Wyckoff, New Jersey

The 2020 United States census counted 16,589 people and 5,749 households in the township, and the population density was 2532.6 people per square mile. The racial makeup was 90.1% White (14,946), 87.7% non-Hispanic White (14,549), 1.0% Black (166), 0.1% Native American (17), 5.2% Asian (863), 0.0% Pacific Islander (0), 5.4% Latino (896), and 3.3% from two or more races (547).

Of the 16,589 inhabitants, 24.7% were under the age of 18; 4.4% were under the age of 5; 20.6% were 65 or older; 12.8% spoke a language other than English at home; 10.7% were foreign-born; 4.0% were veterans; and 51.4% were female. The average household size was 2.86. 90.0% of homes were owner-occupied and the median value of such homes was $803,500; the median gross rent, meanwhile, was $2,127.

The median yearly household income was $167,368 and the per-capita yearly income was $82,422; 62.1% of residents older than 16 had a job and the mean commute time was 30.6 minutes. 96.3% of inhabitants older than 25 had a high-school diploma and 65.1% had a bachelor's degree or higher. 1.6% of Wyckoff's population was living in poverty, 1.5% of those younger than 65 did not have health insurance, and 2.9% of the same group was disabled.[41]

The 2010 United States census counted 16,696 people, 5,646 households, and 4,641 families in the township. The population density was 2,550.1 per square mile (984.6/km²). There were 5,827 housing units at an average density of 890.0 per square mile (343.6/km²). The racial makeup was 93.53% (15,616) White, 0.56% (94) Black or African American, 0.04% (7) Native American, 4.23% (706) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.47% (79) from other races, and 1.2% (194) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.41% (737) of the population.[20]

Of the 5,646 households, 40.6% had children under the age of 18; 73.2% were married couples living together; 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 17.8% were non-families. Of all households, 16.1% were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.26.[20]

27.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 17.9% from 25 to 44, 32.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 88.0 males.[20]

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $145,366 (with a margin of error of +/− $11,501) and the median family income was $163,034 (+/− $10,963). Males had a median income of $111,950 (+/− $12,210) versus $64,148 (+/− $10,102) for females. The per capita income for the township was $64,476 (+/− $5,019). About 0.6% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.9% of those under age 18 and 2.4% of those age 65 or over.[42]

In 2010, the median income for a household in the township was $138,373, and the median income for a family was $154,420. In 2000, males had a median income of $87,850 versus $51,929 for females. The per capita income for the township was $49,375. About 1.1% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.3% of those under age 18 and 1.9% of those age 65 or over.[39][40]

Same-sex couples headed 24 households in 2010, an increase from the 17 counted in 2000.[43]

As of the 2000 U.S. census,[17] there were 16,508 people, 5,541 households, and 4,632 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,521.6 inhabitants per square mile (973.6/km²). There were 5,638 housing units at an average density of 861.2 per square mile (332.5/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 94.54% White, 0.47% African American, 0.15% Native American, 3.70% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.28% of the population.[39][40]

There were 5,541 households, out of which 42.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.7% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.4% were non-families. 14.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.22.[39][40]

In the township, the population was spread out, with 28.3% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.[39][40]

Wyckoff's Township Committee circa 2023. From left to right: Tim Shanley, Rudy Boonstra, Tom Madigan, Peter Melchionne, Scott Fisher

Wyckoff is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.[44] The Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are elected on a partisan basis as part of the November general election, with either one or two seats up for vote each year in a three-year cycle.[4][45] At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects a chairperson from among its members who serves as mayor, and another member to serve as deputy mayor. The committee serves as Wyckoff's legislative and executive body, with the mayor responsible for chairing meetings and signing documents on behalf of the township.

As of 2023, the members of the Wyckoff Township Committee are Mayor Tom Madigan (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2024; term as mayor ends 2023), Rudolf E. Boonstra Jr. (R, 2025), Scott A. Fisher (R, 2023; appointed to serve an unexpired term), Peter J. Melchionne (R, 2023) and Timothy E. Shanley (R, 2024).[5][46][47][48][49][50]

In November 2006, voters approved a ballot measure establishing the Municipal Open Space Tax to support a Municipal Open Space Fund. Authorized for five years, the tax is an annual levy of a half cent per every $100 assessed valuation. The Municipal Open Space Fund is used to "...[acquire] lands for recreation, and conservation purposes," develop and maintain these lands, "...[acquire] farmland for...preservation purposes," and preserve and acquire, "...historic properties, structures, facilities, sites, [etc.]".[51] In 2011, 2016, and 2021, Wyckoff voters reauthorized the tax and fund.[52] The Russell Farms property was acquired by the township in 2012 for $3.1 million, using $1.2 million from the Municipal Open Space Fund and $1.85 million from a county grant awarded through the Bergen County Open Space Program; Republican mayor Chris DePhillips said the purchase was "...an historic moment for the township".[53]

