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Verona, New Jersey

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Township of Verona
Township of the Borough of Verona
Flag of Township of Verona
Flag
Official seal of Township of Verona
Seal
Location of Verona in Essex County (L); Location of Essex County in New Jersey (R)
Location of Verona in Essex County (L);
Location of Essex County in New Jersey (R)
CountryUnited States
StateNew Jersey
CountyEssex
Settled1702
Incorporated1907
Government
 • TypeTownship
 • MayorJay Sniatkowski (2009)
 • Township ManagerJoseph Martin
Elevation
[1]
≈345 ft (Formatting error: invalid input when rounding m)
Population
 (2000)
 • Total13,533
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Zip Code
07044
Area code973
Websitehttp://www.veronanj.org

Verona is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 13,533, making it the 181st most populous municipality in New Jersey (out of 566 statewide).[2]

In 2006, New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Verona #3 in Essex County and #30 in New Jersey as "Top Places to Live in New Jersey".[3]

History

Verona and several neighboring towns were all originally one town known as the Horseneck Tract. In 1702, a group of settlers left Newark and purchased a large tract of land northwest of their home city for the equivalent of a few hundred dollars from the Lenni Lenape Native Americans. This piece of land extended west and north to the Passaic River, south to the town center of what would become Livingston, and east to the First Watchung Mountain, and was called Horseneck by the natives because it resembled the neck and head of a horse.

What was then known as Horseneck contained most of the present day northern Essex County towns: Verona, along with Caldwell, West Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell, and Roseland are all located entirely in Horseneck, and parts of what are today Livingston, Montclair, and West Orange also were contained in the Horseneck tract. After the Revolutionary War, Horseneck changed its name to "Caldwell Township" in honor of a local war hero and pastor, James Caldwell, who used burning pages from his church's bibles to ignite the ammo in soldiers' cannons and helped to drive the British out of Horseneck.[4]

By the mid-19th century, the area of Caldwell to the east of today's Caldwell Borough and Montclair became known as Vernon Valley. However, when application was made for a United States Post Office, the townspeople were informed that another Vernon Valley, in Sussex County, had first claim to the name. The name Verona was put forth by the townspeople as a suitable alternative and was eventually accepted.

At various times between 1798 and 1892, issues arose which caused dissatisfaction between the Caldwell and Verona areas. These included a desire of the citizens of Verona to more closely control their own governmental affairs. With the population growing, Verona needed to centrally locate essential services such as schools and places of worship; problems with the water supply; and the disposition of road repair funds. On February 17, 1892, the citizens of Verona voted to secede from Caldwell Township to form Verona Township.[5] Further growth and the need for a water system and other public utilities found Verona moving ahead of the other half of the township and in 1902 the two areas decided to separate into two separate municipalities: Verona Township and Verona Borough. It took two sessions of the state legislature to approve the new borough, but on April 18, 1907, the borough of Verona was approved by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature, pending the results of a referendum held on April 30, 1907, in which the new borough passed by a 224-77 margin.[5] Residents of the newly formed borough had sought to disassociate themselves from the Overbrook County Insane Asylum and the Newark City Home (a reform school), as well as from the settlement of Cedar Grove, which was considered a settlement of farmers.[6]

Verona Township renamed itself to Cedar Grove Township as of April 9, 1908.[5]

In the 1970s, the borough of Verona renamed itself “The Township of the Borough of Verona,” as part of an effort to obtain greater federal revenue-sharing aid from programs that granted additional funds to Townships, but not to Boroughs and other types of local government. As an example of the potential benefits of switching to a township, Verona Borough received $213,000 in federal aid in 1976, while similarly-sized Cedar Grove Township received $1.24 million.[7] Today, Verona uses just “Township of Verona” in most official documents, but some other official documents still include “…the Borough of…”.[citation needed]

Geography

Verona is located at 40°49′57″N 74°14′32″W / 40.83250°N 74.24222°W / 40.83250; -74.24222Invalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (40.832449, -74.242276)Template:GR.

Verona lies between two mountains, the First and Second Watchung Mountains with a small river, the Peckman, flowing at the bottom of the valley.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 7.2 km² (2.8 mi²). 7.1 km² (2.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.72%) is water.

Verona is bordered by Cedar Grove (North), Montclair (East), West Orange (South), Essex Fells (Southwest) and North Caldwell (Northwest).

