Bergen County’s History
Bergen was one of the four original counties in New Jersey. Its early borders reached into what are now Passaic and Hudson counties. Bergen County today is a 239-square mile parcel of land in the northeast corner of the state, with a population of over 884,000 people.
Although Bergen was designated a "judicial district" in 1675, it was not until 1683 that the Provincial Assembly passed an act creating the counties of Bergen, Essex, Middlesex and Monmouth.
In 1710, Hackensack was designated as the county seat. The oldest records of Bergen County Board of Freeholders and Justices are dated May 19, 1715. At that meeting, it was decided to build a combined courthouse and jail which was erected on Hackensack’s historic Green in 1716.
Bergen County observed the 300th anniversary of its founding on March 7, 1983. In 1985, the voters approved a governmental change which had been recommended by the Bergen County Charter Study Commission, elected a year earlier to assess the freeholder form of government.
In November 1986, Bergen’s form of government changed. Instead of nine freeholders, voters chose a County Executive and seven freeholders.
The County Executive is elected to a four-year term and the seven members of the Board of Freeholders are elected at large to three year staggered terms. All take office in January following their election in November.
Bergen’s Government Today
Bergen’s first County Executive, William D. McDowell, served from January, 1987 through January, 1991.
The Second County Executive, William "Pat" Schuber, was elected in 1990 and was reelected in 1998 to his third term.
The present County Executive Dennis McNerney took office in January 2003 after being twice elected to the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1998 and 2001.
The County Executive handles the day-to-day operations of the county government, appointing the department heads and overseeing the activities of all the departments and divisions.
The Board of Freeholders acts as a legislative body giving advise and consent to the actions of the County Executive. Its staff consists of the Clerk and counsel to the Board, freeholder aides, and secretarial and clerical personnel.
Members of the Board are appointed by the Chairman to oversight committees and three are named to each County Board of School Estimate.
On April 3, 1987, the Board of Freeholders adopted an Administrative Code reorganizing Bergen’s then 304-year-old "freeholder" form of government.
The county’s 58 departments, which were operating prior to the charter change, ere reduced to eight, without eliminating any services to county residents.
For example, the Department of Administration and Finance encompasses the divisions of Data Processing, Fiscal Operations, Personnel, Public Information, Purchasing and Treasurer.
The Department of Health Services is responsible for Alcohol and addiction programs, the Animal Center, Consumer and Dental Health, Environmental programs, Intermediate and Senior Care facilities, Health Education, Mental Health, Pastoral Care and Public Health.
The Department of Human Services consists of the following divisions, offices and agencies; Alternatives to Domestic Violence, Children, Disability Services, Family Guidance, Planning and Contract Administration, Senior Services, Special Transportation, which schedules rides for the elderly and disabled persons, and Veterans Services.
The Department of Law is headed by the County Counsel, who represents the County Executive and the county’s constitutional officers, the County Clerk, County Sheriff and County Surrogate, in all legal matters. The Counsel has a staff of assistants handling legal matters for the county departments and divisions. The County Adjuster’s office is also part of the Department.
The Department of Public Safety Education has these divisions; Consumer Affairs, County Police, Emergency Management, Medical Examiner, Highway Safety, Weights and Measures, and the Law of Public Safety Institute.
The Department of Public Works encompasses the divisions of Administration, Engineering, General Services, which is responsible for the maintenance of all county buildings, Mosquito Control and Operations.
The Department of Parks replaces the former Bergen County Park Commission and is responsible for the divisions of Cultural and Historic Affairs, Parks and Recreation, and the Extensive Service.
The Department of Planning and Economic Development has four divisions: Community Development, Construction Board of Appeals, Planning and economic Development, and Transportation Planning.
Bergen County’s Services
The county provides services through the county Police Department; the Law and Public Safety Institute; Bergen Community College; the County Vocational-Technical High School, its academies and satellite vocational schools which work in conjunction with local school districts; Special Services Schools, and the Constitutional Offices of the County Sheriff, Clerk, and Surrogate.
The Department of Human Services is responsible for important programs for persons of all ages who have difficulty coping with day-to-day problems. Those programs deal with young persons in trouble, domestic violence, veteran’s needs, child care and the special needs of the elderly. Through the Division of Senior Services, the county provides for 12 senior citizen activity centers for older residents.
The Department of Health Services, through its divisions, provides educational and preventive programs and projects dealing with alcoholism, mental health, adult day care, intermediate care for the frail elderly and respite for the caregivers of the elderly.
The Sheriff is responsible for court security and the operation of the jails. The Clerk’s responsibilities cover record keeping through the Court and Registry divisions and the operation of the Election Division. The Surrogate admits wills to probate, appoints guardians, and issues certificates of authority to executors of estates.