In the June 2007 Republican primary, committeeman Henry J. McNamara (with 917 votes) defeated challenger Diane Sobin (who earned 713 votes). 17.35% of Wyckoff Republicans turned out for the primary.[54] Afterwards, Sobin launched a write-in campaign against McNamara. In September 2007, McNamara announced that he would not run for re-election due to work commitments, prompting the Bergen County Republican Party's committee on Wyckoff to nominate Rudy Boonstra as their general election candidate. At the time of nomination, Boonstra was chairman of the township's Board of Adjustment (a position he had served in since 1997) as well as chairman of the Bergen County Republican Party that had selected him; Boonstra had lived in Wyckoff his entire life, and had served on the township's Board of Education for 13 years as well as the Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education for nine.[55]

Sobin continued her write-in campaign on the basis that, "...the township is run by a small circle of friends and relatives, [including] Boonstra," which, according to Sobin's husband, was evidenced by Boonstra's cousin, Harold Galenkamp, being a township committeeman at the time as well as the fact that, "...[Boonstra's extended] family are likely the largest developers of real estate in Wyckoff," owning, "about 60 acres". Meanwhile, the Democratic candidate, Christopher Hillmann, campaigned on Wyckoff purchasing open space and Boonstra advocated for an ordinance that would limit the size of buildings allowed on a given lot.[56][57] In the November race for one three-year term on the township committee, Boonstra (with 1,866 votes) overcame 1,032 write-in votes cast in opposition and also defeated Hillmann (who earned 754 votes). 35.98% of Wyckoff voters turned out for the election.[58]

In the November 2008 election, Brian Scanlan became the first Democrat to win a seat on Wyckoff's township committee in 75 years, edging out planning board member Republican Kathleen Scarpelli in a race that was close enough to require that provisional ballots be counted: Republican committeeman David Connolly (with 4,670 votes) and Scanlan (with 4,506) defeated Kathleen Scarpelli (who earned 4,486 votes) and Democrat Brian Hubert (who earned 4,402) in the race for two terms on the committee, which 81.59% of Wyckoff voters turned out for.[59]

Scanlan had first become active in Wyckoff politics in 2005 when he organized a public protest against the proposed development of 99 units on eight acres of the Deep Voll Ravine property; Scanlan fought for a public park on the site, though the Township compromised by approving an alternative plan of nine homes on 13 acres. According to Marsha Stoltz (writing for The Record), Scanlan, "...won public approval for his advocacy and stunned the Republican stronghold when he was elected".[60]

During the 2008 campaign, the Democrats criticized Wyckoff's one-party rule, with Scanlan stating, "We think that the township would be better off if there were alternate points of view," and suggesting that the committee had ignored dissenting voices — leading to local decisions such as a new Wyckoff Stop & Shop being approved that the pair claimed was, "too large and ugly"; committeeman Connolly countered that, "...governing on the local level is about knowing the community," and, "On the local level it is not true [that one-party rule is bad]," as, "Politics is personal".[61]

In the November 2009 election, the Republican slate of Chris DePhillips (with 3,696 votes) and zoning board chairman Kevin Rooney (with 3,548) defeated Democrat Brian Hubert (who earned 2,597 votes) and independent Diane Sobin (who earned 2,131) in a race for two three-year terms opened by mayor Joseph Fiorenzo and committeeman Richard Alnor deciding not to run for re-election. 56.61% of Wyckoff voters turned out for the election.[62]

Both teams campaigned on improving committee openness, Smart Growth, fiscal conservatism (with DePhillips and Rooney emphasizing shared services), and open-space preservation (though the Republicans qualified their support as for "economically prudent" preservation). Hubert and Sobin argued that their opponents were "late" to some of these issues (as Sobin, "...[while] point[ing] to her track record regarding open space...question[ed] her opponents' sincerity...saying that neither signed [the] petition to put a municipal open space tax on the ballot"), characterized them as part of the township's "entrenched" Republican establishment (saying they were "handpicked" by Republicans on the Township Committee), suggested there was a need for differing views on the committee, and specifically advocated for televised committee meetings. DePhillips and Rooney, meanwhile, contended that they brought fresh perspectives, were especially focused on responding to voters' concerns (as evidenced by their estimation that they "...knocked on 80 to 90 percent of doors in the township"), sought to "preserve the character" of Wyckoff, hoped to work closely with township schools, and stated that, "The suggestion is out there that we are...an extension of entrenched incumbents...[but] the incumbents had nothing to do with our running".[63][64][65]

In the June 2010 Republican primary, committeeman Rudy Boonstra, serving for the year as mayor, was challenged by Rev. Jeffrey Boucher, a pastor at Wyckoff's Powerhouse Christian Church, for nomination as the party's committee candidate in the general election. Boonstra touted his long history of volunteering and serving on committees in Wyckoff as well as his role in ongoing land-use agreements whereas Boucher pointed to his work growing Powerhouse and the "vision" a non-profit leader can bring to government. In April 2010, Boonstra formally protested Boucher's nominating petition with the county superintendent of elections, pointing out that not every signature had been individually witnessed and that the certifier had not been a Wyckoff resident at the time of validating the petition; Boucher characterized the legal challenge as "beneath him" and an attempt to, "...take the choice away from the people".[66] Boonstra (with 1,020 votes) fended off Boucher (who earned 520 votes) in a primary that 34.77% of Wyckoff Republicans turned out for.[67][68]

