Colts Neck Township, New Jersey

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Colts Neck, New Jersey
Map of Colts Neck Township in Monmouth County
Map of Colts Neck Township in Monmouth County
Coordinates: 40°18′1″N 74°10′59″W / 40.30028, -74.18306
Country United States
State New Jersey
County Monmouth
Incorporated February 18, 1847 as Atlantic Township
Renamed November 6, 1962 as Colts Neck Township
Government
 - Type Township (New Jersey)
 - Mayor Thomas E. Hennessy, Jr.
Area
 - Total 32.1 sq mi (83.1 km²)
 - Land 31.4 sq mi (81.4 km²)
 - Water 0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Elevation [1] 75 ft (23 m)
Population (2006)[2]
 - Total 11,587
 - Density 392.4/sq mi (151.5/km²)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 07722
Area code(s) 732
FIPS code 34-14560[3]
GNIS feature ID 0882602[4]
Website: http://www.colts-neck.nj.us

Colts Neck is a township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 12,331.

What is now Colts Neck Township was established by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature as Atlantic Township on February 18, 1847, from portions of Freehold Township, Middletown Township and Shrewsbury Township. The name was changed to Colts Neck Township as of November 6, 1962, based on the results of a referendum held that day.[5]

Contents

[edit] Community

Colts Neck is an affluent suburb of Central New Jersey. Many people choose to move to Colts Neck due to its open space, proximity to the Jersey Shore, New York City, and Philadelphia. It is also a desirable location because of town ordinances which have long kept out urban sprawl and chain retailers, allowing for locally owned businesses, while still being close to malls, movie theaters, and other amenities in neighboring communities.

In addition, the township has a very strong Farmland Preservation Committee, which to date has preserved nearly 1,000 acres (4 km²) of land. This is also one way in which the town has been able to prevent large scale development. The township has very strict zoning regulations, and because there is no public water or sewage service, all homes must be built on not less than an acre.

Many of its residents are professional business people who commute into New York City, as could be seen in the unusual proportion of the small community who were lost in the September 11, 2001 attacks upon the World Trade Center. A memorial garden dedicated to the five members of the community who were lost was created at the municipal center by sculptor Jim Gary, a member of the community, who was raised in Colts Neck and died in January, 2006. The central feature of the memorial garden is his sculpture of metal and stained glass.

[edit] Colts Neck Fire Department

The Colts Neck Fire Department is split between two fire companies. Company #1, organized in 1926, is located on Route 537. Company #2, located on Conover Road, was established in 1970. Also in case of a HazMat emergency, the HazMat unit from the Middletown Township Special Services unit will respond.

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 32.1 square miles (83.1 km²), of which, 31.4 square miles (81.4 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (2.12%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop.  %±
1930 1,241
1940 1,177 -5.2%
1950 1,814 54.1%
1960 2,177 20.0%
1970 5,819 167.3%
1980 7,888 35.6%
1990 8,559 8.5%
2000 12,331 44.1%
Est. 2006 11,587 [2] -6.0%
Population 1930 - 1990[6]

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 12,331 people, 3,513 households, and 3,193 families residing in the township. The population density was 392.4 people per square mile (151.5/km²). There were 3,614 housing units at an average density of 115.0/sq mi (44.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 85.51% White, 7.89% African American, 0.23% Native American, 3.63% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.45% from other races, and 1.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.22% of the population.

There were 3,513 households out of which 50.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 83.1% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 9.1% were non-families. 7.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.17 and the average family size was 3.33.

In the township the population was spread out with 29.2% under the age of 18, 12.1% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 109.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 113.4 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $109,190, and the median income for a family was $117,980. Males had a median income of $55,609 versus $38,457 for females. The per capita income for the township was $46,795. 2.8% of the population and 2.2% of families were living below the poverty line, including 2.2% of under eighteens and 2.8% of those over 64.

[edit] Government

[edit] Local government

The Colts Neck Township Committee consists of Mayor Thomas E. Hennessy, Jr., Deputy Mayor Benjamin T. Forester, Kenneth F. Florek, James C. Schatzle and James Stuart.[7]

[edit] Federal, state and county representation

Colts Neck Township is in the Fourth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 12th Legislative District.[8]

New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District, covering portions of Burlington County, Mercer County, Monmouth County and Ocean County, is represented by Christopher Smith (R). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).

For the 2008-2009 Legislative Session, the 12th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Jennifer Beck (R, Red Bank) and in the Assembly by Caroline Casagrande (R, Colts Neck Township) and Declan O'Scanlon (R, Little Silver).[9] The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).[10]

Monmouth County is governed by a five-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. As of 2008, Monmouth County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry (R, Matawan), Freeholder Deputy Director Robert D. Clifton (R, Matawan), William C. "Bill" Barham (R, Monmouth Beach), John D'Amico, Jr. (D, Oceanport) and Barbara McMorrow (D, Freehold Township).[11]

[edit] Education

Students in public school attend the Colts Neck School District for Kindergarten through eighth grade. Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[12]) are Conover Road Primary School (grades K-2, 444 students), Conover Road Elementary School (grades 3-5, 552 students) and Cedar Drive Middle School (grades 6-8, 626 students).

