[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 23654-23655]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



        CONGRATULATING WALDWICK BOROUGH ON ITS 80TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 1, 1999

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Borough of 
Waldwick, New Jersey, on its 80th anniversary. This historic occasion 
will be marked this weekend with the celebration of Waldwick Day, 
Saturday, October 2, and the dedication of the borough's long-awaited 
new Administration Building.
  The people of Waldwick this year are celebrating the many virtues of 
their wonderful community. Waldwick is a good place to call home. It 
has the outstanding schools, safe streets, family oriented 
neighborhoods, civic volunteerism and community values that make it an 
outstanding place to live and raise a family.

[[Page 23655]]

  On this occasion, I want to specifically acknowledge the outstanding 
leadership of Waldwick's elected officials. Waldwick has always enjoyed 
a history of good, sound local government--a tradition carried on today 
by Mayor Rick Vander Wende, Borough Administrator Gary Kratz, Borough 
Clerk Paula Jaegge, and Borough Council members Art Barthold, Robert 
Campbell, Frank McKenna, Joseph Musumeci, James O'Connell and Jim 
Toolen.
  Waldwick has been a town of many names. The area traces its past to 
the settlement of New Barbadoes Township in modern-day northern New 
Jersey in 1693. The settlement changed its name to Franklin Township 
when it was incorporated in 1772, however, and by the late 1800s was 
known as Orvil Township. Orvil changed its form of government from 
township to borough in 1919, prompting another name change. A committee 
chose ``Wald,'' German for ``woods'' and later refined the choice to 
Waldwick, meaning, ``a light in the woods.''
  Transportation played a major role in the development of Waldwick. An 
Indian trail along the foothills of the Ramapo Mountains was used by 
European settlers and became part of the Albany Post Road. The Franklin 
Turnpike was developed and named for New Jersey Colonial Governor 
William Franklin, son of Benjamin Franklin. Railroads first came to the 
area in the 1840s, when the Paterson and Ramapo built a line to connect 
Suffern, New York, and Jersey City, but a depot wasn't built in 
Waldwick until 1886. The railroad brought dramatic improvements in 
Waldwick's connections to the outside world, including the first 
regularly scheduled deliveries of mail.
  Several businesses developed around the railroad depot, including the 
Orvil Hotel, a printing shop, two butcher shops, a carpenter's shop, a 
livery stable, a machine shop, a general store, a dressmaker's shop, a 
funeral home and Hopper's Coal and Lumber Co.
  By the 1920s, Waldwick had a thriving downtown district and growing 
residential neighborhoods. A large number of civic organizations, 
including the Ancient Order of Forresters, the Sylvandale Literary 
Society and the Waldwick Public Hall Association, among others, were 
formed. Italians were a prominent ethnic group within the community, 
forming a chapter of the Sons of Italy and staging an annual Assumption 
of the Virgin Mary celebration.
  The Depression actually benefited Waldwick with the construction of a 
municipal pool and a municipal office building by the Works Progress 
Administration.
  Today, under the leadership of Mayor Vander Wende and the other 
borough officials, Waldwick continues to be a thriving, modern 
community with much to offer to everyone. The new Administration 
Building being dedicated this weekend is the latest tangible sign of 
Waldwick's growth. The $1.9 million, 12,000-square-foot building, 
located at 63 Franklin Turnpike, will consolidate all borough 
administrative offices in one location. The old Municipal Building, 
built in 1927 at a cost of $40,000, will remain home to the Police 
Department headquarters and will continue to be the site of meetings of 
the Borough Council, the Planning and Zoning Board and sessions of 
Municipal Court.
  My colleagues, I am certain you would agree with my conviction that 
Waldwick is one of the finest communities in the State of New Jersey. 
This community is symbolic of traditional American values. The 
residents work hard, are dedicated to their families, support their 
schools and volunteer to help their neighbors. I ask all my colleagues 
to join me in wishing all its residents continued success.

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