In October 2010, Republican Tom Madigan, a prolific local volunteer and 12-year Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education member, was appointed to serve for the remaining one year of what had been Republican committeeman Dave Connolly's term until his resignation.[69] Connolly, appointed to the committee in 2004, was the longest serving member currently on the committee at the time of his departure. Connolly's tenure included time as chairman of the finance committee and as the Environmental Commission liaison; he cited family priorities as his reason for resigning.[70]

In the November 2010 election, Republican committeeman Rudy Boonstra (with 3,691 votes) won re-election to a second term over Democratic challenger Henry Velez (who earned 2,086 votes). 34.77% of Wyckoff voters turned out for the election.[71] During the campaign, Boonstra stressed his experience, touted his fiscal conservatism (including having successfully refunded $300,000 in surplus library funds to taxpayers), supported open-space preservation (specifically pointing to Russell Farms and Maple Lake), opposed high-density COAH housing, pledged to align future projects like the Christian Health Care Center and ShopRite with Wyckoff's "small town charm", and advocated for pursuing grants to be used for township parks and recreation improvements; Velez promoted the proposed Christian Health Care Center as a "win-win" that provided open space as well as high-density senior housing, promised to address traffic and road safety issues, and expressed concern over Wyckoff's affordability — especially for seniors and individuals on a fixed income.[72]

In the November 2011 election, Democratic committeeman Brian Scanlan and a Republican ticket of committeeman Tom Madigan and Zoning Board chairman Doug Christie competed for two seats on the committee.[73] Scanlan (with 2,589 votes) won re-election to his second term and Christie (with 2,179) won his first, denying Tom Madigan (who earned 1,921 votes) re-election. 37.61% of Wyckoff voters turned out for the election.[74]

During the campaign, Scanlan promoted his efforts to limit the municipal tax increase to 1.2% annually, supported shared services, touted his initiatives that included having Wyckoff participate in state sustainability programs and passing an ordinance allowing outdoor dining, and "strongly" endorsed the renewal of the Open Space Trust Fund via ballot measure. The Republicans stressed their fiscal conservatism as well as advocated for shared services; supported the Fair School Funding Plan (in opposition to New Jersey's equity-focused school funding formula),[75] which they claimed would have, "...increas[ed] Wyckoff's state education aid from 2 percent to over 15 percent"; and criticized how, "New Jersey Democrats forced Council on Affordable Housing mandates," which they pledged to, "...vigorously oppose...[to] fight to maintain Wyckoff's small-town charm".[76] Madigan had appeared in court in October 2011 over allegations that he slapped a 17-year-old at a Ramapo High School football game in 2010;[77] in November 2011 (after the election) Madigan was found guilty of simple assault, but a state superior court judge overturned this ruling in April 2012.[78]

In May 2012, former committeeman Tom Madigan was appointed to a one-year position on the township's zoning board. Committeeman Brian Scanlan, the lone Democrat serving at the time, was left out of appointment discussions despite being the liaison to the zoning board. Scanlan criticized "the absence of process" in the decision and suggested (while praising Madigan's record of volunteerism), "I would have liked to have cast a wider net in terms of filling this appointment," such as considering interested candidates who held post-graduate degrees in city planning; committeemen Doug Christie and Kevin Rooney defended Madigan by pointing to his "diligence" and how he, "understands the community...what we try to achieve here".[79]

In June 2012, Wyckoff received bids for its annual tree and leaf removal services that, in light of a busy season for tree companies, were (at the lowest) more than double the cost of the previous year. Afterwards, Republican committeeman Kevin Rooney (alongside Scott Fisher, head of the Wyckoff Department of Public Works) spearheaded a successful effort for the township to purchase its own tree-service machinery and, thereafter, run the operation internally via the DPW. Democratic committeeman Brian Scanlan, who helped arrange funding for the deal as a member of the finance committee, estimated that the initial investment would pay for itself over two years; Rooney speculated that with further investment in the program Wyckoff taxpayers could collectively save $100,000.[80]

In October 2012, the Township Committee passed an ordinance penalizing "objectionable public displays of behavior" with a $500 fine and up to 90-days imprisonment in an effort to preserve Wyckoff's "small-town charm". Some residents criticized the ordinance as vague, an overstep, and/or apt for litigation; township attorney Robert Landel, meanwhile, defended it, noting that most, "...undesirable behavior is handled as a disorderly persons offense," and the ordinance, "...is one more vehicle to write a summons".[81]

