Westfield
Westfield is a town in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 30,316. The old village area, now the downtown district, was settled in 1720 as part of the Elizabethtown Tract.
Westfield was originally formed as a township on January 27, 1794, from portions of Elizabeth Township, while the area was still part of Essex County, and was incorporated as a one of New Jersey's first 104 townships by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. It became part of the newly-formed Union County on March 19, 1857. Portions of the township have been taken to form Rahway Township (February 27, 1804), Plainfield Township (April 5, 1847), Cranford Township (March 14, 1871), Fanwood Township (March 6, 1878, now known as Scotch Plains), Mountainside (September 25, 1895) and Hillside (April 3, 1913). The Town of Westfield was incorporated on March 4, 1903, replacing Westfield Township.
Geography
Westfield is in northern New Jersey. Westfield is located at 40°39′0″N 74°20′35″W (40.649869, -74.343183).[8] Westfield's ZIP Code is 07090.According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.8 square miles (17.5 km²), of which, 6.7 square miles (17.4 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.30%) is water.Six municipalities border the town of Westfield: Mountainside to the north, Springfield Township to the northeast, Garwood and Cranford to the east, Clark to the southeast, and Scotch Plains to the west and southwest.
Demographics
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 29,644 people, 10,622 households, and 8,178 families residing in the town. The population density was 4,403.1 people per square mile (1,700.7/km²). There were 10,819 housing units at an average density of 1,607.0 per square mile (620.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 89.98% White, 3.88% African American, 0.09% Native American, 4.08% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.82% of the population.
There were 10,622 households out of which 40.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.0% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.0% were non-families. 19.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.4 males.
According to a 2007 estimate [2], the median income for a household in the town was $120,978, and the median income for a family was $146,891. Males had a median income of $82,420 versus $45,305 for females. The per capita income for the town was $47,187. About 1.7% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.
Police
The Westfield Police Department (WPD) has been a vital part of the town's culture since its foundation. The chief of police is John Parizeau who is assisted by Captains Clifford Auchter (Administrative) and David Wayman (Operations). The department operates a Patrol Division, Traffic Safety Bureau, Records Bureau, Detective Bureau, Juvenile and Community Policing Bureau, and its own Emergency Services Unit. Westfield's Parking Services also falls under the jurisdiction of the WPD. Parking Services is responsible for monitoring parking and traffic safety within Westfield's Central Business District. This division in recent years has provided a great source of income for the town. In 2007 for example, Westfield Parking Services issued 27,444 parking tickets of which 16,306 were for overtime parking at meters or in pay station lots.[9] Each division of the WPD operates different vehicles, most with a classic black and white paint scheme.
Fire
The Westfield Fire Department was formed in 1875 following a fire that destroyed a city block on East Broad Street. The WFD is a combination department with 36 paid/career firefighters and 15 volunteer firefighters. There are 4 platoons of 8 (1 Battalion Chief, 2 Lieutenants, and 5 Firefighters) working a 24/72 hour work schedule out of 2 fire stations. Administrative members include the Chief of Department, the Deputy Chief of Operations, and the Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention. The Fire Safety Inspector position in the Fire Prevention Bureau has been eliminated due to budget cuts (1/1/2009). The current Chief of Department is Daniel J. Kelly.
Westfield Fire Headquarters, located at 405 North Ave. W., is manned 24 hours a day by a Battalion Chief (Shift Commander), a Lieutenant, and 3 Firefighters. These personnel man an Engine Company, first due on the north side of town, and the Ladder Company. A reserve Engine Company and a Utility Pick-Up are also housed at Fire Headquarters. The office of the Chief of Department and the Deputy Chief of Operations are located here as well.
Station 2, located at 1029 Central Ave., is manned 24 hours a day by a Lieutenant and two firefighters. These personnel man an Engine Company, first due on the south side of town. A reserve Engine Company, a Utility Pick-Up, and a spare SUV are also housed at Station 2. The Fire Prevention Bureau is located at Station 2 and houses the office of the Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention.
