[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. ____________________