Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey
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- See also Monroe Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey for another New Jersey Township with the same name
Monroe Township is a Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 27,999.
Monroe was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 9, 1838, from portions of South Amboy Township, based on the results of a referendum held that same day. Portions of the township were taken to form East Brunswick Township (February 28, 1860), Cranbury Township (March 7, 1872) and Jamesburg (March 19, 1887).[1]
Clearbrook Park, Concordia, Rossmoor and Whittingham are census-designated places and unincorporated areas located within Monroe Township.
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[edit] History
Monroe Township was founded in 1838 and named in honor of the President of the United States James Monroe. For many decades, it was largely a farming community; when parts of the township blossomed into the more densely-packed neighborhoods of Helmetta, Jamesburg, and Spotswood in the late 19th century, they seceded. Railroads came into Monroe from just about the very beginning, starting with the Camden and Amboy Rail Road in the 1830s and 1840s.
In 1905, Bernarr Macfadden, the then-famous proponent of physical culture, came to the part of Monroe near Helmetta and Spotswood, and attempted to set up a camp called "Physical Culture City", where he could teach his beliefs in relative peace. However, in 1907, Macfadden was arrested for distribution of pornography and the camp dissolved. The area of this camp became the Outcalt neighborhood.
The New Jersey State Home for Boys, later the Training School for Boys, and now the New Jersey Training School for Boys was established near Jamesburg. It was opened in 1867 as a home for troubled youth; however, by the mid-20th century, its purpose was to incarcerate juvenile delinquents. One of the more famous residents of The State Home was Rubin "Hurricane" Carter. Clarence Clemons of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band was a social worker there for many years during the 60's before he found fame as a sax player with Springsteen.
The township's largely agrarian landscape began to turn more suburban between 1960 and 1968, when the New Jersey Turnpike opened up Exit 8A in the western part of Monroe, in conjunction with the effort to develop the Leisure World age-restricted community of Rossmoor. Since then, at least five more communities for senior citizens have joined Rossmoor: Concordia, Clearbrook, Greenbriar at Whittingham, The Ponds, and Encore, and more are under development.
At the same time, and over the next few decades, suburbs for people of all ages spread into the northern parts of Monroe Township, prompting the expansion of several schools and the construction of new ones. Since 1980, in addition to the age restricted communities, Monroe has added shopping centers, a synagogue, a recreation center, and a new library
On Wednesday March 22, 2006, ten residents of Monroe Township, from The Ponds retirement community, were killed in a tour bus accident in the Andes mountains in northern Chile.[2] The tour had been arranged by the Jewish organization, B'nai B'rith. As Governor of New Jersey Jon Corzine put it, "Today, all of New Jersey is stunned and saddened by the tragic accident in Chile that took the lives of lifelong friends — vibrant and beloved residents of a community in Monroe Township who chose to share the adventure of their twilight years together" (NY Times). Out of the 12 people killed, one couple was from Stamford, Connecticut. The bodies that were found were flown back to Monroe Township for funerals on Sunday March 26, 2006.
Over the past years, Monroe has had a surge in residential development. New communities are being erected usually around the Turnpike, which is beginning to change the scenry at a fast rate. Monroe's farmland (what's left of it) is becoming converted into residential zoning, and commercial zoning. Roads have been widened to allow for the extra vehicular volume. Warehouses (like Costco) are being/have been constructed in the last few years along CR 535, located near the 8A toll gate. Most of the open farmland in northwestern Monroe has been sold to developers for new warehouses. The northern section of the township is already developed, with developers heading further south in Monroe to start new communities. New adult communities have set ground in central Monroe, along Route 33, and on CR 615. While these new senior citizen housing units are being built, luxury homes are also being constructed. However, many senior citizens are opposed to these new construction plans since new homes would bring in more children, and therefore raise their school taxes. There has also been proposal to expand the Monroe Township High School on Thompson Park. But this apparently is on hold due to community opposition. Plus, Monroe is planning on developing the area of land along Route 33 (Route 33 Land Development Task Force) all the way from the town line in East Windsor Township to Millstone Township. This proposal would include the construction of new luxury houses, a new grocery store, a baseball park, a performing arts center, a bus stop, new restaurants, and new businesses (like "big box" stores).