The WFD responds annually to approximately 2,000 calls for service. The WFD serves as a back-up EMS agency for the town if the Westfield Volunteer Rescue Squad is not readily available. All members are CPR-Defib certified with 27 members currently New Jersey certified EMTs with the remaining members trained to the first responder level. Both stations are always manned with FF/EMTs 24 hours a day.
The WFD is also a partner in the Union County Fire Mutual Aid agreement, responding to numerous requests for aid to any of the other 20 municipalities in Union County.
The career firefighters (excluding Chief and Deputy Chiefs) are members of The New Jersey Firefighter's Mutual Benevolent Association Local # 30 (NJ FMBA).
Library
The Westfield Memorial Library was founded in 1873 as the "Every Saturday Book Club" and has evolved over the past century into the Westfield Memorial Library of today. The Library is located in a large, modern, Williamsburg-style building at 550 East Broad Street. The library's collection consists of over 250,000 books, two dozen public computers, a wide array of multimedia options, a large youth services area with a vivid mural depicting Westfield history, and multiple tables and carrels for studying. The library offers classes for adults and children, storytimes for children, and computer instruction.
Downtown Westfield
Westfield's downtown features many local and national stores, such as Lord & Taylor and several landmarks that were shown and used in the NBC network television show Ed such as the Rialto Theater. There are over 40 restaurants and casual dining establishments throughout the downtown. Downtown is located mostly north of the Westfield train station. The downtown area has a mix of independent stores and boutiques as well as national stores, and provides a pleasant shopping environment. Over one-third of the retailers and restaurants have existed for 25 years or more.
Downtown Westfield, with over 200 retail establishments and 400 commercial enterprises, is a regional destination in New Jersey. The Downtown Westfield Corporation (DWC) manages the Special Improvement District (SID) area's growth and enhancement. The DWC is participates in the National Main Street program associated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It is funded by a SID assessment on downtown properties and operates as the district's management agency. The DWC sponsors marketing efforts and promotions, special event planning, urban design and building improvement projects. The DWC works closely with the town government and volunteer groups to improve the downtown area. In 2004, Westfield won the Great American Main Street Award from the National Trust. In 2010, Westfield was the winner of the America in Bloom contest for communities with a population of 25,001 - 50,000. Shopping and dining in Westfield also attracts citizens from other communities across the State of New Jersey.
Demographics
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 29,644 people, 10,622 households, and 8,178 families residing in the town. The population density was 4,403.1 people per square mile (1,700.7/km²). There were 10,819 housing units at an average density of 1,607.0 per square mile (620.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 89.98% White, 3.88% African American, 0.09% Native American, 4.08% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.82% of the population.
There were 10,622 households out of which 40.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.0% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.0% were non-families. 19.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.4 males.
According to a 2007 estimate [2], the median income for a household in the town was $120,978, and the median income for a family was $146,891. Males had a median income of $82,420 versus $45,305 for females. The per capita income for the town was $47,187. About 1.7% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.
Mountainside
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mountainside is a borough in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 6,685.
Mountainside was incorporated as a borough on September 25, 1895, from portions of Westfield Township, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day.[7]
New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Mountainside as its 16th best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey, as well as eighth in the 2010 list.[8]
Geography
Mountainside is located at 40°40′49″N 74°21′22″W (40.680301, -74.356011).[9]
The borough is bordered to the north by Summit, to the east by Springfield Township, to the south by Westfield, and to the west by Berkeley Heights and Scotch Plains.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 4.1 square miles (10.5 km2), of which, 4.0 square miles (10.4 km2) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2) of it (0.74%) is water.
[As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 6,602 people, 2,434 households, and 1,925 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,640.8 people per square mile (634.1/km2). There were 2,478 housing units at an average density of 615.8 per square mile (238.0/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 95.09% White, 0.94% African American, 0.09% Native American, 2.80% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.01% of the population.
