Mountainside, New Jersey

Mountainside is a borough in Union County, New Jersey, United States. The borough is located on a ridge in northern- central New Jersey, within the Raritan Valley and Rahway Valley regions in the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 6,685,DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Mountainside borough, Union County, New Jersey
, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 17, 2012.Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Mountainside borough
, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed July 17, 2012. reflecting an increase of 83 (+1.3%) from the 6,602 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn declined by 55 (−0.8%) from the 6,657 counted in the 1990 Census.

Mountainside was incorporated as a borough on September 25, 1895, from portions of Westfield Township, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day.Snyder, John P
''The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968''
Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 239. Accessed July 17, 2012.

'' New Jersey Monthly'' magazine ranked Mountainside as its 16th best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey, as well as eighth in the 2010 list.

History

In 1958, part of a Nike missile battery (NY-73) was installed, with the missile launchers themselves in Mountainside while the radar station was installed in Berkeley Heights. It remained in operation until 1963. Remnants of the control site are located adjacent to Governor Livingston High School, while the part of Watchung Reservation that was cleared in order to accommodate the missile launchers became the Watchung Stables.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 4.04 square miles (10.47 km²), including 4.00 square miles (10.35 km²) of land and 0.05 square miles (0.12 km²) of water (1.11%).

Mountainside is bordered by the Union County municipalities of Summit to the north, by Springfield Township to the east, by Westfield to the south and by Berkeley Heights and Scotch Plains to the west.

Demographics

Census 2010

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $116,210 (with a margin of error of +/− $22,182) and the median family income was $135,086 (+/− $14,679). Males had a median income of $95,030 (+/− $9,312) versus $58,818 (+/− $8,974) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $52,844 (+/− $5,530). About 1.5% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

Census 2000

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 6,602 people, 2,434 households, and 1,925 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,640.8 people per square mile (634.1/km²). There were 2,478 housing units at an average density of 615.8 per square mile (238.0/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 95.09% White, 0.94% African American, 0.09% Native American, 2.80% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.01% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Mountainside borough, New Jersey
, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 17, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Mountainside borough, Union County, New Jersey
, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 17, 2012.

There were 2,434 households, out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.9% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.9% were non-families. 17.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 21.1% under the age of 18, 3.8% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 24.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $97,195, and the median income for a family was $105,773. Males had a median income of $78,595 versus $52,667 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $47,474. About 2.0% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.9% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Mountainside is governed by a Mayor-Council form of government as authorized through the Option Municipal Charter Law (commonly called the Faulkner Act). The township is one of 71 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government. The governing body is comprised of the Mayor and the six-member Borough Council. Under this form of local government, the Mayor is elected for a term of four years and there is a Borough Council comprised of six members, each elected for three-year terms, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle. Both the Mayor and Borough Council are elected at-large, that is, to represent the entire community. Elections for all officials in Mountainside are conducted on a partisan basis during the November General Election.''2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book'', Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 94. Shows form of government as Borough.

, the mayor of Mountainside is Republican Paul N. Mirabelli, whose term of office ends on December 31, 2023. Members of the Borough Council are Deanna Andre (R, 2023), René Dierkes (R, 2022), Steven Matejek (R, 2023), Robert W. Messler (R, 2024), Donna Pacifico (R, 2022) and Rachel Pater (R, 2024).Borough Council
Borough of Mountainside. Accessed June 30, 2022. "Mountainside is governed by a Mayor and Council form of government, as authorized through the Option Municipal Charter Law (Faulkner Act). Enacted by the State Legislature in 1950, this form of local New Jersey government provides for the election of a Mayor for a term of four years and a Borough Council of varied complement. In our case, the Borough Council consists of six members, elected for staggered three year terms. Both the Mayor and Borough Council are elected at-large, that is, to represent the entire community."''Union County Elected Officials''
Union County, New Jersey Clerk. Accessed June 30, 2022.General Election November 2, 2021 Official Results
Union County, New Jersey, updated November 15, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.General Election November 3, 2020 Official Results
Union County, New Jersey, updated December 14, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.General Election November 5, 2019 Official Results
Union County, New Jersey, updated December 5, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.

Federal, state and county representation

Mountainside is located in the 7th Congressional DistrictPlan Components Report
New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020. and is part of New Jersey's 21st state legislative district.Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District
New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.''2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government''
New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.

Union County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners, whose nine members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis with three seats coming up for election each year, with an appointed County Manager overseeing the day-to-day operations of the county. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members. , Union County's County Commissioners are
Chair Rebecca Williams ( D, Plainfield, term as commissioner and as chair ends December 31, 2022),
Vice Chair Christopher Hudak (D, Linden, term as commissioner ends 2023; term as vice chair ends 2022),
James E. Baker Jr. (D, Rahway, 2024),
Angela R. Garretson (D, Hillside, 2023),
Sergio Granados (D, Elizabeth, 2022),
Bette Jane Kowalski (D, Cranford, 2022),
Lourdes M. Leon (D, Elizabeth, 2023),
Alexander Mirabella (D, Fanwood, 2024) and
Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded (D, Westfield, 2024).
Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are
County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (D, Union Township, 2025),
Sheriff Peter Corvelli (D, Kenilworth, 2023) and
Surrogate Susan Dinardo (acting).
The County Manager is Edward Oatman.

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 4,744 registered voters in Mountainside, of which 1,201 (25.3% vs. 41.8% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,568 (33.1% vs. 15.3%) were registered as Republicans and 1,974 (41.6% vs. 42.9%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There was one voter registered to another party.Voter Registration Summary - Union
New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed May 20, 2013. Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 71.0% (vs. 53.3% in Union County) were registered to vote, including 92.5% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 70.6% countywide).

