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Montvale is a small borough of approximately 4 square miles ideally situated in the picturesque Pascack Valley of northeastern Bergen County, bordering on New York State. Its 7,000 residents enjoy a high quality of life with fine schools and recreation programs, and easy access to area shopping and cultural activities. Montvale's blend of corporate centers and residential areas make the Borough a unique suburban community with something to offer everyone.
The Borough of Montvale was chartered in 1894 as a Borough Council form of government in which the Mayor is elected to a four-year term and six council members are elected at large to serve staggered three-year terms. The Mayor and Council meet every second Tuesday of the month for regular meetings and on the last Tuesday of the month for executive sessions. Meetings are open to the public and residents are given the opportunity to speak on proposed ordinances and other matters of concern at both meetings. The first meeting of each month is televised on the local cable television access channel. The Borough Administrator is appointed by the Borough Council and is responsible for the implementation of policies of the Mayor and Council, for the administration of all Borough affairs, and for the day to day operations of the Borough. The Administrator is the chief administrative officer of the Borough. The Mayor is the chief executive officer of the Borough, and as such presides over all public meetings, provides leadership in the development of community projects and makes appointments to various boards. The Borough Council exercises all legislative powers including financial adoption of the municipal budget and bond ordinances and confirmation of the Mayor's appointments.
There are over 300 business and commercial establishments in Montvale, ranging from local merchants to national corporate headquarters. Planned development has resulted in a diversified mix of corporate campuses and smaller concerns. Financial institutions serving Montvale include Paragon Federal, Commerce Bank, PNC, Chase Home Mortgage Corp., Interchange Bank, Valley National Bank, First Union and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
The Borough's location is a plus for the corporations located in Montvale, the commuter coming to work or the resident commuting to surrounding areas. From its central location in the northern part of Bergen County, bordering New York's Rockland County, the Borough is just 15 miles from New York City via the George Washington Bridge. Major highway access in Montvale is provided by the Garden State Parkway. Nearby highways include the New Jersey Turnpike, the New York Thruway, Interstate Highway No. 80, the Palisades Interstate Parkway and State Highway No. 17. The Red and Tan Bus line (201-384-2400) offers frequent service from two Borough locations into New York City. Commuter rail service from the Montvale train station is provided by New Jersey Transit (800-772-2222). Hotels, Restaurants and Conference Facilities are all near by. The Marriott Courtyard of Montvale features 188 deluxe rooms and suites, a catering/sales department and restaurant. In neighboring communities hotel facilities are available at the Woodcliff Lake Hilton and the Park Ridge Marriott. All offer excellent service in the form of accommodations, business and conference facilities, and fine restaurants. The Borough and the greater Montvale area have many restaurants that offer fine dining, family fare or fast food.
The Borough is situated near the large shopping malls of North Jersey. Only minutes away are the Paramus Park Mall, Garden State Plaza, Riverside Square, Bergen Mall and Willowbrook Mall. In New York State are the Nanuet Mall, Palisades Center and Woodbury Commons. Four shopping centers are located in the Borough, two on Chestnut Ridge Road and two on Kinderkamack Road. The Borough has one of the few remaining working farms in Bergen County, with a farm outlet on Grand Avenue.
| Planning, Zoning and Economic Development |
One of the reasons Montvale is considered the "Pride of the Pascack Valley" is the orderly development and co-existence of its residential and corporate communities. Through careful planning and zoning efforts exercised since the early 60's, the municipality has achieved a balanced environment providing quality living, employment opportunities, recreational facilities and infrastructure, while maintaining one of the lowest effective tax rates in the valley. Historic employment trends show that since 1984 employment in the Borough increased by 2,796 jobs to peak of 10,441 jobs in 1988. Since that time, the number of jobs in the Borough has declined to 9,202 in 1995, in part reflecting on-going job consolidation in this country.