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19307,161—
19408,95725.1%
195010,92121.9%
196013,78226.2%
197015,0679.3%
198014,166−6.0%
199013,597−4.0%
200013,533−0.5%
2005 (est.)13,125[8]
Population 1930 - 1990.[9]

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 13,533 people, 5,585 households, and 3,697 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,900.0/km² (4,917.4/mi²). There were 5,719 housing units at an average density of 803.0/km² (2,078.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the township was 92.99% White, 1.53% African American, 0.02% Native American, 3.41% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.71% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.45% of the population.

There were 5,585 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the township the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $74,619, and the median income for a family was $97,673. Males had a median income of $60,434 versus $43,196 for females. The per capita income for the township was $41,202, making it the 8th highest community in Essex County and 95th in the State. [10] About 1.4% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.6% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

The members of the Verona Township Council are Mayor Jay Sniatkowski (term ends December 31, 2009), Deputy Mayor Jim Robbins (2007), Robert Detore (2007), Santi Condorelli (2009) and Ken McKenna (2009).[11]

The day-to-day activities are supervised by Township Manager Joseph Martin.

Federal, state and county representation

Verona is in the Eighth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 40th Legislative District.[12]

For the 118th United States Congress, New Jersey's 8th congressional district is represented by Rob Menendez (D, Jersey City).[13][14] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027)[15] and George Helmy (Mountain Lakes, term ends 2024), who was appointed to the seat following the resignation of Bob Menendez (Englewood Cliffs).[16][17]

For the 2024-2025 session, the 40th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Kristin Corrado (R, Totowa) and in the General Assembly by Al Barlas (R, Cedar Grove) and Christopher DePhillips (R, Wyckoff).[18] Template:NJ Governor

Essex County is governed by a directly elected county executive, with legislative functions performed by the Board of County Commissioners. As of 2024, the County Executive is Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. (D, Roseland), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2026.[19] The county's Board of County Commissioners is composed of nine members, five of whom are elected from districts and four of whom are elected on an at-large basis. They are elected for three-year concurrent terms and may be re-elected to successive terms at the annual election in November.[20] Essex County's Commissioners are:

Robert Mercado (D, District 1 – Newark's North and East Wards, parts of Central and West Wards; Newark, 2026),[21] A'Dorian Murray-Thomas (D, District 2 – Irvington, Maplewood and parts of Newark's South and West Wards; Newark, 2026),[22] Vice President Tyshammie L. Cooper (D, District 3 - Newark: West and Central Wards; East Orange, Orange and South Orange; East Orange, 2026),[23] Leonard M. Luciano (D, District 4 – Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Livingston, Millburn, North Caldwell, Roseland, Verona, West Caldwell and West Orange; West Caldwell, 2026),[24] President Carlos M. Pomares (D, District 5 – Belleville, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Montclair and Nutley; Bloomfield, 2026),[25] Brendan W. Gill (D, at large; Montclair, 2026),[26] Romaine Graham (D, at large; Irvington, 2026),[27] Wayne Richardson (D, at large; Newark, 2026),[28] Patricia Sebold (D, at-large; Livingston, 2026).[29][30][31][32][33]

Constitutional officers elected countywide are: Clerk Christopher J. Durkin (D, West Caldwell, 2025),[34][35] Register of Deeds Juan M. Rivera Jr. (D, Newark, 2025),[36][37] Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura (D, Fairfield, 2024),[38][39] and Surrogate Alturrick Kenney (D, Newark, 2028).[40][41]

Politics

On the national level, Verona leans toward the Republican Party. In 2004, Republican George W. Bush received 51% of the vote here, defeating Democrat John Kerry, who received around 48%.

Education

Public Schools

The Verona Public Schools is the public school district in Verona, which serves students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade. Verona has six schools which consist of four K-4 elementary schools — (Brookdale Avenue School (148 students), Frederic N. Brown School (268 students), Forest Avenue School(213 students), and Laning Avenue School (231 students) — strategically located in each corner of town[42]. Henry B. Whitehorne Middle School serves 584 students from grades 5-8, and 615 students in grade 9-12 attend Verona High School. The high school mascot is the "Hillbilly". However, this mascot has become controversial as a result of opposition from new school Superintendent.[43] In the face of community support for the traditional name, the mascot was retained.[43] While not officially changing the name, the school refers to teams as the "Maroon and White", referring to the school colors.[43]

The district has been recognized on three occasions with the Best Practice Award, honoring specific practices implemented by a district for exemplary and/or innovative strategies. In Addition, three schools in the district was named a "Star School" by the New Jersey Department of Education, the highest honor that a New Jersey school can achieve.

