in Totowa, N.J., a 15-minute drive, sans traffic, to Giants Stadium."</ref>
• Hubert Sumlin (1931–2011), guitarist for Howlin' Wolf who was a five-time Grammy Award Nominee and was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2008<ref>Shapiro, T. Rees, via Washington Post News Service. "Totowa's Hubert Sumlin, influential blues guitarist, dies at 80", The Record, December 7, 2011. Accessed January 28, 2015. "Born in Greenwood, Miss., Mr. Sumlin lived in Milwaukee for most of his life before moving to Totowa 10 years ago."</ref>

External links

• Totowa Borough website
• Totowa Public Schools website
• Template:NJReportCard
• School data for the Totowa Borough Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics
• Passaic Valley Regional High School
• Borough of Totowa First Aid Squad
• TotowaStuff.com: Totowa's first interactive community website
• Laurie Giardino's photographic memoir, The Totowa Book of the Dead
• St. James of the Marches
• Totowa PAL website
• Passaic Valley Today newspaper