Bergen County boasts an excellent park system where residents can ski, skate, jog, cycle, play golf, picnic, camp overnight, tour the Bergen County Zoological Park, visit Revolutionary War battle site, take a guided nature hike, swim, and play softball and tennis.
All in all, Bergen County’s government provides services for its residents which municipal governments are too small to provide and, in addition, acts as a liaison to the state and federal governments.
Cultural and Historical Affairs of Bergen County
The Bergen County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs, established in 1979, promotes the growth and vitality of Bergen County’s cultural life by serving as a centralized coordinating agency for cultural organizations.
Through its arts and heritage/preservation components, the Division offers programs services, support and access to meet the needs of the general public, organizations, artists, students, people with disabilities, the under-served and culturally diverse populations in all 70 municipalities of Bergen County.
In addition, Division staff reviews community development grants and planning board site plans for their impact on historic resources. The staff is also available to help cultural organizations and residents to assess their needs, and will provide guidance for meeting their goals.
For additional information, please call the Division at 201-646-2780
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Bergen County Resource Numbers |
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Alcoholism Services |
201-634-2740 |
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Animal Center – shelter |
201-229-4600 |
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Bergen Regional Medical Center |
201-967-4000 |
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Better Business Bureau |
973-581-1313 |
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Child Care Referrals |
201-336-7150 |
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Community Resource Council – helpline |
201-646-3676 |
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Consumer Protection |
201-336-6400 |
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County Police |
201-646-2700 |
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Directory Assistance – Gov. information |
609-292-2121 |
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Division of Motor Vehicles |
888-486-3339 |
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Domestic Violence Hotline |
201-336-7575 |
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Hazardous Materials (OEM)
- Health Department 201-634-2600
- Emergency Management 201-634-3100
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201-634-3100
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HIV Testing – health counciling |
201-487-3243 |
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Homeless 24 Hour Hotline |
888-323-7436 |
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Immigration & Naturalization Services |
800-375-5283 |
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Legal Aid |
201-487-2166 |
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Master Gardens, seasonal |
201-599-6160
201-599-6169 |
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New Jersey Transit |
800-772-2222 |
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Rape Crisis Center 24 Hour Hotline |
201-487-2227 |
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Senior Services |
201-336-7400 |
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Social Security |
800-772-1213 |
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Unemployment |
201-996-8940 |
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Volunteer Center of Bergen County |
201-489-9454 |
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Voter Registration |
201-336-6100 | |
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Bergen County Government Offices & Telephone Numbers
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By mail or in person: |
One Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, NJ, 07601 |
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By phone: |
201.336.6000 (general number) |
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Department phone numbers follow |
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| Department/Division |
Main Number |
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| Absentee Ballots |
201-336-7020 |
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| Addiction Recovery Program |
201-646-3336 |
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| Administrative Building |
201-336-6000 |
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| Adjuster |
201-336-6175 |
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| AIDS Counseling and Testing |
201-487-3243 |
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| Alcoholism Services |
201-634-2740 |
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| Alternatives to Domestic Violence (ADV) |
201-336-7575 |
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| Animal Shelter |
201-229-4600 |
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| Board of Elections |
201-336-6225 |
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| Central Municipal Court |
201-336-6222 |
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| Children, Office For |
201-336-7150 |
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| Clerk to the Board of Freeholders |
201-336-6526 |
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| Community College , Bergen |
201-447-7100 |
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| Community Development |
201-336-7200 |
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| Community Transportation |
201-368-5955 |
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| Consumer Protection |
201-336-6400 |
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| County Administrator |
201-336-7300 |
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| County Counsel |
201-336-6950 |
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| County Clerk |
201-336-7000 |
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| County Executive, Office Of The |
201-336-7300 |
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| Chief of Staff |
201-336-7300 |
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| (Department Telephone Numbers - Continued) |
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| Department / Division |
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Main Number |
| Conklin Youth Center |
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201-646-2756 |
| County Jail |
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201-527-3000 |
| Courts - General Information |
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201-527-2700 |
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Civil Part |
201-527-2600 |
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Special Civil Part |
201-527-2730 |
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Family Part |
201-527-2300 |
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Criminal Part |
201-527-2400 |
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Jury Management |
201-527-2290 |
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Superior Court |
201-527-2700 |
| Crisis Intervention - Family Guidance |
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201-336-7360 |
| Data Processing |
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201-336-6600 |
| Data Processing - Help Desk |
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201-336-6666 |
| Disability Services |
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201-336-6500 |
| Economic Development Corp. (EDC) |
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201-336-7500 |
| Election Division - County Clerk |
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201-336-7020 |
| Emergency Management (OEM) |