Private Schools

Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School serves students in pre-school through eighth grade, and is situated near Verona Park.

The Children's Institute (TCI) is a private, non-profit school approved by the New Jersey Department of Education, serving children facing learning, language and social challenges, for children ages 3-21.

Transportation

Within the limits of the town lies Route 23; Major roads around the township are State routes 3, 7, 10, and 21 ; County Routes CR 506 and CR 577; US 46; Interstates 80, 280 and 287. The Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike are minutes away.

New Jersey Transit has several bus routes that serve Verona: 11, 28, 29 and 75. DeCamp Bus Lines also offers commuter service that goes into New York City: 33, West Caldwell / Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Verona is 14.3 miles from Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark / Elizabeth.

Local Media

Newspaper

Verona is served by two weekly newspapers: The Verona-Cedar Grove Times, and the Verona Observer. The Star-Ledger, the largest newspaper in New Jersey, covers important news stories that occur in Verona.

Radio

Verona falls in the New York Market.

Television

Verona Cable television is served by Comcast of New Jersey. Recently, however, Verizon just introduced its Verizon FiOS service to the township. Comcast Channel 35 is Verona Television (VTV), and it runs council meetings, school board meetings and community functions, as well as any other Verona related videos submitted by the residents. VTV is maintained by the Verona Public Library.

Community Trivia

  • The township is celebrating its centennial this year.
  • The Verona Fire Department is the largest volunteer Fire Department[44] in Essex County, staffed by over 60 firefighters. They have two stations, three engines, one ladder truck, and one reserve engine.
  • The Verona Rescue Squad (volunteer) has three ambulances, and one heavy rescue truck in one station on Church Street.
  • The main street in Verona is Bloomfield Avenue, where the Town Hall, Library, Middle School, and many shops, restaurants, and businesses are located.
  • During the American Revolutionary War, George Washington and his troops used Eagle Rock Reservation as one of a chain of observation posts.
  • Annin Flag Company, is the world's oldest & largest flag manufacturer and has it's main manufacturing plant in Verona. Annin & Company is the official flag manufacturer to the United Nations, and a major supplier to the United States Government. Annin produced flags that were used on Iwo Jima, planted on the surface of the moon, at the North and South Poles, atop Mount Everest and the rubble of the World Trade Center.[45]
  • Essex Mountain Sanatorium - During its years of operation it boasted of a 50% recovery rate and was regarded as one of the finest treatment centers in the nation, if not the world. Its location on the crest of the Second Mountain, with its pure air and water, was considered the Colorado Springs of the east and second only to Denver for beneficial results in the treatment of Tuberculosis. [46]
  • Most of Verona's housing stock is pre-World War II.
  • At one point, Verona was serviced by a trolley line.

Parks

Noted Verona residents

Native Verona Residents

Current Verona residents

  • Two Guys from Verona, a fictional novel, takes place in Verona.
  • The TV Show The Sopranos takes place in the area, thus the storyline includes Verona at times. The show films at various locations in town.
  • The 1987 fictional movie Doom Asylum was filmed at the now demolished Essex Mountain Sanatorium.
  • Pizza My Heart, an ABC Family movie, is a contemporary retelling of Romeo and Juliet, that takes place in Verona (New Jersey, not Italy).[52]