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 108.9 km² (42.0 mi²). 108.6 km² (41.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.24%) is water. It is the largest municipality in Middlesex County in terms of total land area
Monroe Township borders South Brunswick Twp, Cranbury Township, Helmetta, Spotswood, Old Bridge Twp, Manalapan Township, Millstone Township, East Brunswick Township, East Windsor Township, and completely surrounds Jamesburg.
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 2,894 |
|
|
| 1940 | 3,034 | 4.8% | |
| 1950 | 4,082 | 34.5% | |
| 1960 | 5,831 | 42.8% | |
| 1970 | 9,138 | 56.7% | |
| 1980 | 15,858 | 73.5% | |
| 1990 | 22,255 | 40.3% | |
| 2000 | 27,999 | 25.8% | |
| Est. 2005 | 34,007 | [3] | 21.5% |
| Population 1930 - 1990.[4] | |||
As of the census² of 2000, there were 27,999 people, 12,536 households, and 8,236 families residing in the township. The population density was 257.8/km² (667.6/mi²). There were 13,259 housing units at an average density of 122.1/km² (316.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the township was 93.31% White, 2.93% African American, 0.06% Native American, 2.34% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.38% of the population.
There were 12,536 households out of which 15.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples living together, 3.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 28.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.70.
In the township the population was spread out with 16.0% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 16.3% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 43.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 59 years. For every 100 females there were 84.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.3 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $53,306, and the median income for a family was $68,479. Males had a median income of $56,431 versus $35,857 for females. The per capita income for the township was $31,772. About 1.3% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Neighborhoods
Though Monroe is not officially broken down into neighborhoods (the Census-designated places oriented around active adult communities notwithstanding), over the years residents have given names to various parts of the township. Three common names heard in the township are Mill Lake Manor (an area centered around Monmouth Road and 10 Ave), Outcalt, and an area that over the years has affectionately been called the "Boonies".
For those who have lived in Mill Lake Manor, the area is broken down further into the "Old" and "New" Manor (split by Monmouth Road on the east and west sides, the Old being east and the New being the west side). The Manor also encompasses the developments of Inwood.
The neighborhood east of Spotswood-Englishtown Road, centered around Monmouth Rd, extending down to 1st Ave, is called the North Manor, or Manor Heights.
[edit] Government
[edit] Local government
Monroe Township is governed by the Mayor-Council system of New Jersey municipal government under the Faulkner Act.
The Mayor of Monroe Township is Richard Pucci. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Gerald W. Tamburro, Council Vice President Henry L. Miller, Joanne M. Connolly, Irwin Nalitt and Leslie Koppel-Egierd.[5]
[edit] Federal, state and county representation
Monroe Township is in the Twelfth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 14th Legislative District.[6]
New Jersey's Twelfth Congressional District, covering all of Hunterdon County and portions of Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Morris County, and Somerset County, is represented by Rush D. Holt Jr. (D). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
The 14th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Peter Inverso (R, Hamilton Square) and in the Assembly by Bill Baroni (R, Hamilton) and Linda R. Greenstein (D, Monroe). The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).
Middlesex County is governed by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. Middlesex County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director David B. Crabiel (Milltown), Freeholder Deputy Director Stephen J. "Pete" Dalina (Fords), Camille Fernicola (Piscataway), H. James Polos (Highland Park), John Pulomena (South Plainfield), Christopher D. Rafano (South River) and Blanquita B. Valenti (New Brunswick).
[edit] Education
The Monroe Township School District serves students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Schools in the district are Barclay Brook Elementary School (K-2), Mill Lake Elementary School (K-3), Brookside Elementary School (3-6), Woodland Elementary School (4-6), Applegarth Middle School (7&8) and Monroe Township High School for grades 9-12.
During the 1991-1992 academic school year, Mill Lake Elementary School received the Blue Ribbon Award from the United States Department of Education, the highest honor that an American school can achieve. This honor was followed during the 1998-99 academic school year, to Barclay Brook Elementary School across town. Monroe Township could now boast that both of their pre-K through third grade schools received such an esteemed honor.[7]
Students from Jamesburg attend Monroe Township High School as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Jamesburg Public Schools.
[edit] Transportation
Some of the age-restricted communities, such as Rossmoor and Concordia, have their own transportation services within the communities. In addition, Middlesex County runs shuttles to Jamesburg from East and New Brunswick (the New Brunswick shuttle schedule is at [1]). Since Monroe entirely surrounds Jamesburg, Monroe Township also benefits from the shuttles.