In the November 2012 election, Republican committeeman Kevin Rooney and political newcomer Haakon Jepsen, an analyst at Deutsche Bank, ran as a ticket against Democratic challenger and Wyckoff public school teacher Eileen Avia for two seats on the committee; Republican mayor Chris DePhillips decided not to run for re-election.[82] When asked by the Wyckoff Suburban News what the "single most important issue facing residents" was, the Republicans replied that keeping taxes low was their main concern, saying, "Wyckoff has a winning fiscal record thanks to its long legacy of Republican leadership," and claiming they had the "vision" and "experience" necessary to maintain Wyckoff's history of, "...some of the lowest taxes and highest property values in Bergen County"; Avia also raised property taxes as the most important issue in the election, though she went on to caution against, "...attempting to reign in property taxes with overdevelopment," as she argued it could endanger Wyckoff's "small town feel", natural environment, and traffic safety as well as intensify trends she viewed as encapsulated in, "Overbuilding...[having] transformed our town center into a vast, paved lanscape with no aesthetic merit".[83] Jepsen additionally ran on "tapping into" Wyckoff's culture through programs and events and enhancing communication between Wykoffians and the committee,[84] while Avia broached affordability issues for senior citizens, emphasized shared services and trimming the school budget, and supported increased police funding as well as, specifically, televised committee meetings.[85] Rooney (with 5,129 votes) and Jepsen (with 4,721) defeated Avia (who earned 3,578 votes). 73.76% of Wyckoff voters turned out for the election.[86]

In June 2013, the Committee tabled an ordinance proposed by Democratic committeeman Brian Scanlan that would have banned smoking in public areas (such as parks, outside municipal buildings like firehouses and the library, and in municipal outdoor recreation areas) and also would have codified Board of Education policies prohibiting smoking outside schools. Some residents argued that the proposed ordinance was an overreach, both legally and in principle; the Committee decided the proposal would create an "unjustified burden" for adults while Republican committeeman Haakon Jepsen led criticism of the proposal amongst officials, saying, "The more I looked at it, the less I liked it," and Republican committeeman Kevin Rooney added, "Who are we trying to protect?".[87][88] In July 2013, a slightly different ordinance was reintroduced and, in August, passed — with its changes being the exclusion of parking lots and roadways into parks from the ban's purview as well as the addition of the newly-public Russell Farms Community Park and Larkin House properties.[89]

In the November 2013 election, Republican Committeeman Rudy Boonstra ran unopposed for re-election to his third term. He received 3,498 votes, with 44.61% of Wyckoff voters turning out for the election.[90]

Committeeman Kevin J. Rooney won the 2013 version of the Food Network series Chopped, donating his $10,000 winnings to Oasis—A Haven for Women and Children based in Paterson.[91]

In the November 2014 election, Democratic committeeman Brian Scanlan (with 3,204 votes) and Republican mayor Doug Christie (with 2,808) won re-election (to their third and second terms, respectively) over Republican challenger — a member of the zoning board and owner of a Wyckoff small business, Yudin's Appliances — Susan Yudin (who earned 2,394 votes). 46.55% of Wyckoff voters turned out for the election.[92]

Scanlan campaigned on many of the same issues that he had raised in the 2011 race, but in 2014 he additionally touted how he was the first committee member to refuse the position's stipend, declined entry into the offered state pension plan, and turned down PBA cards.[93] Yudin advocated for including a woman's perspective on the all-male committee and, after being defeated, vowed to, "'throw my hat in the ring' again".[94]

In June 2015, Wyckoff Board of Education and Zoning Board member John Carolan was appointed to the Township Committee following Republican committeeman Doug Christie's May 2015 resignation due to moving out of town.[95]

In June 2015, The Pulis Field Recreation Complex, an outdoor artificial turf field located behind the Wyckoff YMCA, was opened; its funding came from donations and fundraisers but mostly from the Wyckoff YMCA itself.[96] Recently resigned committeeman Doug Christie declared that the committee's work to construct the field was his proudest accomplishment, saying, "...when I became mayor in 2013, I brought everyone together and it started to happen".[97] In September 2015, the township committee unanimously approved allocating $300,000 from the Municipal Open Space Fund to light the complex. Given these upgrades, residents of the nearby 55-plus community, Spring Meadow, voiced concerns about noise and light pollution as well as traffic congestion; the president of the Wyckoff Environmental Commission, Harriet Shugarman, suggested that while, "...open space funds can be used on recreation, she hoped it would be used in the future to preserve open space".[98] In March 2018, the township committee renamed one field in the complex (previously called Pulis Field 3) to Ben Landel Memorial Field in honor of a Wyckoff 18 year old (and son of Robert Landel, the township attorney) who died in January following a nine-month battle with an aggressive cancer, NUT midline carcinoma.[99]

