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Bergen County’s History

Bergen’s Government Today

STRONG>The Administrative Structure

Bergen County’s Services

Cultural and Historical Affairs

Bergen County Resource Numbers

Bergen County Offices / Numbers

Bergen County at a Glance


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.

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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.

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The Administrative Structure

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.

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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.

   
 

 

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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

Alcoholism Services

201-634-2740

Animal Center – shelter

201-229-4600

Bergen Regional Medical Center

201-967-4000

Better Business Bureau

973-581-1313

Child Care Referrals

201-336-7150

Community Resource Council – helpline

201-646-3676

Consumer Protection

201-336-6400

County Police

201-646-2700

Directory Assistance – Gov. information

609-292-2121

Division of Motor Vehicles

888-486-3339

Domestic Violence Hotline

201-336-7575

Hazardous Materials (OEM)

  • Health Department 201-634-2600
  • Emergency Management 201-634-3100

201-634-3100

HIV Testing – health counciling

201-487-3243

Homeless 24 Hour Hotline

888-323-7436

Immigration & Naturalization Services

800-375-5283

Legal Aid

201-487-2166

Master Gardens, seasonal

201-599-6160
201-599-6169

New Jersey Transit

800-772-2222

Rape Crisis Center 24 Hour Hotline

201-487-2227

Senior Services

201-336-7400

Social Security

800-772-1213

Unemployment

201-996-8940

Volunteer Center of Bergen County

201-489-9454

Voter Registration

201-336-6100


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Bergen County Government Offices & Telephone Numbers

 

By mail or in person:  One Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, NJ, 07601
 
By phone:  201.336.6000 (general number) 
Department phone numbers follow 
Department/Division Main Number 
Absentee Ballots 201-336-7020
Addiction Recovery Program 201-646-3336
Administrative Building  201-336-6000
Adjuster 201-336-6175
AIDS Counseling and Testing 201-487-3243
Alcoholism Services 201-634-2740
Alternatives to Domestic Violence (ADV) 201-336-7575
Animal Shelter 201-229-4600
Board of Elections 201-336-6225
Central Municipal Court 201-336-6222
Children, Office For 201-336-7150
Clerk to the Board of Freeholders 201-336-6526
Community College , Bergen 201-447-7100
Community Development 201-336-7200
Community Transportation 201-368-5955
Consumer Protection 201-336-6400
County Administrator 201-336-7300
County Counsel 201-336-6950
County Clerk 201-336-7000
County Executive, Office Of The  201-336-7300
Chief of Staff 201-336-7300

(Department Telephone Numbers - Continued)
Department / Division Main Number 
Conklin Youth Center 201-646-2756
County Jail 201-527-3000
Courts - General Information 201-527-2700
Civil Part 201-527-2600
Special Civil Part 201-527-2730
Family Part 201-527-2300
Criminal Part 201-527-2400
Jury Management 201-527-2290
Superior Court 201-527-2700
Crisis Intervention - Family Guidance 201-336-7360
Data Processing 201-336-6600
Data Processing - Help Desk 201-336-6666
Disability Services  201-336-6500
Economic Development Corp. (EDC)  201-336-7500
Election Division - County Clerk 201-336-7020
Emergency Management (OEM) 201-634-3100
Environmental Health Program 201-634-2780
Family Guidance  201-336-7350
Food Stamp Program, BC Social Services  201-368-4200
Freeholders, Board of 201-336-6200
General Services 201-336-6767
Golf Information  201-336-7259
Health Care Center 201-750-8310
Health Services Department 201-634-2600
Highway Safety 201-646-2700
Housing Authority 201-569-7454
Human Services Department 201-336-7474

(Department Telephone Numbers - Continued)
Department/Agency Main Number 
ID Cards - County Clerk 201-336-7000
Improvement Authority (BCIA) 201-336-6350
Intoxicated Driver Resource Center 201-646-2571
Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) 201-599-6185
Law and Public Safety Institute 201-785-6000
Medical Examiner 201-634-2940
Mental Health Board 201-634-2750
Mental Health Law 201-634-2760
Mortgages and Deeds - County Clerk 201-336-7007
Mosquito Control 201-634-2880
Notary Information - County Clerk  201-336-7000
Operations Division - Public Works 201-646-2808
Parks Department 201-336-7275
Bergen Equestrian Center  201-242-1920
Bergen County Zoological Park 201-262-3771
Campgaw Mountain Reservation 201-327-7800
Darlington County Park 201-327-3500
Darlington Golf Course 201-327-8770
Environmental Center 201-891-5571
Golf Tee Time Reservations 201-343-4441
Orchard Hills Golf Course 201-447-3778
Overpeck Golf Course 201-837-3020
Overpeck Riding Area 201-242-0022
Rockleigh Golf Course 201-768-6353
Saddle Ridge Riding Area 201-847-9999
Van Suan County Park 201-261-7312
Partnership for Community Health 201-634-2687
Passport Information - County Clerk 201-336-7000
Personnel  201-336-6375
Planning and Economic Development 201-336-6446
Police - Bergen County 201-646-2700
Probation 201-646-2121

Contact Us (Department Telephone Numbers - Continued)
Department / Division Main Number
Prosecutor’s Office - Courthouse 201-646-2300
Prosecutor's Office - Paramus  201-226-5500
Public Information 201-336-6335
Public Works Department 201-336-6800
Purchasing 201-336-7100
Registry Division - County Clerk 201-336-7007
Schools, Superintendent of 201-336-6880
Senior Services 201-336-7400
Sheriff Department 201-646-2200
Office of the Sheriff 201-646-3020
Court Security 201-646-2170
Foreclosures 201-646-2193
Identification Bureau 201-678-3333
Detective Bureau 201-678-3333
County Jail 201-527-3000
Sheriff’s Operations 201-646-2222
24-Hour Emergency 201-646-2222
Social Services, Board of 201-368-4200
Special Services Schools 201-343-6000
Spring House 201-261-3582
Superintendent of Elections 201-336-6100
Surrogates Court 201-646-2252
Tax Board 201-336-6300
Tee Time Automated Golf Reservations System 201-343-4441
Technical and Vocational Schools 201-343-6000
Transportation Information 201-336-6450
Treasurer’s Office 201-336-6550
Utilities Authority (BCUA) 201-641-2552
Veterans Services 201-336-6325
Voter Registration 201-336-6100
Weights and Measures 201-336-6424
Work Force Investment Board (WIB) 201-343-6000
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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