New Milford was authorized to be incorporated as a borough on March 11, 1922, from what remained of Palisades Township, subject to approval in a referendum (which took place on April 18, 1922). With the creation of New Milford, Palisades Township (which had been created in 1871) was dissolved.[23][24][25] The borough is believed to have been named for Milford, Pennsylvania.[26]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.32 square miles (6.02 km2), including 2.28 square miles (5.91 km2) of land and 0.04 square miles (0.11 km2) of water (1.77%).[2][3]
During Hurricane Irene on August 28, 2011, the Hackensack River crested at 11.84 feet (3.61 m), the second-highest recorded height and almost 6 feet (1.8 m) above flood stage, forcing flooding homes to be evacuated. The record height at the New Milford flood gauge is 12.36 feet (3.77 m) set during a storm on April 16, 2007, and the previous second-highest level of 11.45 feet (3.49 m) had been set during Hurricane Floyd on September 16, 1999.[32]
The 2010 United States census counted 16,341 people, 6,141 households, and 4,207 families in the borough. The population density was 7,186.0 per square mile (2,774.5/km2). There were 6,362 housing units at an average density of 2,797.7 per square mile (1,080.2/km2). The racial makeup was 70.51% (11,522) White, 3.72% (608) Black or African American, 0.12% (20) Native American, 19.39% (3,169) Asian, 0.02% (4) Pacific Islander, 3.59% (586) from other races, and 2.64% (432) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.63% (2,227) of the population.[20]
Of the 6,141 households, 29.7% had children under the age of 18; 54.6% were married couples living together; 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 31.5% were non-families. Of all households, 27.2% were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.24.[20]
20.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 91.0 males.[20]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $75,075 (with a margin of error of +/− $9,822) and the median family income was $96,885 (+/− $5,032). Males had a median income of $62,817 (+/− $4,265) versus $51,630 (+/− $2,640) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $37,491 (+/− $2,896). About 2.5% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.3% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.[39]
Same-sex couples headed 37 households in 2010, more than double the 16 counted in 2000.[40]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[17] there were 16,400 people, 6,346 households, and 4,277 families residing in the borough. The population density was 7,099.0 inhabitants per square mile (2,740.9/km2). There were 6,437 housing units at an average density of 2,786.4 per square mile (1,075.8/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 78.59% White, 2.62% African American, 0.12% Native American, 14.76% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.86% from other races, and 2.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.09% of the population.[37][38]
There were 6,346 households, of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18, 55.9% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.18.[37][38]
In the borough the population was spread out, with 21.4% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.[37][38]
The median income for a household in the borough was $59,118, and the median income for a family was $77,216. Males had a median income of $46,463 versus $36,987 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $29,064. About 1.7% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.8% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.[37][38]
Arts and culture
Musical groups from the borough include The Fontane Sisters, a musical group that included three sisters.[41]
Government
Local government
New Milford 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.[42] The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the 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, who are elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in November.[7][4] The borough form of government used by New Milford 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.[43][44]
As of 2023[update], the mayor of New Milford is Democratic Michael J. Putrino, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026. Members of the borough council are Council President Frances Randi Duffie (D, 2025), Hedy Grant (D, 2024), Ira S. Grotsky (D, 2023), Lisa Repasky-Sandhusen (D, 2025), Matthew S. Seymour (D, 2023) and Thea Sirocchi-Hurley (D, 2024).[4][45][46][47][48][49]
In January 2019, Matthew Seymour was selected from three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipalcommittee to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that was vacated earlier that month when he took office as mayor.[50]
Democrats took control of the council in the November 2012 general election, as incumbent Austin Ashley won reelection while running mate and former council member Michael Putrino was elected again after having served two previous terms of office. Incumbent Republican Howard Berner and running mate Peter Rebsch, a former council member, fell short.[51]
Celeste Scavetta had been appointed by the Borough Council on January 11, 2011, to fill the vacant seat of Ann Subrizi that expired at the end of 2011 when Subrizi was elected as mayor.[52] Peter Rebsch was appointed in June 2011 to fill the vacant seat of Council President Keith Bachmann, who had resigned from office; Rebsch served until November 2011, when voters chose a candidate to fill the balance of Bachmann's term that expired in 2012.[53]