References

  1. ^ Google Earth, accessed August 4, 2006
  2. ^ List of municipalities in New Jersey (by population), accessed October 27, 2006
  3. ^ Top Places to Live in New Jersey, New Jersey Monthly magazine, accessed January 28, 2007
  4. ^ Caldwell New Jersey Historical Photographs and History, accessed October 15, 2006
  5. ^ a b c "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 194.
  6. ^ "VERONA DROPS CEDAR GROVE.", The New York Times, May 2, 1907. pg. 2
  7. ^ "Opponent of Distribution Formula For Federal Aid Steps Up Attack; As South Orange Moves to Become Township, Montclair Aide Calls for Equitable Sharing", The New York Times August 29, 1977. p. 59.
  8. ^ Census data for Verona township, United States Census Bureau, accessed March 1, 2007
  9. ^ Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, accessed March 1, 2007
  10. ^ New Jersey locations by per capita income, accessed January 1, 2007.
  11. ^ Verona Township Council 2005-2006, accessed March 14, 2007
  12. ^ League of Women Voters: 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 65, accessed August 30, 2006
  13. ^ Directory of Representatives: New Jersey, United States House of Representatives. Accessed January 3, 2019.
  14. ^ Biography, Congressman Albio Sires. Accessed January 3, 2019. "Congressman Sires resides in West New York with his wife, Adrienne."
  15. ^ U.S. Sen. Cory Booker cruises past Republican challenger Rik Mehta in New Jersey, PhillyVoice. Accessed April 30, 2021. "He now owns a home and lives in Newark's Central Ward community."
  16. ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/23/nyregion/george-helmy-bob-menendez-murphy.html
  17. ^ Tully, Tracey (August 23, 2024). "Menendez's Senate Replacement Has Been a Democrat for Just 5 Months". The New York Times. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  18. ^ Legislative Roster for District 40, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 20, 2024.
  19. ^ Essex County Executive, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
  20. ^ General Information, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020. "The County Executive, elected from the County at-large, for a four-year term, is the chief political and administrative officer of the County.... The Board of Chosen Freeholders consists of nine members, five of whom are elected from districts and four of whom are elected at-large. They are elected for three-year concurrent terms and may be re-elected to successive terms at the annual election in November. There is no limit to the number of terms they may serve."
  21. ^ Robert Mercado, Commissioner, District 1, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
  22. ^ Wayne L. Richardson, Commissioner President, District 2, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
  23. ^ Tyshammie L. Cooper, Commissioner, District 3, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
  24. ^ Leonard M. Luciano, Commissioner, District 4, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
  25. ^ Carlos M. Pomares, Commissioner Vice President, District 5, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
  26. ^ Brendan W. Gill, Commissioner At-large, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
  27. ^ Romaine Graham, Commissioner At-large, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
  28. ^ Newark Native Elected As County Commissioner: A'Dorian Murray-Thomas, Patch. Accessed January 10, 2024.
  29. ^ Patricia Sebold, Commissioner At-large, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
  30. ^ Members of the Essex County Board of County Commissioners, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
  31. ^ Breakdown of County Commissioners Districts, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
  32. ^ 2021 County Data Sheet, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2022.
  33. ^ County Directory, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2022.
  34. ^ About The Clerk, Essex County Clerk. Accessed July 20, 2020.
  35. ^ Members List: Clerks, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
  36. ^ About the Register, Essex County Register of Deeds and Mortgages. Accessed July 20, 2022.
  37. ^ Members List: Registers, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
  38. ^ Armando B. Fontura, Essex County Sheriff's Office. Accessed June 10, 2018.
  39. ^ Members List: Sheriffs, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
  40. ^ The Essex County Surrogate's Office, Essex County Surrogate. Accessed July 20, 2020.
  41. ^ Members List: Surrogates, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
  42. ^ Enrollment data from the New Jersey Department of Education's 2004-05 School Report Cards
  43. ^ a b c "Smile When You Say That", The New York Times by Joe Samuel Starnes, March 19, 2006
  44. ^ Verona Fire Department Accessed October 16, 2006
  45. ^ About Annin - History, accessed December 28, 2006
  46. ^ History of The Essex Mountain Sanatorium, accessed December 28, 2006
  47. ^ Slater, Robert. John Bogle and the Vanguard experiment : One Man’s Quest to Transform the Mutual Fund Industry. Chicago: Irwin Professional Pub., 1997. (ISBN 0786305592)
  48. ^ 2004 VHSAA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES: Jed Graef, 1960, U.S. Olympic Gold Medal Winner, accessed July 12, 2006
  49. ^ Biography of Jay Mohr from Moviefone, accessed December 25, 2006
  50. ^ "Former Devil coaches son at high school", Verona - Cedar Grove Times, January 18, 2007. p. B1.
  51. ^ Ernestine Bradley finds 'home' amid husband's career, Capital Living by Betsy Rothstein, April 5, 2005
  52. ^ Official site for the ABC Family original movie Pizza My Heart, accessed December 28, 2006

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