There were 2,434 households out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.9% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.9% were non-families. 17.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the borough the population was spread out with 21.1% under the age of 18, 3.8% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 24.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $97,195, and the median income for a family was $105,773. Males had a median income of $78,595 versus $52,667 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $47,474. About 2.0% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.9% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Local government
Mountainside Borough is governed by a Mayor-Council form of government as authorized through the Option Municipal Charter Law (commonly called the Faulkner Act). Enacted by the New Jersey Legislature in 1950 this form of local New Jersey government provides for the election of a Mayor for a term of four years and a Borough Council consisting of six members, elected for three-year terms each, with two seats coming up for election each year. Both the Mayor and Borough Council are elected at large, that is, to represent the entire community. Elections for all officials in Mountainside Borough are conducted on a partisan basis during the November General Election.[11]
As of 2011, the mayor of Mountainside is Paul N. Mirabelli, whose term of office ends on December 31, 2011. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Keith C. Turner (2011), Deanna Andre (2011), William R. Lane (2012), Robert W. Messler (2012), Glenn Mortimer (2013) and Jeffrey R. Wass (2013).[12]
Federal, state and county representation
Mountainside Borough is in the 7th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 21st state legislative district.[13]
New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District is represented by Leonard Lance (R, Clinton Township). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
21st Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature, which is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Thomas Kean, Jr. (R, Westfield) and in the New Jersey General Assembly by Jon Bramnick (R, Westfield) and Nancy Munoz (R, Summit).[14] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham).[15] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).[16]
Union County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders, whose nine members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis with three seats coming up for election each year.[17] As of 2011, Union County's Freeholders are Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon (Union, term ends December 31, 2012)[18], Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella (Fanwood, 2012)[19], Linda Carter (Plainfield, 2013)[20], Angel G. Estrada (Elizabeth, 2011)[21], Christopher Hudak (Linden, 2011)[22], Mohamed S. Jalloh (Roselle, 2012)[23], Bette Jane Kowalski (Cranford, 2013)[24], Daniel P. Sullivan (Elizabeth, 2013)[25] and Nancy Ward (Linden, 2011).[26][27]
Education
The Mountainside School District serves public school students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. Schools in the district (with 2008-09 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[28]) are Beechwood School in grades K-2 (257 students) and Deerfield School in grades 3-8 (499 students)
Public school students in grades 9-12 attend Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights, as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Berkeley Heights Public Schools.[29]
Transportation
New Jersey Transit provides bus service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan in New York City and to many points in New Jersey.
Newark Liberty International Airport is approximately 11 miles east of Mountainside.
Fanwood
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fanwood is a borough in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,318.
Fanwood was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on October 2, 1895, from portions of Fanwood Township (now known as Scotch Plains), based on the results of a referendum held the previous day.
Geography
Fanwood is located at 40°38′31″N 74°23′07″W (40.641852, -74.385334).
The borough is bordered by Plainfield in the southwest and by Scotch Plains in all other directions.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.5 km2), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,174 people, 2,574 households, and 2,054 families residing in the borough. The population density was 5,363.4 people per square mile (2,067.1/km2). There were 2,615 housing units at an average density of 1,955.0 per square mile (753.5/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 88.30% White, 5.14% African American, 0.10% Native American, 4.39% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.79% from other races, and 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.74% of the population.
There were 2,574 households out of which 38.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.0% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.2% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the borough the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $85,233, and the median income for a family was $99,232. Males had a median income of $65,519 versus $40,921 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $34,804. About 1.6% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.6% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Local government
Fanwood is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.
The Borough Council is Fanwood's legislative body and may pass, adopt, amend and repeal any ordinance or where permitted, any resolution, for any purpose required for the government of the municipality, and also controls and regulates the finances of the municipality. The Council may investigate any activity of the municipality, remove any officer of the municipality for cause other than those excepted by law and shall have all the executive responsibilities of the municipality not placed by general law, in the office of the Mayor. The Mayor of Fanwood is responsible for serving as the chief executive officer of borough government. The mayor presides over the Borough Council, appoints various boards and committees, oversees borough administration, and serves as the borough's ceremonial head.
As of 2011, the Mayor of Fanwood Borough is Colleen M. Mahr (D, term ends December 31, 2011). Fanwood Council Members are Council President Joan Wheeler (D, 2011), Russell Huegel (D, 2011), Robert Manduca (R, 2012), Katherine Mitchell (D, 2013), Anthony Parenti (R, 2013) and Michael Szuch (R, 2012).