In the June 2015 Republican primaries, mayor Kevin Rooney and 2014 candidate Susan Yudin ran unopposed for nomination as the party's general election Township Committee ticket;[100] Republican committeeman Haakon Jepsen decided not to run for a second term.[101] Former Republican committeeman Tom Madigan, meanwhile, gathered signatures for a petition to run as an independent in the November competition.[102] Yudin launched a failed effort to invalidate this petition (and thereby remove Madigan from the general election ballot), alleging, in a number of suits that eventually reached state superior court, that Madigan had not personally witnessed each signature.[103] Upon Yudin's motion being denied, Madigan characterized her actions as amounting to a, "...baseless claim that she should be permitted to run unopposed," and stated that because, "...Yudin had a high-priced Bergen County Republican Organization lawyer while I was my own counsel," the suit's failure was, "...a win for the little guy".[104][105]

In the November 2015 general election, Susan Yudin and mayor Kevin Rooney as Republicans and Tom Madigan as an independent competed for two three-year terms while Republican committeeman John Carolan ran unopposed for election to the remaining two years of the term he been appointed to in June. Rooney (with 1,996 votes) and Madigan (with 1,735) won re-election and election over Yudin (who earned 1,295 votes); John Carolan also won election, earning 1,792 votes, while 26.99% of Wyckoff voters turned out for the election.[106]

When asked by the media what the most important issue facing Wyckoff was, Carolan responded that maintaining fiscally-conservative local government and using his position to nurture a positive community through "...programs that advocate outstanding schools, wellness, acceptance, and recreation," were most critical; Madigan brought up taming property taxes (the increase in which he blamed, partially, on the township receiving little state aid) through shared services and relying on local volunteers; Rooney cited an impetus to face "increasing challenges from...unfunded state and county mandates, COAH housing obligations, increased traffic...and [decaying] infrastructure," while championing Wyckoff's sense of community; and Yudin raised keeping taxes low as her primary objective, which she believed could be achieved through, "...more transparency in [local] government," such as, "Televising meetings of the Township Committee and land use boards, advertising for open positions in township jobs and vacancies on boards...[banning] nepotism in township jobs, and rotating the position of mayor among all Township Committee members".[107]

In the November 2016 election, Republican committeeman Rudy Boonstra ran unopposed for his fourth term and earned 5,665 votes. 76.43% of Wyckoff voters turned out for the election.[108]

At the January 2017 reorganization meeting, the Committee selected Republican Rudy Boonstra to act as mayor for the year, passing over Democrat Brian Scanlan despite his never having been selected (though he was entering his ninth year on the body) and the fact that he had served as deputy mayor in 2016 (a role which, in seven of the prior 10 years, resulted in the serving member being chosen as mayor the following year). According to local media, skipping over Scanlan for the position was part of continued efforts by, "The committee's four Republican members...to relegate Scanlan to minor committees and subordinate roles," and resulted in a year of residential protests,[109] including Wyckoffians submitting letters-to-the-editor to patch.com and The Record.[110][111]

Eventually, in July 2017, Wyckoff resident Steve Joern submitted a petition (with over 900 Wyckoffians' signatures) to the township committee that proposed a ballot question be added to the November election which would have asked residents if a nonpartisan subcommittee should be established to explore alternative methods for selecting the mayor, "...including a direct election...by the voters of Wyckoff".[112] In August, the committee voted to deny the ballot question's addition but, in response, immediately created a subcommittee of Scanlan and independent committeeman Tom Madigan to investigate Wyckoff's electoral options. After one of the three scheduled subcommittee meetings transpired and the mayor-selection process had become a local election issue, Scanlan stated, "It's clear to me that [the Republicans] don't want to consider any alternatives to the current system," while Madigan retorted, "Brian Scanlan obviously is not putting his partisanship aside".[113]

In January 2018, the Madigan-Scanlan subcommittee released its report, making three recommendations — the most crucial of which proposed eliminating the deputy mayor position and the expectations it sets. The subcommittee agreed that fundamentally changing the township-government structure to a different one appropriate for Wyckoff's size would grant too much power to the mayor and/or town manager; Scanlan, however, included his hopes for non-partisan elections in the report and suggested passing an ordinance to have the mayoral selection tied to which committee member had received the most votes in the previous election, whereas Madigan praised the current form of government, suggesting it incubated sufficiently bipartisan elections.[114]

Also at the January 2017 reorganization meeting, the Committee appointed Republican Timothy Shanley to fill the seat expiring in December 2018 that had been held by committeeman Kevin Rooney until he resigned from office to fill the vacant Assembly seat that had been held by Scott Rumana.[115][116]

In the November 2017 election, four candidates — Republican candidate Hayley Rooney (the wife of former-committeeman and then-assemblyman Kevin Rooney) and committeeman John Carolan as well as Democratic newcomer Melissa Rubenstein and committeeman Brian Scanlan — ran for two three-year terms on the committee, whereas Republican committeeman Tim Shanley and Democratic challenger Carla Pappalardo competed for the remaining one year of the term Shanley had been appointed to in January; the three Democrats ran under the slogan "One Wyckoff". Scanlan (with 3,340 votes) was elected to his fourth term while Rubenstein (with 2,893) defeated Carolan (who earned 2,809 votes) and Rooney (who earned 2,788); provisional ballots had to be counted because of how close Rubenstein and Carolan's vote totals were. Meanwhile, Shanley (with 2,983 votes) defeated Pappalardo (who earned 2,894). 49.72% of Wyckoff voters turned out for the election.[117]

