Hackettstown, New Jersey

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Map of Hackettstown in Warren County
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Map of Hackettstown in Warren County

Hackettstown is a Town in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the town population was 10,403. The town is located in the eastern most region of the Lehigh Valley.

Hackettstown houses the headquarters of Transistor Devices Incorporated and Masterfoods USA, the American division of Mars, Incorporated, makers of Milky Way, Mars, M&M's, Twix and Snickers candy bars, as well as pet foods (such as the well-known Whiskas and Pedigree brands), human foods (including Uncle Ben's) and non-confectionery snack foods (including Combos).

It is believed that Hackettstown was named after Samuel Hackett, a prominent landowner who allegedly "contributed liberally to the liquid refreshments on the christening of a new hotel, in order to secure the name which, before this, had been Helms' Mills or Musconetcong"[1].

Hackettstown was named #72 of the top 100 towns in the United States to Live and Work In by Money Magazine in 2005.[2]

Contents

[edit] Geography

Hackettstown is located at 40°51′12″N, 74°49′46″W (40.853248, -74.829351)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 9.6 km² (3.7 mi²), all land. It is located in a valley along the banks of the Musconetcong River.

Upper Pohatcong Mountain extends northeast of Washington approximately 6 mi (10 km) to the vicinity of Paris.

[edit] Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 10,403 people, 4,134 households, and 2,530 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,085.6/km² (2,809.5/mi²). There were 4,347 housing units at an average density of 453.6/km² (1,174.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 90.25% White, 2.18% African American, 0.12% Native American, 2.91% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 2.00% from other races, and 2.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.01% of the population.

There were 4,134 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the town the population was spread out with 22.7% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 33.9% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $51,955, and the median income for a family was $64,383. Males had a median income of $44,420 versus $31,110 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,742. About 2.3% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.9% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Government

[edit] Local government

The Town of Hackettstown operates under the Mayor-Council form of government. It was created by a special charter adopted by the New Jersey Legislature and approved by the voters in 1970.

The governing body consists of a strong mayor and six councilpersons all elected at large.

The Mayor is elected for a three year term and serves as the chief executive officer of the Town. The Mayor presides over Town meetings, Supervises Town departments and Town employees, Presents a proposed budget for consideration by the Town Council, (and, unless otherwise provided for by state or local law) hires all employees with the advise and consent of the Town Council.

The Mayor does not vote on any matter, except in the event of a tie vote. However, the Mayor has the power to veto any ordinance. A Mayor’s veto may be overridden by the vote of four council members.

The six-member Town Council serve for three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two Council seats up for vote at each election. The Council exercises the legislative power of the Town along with any other powers designated to the governing body by State or local law. The Council adopts all ordinances and regulations along with budget. Council members also serve on three member Council Committees that include Fire, Sanitation, Police, Welfare, Lighting, Recreation, Printing, License and Franchise, Public Works, Ordinance and Finance. These committees conduct research and detailed reviews of issues on behalf of the Town[3].

The Mayor of Hackettstown is Michael B. Lavery (term ends December 31, 2008). The Hackettstown Town Council consists of Joseph Bristow (2008; Acting Mayor when necessary), Nancy Brown (2007), Maria DiGiovanni (2008), Ralph Quaresima (2007), Scott Sheldon (2006) and Paul Wallace (2006; Alternate Acting Mayor when necessary).[4]

[edit] Federal, state and county representation

Hackettstown is in the Fifth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 23rd Legislative District.[5]

New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District, covering the northern portions of Bergen County, Passaic County and Sussex County and all of Warren County, is represented by Scott Garrett (R, Wantage Township). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Robert Menendez (D, Hoboken).

The 23rd legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Leonard Lance (R, Flemington) and in the Assembly by Michael J. Doherty (R, Oxford) and Marcia A. Karrow (R, Raritan Township). The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).

Warren County is governed by a three-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. Warren County's Freeholders are: Freeholder Director Richard D. Gardner (term ends 2006), Freeholder Deputy Director John DiMaio (2008) and Freeholder Everett A. Chamberlain (2007).

[edit] Education

The Hackettstown School District serves approximately 2,000 students in grades K-12 in four schools: two elementary, one middle, and a four-year high school.

Hackettstown High School serves Hackettstown, as well as students from the townships of Allamuchy, Independence, and Liberty, who attend as part of sending/receiving relationships.

Centenary College, a private college affiliated with the United Methodist Church, is located in Hackettstown.

[edit] Local Media

WRNJ, known as "Oldies 1510 WNRJ" at 1510 on the AM dial, is licensed to Hackettstown.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Northwestern New Jersey--A History of Somerset, Morris, Hunterdon, Warren, and Sussex Counties, Vol. 2. (A. Van Doren Honeyman, ed. in chief, Lewis Historical Publishing Co., New York, 1927) pg. 689
  2. ^ best Places to Live 2005: No. 72 - Hackettstown, NJ, Money (magazine), accessed November 2, 2006
  3. ^ Town of Hackettstown Organization, accessed July 3, 2006
  4. ^ Town of Hackettstown Mayor/Council, Effective January 1, 2006, accessed July 3, 2006
  5. ^ League of Women Voters: 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 58, accessed August 30, 2006

[edit] External links

Warren County, New Jersey
(County Seat: Belvidere)
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Townships Allamuchy Township | Blairstown Township | Franklin Township | Frelinghuysen Township | Greenwich Township | Hardwick Township | Harmony Township | Hope Township | Independence Township | Knowlton Township | Liberty Township | Lopatcong Township | Mansfield Township | Oxford Township | Pohatcong Township | Washington Township | White Township
Towns Belvidere | Hackettstown | Phillipsburg
Boroughs Alpha | Washington
Communities Allamuchy-Panther Valley | Beattystown | Brass Castle | Great Meadows-Vienna
Rivers Bear Creek | Beaver Brook | Cory's Brook | Dead River | Delaware River | Lopatcong Creek | Musconetcong River | Paulins Kill | Pequest River | Pohatcong Creek | Pophandusing Creek | Yard's Creek
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