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201-634-3100 |
| Environmental Health Program |
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201-634-2780 |
| Family Guidance |
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201-336-7350 |
| Food Stamp Program, BC Social Services |
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201-368-4200 |
| Freeholders, Board of |
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201-336-6200 |
| General Services |
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201-336-6767 |
| Golf Information |
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201-336-7259 |
| Health Care Center |
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201-750-8310 |
| Health Services Department |
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201-634-2600 |
| Highway Safety |
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201-646-2700 |
| Housing Authority |
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201-569-7454 |
| Human Services Department |
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201-336-7474 |
| (Department Telephone Numbers - Continued) |
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| Department/Agency |
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Main Number |
| ID Cards - County Clerk |
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201-336-7000 |
| Improvement Authority (BCIA) |
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201-336-6350 |
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| Intoxicated Driver Resource Center |
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201-646-2571 |
| Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) |
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201-599-6185 |
| Law and Public Safety Institute |
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201-785-6000 |
| Medical Examiner |
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201-634-2940 |
| Mental Health Board |
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201-634-2750 |
| Mental Health Law |
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201-634-2760 |
| Mortgages and Deeds - County Clerk |
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201-336-7007 |
| Mosquito Control |
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201-634-2880 |
| Notary Information - County Clerk |
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201-336-7000 |
| Operations Division - Public Works |
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201-646-2808 |
| Parks Department |
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201-336-7275 |
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Bergen Equestrian Center |
201-242-1920 |
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Bergen County Zoological Park |
201-262-3771 |
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Campgaw Mountain Reservation |
201-327-7800 |
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Darlington County Park |
201-327-3500 |
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Darlington Golf Course |
201-327-8770 |
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Environmental Center |
201-891-5571 |
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Golf Tee Time Reservations |
201-343-4441 |
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Orchard Hills Golf Course |
201-447-3778 |
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Overpeck Golf Course |
201-837-3020 |
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Overpeck Riding Area |
201-242-0022 |
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Rockleigh Golf Course |
201-768-6353 |
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Saddle Ridge Riding Area |
201-847-9999 |
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Van Suan County Park |
201-261-7312 |
| Partnership for Community Health |
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201-634-2687 |
| Passport Information - County Clerk |
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201-336-7000 |
| Personnel |
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201-336-6375 |
| Planning and Economic Development |
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201-336-6446 |
| Police - Bergen County |
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201-646-2700 |
| Probation |
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201-646-2121 |
| Contact Us (Department Telephone Numbers - Continued) |
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| Department / Division |
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Main Number |
| Prosecutor’s Office - Courthouse |
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201-646-2300 |
| Prosecutor's Office - Paramus |
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201-226-5500 |
| Public Information |
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201-336-6335 |
| Public Works Department |
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201-336-6800 |
| Purchasing |
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201-336-7100 |
| Registry Division - County Clerk |
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201-336-7007 |
| Schools, Superintendent of |
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201-336-6880 |
| Senior Services |
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201-336-7400 |
| Sheriff Department |
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201-646-2200 |
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Office of the Sheriff |
201-646-3020 |
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Court Security |
201-646-2170 |
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Foreclosures |
201-646-2193 |
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Identification Bureau |
201-678-3333 |
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Detective Bureau |
201-678-3333 |
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County Jail |
201-527-3000 |
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Sheriff’s Operations |
201-646-2222 |
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24-Hour Emergency |
201-646-2222 |
| Social Services, Board of |
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201-368-4200 |
| Special Services Schools |
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201-343-6000 |
| Spring House |
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201-261-3582 |
| Superintendent of Elections |
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201-336-6100 |
| Surrogates Court |
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201-646-2252 |
| Tax Board |
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201-336-6300 |
| Tee Time Automated Golf Reservations System |
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201-343-4441 |
| Technical and Vocational Schools |
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201-343-6000 |
| Transportation Information |
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201-336-6450 |
| Treasurer’s Office |
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201-336-6550 |
| Utilities Authority (BCUA) |
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201-641-2552 |
| Veterans Services |
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201-336-6325 |
| Voter Registration |
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201-336-6100 |
| Weights and Measures |
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201-336-6424 |
| Work Force Investment Board (WIB) |
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201-343-6000 |
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ext. 4092 |
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Bergen County has some of best places to visit in all of New Jersey.
Below are just a sampling of what Bergen County has to offer.
Golf Anyone?
Bergen County is also host to some of the most exciting sports in the country!
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