In the November 2011 general election, Democratic incumbent Randi Duffie and newcomers Austin Ashley and Hedy Grant won seats on the council, unseating incumbent Republicans Peter Rebsch and Celeste Scavetta. After counting absentee ballots, Duffie and Grant won the two three-year council seats, edging Republican Scavetta by 10 votes, and started their terms in January 2012. Ashley defeated Darren Drake by 39 votes for the remaining year on the unexpired term of Ann Subrizzi that had been filled on an interim basis by Peter Rebsch, and took office after the election.[54]
The results of the election held November 2, 2010, were a Republican sweep. Republican challenger Ann Subrizi (2,433 votes) ousted 14-year Democratic incumbent, Frank DeBari (2,120). The Republican challengers for Council defeated both incumbents, with Dominic Colucci (2,328 votes) and Diego Robalino (2,285) unseating Democrats Michael J. Putrino (2,210) and Arthur E. Zeilner (2,115). These result gave the Republicans a 4–1 margin, with Ann Subrizi's seat on the Council left vacant.[55]
Bergen County is governed by a directly elected County Executive, with legislative functions performed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of seven members who are elected at-large to three-year terms in partisan elections on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election each November; a Chairman and Vice Chairman are selected from among its seven members at a reorganization meeting held every January. As of 2024[update], the county executive is James J. Tedesco III (D, Paramus), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2026.[66]
As of March 2011, there were a total of 9,355 registered voters in New Milford, of which 2,787 (29.8% vs. 31.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,636 (17.5% vs. 21.1%) were registered as Republicans and 4,928 (52.7% vs. 47.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 4 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[88] Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 57.2% (vs. 57.1% in Bergen County) were registered to vote, including 72.3% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 73.7% countywide).[88][89]
In the 2016 presidential election, Democrat Hillary Clinton received 3,975 votes (51.4% vs. 54.2% countywide), ahead of Republican Donald Trump with 3,463 votes (44.8% vs. 41.1%) and other candidates with 299 votes (3.9% vs. 4.6%), among the 7,812 ballots cast by the borough's 10,556 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.0% (vs. 72.5% in Bergen County).[90] In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 3,780 votes (54.5% vs. 54.8% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 3,036 votes (43.8% vs. 43.5%) and other candidates with 61 votes (0.9% vs. 0.9%), among the 6,932 ballots cast by the borough's 9,892 registered voters, for a turnout of 70.1% (vs. 70.4% in Bergen County).[91][92] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 4,152 votes (53.6% vs. 53.9% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 3,448 votes (44.5% vs. 44.5%) and other candidates with 68 votes (0.9% vs. 0.8%), among the 7,746 ballots cast by the borough's 9,881 registered voters, for a turnout of 78.4% (vs. 76.8% in Bergen County).[93][94] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 3,838 votes (51.1% vs. 51.7% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 3,574 votes (47.6% vs. 47.2%) and other candidates with 50 votes (0.7% vs. 0.7%), among the 7,506 ballots cast by the borough's 9,596 registered voters, for a turnout of 78.2% (vs. 76.9% in the whole county).[95]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 61.4% of the vote (2,601 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 37.3% (1,578 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (57 votes), among the 4,348 ballots cast by the borough's 9,506 registered voters (112 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 45.7%.[96][97] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 2,306 ballots cast (47.7% vs. 48.0% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 2,223 votes (45.9% vs. 45.8%), Independent Chris Daggett with 227 votes (4.7% vs. 4.7%) and other candidates with 31 votes (0.6% vs. 0.5%), among the 4,838 ballots cast by the borough's 9,615 registered voters, yielding a 50.3% turnout (vs. 50.0% in the county).[98]
In the 2011–12 school year, the high school introduced an academies program to the school, similar to the structure at the Bergen Academies. There are now sub-academies within the high school such as the school of sciences and the school of history.[108]
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.[109][110]
The Hovnanian School, founded in 1976 and dedicated to helping foster knowledge of Armenian culture and the Armenian language, serves students in preschool through eighth grade.[111]
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 47.41 miles (76.30 km) of roadways, of which 42.45 miles (68.32 km) were maintained by the municipality and 4.96 miles (7.98 km) by Bergen County.[113]
Main roads in New Milford include River Road, Madison Avenue, Milford Avenue, and Boulevard.
Public transportation
NJ Transit bus route 167 offers service between the borough and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, with local service offered on the 753, 756, 762, and 772 bus routes through New Milford. Rockland Coaches operates Route 21, which goes between New Milford and 52nd Street in Midtown Manhattan, but the route has not operated since the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic.[114][115]
Adam Leitman Bailey (born 1970), real estate lawyer involved in cases such as the Park51 controversy (also known as the Ground Zero Mosque), and Trump SoHo[121]
^ abcMayor & Council, Borough of New Milford. Accessed March 14, 2023. "The Governing Body shall consist of the Mayor and six (6) councilpersons elected at large in the Borough, all of whom shall be elected and take office in the manner provided by law. The terms of office of the Mayor and Councilpersons shall commence on January 1 next following their election."