Fire Department
The Fanwood Fire Department is a volunteer fire department with 30 members that operate out of one fire station. The department has two engines, one quint and a chief's vehicle.
Federal, state and county representation
Fanwood is in the 7th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 22nd state legislative district.
New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District is represented by Leonard Lance (R, Clinton Township). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
Fanwood is in the 22nd Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature, which is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Nicholas Scutari (D, Linden) and in the New Jersey General Assembly by Jerry Green (D, Plainfield) and Linda Stender (D, Fanwood).
Union County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders, whose nine members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis with three seats coming up for election each year. As of 2011, Union County's Freeholders are Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon (Union, term ends December 31, 2012), Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella (Fanwood, 2012), Linda Carter (Plainfield, 2013), Angel G. Estrada (Elizabeth, 2011), Christopher Hudak (Linden, 2011), Mohamed S. Jalloh (Roselle, 2012), Bette Jane Kowalski (Cranford, 2013), Daniel P. Sullivan (Elizabeth, 2013) and Nancy Ward (Linden, 2011).
Education
Public school students in Fanwood attend the schools of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School District, which has students in Grades PreK-12 from the Township of Scotch Plains and the Borough of Fanwood. The district has five elementary schools (PreK-Grade 4), two middle schools (Grades 5-8), and one comprehensive high school (Grades 9-12).
Schools in the district (with 2008-09 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are five elementary schools — Howard B. Brunner Elementary School (PreK-4; 463 students), J. Ackerman Coles School (K-4; 519), Evergreen School (PreK-4; 405), William J. McGinn School (474) and School One (389) — Park Middle School (823) and Terrill Middle School (847) for grades 6-8, along with Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School (1,468) for grades 9-12.
Transportation
The Fanwood station (also known as Fanwood-Scotch Plains), is a New Jersey Transit railroad station on the Raritan Valley Line. The building on the north side of the tracks (westbound platform) is a Victorian building and, like the north building at Westfield, is used by a non-profit organization. The ticket office is in the station building on the south side of the tracks (eastbound platform). The station provides service to Penn Station in Newark, and from there to Hoboken Terminal or Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan.
Garwood
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Garwood is a borough in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 4,226.
Garwood was incorporated as a borough on March 19, 1903, from portions of Cranford Township and Westfield Town.[6]
In the north side of Garwood, most of the streets are numbered, while in the south side of Garwood most of the streets are named after trees.
Geography
Garwood is located at 40°39′03″N 74°19′25″W (40.650802, -74.323510).[7]
The borough is bordered to the west by Westfield and to the east by Cranford.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.7 km2), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the census] of 2000, there were 4,153 people, 1,731 households, and 1,125 families residing in the borough. The population density was 6,292.9 people per square mile (2,429.5/km2). There were 1,782 housing units at an average density of 2,700.2 per square mile (1,042.5/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 95.91% White, 0.36% African American, 1.32% Asian, 1.54% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.98% of the population.
There were 1,731 households out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.0% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the borough the population was spread out with 20.0% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 35.6% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $52,571, and the median income for a family was $64,053. Males had a median income of $50,951 versus $36,538 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $26,944. About 3.5% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Local government
The Borough of Garwood is governed under the Borough system of municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council with six members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.