The township's election procedures emerged as campaign issues in 2017, as Scanlan (despite sitting on a subcommittee responsible for delivering a report on the subject in December) and Pappalardo called for Wyckoff to change its government from partisan to non-partisan as well as for having residents directly elect the mayor; the opposing ticket and other local Republicans criticized changing the township government in any way, arguing that Bergen County towns with non-partisan governments (such as Ridgewood and Hackensack) are "dysfunctional", have a high tax rate, and are "some of the worst run towns in New Jersey".[113] The Democrats additionally supported videotaping committee meetings[118] while Rubenstein individually advocated for full-day kindergarten throughout the township.[119] The Record characterized the competition for the partisan balance of power on the committee as "a noisy contest" while mayor Rudy Boonstra said, "...passions [were] running...high".[120] Democrats saw wins throughout the state in 2017, but Rubenstein and Pappalardo claimed the party's success in Wyckoff had "more to do with" Scanlan and his legacy; Rubenstein called her win a "Brian victory" while Pappalardo said that Wyckoff is, "...still a Republican stronghold. Brian was the engine, and I was the caboose"; Scanlan, instead, believed Democrats' local gains were a backlash against, "...partisanship at the national level".[121]

At the January 2018 reorganization meeting, committeeman Brian Scanlan was unanimously chosen as Wyckoff's first Democratic mayor and no deputy mayor was selected.[122] Rubenstein, Scanlan's running mate, was also sworn in, becoming the second Democrat in over 80 years, second woman, and first Jewish person to serve on the committee.[123]

During the 2018 election cycle, three candidates — incumbent Republican Tim Shanley and incumbent Tom Madigan (who, after running as an independent in 2015, now filed as a Republican) as well as Democratic challenger Carla Pappalardo — ran for two seats on the township committee. In November, Shanley (with 5,107 votes) was elected to his first full term and Madigan (with 4,667) was re-elected to his second consecutive term, defeating Pappalardo (who earned 3,705 votes). 68.61% of Wyckoff voters turned out for the election.[124]

Pappalardo was endorsed by Congressman and Wyckoff-resident Josh Gottheimer,[125] mayor Brian Scanlan, and Wyckoff-resident Steve Joern, who launched a petition to rethink the township's electoral processes in 2017; in his endorsement, Joern wrote that, "...if Carla Pappalardo is elected...she will help move [the petition's goals] forward...she will respond to the many voices in Wyckoff asking to be heard, including on the mayoral vote issue".[126]

In a letter-to-the-editor submitted to patch.com, Pappalardo stated that her platform consisted of efficient spending, improved water quality, and increased committee transparency through televised meetings — which she claimed her opponents opposed — as well as through ending "political board appointments" and "nepotism"; in the letter Pappalardo also said, "If elected, I look forward to working closely with Rudy Boonstra, Tim Shanley, Melissa Rubenstein, and Brian Scanlan and creating a high functioning team".[127] This prompted Republican committeeman Rudy Boonstra to compose his own letter-to-the-editor where he responded, "I feel her statement...is a bit presumptuous as we do not know each other...[and] she has not attended one Township Committee meeting this year," going further to allege that, "...at a recent Ramapo Indian Hills Board Of Education meeting...she referred to Wyckoff as, 'a cheap-a** Dutch town'," which he interpreted, "...as an ethnic slur aimed at me and members of my family who have served Wyckoff well for decades in numerous capacities".[128]

In April 2019 the Township Committee approved the 2019 municipal budget, which included $307,150 in funding that was partially dedicated to establishing the technology necessary to record future meetings and make them available online.[129][130]

In May 2019, Committeewoman Melissa Rubenstein, who had been elected in 2017 as a Democrat, switched her party affiliation to Republican.[131]

In June 2019, a controversy emerged over whether Wyckoff should fly the gay pride flag at town hall. Republican Mayor Tom Madigan denied calls from residents and local activists, including a petition with over 1000 signatures and a 100-person rally, citing concerns that flying the flag could create a public forum where the town could be forced to recognize any cause.[132] A year later, in June 2020, Republican Mayor Tim Shanley led the township committee in flying the pride flag on a pole near the library on the same municipal lot as town hall; Republican committeeman Rudy Boonstra abstained from the flag-raising ceremony, and Shanley accused Madigan, now a committeeman, of saying he "wanted no ceremony," and "to strike 'proudly' from the resolution supporting the cause when we passed it this year".[133][134]

In the November 2019 election, Republican committeeman Rudy Boonstra (with 2,530 votes) won re-election to his fifth term over Democratic challenger David Mangot (who earned 1,415 votes). 30.71% of Wyckoff voters turned out for the election.[135][136]