^Welcome to New Bridge LandingArchived 2016-04-27 at the Wayback Machine, Historic New Bridge Landing Park Commission. Accessed April 20, 2016. "New Bridge Landing was the site of a pivotal bridge crossing the Hackensack River, where General George Washington led his troops in retreat from British forces. The area is now a New Jersey historic site in portions of New Milford, River Edge and Teaneck in Bergen County, New Jersey."
^Historic New Milford, New Jersey: Birthplace of Bergen County, Borough of New Milford. Accessed September 9, 2015. "In 1922, the Borough of New Milford was incorporated, and New Bridge, Old Bridge and Peetzburgh lost their identities as separate communities."
^Borough Council Meeting Minutes for January 14, 2019, Borough of New Milford. Accessed October 3, 2019. "Council President Duffie made a motion to niminate Matthew Seymour.... The motion carries on a roll call vote as follows... Assemblyman Christopher Tully administered the oath of office to Mr. Seymour."
^Devencentis, Philip. "Democrats win council race in New Milford", Twin-Boro News, November 15, 2012. Accessed August 13, 2013. "The political makeup of the council will change, however, with the election of former Councilman Michael Putrino, a Democrat.... Putrino's running mate, Councilman Austin Ashley, received 2,956 votes to earn his first full term.... Republican council president Howard Berner and his running mate, Peter Rebsch, trailed in last week's election with 2,583 votes and 2,534 votes, respectively."
^Griffiths, Erin Patricia. "Peter Rebsch appointed to the New Milford Council", Twin-Boro News, June 14, 2011. Accessed August 29, 2011. "Peter Rebsch, New Milford resident and Republican council candidate for the November election, was appointed last night to fill the vacancy on the borough's governing body. He was appointed in a 4-1 vote, with Councilwoman Randi Duffie dissenting. Rebsch was one of three candidates put forth by the New Milford Republican Club for the open borough seat, which was left vacant with the resignation of Council President Keith Bachmann."
^Piccirillo, Ann. "Absentee Ballots Put New Milford Democrats On Top: A nail-biting race that came down to absentee ballots", NewMilfordPatch, November 9, 2011. "Until all 185 absentee ballots were counted, the race in New Milford was too close to call, but when all the votes were tallied, the Democratic slate swept to victory, changing the face of New Milford's council. Democratic incumbent Randi Duffie and her running mates, Hedy Grant and Austin Ashley, beat out Republican incumbents Celeste Scavetta, Peter Rebsch and their running mate, Darren Drake."
^Biography, Congressman Josh Gottheimer. Accessed January 3, 2019. "Josh now lives in Wyckoff, New Jersey with Marla, his wife who was a federal prosecutor, and their two young children, Ellie and Ben."
^Cattafi, Kristie. "Democrats pick Bergenfield councilman to fill vacancy on Bergen County commissioners board", The Record, March 13, 2023. Accessed March 16, 2023. "A Democratic councilman from Bergenfield will be sworn in as a Bergen County commissioner Wednesday night, filling a vacancy on the governing body for almost 1 million residents. Rafael Marte will serve until Dec. 31, taking on the unexpired term left by former Commissioner Ramon Hache, a Democrat who resigned last week to lead the Ridgewood YMCA as its chief executive officer."
^New Milford Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, New Milford School District. Accessed June 9, 2020. "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 New Milford School District. Composition: The New Milford School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of the Borough of New Milford."
^Leichman, Joseph. "More powerful than a locomotive...", Jewish Standard, November 26, 2010. Accessed January 2, 2013. "Jack Antonoff of New Milford and Daniel Silbert of Tenafly first crossed paths in elementary school at the Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County in New Milford, where they also met Evan Winiker, whose family moved to Teaneck in time for him to begin the sixth grade at Schechter."
^Aberback, Brian. "Pop-rock band Fun playing at Jingle Ball", The Record, December 5, 2012. Accessed January 3, 2012. "'The past year has been crazy in so many ways,' said guitarist Jack Antonoff, who grew up in New Milford and Woodcliff Lake."
^Yotka, Steff ."Rachel Antonoff; Spring 2018 Ready-To-Wear",Vogue, September 6, 2017. Accessed January 22, 2023. "'I like to imagine my sister, my grandparents, [and] my two guinea pigs still living in that house in New Milford,' Antonoff said of her childhood home in suburban New Jersey."
^Kaulessar, Ricardo. "Blue’s Clues returns with New Milford High alum as host", The Record, October 9, 2018. Accessed October 10, 2018. "For Dela Cruz, a 2007 graduate of New Milford High School and 2011 graduate of Montclair State University, it's a role that has challenged him, yet has amazed him.... And for the 29-year-old Filipino actor, who was born in the United Arab Emirates, lived in New York, and moved to New Milford when he was in the first grade, being the host is a dream coming full circle."