As of 2011, the Mayor of Garwood is Republican Patricia Quattrocchi, whose term of office ends December 31, 2014. Members of the Garwood Borough Council (with party affiliation and term end year listed in parentheses) are Council President Timothy O. Hak (R - 2012), Victor DeFilippo (R - 2013), James Mathieu (R - 2013), Jonathan Linken (D - 2011), Louis Petruzzelli (D - 2011), and Keith Sluka (D - 2012).[9] The Borough Administrator/Clerk is Christina M. Ariemma.[10]
Federal, state and county representation
Garwood is in the 7th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 21st Legislative District.[11]
New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District is represented by Leonard Lance (R, Clinton Township). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
21st Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature, which is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Thomas Kean, Jr. (R, Westfield) and in the New Jersey General Assembly by Jon Bramnick (R, Westfield) and Nancy Munoz (R, Summit).[12] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham).[13] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).[14]
Union County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders, whose nine members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis with three seats coming up for election each year.[15] As of 2011, Union County's Freeholders are Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon (Union, term ends December 31, 2012)[16], Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella (Fanwood, 2012)[17], Linda Carter (Plainfield, 2013)[18], Angel G. Estrada (Elizabeth, 2011)[19], Christopher Hudak (Linden, 2011)[20], Mohamed S. Jalloh (Roselle, 2012)[21], Bette Jane Kowalski (Cranford, 2013)[22], Daniel P. Sullivan (Elizabeth, 2013)[23] and Nancy Ward (Linden, 2011).[24][25]
Education
The Garwood Public Schools serves 400 students in pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade in one school building, Lincoln School. Schools in the district (with 2008-09 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[26]) are Washington School which is currently not in use (had 80 students in grades PreK-K) and Lincoln School for half-day preschool full day kindergarten - Grade 8 (had 331 students in grades 1-8). Public school students in grades 9 - 12 attend Arthur L. Johnson High School in neighboring Clark as part of a sending/receiving relationship.[27] Students may also attend one of the Union County Vocational Technical School
Transportation
The Garwood station offers limited New Jersey Transit rail service on the Raritan Valley Line. The station has limited service. The Garwood Station does not have platforms and is not ADA compliant.
New Jersey Transit also provides bus service along two different lines, the 113 route to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, and the 59 bus to Newark.[28]
Scotch Plains
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Scotch Plains is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the township population increased to a record high of 23,510.
History
The area known as Scotch Plains was first settled by Europeans, including many Scottish Quakers as early as 1684.[9] It later served as a stop on the stage coach line between New York and Philadelphia. The Ash Swamp in Scotch Plains was the scene of a key action in the Battle of Short Hills, on June 26, 1777, which included skirmishes as Washington's forces moved along Rahway Road in Scotch Plains toward the Watchung Mountains. Scotch Plains is home to the house of Aunt Betty Frazee, whose retort to Lord Cornwallis led the British to find their bread from friendlier bakers in the same battle. The simple farmstead of Betty and Gershom Frazee, a type of structure that rarely survives the centuries, is today the object of a restoration effort by local organizations.[10]
What is now Scotch Plains was originally incorporated as Fanwood Township on March 6, 1878, by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature from portions of Plainfield Township and Westfield Township. Portions of the township were taken to form Fanwood Borough on October 2, 1895. Fanwood Township was renamed to Scotch Plains as of March 29, 1917, based on the results of a referendum held that same day.[11]
Scotch Plains was home to the Shady Rest Country Club, the nation's first African-American country club, and its pro, John Shippen, the first African-American golf professional, who led the 1892 U.S. Open in the final round before finishing fifth. The Shady Rest clubhouse hosted Cab Calloway and other greats as a local center for African-American culture in the 1920s and 1930s. It is preserved today as the Scotch Hills Municipal course.
Geography
Scotch Plains is located at 40°38′18″N 74°22′26″W (40.638252, −74.373914).[12]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 9.1 square miles (23.5 km2), of which, 9.1 square miles (23.5 km2) of it is land and 0.11% is water.
[As of the census[6] of 2000, there are 22,732 people, 8,349 households, and 6,295 families residing in the township . The population density is 2,503.3 inhabitants per square mile (966.6/km2). There are 8,479 housing units at an average density of 933.7 per square mile (360.5/km2). The racial makeup of the township is 78.88% White, 11.30% African American, 0.09% Native American, 7.25% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.95% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races. 3.94% of the populatio are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 8,349 households out of which 36.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.4% are married couples living together, 8.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% are non-families. 20.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.71 and the average family size is 3.16.
In the township the population is distributed with 25.4% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.8 males.