Democratic committeeman Brian Scanlan resigned on election day in November 2019 with a year remaining in his fourth term; he cited a desire to work on a national climate change agenda, reflecting the environmental causes he had championed during his tenure. Mayor Tom Madigan said of the resignation that he was "surprised" and "disappointed" because he believed Scanlan announced on election day "to upstage both local candidates".[137]

In December 2019, Beth Fischer was chosen to fill Scanlan's seat for the remaining one year of what had been his term; this was the first time two women served simultaneously on Wyckoff's township committee (the other being Melissa Rubenstein), and Fischer (who was, at the time, commissioner of the Wyckoff Environmental Commission) pledged to carry on Scanlan's legacy of environmental activism.[138]

In November 2020, Republican Peter Melchionne won election to his first term and Republican committeewoman Melissa Rubenstein won re-election to her second term (with 6,269 and 6,342 votes, respectively) over the Democratic slate — Lisa Eidel and committeewoman Beth Fischer (who earned 4,548 and 4,717 votes).[139]

When campaigning, Fischer touted her history of volunteerism, commitment to environmental issues, and an effective first year on the committee;[140] Eidel asserted a need for differing perspectives on the committee (especially in light of Rubenstein's party switch) and to focus on urban planning;[141] Melchionne claimed, "Our opponents want to change Wyckoff the town we call home" and promised, instead, to improve and maintain fundamental aspects of the township like local businesses, recreation, and safety;[142] and Rubenstein similarly stated that, "Our opponents believe that Wyckoff needs to change" and she named utilities quality and reliability as her chief concern.[143] Additionally, Eidel received attention for her social advocacy, including playing a leading role in pushing Wyckoff to fly the gay pride flag and speaking at a June 2020 "rally for equality" that was organized after a local Chinese restaurant was vandalized with racially-charged graffiti; at the rally, Eidel stated, "I'm a gay woman with two Black sons in a white community...if I don't stand up to the fact that there's racism in this town, who is going to?". Fischer was the only committee member to attend the rally, and Eidel alleged that Republican mayor Tim Shanley had been asked twice by organizers to speak at the event — but that he failed to answer.[144]

Upon Melchionne's taking office in January 2021, Wyckoff had an all-Republican township committee for the first time since 2009.[145]

In August 2021 the township committee voted to move Wyckoff Board of Education elections from November to April, claiming that, in part because April elections would allow residents a direct vote on the school budget, the move would increase Board of Education transparency and accountability. The Board President criticized the committee's vote as a "highly political" decision that would "adversely affect the quality of education in Wyckoff", and others cited concerns about lower voter turnout in April elections.[146] In September 2021, the Wyckoff Board of Education voted to move the election back to November.[147]

In September 2021, former chairman of the Bergen County Republican Organization Committee Bob Yudin launched a write-in campaign against Republican township committeeman Tom Madigan. Yudin argued that Madigan's role in moving the Wyckoff Board of Education elections from November to April was "a blatant attempt to reduce the voter turnout so Madigan and his minions will have a better chance to put their people into office", and he also attacked Madigan's character by citing a dismissed 2010 complaint that charged him with slapping a 17-year-old.[148][149]

In November 2021, Madigan (with 4,130 votes) was re-elected to his third consecutive term and Republican committeeman Tim Shanley (with 5,292) won re-election to his second while 1,291 write-in votes were cast in opposition. 51.91% of Wyckoff voters turned out for the election[150] and no Democrats ran.[151]

In the November 2022 election, Republican committeeman Rudy Boonstra ran unopposed for his sixth term and earned 4,867 votes. 55.64% of Wyckoff voters turned out for the election.[152][153]

In January 2023, Scott Fisher, the former manager of the township's public works department, was appointed to fill the seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by Melissa Rubenstein until she resigned from office the previous month.[154][155]

At the 2023 Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education reorganization meeting, Republican Committeeman Tom Madigan was called upon by President Judith Sullivan; he stated that the newly-constituted parents' rights majority on the Board was, "a breath of fresh air" and that, "...voters will be 'well served'".[156]

Wyckoff is in the 5th Congressional District[157] and is part of New Jersey's 40th state legislative district.[158][159][160]

For the 118th United States Congress, New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District is represented by Josh Gottheimer (D, Wyckoff).[161][162] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027)[163] and Bob Menendez (Englewood Cliffs, term ends 2025).[164][165]

For the 2022–2023 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 Christopher DePhillips (R, Wyckoff) and Kevin J. Rooney (R, Wyckoff).[166]