A Volunteer Fire Department consisting of approximately 44 members under the direction of Fire Chief Clinton Miller serves the Borough of Montvale. The central fire headquarters houses two pumper trucks, an aerial pumper and a combination rescue/pumper truck, all equipped within the latest fire fighting equipment. A direct control alarm system links each firefighter through a centralized dispatch system insuring immediate response. Firefighters receive initial training at the Bergen County Police and Fire Academy and keep up their skills by participating in bimonthly drills. The surrounding fire departments of Pearl River, Park Ridge, and Woodcliff Lake cooperate in mutual aid systems. The Borough enjoys one of the best insurance ratings in the area. A Borough-wide fire hydrant system is maintained by United Water of New Jersey. The Police Department consists of 21 full-time Police Officers and 7 Special Officers as well as school crossing guards are under the direction of Police Chief Jeremy Abrams. The department has an outstanding record for law enforcement and the Borough has one of the lowest crime rates in the area. In addition to law enforcement the Police Department is actively involved in several school and community crime prevention programs including the nationally recognized D.A.R.E. drug education program. Free ambulance and rescue service is provided to the public on a 24-hour basis by the volunteer Tri-Borough Ambulance Corps, which serves the boroughs of Montvale, Park Ridge and Woodcliff Lake. The dispatch function for all emergency services is provided by the Tri-Borough Public Safety System covering the three communities of Montvale, Park Ridge and Woodcliff Lake. The inter-local service has been in operation for over fifty years.
The Montvale Free Public Library was founded in 1975 and is housed in the Montvale Borough Hall building at 12 Mercedes Drive. Montvale Library patrons may access materials from over 72 libraries belonging to the Bergen County Cooperative Library System. The Library offers lectures, workshops, book discussions and other activities to the public. It also offers special programs for children and those with reading difficulties. Presently there are two full-time professionals including Library Director Susan Ruttenber and Reference Librarian George Galuschak, working under the guidance of the Library Board of Trustees.
The Borough has an active year-round community recreation program, administered by a Recreation Committee and Recreation Director Jim Freeman. The Recreation Committee offers a broad, diversified program of activities. The Borough has four parks encompassing 32 acres of land. The parks offer recreational opportunities that include tennis, basketball, football, baseball, roller hockey, softball and soccer and two playgrounds. The Montvale Athletic League provides programs for Borough youth including baseball, softball, soccer, football and cheerleading. This all-volunteer organization is administered by a board of Directors. The Montvale Senior Club organized in 1980, has over 10 members who participate in various social activities, trips and luncheons. The Club meets twice a month. The Montvale Swim Club is a privately run organization that operates an excellent outdoor pool facility. Its facilities are available to Montvale residents on a membership fee basis. The Borough also enjoys the recreational opportunities offered by Mar-Bel Stables that offers riding and stabling services to the public and the Montvale Bowling Lanes.
The Borough provides its citizens with health services coordinated under the auspices of the Montvale Board of Health. Public Health and safety protection services of a health officer and a sanitarian are provided on a contractual basis by the Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission. Child Health conferences and other screening and education programs are provided by the Health Awareness Regional Program affiliated with Hackensack Medical Center. The residents are well served by many private physicians in all areas of specialization located in the region. several large hospitals are situated nearby. They include the Pascack Valley Hospital, Valley Hospital, Hackensack Medical Center, Holy Name Hospital, Englewood Hospital, and Bergen Regional Medical Center. The Borough provides Public Assistance services to residents in need under the direction of Public Assistance Director Katherine Bowen coordinated under the auspices of the Local Assistance Board.
The Borough has approximately 32 miles of roads, all of which are paved with macadam. The Public Works Department consists of nine persons under the direction of Robert Culvert , Public Works Superintendent. The Department maintains Borough roads and parks, operates three pumping stations and maintains the Borough's sanitary sewer lines.
The Borough is served by Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (664-6000) for gas and electric, Orange and Rockland, Inc. (327-6900) for electric, United Water Company (800-422-5987), Bell Atlantic (800-427-9977) for telephone and Cablevision of Rockland/Ramapo (914-624-3500) for cable vision.
| Garbage, Trash and Recycling |
The Borough provides a curbside residential solid waste and recycling collection. This program recycles in excess 50% of solid waste generated by the Borough. In addition, the Borough operates a Recycling Center, which is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays for residents who wish to dispose of their recyclable materials (glass, aluminum, plastic, and paper) on a more frequent basis.
The Borough participates with the Bergen County Utilities Authority for wastewater treatment. The Borough pays an annual service charge to the Authority, which is funded from the general property tax levy.
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 | | Updated July 29, 2010 |
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