According to a 2007 estimate the median income for a household in the township is $99,214, and the median income for a family is $111,970. Males have a median income of $63,648 versus $43,714 for females. The per capita income for the township is $39,913. 3.0% of the population and 2.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 2.0% of those under the age of 18 and 7.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
According to BusinessWeek, Scotch Plains is the most affordable suburb in New Jersey for 2009.[15]
Government
Local government
Scotch Plains is governed under the Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council) form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a four-member Township Council. Council members are elected at-large in partisan elections to serve four-year terms of office on a staggered basis. The Mayor and the Councilmembers are the only elected officials in the Township government.[1] The Chief of Police is Brian Mahoney.
As of 2011, members of the Scotch Plains Township Council are Mayor Nancy M. Malool, Deputy Mayor Mary DePaola, Kevin Glover, Michael "Mickey" Marcus and William "Bo" Vastine.[16]
Federal, state and county representation
Scotch Plains is in the 7th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 22nd state legislative district.[17]
New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District is represented by Leonard Lance (R, Clinton Township). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
22nd Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature, which is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Nicholas Scutari (D, Linden) and in the New Jersey General Assembly by Jerry Green (D, Plainfield) and Linda Stender (D, Fanwood).[18] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham).[19] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).[20]
Union County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders, whose nine members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis with three seats coming up for election each year.[21] As of 2011, Union County's Freeholders are Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon (Union, term ends December 31, 2012)[22], Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella (Fanwood, 2012)[23], Linda Carter (Plainfield, 2013)[24], Angel G. Estrada (Elizabeth, 2011)[25], Christopher Hudak (Linden, 2011)[26], Mohamed S. Jalloh (Roselle, 2012)[27], Bette Jane Kowalski (Cranford, 2013)[28], Daniel P. Sullivan (Elizabeth, 2013)[29] and Nancy Ward (Linden, 2011).[30][31]
Education
All of the schools of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School District, which is shared with the Borough of Fanwood, are located in Scotch Plains. Schools in the district (with 2008-09 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[32]) are five elementary schools — Howard B. Brunner Elementary School (PreK-4; 463 students), J. Ackerman Coles School (K-4; 519), Evergreen School (PreK-4; 405), William J. McGinn School (474) and School One (389) — Park Middle School (823) and Terrill Middle School (847) for grades 6-8, along with Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School (1,468) for grades 9-12.
Students from School One, Evergreen and Brunner pool into Park Middle School, whereas students from Coles and McGinn feed into Terrill. School One is the only elementary school that teaches English as a second language.
Another elementary school, Shackamaxon School, was built in 1951 (the same year as Evergreen School) and operated until 1981, when it was leased to the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey as their Jewish Community Center and offices. The Federation bought the building outright five years later. A more complete history of the schools of Scotch Plains-Fanwood can be found on pp. 7–9 of the PDF version of Our Towns: Scotch Plains-Fanwood (2nd Annual), Oct. 28, 1999.
The Union County Vocational Technical Schools includes the Union County Magnet High School, the Academy for Information Technology, the Union County Academy for Allied Health Sciences, the Union County Academy for Performing Arts, and the Vocational-Technical School. The grouping of different schools is for vocational as well as gifted students, publicly funded by the combined taxes of Union County municipalities.
Union Catholic Regional High School (often abbreviated UC), a private Roman Catholic school, brings in students from the far reaches of Union County and even some parts of Essex and Middlesex counties. A large number of students come from the Woodbridge/Colonia area, where the school had erected a billboard advertisement, now removed.
Union County College has a facility in Scotch Plains.
There is also a Catholic school, St. Bartholomew Academy, which offers education from Pre-Kindergarten to 8th grade.
Transportation
Scotch Plains is bisected by NJ Transit's Raritan Valley Line, formerly the mainline of the Central Railroad of New Jersey. A passenger station is located in Fanwood. NJ Transit also provides bus service to New York City and New Jersey points. Another rail line, the Lehigh Line, carries freight trains through the southernmost tip of the township.
Newark Liberty International Airport is approximately 14 miles (23 km) east of Scotch Plains, most conveniently reached via Route 22, and Linden Airport, a general aviation facility is in nearby Linden, New Jersey. Newark Liberty International Airport is also easily accessible via New Jersey Transit train
