Week in Review: Asian, Hispanic Populations Grow, Municipal Tax to Increase $37 on Average

Fort Lee’s population declined by just 116 people since 2000, but the racial makeup of the community is changing, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The 2010 census revealed a significant rise in the Asian, and to a lesser extent Hispanic populations in the borough, but a significant decline in what the census identifies as the “white” population.

35,461 people were counted in Fort Lee in 2000. According to the data released Thursday, that number had dipped just slightly to 35,345 by 2010. But in 2000, Fort Lee’s population was 31.4% Asian and 7.9% “Hispanic or Latino.” By 2010, the Asian population had grown to 38.4% and Hispanics/Latinos accounted for 11.0% of the overall number of Fort Lee residents.

The greatest decline in the racial demographics of the local population was among whites, whose population numbers dropped from 62.8% of the overall in 2000 to 53.5% in 2010, according to the census data.

The “black or African American” population also grew from 1.7% in 2000 to 2.8% in 2010.

Meanwhile, Bergen County retained its ranking as the state's most populous county, although second-ranked Middlesex County added twice as many people over the past 10 years.

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The Fort Lee borough auditor introduced the proposed 2011 municipal budget at the Fort Lee Mayor and Council’s session Thursday. Steve Wielkotz said the total proposed budget for 2011 represents a 1.52 percent increase in appropriation or “a little over a million dollars” and a tax levy increase of 0.89 percent.

“That’s $37.20 [per year] on the average residential unit assessed at $465,000,” Wielkotz said. “While some of the surrounding towns are going to be struggling, as you’ll read over the next couple of weeks with a 2 percent tax levy, this budget, as proposed, is over $2.5 million under the appropriation cap and a little over $2.9 million under the tax levy cap. You’re not going to have many municipalities that can stand up and say, well we’re raising municipal taxes $37 for the year.”

The budget will be formally introduced at Thursday’s regular meeting.

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Due to snow, sleet and freezing rain, Fort Lee schools were closed yet again on Wednesday, following Tuesday’s early dismissal in anticipation of the storm.

All after-school activities, including after-care, professional development and sports practices and scheduled sporting events, were canceled both days, in what is becoming a near-weekly occurrence.

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The week of Jan. 28 through Feb. 3 was another busy one for the Fort Lee Police Department. The local police arrested 17 people—down slightly from the previous week’s 23—on charges ranging from drug possession and failure to appear to distribution of drugs in a school zone and endangering the welfare of a minor. There were 30 investigations—up from last week—and Fort Lee police assisted Palisade Interstate Parkway Police and the Fort Lee Ambulance Corp on two occasions. There were 55 motor vehicle accidents in the borough—six fewer than the previous week—and police responded to 32 active alarms.

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And in sports, the boys’ basketball team finished the week 1-2 with a postponement due to the weather. The Bridgemen defeated Mahwah on Monday 60-53 were unable to play Dwight Morrow on Tuesday because of the weather and lost a close game 62-61 to Ridgefield Park on Thursday. They also lost to Ramsey 60-52 Saturday. The Lady Bridgemen went 1-1 this week with a 58-28 rout of Westwood and a 38-25 loss to Ridgefield Park. The wrestling team was postponed from playing Tenafly on Wednesday due to another snowstorm, running their streak to 2 ½ weeks without a match. The co-ed indoor track team competed in their division championships this week. Both the boys and girls teams finished in third place in the Big North Division 7. And both the boys and girls bowling teams lost this week.

For a complete rundown of the week in sports and the week ahead, check back later Sunday afternoon for Fort Lee Patch sports editor Mike Radomski’s weekly roundup.

The week in review appears every Sunday on Fort Lee Patch.