The Complex Puzzle of Bergen County’s 70 Municipalities: Boroughitis and the Debate Over Consolidation

the staff if the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, did you know that Bergen County, New Jersey, is home to a staggering 70 municipalities? Among them, there are 56 boroughs, three cities, two villages, and nine townships, making it the county with the most municipalities in the entire state. But why does one of New Jersey’s 21 counties house about 12% of the state’s total municipalities?

The answer lies in a historical phenomenon known as “boroughitis.” This peculiar trend, which took hold in the 1890s and lasted into the 1920s, led to the creation of dozens of tiny towns across the state, particularly in Bergen County. A century later, many New Jersey residents are questioning the necessity of maintaining such a large number of small municipalities, with some even proposing consolidation as a solution.

The debate over whether to consolidate Bergen County’s municipalities is not new, but it has gained traction in recent years, fueled by discussions on social media and concerns about the efficiency of local governance. Critics argue that with so many small towns, there is an unnecessary duplication of government services, which drives up costs and taxes.

One resident voiced a common sentiment, stating, “Taxes will never stabilize unless we remove some of the redundancies in government services.” The idea here is that consolidating some of these smaller municipalities could lead to a more efficient use of tax money and potentially lower costs for residents.

At the heart of this debate is New Jersey’s tradition of “home rule,” which grants local governments the authority to enact laws and regulations that promote public welfare and order. The Home Rule Act of 1917 remains the foundation for local autonomy in the state. Supporters of home rule argue that it allows communities to maintain control over their affairs and respond to local needs more effectively.

However, others suggest that some of Bergen County’s one-mile-wide towns could be consolidated for greater efficiency. They point to examples from other states, like Massachusetts, which abolished eight of its 14 county governments between 1997 and 2000, primarily in the western, central, and northeastern parts of the state. Proponents of this approach argue that county-level redundancies are the real issue, and eliminating county government could streamline operations and reduce costs.

But there’s also a more radical idea gaining attention, especially in the wake of the highly disputed 2020 election, which left over half of the American electorate questioning the integrity of the system. This idea suggests shutting down both state and county governments and handing over control to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Supporters of this proposal argue that the Port Authority already manages critical infrastructure such as the PATH system, major airports like Newark, Kennedy, and LaGuardia, the Holland and Lincoln tunnels, the George Washington Bridge, and key bus stations and container ports. They believe that the Port Authority’s extensive experience and resources could better serve the region’s needs.

As the debate continues, Bergen County remains a fascinating case study in the complexities of local governance and the challenges of balancing tradition with the need for modernization. Whether through consolidation, the abolition of county government, or more drastic measures, the future of Bergen County’s 70 municipalities is sure to be a topic of discussion for years to come.

 

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