Route 33 runs through the southern part of Monroe, which then travels through Millstone Township and East Windsor Township. Monroe has various bus stops that allow passengers to take a bus to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, adjacent to the Lincoln Tunnel. Monroe's most busiest road during the peak hours are Applegarth Road, Forsgate Drive and Route 32, which connects to Exit 8A of the New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95). Monroe Township is known for the Turnpike's division (where it divides into Inner Car Lanes & Outer Truck Lanes) and its dangerous (and often-congested) merge, where the dual-dual configuration ends (5 lanes each direction; 2-3-3-2) and becomes a single roadway, consisting of three lanes in each direction (3-3); the merge is particularly difficult to travel through on Friday afternoons, summertime and on holidays. When the turnpike is congested (in the 8A vicinity), many motorists exit in Monroe Township at 8A and use 32 West to U.S. Route 130 south. Since 8A has become so busy, the turnpike interchange has been upgraded. The ramp (from the Turnpike) that merges onto 32 west, has been destroyed; a new two-lane ramp is now open that connects to County Route 535 (with a traffic signal) in South Brunswick Twp. Motorists must then take 535 south to gain access to 32 westbound.
The New Jersey Turnpike Authority had proposed to construct a west-east spur of the Turnpike, NJ 92. It would begin at US 1 just north of the intersection with Ridge Road in the Twp of South Brunswick and would terminate at Exit 8A in the area of the 8A toll gate in Monroe Township.
On December 1, 2006, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority terminated its plans to build the spur from Ridge & 1 in South Brunswick to 8A in Monroe. The Authority's main focus will now be on widening the Turnpike between Exit 6 (in Mansfield Township) and Exit 8A (in Monroe Township).
At the present time, there are plans to widen I-95/New Jersey Turnpike between Exit 9 in East Brunswick Township to Exit 8A in Monroe Township. This would change the dual-dual configuration (from 2-3-3-2) to "3-3-3-3."
Monroe houses a few county routes: CR 535, CR 522, and CR 527. While CR 520 doesn't pass through Monroe, it turns into CR 612. This makes CR 520/612 a connector between Shore Points/Garden State Parkway (Exit 109 in Middletown Township) and the New Jersey Turnpike at Exit 8A in Monroe Township.
[edit] Notable residents
- Randy Beverly, Cornerback for the American Football League's New York Jets and is best known for making two key interceptions that helped the Jets to their historic victory in Super Bowl III in 1969.[8]
[edit] References
- ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 171.
- ^ Silent embraces, kisses mark memorial, Home News Tribune, March 24, 2006
- ^ Census data for Monroe township, United States Census Bureau, accessed March 1, 2007
- ^ Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, accessed March 1, 2007
- ^ Monroe Township Governing Body, accessed March 18, 2007
- ^ League of Women Voters: 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 61, accessed August 30, 2006
- ^ Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized 1982-1983 through 1999-2002 (PDF), accessed May 11, 2006
- ^ Former Jets star enjoys retirement in Monroe, East Brunswick Sentinel, July 13, 2001
[edit] External links
- Monroe Township Official Website
- Monroe Township School District
- Monroe Township School District's 2005-06 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- National Center for Education Statistics data for the Monroe Township School District
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(County seat: New Brunswick) |
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| Boroughs | Carteret | Dunellen | Helmetta | Highland Park | Jamesburg | Metuchen | Middlesex | Milltown | Sayreville | South Plainfield | South River | Spotswood |  |
| Cities | New Brunswick | Perth Amboy | South Amboy | |
| Townships | Cranbury | East Brunswick | Edison | Monroe | North Brunswick | Old Bridge | Piscataway | Plainsboro | South Brunswick | Woodbridge | |
| CDPs and communities | Clearbrook Park | Avenel | Brownville | Colonia | Concordia | Dayton | Deans | Fords | Heathcote | Hopelawn | Iselin | Keasbey | Kendall Park | Kingston | Laurence Harbor | Madison Park | Menlo Park Terrace | Monmouth Junction | Plainsboro Center | Port Reading | Princeton Meadows | Raritan Landing | Rossmoor | Sewaren | Society Hill | Whittingham | |
| Historic houses | Buccleuch Mansion | Cornelius Low House | Henry Guest House | James Buckelew Mansion | Joyce Kilmer House | Metlar/Bodine House | Rockingham | |
