Washington Township, Morris County, New Jersey

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for other Washington Townships elsewhere in New Jersey see: Washington Township, New Jersey

Washington Township is a Township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 17,592.

Washington Township has the distinction of occupying the largest area of any municipality in Morris County. The township borders Somerset, Warren, and Hunterdon Counties and is approximately fifteen miles from Pennsylvania and the Delaware River. U.S. Highway 46, Route 24, County Route 513, and County Route 517 pass through town. Interstate 80 is only minutes away in the neighboring community of Mount Olive.

Long Valley is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Washington Township. The Long Valley section — the heart of the township — was called German Valley when it was first settled in the 1700s by people from Saxony, a region of Germany near the Polish border.

Contents

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 116.2 km² (44.9 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census2 of 2000, there were 17,592 people, 5,755 households, and 4,874 families residing in the township. The population density was 151.4/km² (392.1/mi²). There were 5,890 housing units at an average density of 50.7/km² (131.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the township was 96.16% White, 0.83% African American, 0.09% Native American, 1.87% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.21% of the population.

There were 5,755 households out of which 47.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.1% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.3% were non-families. 12.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.02 and the average family size was 3.31.

In the township the population was spread out with 30.2% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.5 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $97,763, and the median income for a family was $104,926. Males had a median income of $76,791 versus $41,759 for females. The per capita income for the township was $37,489. About 1.8% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Government

[edit] Local government

The New Jersey Legislature enacted the Township Act of 1798, in an effort to bring more efficient government to a young state. The act incorporated 104 Townships, and authorized an elected group, referred to as the freeholders to form a committee to oversee the expenditure of township funds between town meetings.

The Township Act was modified over 150 times between 1846 and 1899, when in 1899 the Act abolished the town meeting form of government and empowered the three elected members with legislative powers. Later revisions to the act increased the number of committee members to five, with elections scheduled so the three year terms were staggered.

In 1989, the Township Act and its many amendments and revisions were replaced with a much clearer and concise statute through the coordinated efforts of the New Jersey Legislature and the Governor of New Jersey, overseen by the State Commission on County and Municipal Government. The Township Act of 1989 retained the basic structure of the township form of government and provided for a mayor elected by the committee from among its members for a one-year term of office. The Act provides for an annual partisan election, with primaries in June and the general election in November.

The Elected Officials of the Washington Township Committee are Mayor Tracy Tobin (R) (term expires in 2006), Vice Mayor Kevin Walsh (R) (2007), Walter J. Cullen (R) (2007), Kevin M. Nedd (I) (2008) and Kenneth Short (2006).[1]

[edit] Federal, state and county representation

Washington Township is in the Eleventh Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 24th Legislative District.[2]

New Jersey's Eleventh Congressional District, covering western portions of Essex County, all of Morris County, and sections of Passaic County, Somerset County and Sussex County, is represented by Rodney Frelinghuysen (R, Harding Township). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Robert Menendez (D, Hoboken).

The 24th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Robert Littell (R, Franklin) and in the Assembly by Guy R. Gregg (R, Flanders) and Alison Littell McHose (R, Sparta). The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).

Morris County is governed by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. Morris County's Freeholders are: Margaret Nordstrom (Freeholder Director), John Inglesino (Freeholder Deputy Director), Douglas R. Cabana, Frank J. Druetzler, Cecilia G. Laureys John J. Murphy and Jack Schrier.

[edit] Education

The Washington Township Schools include five schools and a central office. There are approximately 2950 students currently enrolled in the schools served by 230 teaching staff.

The Old Farmers Road School serves the southern section of the district and houses approximately 550 students in grades K-5. The Walter J. Kossmann School and the Flocktown Road School form a two building complex serving the northern section of the district. Kossmann houses approximately 560 students in grades K-5. Flocktown houses approximately 450 students in grades K-5. The Long Valley Middle School is centrally located in the valley and serves the entire district. Long Valley Middle School houses approximately 1400 students in grades 6-8. The new Benedict A. Cucinella Elementary School housing grades K-5 opened in September, 2006.

Students in grades 9-12 attend West Morris Central High School, which is located in Washington Township and is part of the West Morris Regional High School District. Students in the district come from the surrounding Morris County school districts of Chester Borough, Chester Township, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township and from Washington Township.

[edit] Local Media

Radio station WRNJ has studios, offices and its transmitter in Washington Township, broadcasting at 1510 AM. The station is licensed to nearby Hackettstown.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Washington Township Local Government, accessed February 18, 2006
  2. ^ League of Women Voters: 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 65, accessed August 30, 2006

[edit] External links

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Municipalities of Morris County, New Jersey
(County Seat: Morristown)
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