Public school students in grades 9-12 attend Colts Neck High School, one of the five MCVSD magnet schools, or one of the area's many Specialized Learning Centers, as part of the Freehold Regional High School District. The Freehold Regional High School District serves students from Colts Neck Township, Englishtown, Farmingdale, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Howell Township, Manalapan Township and Marlboro.[13]

While Colts Neck is known for having an excellent school system, in any given year about 20% of the town's K-8 population attend private schools. These include Ranney School, Rumson Country Day School and St. Leo the Great School. At the high school level, with about half of all students attending private schools, including Christian Brothers Academy, Lawrenceville School, Peddie School, Ranney School, Red Bank Catholic High School and St. John Vianney High School.[14]

[edit] Notable residents

Some famous current and former residents include:

[edit] References

  1. ^ USGS GNIS: Township of Colts Neck, Geographic Names Information System, accessed January 4, 2008.
  2. ^ a b Census data for Colts Neck township, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 15, 2007.
  3. ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  5. ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 178.
  6. ^ Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
  7. ^ Colts Neck Township Committee, Colts Neck Township. Accessed April 4, 2008.
  8. ^ 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 56. Accessed August 30, 2006.
  9. ^ Legislative Roster: 2008-2009 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed June 6, 2008.
  10. ^ About the Governor, New Jersey. Accessed June 6, 2008.
  11. ^ Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 29, 2008.
  12. ^ Data for the Colts Neck School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 4, 2008.
  13. ^ Freehold Regional High School District 2007 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 28, 2008. "Freehold Regional High School District, the largest high school district in New Jersey, has six high schools with almost 12,000 students and over 1,500 employees.... District members include the Townships of Colts Neck, Freehold, Howell, Manalapan, and Marlboro, and the Boroughs of Englishtown, Farmingdale, and Freehold."
  14. ^ a b If You're Thinking of Living In: Colts Neck; 60 Miles From Broadway, A Rural Feel - At a Price, The New York Times by Doug Scancarella, September 17, 1995
  15. ^ "Metro Business Briefing; EX-FINANCIER INDICTED AGAIN", The New York Times, November 2, 2000. Accessed November 27, 2007.
  16. ^ Bon Jovi FAQ, accessed January 11, 2007. "David lives in Colts Neck, New Jersey."
  17. ^ Stolberg, Sheryl Gay. " 9/11 Widows Skillfully Applied The Power of a Question: Why?", The New York Times, April 1, 2004. Accessed December 3, 2007. "Kristen Breitweiser was at home in Middletown, N.J., cleaning out closets. Patty Casazza of Colts Neck was dashing to the dry cleaners. Lorie Van Auken of East Brunswick was headed out to do grocery shopping. Her neighbor Mindy Kleinberg had just packed her children off to school."
  18. ^ New York wide receiver Wayne Chrebet has found a new sport to love, Hoof Beats, accessed January 11, 2007. "Four years ago, he [Chrebet] moved into the horse country of Colts Neck, N.J., and couldn't help but admire the equine specimens with whom he shared his neighborhood."
  19. ^ District 12 Profile, Eagleton Institute of Politics. Accessed November 11, 2007. "His GOP running mate is Caroline Casagrande of Colts Neck, an attorney in the Matawan firm of Cleary, Alfieri, Jones & Hoyle who currently serves as the Township Attorney for Manalapan."
  20. ^ Fox, Margalit. "Jim Gary, Sculptor Inspired by Junk, Dies at 66", The New York Times, January 19, 2006. Accessed November 27, 2007. "He was 66 and lived in Farmingdale, N.J.... James Gary was born in Sebastian, Fla., on March 17, 1939, and grew up in Colts Neck."
  21. ^ Charles Haight, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed August 15, 2007.
  22. ^ Holt, Shannon. "Joe Klecko - Blue Collar Player", National Football League Players Association press release dated December 22, 2004. Accessed February 17, 2008. "Klecko and his wife, Debbie, currently reside in Colts Neck, NJ, where Joe serves as a representative for various construction companies."
  23. ^ a b A Day in the Life of Colts Neck, Asbury Park Press, October 18, 2001
  24. ^ CBS Sports Team: Jim Nantz, CBS Sports. Accessed April 4, 2008. "He was born May 17, 1959, in Charlotte, N.C., and grew up in Colts Neck, N.J."
  25. ^ Haughney, Christine; and Konigsberg, Eric. "Despite Tough Times, Ultrarich Keep Spending", The New York Times, April 14, 2008. Accessed May 18, 2008. "In recent months, Mr. Parmar, who lives in Colts Neck, N.J., said he bought 140 acres in Mineola, Tex., and is spending $20 million to begin building a refuge there for abused tigers."

[edit] External links