Bergen County is governed by a directly elected County Executive, with legislative functions performed by a Board of County Commissioners comprised of seven members who are elected at-large to three-year terms in partisan elections on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election each November; a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Chairman Pro Tempore are selected from among its seven members at a reorganization meeting held every January. As of 2023, the county executive is James J. Tedesco III (D, Paramus), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2026.[167] Bergen County's Commissioners are Chairman Thomas J. Sullivan Jr. (D, Montvale, term as commissioner ends December 31, 2025; term as chair ends 2023),[168] Vice Chairman Germaine M. Ortiz (D, Emerson, 2025),[169] Chair Pro Tempore Joan Voss (D, Fort Lee, 2023),[170] Mary J. Amoroso (D, Mahwah, 2025),[171] Rafael Marte (D, Bergenfield, 2023; appointed to serve an unexpired term),[172] Steven A. Tanelli (D, North Arlington, 2024)[173] and Tracy Silna Zur (D, Franklin Lakes, 2024).[174][175][176][177][178][179][180][181]

Bergen County's constitutional officials are: Clerk John S. Hogan (D, Northvale, 2026),[182][183] Sheriff Anthony Cureton (D, Englewood, 2025)[184][185] Surrogate Michael R. Dressler (D, Cresskill, 2026).[186][187][177][188]

As of March 2011, there were a total of 11,809 registered voters in Wyckoff Township, of which 2,203 (18.7% vs. 31.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 4,504 (38.1% vs. 21.1%) were registered as Republicans and 5,099 (43.2% vs. 47.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 3 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[192] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 70.7% (vs. 57.1% in Bergen County) were registered to vote, including 97.7% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 73.7% countywide).[192][193]

In the 2020 presidential election, Republican Donald Trump received 5,814 votes (50.7% vs. 41.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat Joe Biden with 5,458 votes (47.6% vs. 57.7% countywide) and other candidates with 198 votes (1.7% vs. 1.1% countywide), among the 11,470 ballots cast by the township's 14,075 registered voters, for a turnout of 81.5% (vs. 75.1% in Bergen County).[194][195] In the 2016 presidential election, Republican Donald Trump received 5,257 votes (53.8% vs. 41.1% countywide), ahead of Democrat Hillary Clinton with 4,078 votes (41.7% vs. 54.2%) and other candidates with 442 votes (4.5% vs. 4.6%), among the 9,888 ballots cast by the township's 12,937 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.4% (vs. 72.5% in Bergen County).[196] In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 5,871 votes (64.0% vs. 43.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 3,183 votes (34.7% vs. 54.8%) and other candidates with 68 votes (0.7% vs. 0.9%), among the 9,168 ballots cast by the township's 12,430 registered voters, for a turnout of 73.8% (vs. 70.4% in Bergen County).[197][198] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 5,851 votes (59.3% vs. 44.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 3,903 votes (39.6% vs. 53.9%) and other candidates with 55 votes (0.6% vs. 0.8%), among the 9,860 ballots cast by the township's 12,085 registered voters, for a turnout of 81.6% (vs. 76.8% in Bergen County).[199][200] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 5,990 votes (62.8% vs. 47.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 3,459 votes (36.3% vs. 51.7%) and other candidates with 63 votes (0.7% vs. 0.7%), among the 9,541 ballots cast by the township's 11,624 registered voters, for a turnout of 82.1% (vs. 76.9% in the whole county).[201]

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 75.0% of the vote (3,958 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 24.0% (1,267 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (52 votes), among the 5,342 ballots cast by the township's 11,974 registered voters (65 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 44.6%.[202][203] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,905 votes (50.3% vs. 45.8% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 1,608 votes (42.4% vs. 48.0%), Independent Chris Daggett with 213 votes (5.6% vs. 4.7%) and other candidates with 24 votes (0.6% vs. 0.5%), among the 3,791 ballots cast by the township's 6,975 registered voters, yielding a 54.4% turnout (vs. 50.0% in the county).[204]

Wyckoff has a fire department that was founded in 1907 and consists of three companies.[232]

Wyckoff has its own volunteer ambulance corps. It was established in 1926 and responded to over 1,000 calls in 2014.[233] Wyckoff Police Department was established in 1922 and operates on a 24-hour basis.[234]

As of May 2010, the township had a total of 92.04 miles (148.12 km) of roadways, of which 77.02 miles (123.95 km) were maintained by the municipality, 12.60 miles (20.28 km) by Bergen County and 2.42 miles (3.89 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[235]

Route 208 heads northwest through the township, entering from Hawthorne in Passaic County and continuing 2.5 miles (4.0 km) before entering Franklin Lakes.[236] County Route 502 (Franklin Avenue) enters from Franklin Lakes and runs east–west through the northern portion of the township for 2.0 miles (3.2 km) before entering Waldwick.[237]

NJ Transit provides service on the 148 route to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan and local bus service on the 722 route and on the 752 route, which operates between Oakland and Hackensack.[238][239]

Bus service is also provided by Short Line Bus to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, with some buses providing service across 42nd Street to Second Avenue.[240]

The former station at Wyckoff

The historic Wyckoff railroad station was built by the New Jersey Midland Railway around 1870[241] and later served passengers on the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railroad (NYS&W).[242] until service was abruptly curtailed in 1966. Plans to restore service have not materialized.[243] The township is a stop on the annual Toys for Tots train.[244][245]