^DiTrani, Vinny. "Frank DiMaggio ready to take NFL by storm", The Record, September 30, 1973. Accessed July 16, 2023, via Newspapers.com. "'The talent is there,' says the former New Milford quarterback. 'I've just been in the wrong place at the wrong time." DiMaggio, who quarterbacks the Bridgeport Jets of the Atlantic Coast Football League, was a classmate of Ed Marinaro's at New Milford High."
^Coates, Laird McC. "Pee Wee Erwin, 68, jazz trumpeter", The Record, June 22, 1981. Accessed June 9, 2020. "Pee Wee Erwin, a star trumpet player for 50 years, first with the swing bands of the 1930s and later with small jazz groups, died of cancer at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck. He was 68 and was a longtime resident of New Milford."
^Beckerman, Jim. "Fowler draws on salon ties for role", The Record, March 12, 2008. Accessed March 12, 2008. "Born in Jersey City, raised in Rutherford (she cut her acting teeth with the Bergen County Players in Oradell), she lived in Teaneck, Hawthorne and Glen Rock before settling, eight years ago, in New Milford."
^Sheingold, Nina. "Janet Hamill Raises a Toast to La Vie Boheme; Café Society", Chronogram, February 1, 2014. Accessed May 18, 2016. "Hamill was born in Weehawken, across the Hudson from midtown Manhattan. She was the second of five children, and her family soon moved to suburban New Milford, still tantalizingly close to the city she calls 'a magical place.'"
^Lipowsky, Josh. "'Drawn Together' creators, from area, decry anti-Israel accusations", Jewish Standard, June 4, 2010. Accessed December 20, 2011. "After that, Dave Jeser, originally from New Milford, and Matt Silverstein, originally from Oradell, created Drawn Together: The Movie, which featured a fictional network out to erase the reality show characters with the I.S.R.A.E.L. robot."
^Rondinaro, Gene. "If You're Thinking of Living In; New Milford", The New York Times, October 19, 1986. Accessed July 19, 2012. "Ed Marinaro, a local high-school football star, set N.C.A.A. rushing records at Cornell University, then played professionally with the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Jets. Then he turned actor, with his most recent role as Officer Joe Coffey in the hit television series Hill Street Blues."
^"New Milford Sports Award Banquet", New Milford Patch, June 9, 2011. Accessed September 29, 2016. "WFAN's John Minko was the emcee of the evening. The long-time New Milford resident ran the show flawlessly."
^CV of Michael Nelson, Rhodes College. Accessed June 9, 2020. "Born June 11, 1949 in New Milford, N.J.; married to Linda Ezell Nelson; two children, Michael and Samuel"
^Iati, Marisa. "7 things you never knew about 'A Christmas Story', including a Jersey connection", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, December 24, 2015, updated January 17, 2019. Accessed February 23, 2021. "Glazer said despite frequently making fun of the Garden State, Shepherd spent significant time here - at one point he lived in New Milford and owned a home in Hunterdon County."
^Garcia, Alfa. "Veteran punk rocker continues the struggle", The Record, October 6, 2010. Accessed January 23, 2011. "Steele, 54, is the only constant in the band — a New Milford native with a thick New Jersey accent who emits the energy of a 25-year-old and the hustle of a time-worn New York musician."
^Leith, Rod. "New scrutiny of casinos; Support services to get hard look", The Record, April 1, 1982. Accessed August 30, 2022. "The former New Milford resident says he likes what he's doing how because he's trying to maintain public confidence in an industry he feels is helping the same people who were the victims of Medicaid fraud, the elderly."
^Parisi, Albert J. "Return of Body Expected", The New York Times, January 30, 1983. Accessed June 2, 2017. "A body that may be that of a missing New Jersey freelance journalist is expected to be shipped to the United States this week at the request of Representative Robert Torricelli, a freshman Democrat from New Milford."
^Kennedy, Randy. "Public Lives; Keeping the Crowds and the Complainers Moving", The New York Times, January 11, 2002. Accessed September 9, 2015. "Part of that gregariousness came from growing up the son of a hard-working wine and spirits salesman from New Milford, N.J., later an executive in a distributorship, who taught his son the value of relating to people."
Related reading
Municipal Incorporations of the State of New Jersey (according to Counties) prepared by the Division of Local Government, Department of the Treasury (New Jersey); December 1, 1958.
_at_Rambler_Avenue_in_New_Milford,_Bergen_County,_New_Jersey.jpg)