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 2,100 votes (59.2% vs. 32.3% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 1,401 votes (39.5% vs. 66.0%) and other candidates with 30 votes (0.8% vs. 0.8%), among the 3,548 ballots cast by the borough's 4,940 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.8% (vs. 68.8% in Union County). In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 2,331 votes (60.0% vs. 35.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 1,500 votes (38.6% vs. 63.1%) and other candidates with 33 votes (0.8% vs. 0.9%), among the 3,888 ballots cast by the borough's 4,911 registered voters, for a turnout of 79.2% (vs. 74.7% in Union County). In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 2,215 votes (58.0% vs. 40.3% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 1,561 votes (40.8% vs. 58.3%) and other candidates with 31 votes (0.8% vs. 0.7%), among the 3,822 ballots cast by the borough's 4,796 registered voters, for a turnout of 79.7% (vs. 72.3% in the whole county).

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 69.9% of the vote (1,595 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 29.0% (661 votes), and other candidates with 1.1% (26 votes), among the 2,320 ballots cast by the borough's 4,860 registered voters (38 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 47.7%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,754 votes (61.8% vs. 41.7% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 842 votes (29.6% vs. 50.6%), Independent Chris Daggett with 204 votes (7.2% vs. 5.9%) and other candidates with 17 votes (0.6% vs. 0.8%), among the 2,840 ballots cast by the borough's 4,827 registered voters, yielding a 58.8% turnout (vs. 46.5% in the county).

Education

The Mountainside School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. As of the 2020–2021 school year, the district, comprised of two schools, had an enrollment of 725 students and 71.3 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.2:1.District information for Mountainside School District
National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022. Schools in the district (with 2020–2021 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are
Beechwood School with 256 students in grades Pre-K–2 and
Deerfield School with 461 students in grades 3–8.

Public school students in ninth through twelfth grades attend Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights, as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Berkeley Heights Public Schools that is covered by an agreement that runs through the end of 2021–2022 school year. As of the 2020–2021 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 960 students and 87.9 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.9:1.

Students also have the choice to attend the programs of the Union County Vocational Technical Schools, which serve students from across Union County.

Emergency medical services

Emergency Medical Services for the borough of Mountainside is provided by the Mountainside Rescue Squad during nights and weekends. Since 2006, weekday daytime coverage has been provided by Atlantic Ambulance EMS, which has a paramedic unit stationed in Mountainside.

Transportation

Roads and highways

, the borough had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality, by Union County and by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

U.S. Route 22 and Interstate 78 are the main highways running through Mountainside.

Public transportation

NJ Transit Bus Operations routes 114 and 117 provide service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan in New York City while routes 65 and 66 travel to Downtown Newark, all making local stops at points in proximate communities. An early use of bus rapid transit in New Jersey, a BBS (bus bypass shoulder, originally called a BOS or ''bus on shoulder'' lane) has been in operation for many years. Unlike most municipalities along Route 22, zoning in Mountainside does not allow for much commercial development adjacent to the freeway. For a one-mile stretch in the town, the eastbound shoulder on the arterial road can be used for peak hour buses. In 2012, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) regulated the BBS as an exclusive bus lane from 6 to 7:30am. In 2009, NJDOT funded construction of two bus turnouts along the road in nearby Union.

Newark Liberty International Airport is approximately east of Mountainside.

NJ Transit rail service is accessible via Summit station, and it has frequent direct service to New York Penn Station. The station is located around from the center of Mountainside, and Westfield station, which is about away, is also nearby.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Mountainside include:

* Erika Amato (born 1969), singer and actress who was a founding member of the band Velvet Chain
* John W. Campbell (1910–1971), science fiction writer who was editor of '' Astounding Science Fiction'' from 1937 until his death
* Bob Clotworthy (born 1931), diver who won the bronze medal at his Olympic debut in 1952 in Helsinki, Finland in the men's springboard event, followed by the gold medal, four years later in Melbourne, Australia in the same event
* Laurie Collyer (born 1967), film director, best known for ''Sherrybaby''
* Angelo DeCarlo (1902–1973), member of the New York Genovese crime family
* Harry Devlin (born 1918), cartoonist for magazines such as ''Collier's Weekly''
* Ina Golub (1938–2015), fiber artist who specialized in Judaica
* Charles J. Irwin (1930–2005), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from the 9th at-large district from 1968 to 1971
* Bitty Schram (born 1968), actress who appeared on ''Monk''
* Dale Torborg (born 1971), conditioning coordinator for the Chicago White Sox and former professional wrestler best known for his time in World Championship Wrestling
* Jeff Torborg (born 1941), former Major League Baseball player and manager
* Hela Yungst (1950–2002), television entertainer and beauty pageant winnerMastrull, Diane
"Hela Young, longtime New Jersey Lottery host"
''The Philadelphia Inquirer'', February 25, 2002. Accessed September 8, 2015. "Ms. Young was born in Israel to Holocaust survivors. She moved to Newark as a child in 1957 and lived in Hillside and Edison before settling in Mountainside, Union County, in 1984."

Gallery

File:Echo Lake Park NJ waterwheel dam frozen lake trees.JPG, Echo Lake Park in winter

References

External links

Mountainside Borough website

{{authority control

1895 establishments in New Jersey
Boroughs in Union County, New Jersey
Faulkner Act (mayor–council)
Populated places established in 1895