Green Brook Township, New Jersey
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| Green Brook, New Jersey | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Somerset |
| Incorporated | April 2, 1872 as North Plainfield Township |
| Reincorporated | November 8, 1931 as Green Brook Township |
| Government | |
| - Type | Township (New Jersey) |
| - Mayor | Kenneth Herrmann |
| - Administrator | Kathryn Kitchener[1] |
| Area | |
| - Total | 4.6 sq mi (11.9 km²) |
| - Land | 4.6 sq mi (11.9 km²) |
| - Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²) |
| Elevation [2] | 246 ft (75 m) |
| Population (2006)[3] | |
| - Total | 6,854 |
| - Density | 1,234.7/sq mi (476.7/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 08812 |
| Area code(s) | 732, 908 |
| FIPS code | 34-27510[4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0882172[5] |
| Website: http://www.greenbrooktwp.org | |
Green Brook Township is a township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 5,654.
What is now Green Brook was originally created as North Plainfield Township on April 2, 1872, from portions of Warren Township. Portions of the township were taken to form North Plainfield borough (June 9, 1885) and Watchung (March 23, 1926). Green Brook was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on November 8, 1931, replacing North Plainfield Township, based on the results of a referendum held that same day.[6][7]
Green Brook shares ZIP code 08812 with Dunellen.
The township's unofficial motto is "Small Enough to Know You, Large Enough to Get Things Done".[7]
Contents |
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 4.6 square miles (11.9 km²), all of it land.
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 544 |
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| 1940 | 763 | 40.3% | |
| 1950 | 1,155 | 51.4% | |
| 1960 | 3,622 | 213.6% | |
| 1970 | 4,302 | 18.8% | |
| 1980 | 4,640 | 7.9% | |
| 1990 | 4,460 | -3.9% | |
| 2000 | 5,654 | 26.8% | |
| Est. 2006 | 6,854 | [3] | 21.2% |
| Population 1930 - 1990.[8] | |||
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 5,654 people, 1,893 households, and 1,508 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,234.7 people per square mile (476.6/km²). There were 1,916 housing units at an average density of 418.4/sq mi (161.5/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 88.43% White, 1.68% African American, 0.07% Native American, 7.99% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.71% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.09% of the population.
There were 1,893 households out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.0% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.3% were non-families. 15.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the township the population was spread out with 24.3% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $80,644, and the median income for a family was $87,744. Males had a median income of $52,147 versus $46,434 for females. The per capita income for the township was $37,290. About 1.7% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.9% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Government
[edit] Local government
The Township Committee form of government consists of five members who each serve a term of three years. At a reorganization meeting, held each year within the first week of January, the Committee elects a Mayor and a Deputy for that year from among its members.
Current members of the Green Brook Township Committee are Mayor Kenneth Herrmann, Deputy Mayor Jerry Searfoss, Melonie K. Marano, Frank Mercuri and John Richards.[9]
[edit] Federal, state and county representation
Green Brook Township is in the Seventh Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 22nd Legislative District.[10]
New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District, covering portions of Hunterdon County, Middlesex County, Somerset County and Union County, is represented by Mike Ferguson (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 22nd District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Nicholas Scutari (D, Linden) and in the Assembly by Jerry Green (D, Plainfield) and Linda Stender (D, Fanwood).[11] The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).[12]
Somerset County is governed by a five-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, whose members are elected at-large to three-year terms on a staggered basis, with one or two elected each year. As of 2008, Somerset County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Peter S. Palmer (Bernardsville, term ends December 31, 2008), Freeholder Deputy Director Rick Fontana (Bridgewater Township, 2009), Jack Ciattarelli (Hillsborough Township, 2009), Patricia Walsh (Green Brook Township, 2010) and Robert Zaborowski (Franklin Township, 2008).[13]
[edit] History
In 1872, a tract of land was subdivided off from Warren Township. Thirteen years later, in 1885, the Borough of North Plainfield was created from a section of the subdivided land. The land at that time was designated as North Plainfield. Many years later, in 1926, the Borough of Watchung was carved out of North Plainfield Township. The remaining land continued until 1932, when the name changed to Green Brook Township.[7]
Green Brook Township took its name from the powerful stream called the Green Brook that rises in the Watchung Mountains several miles away, feeding from many smaller brooks and ponds along the way, in a southwesterly direction for a distance of fifteen miles, into the Bound Brook then into the Raritan River.
Also contained within the boundaries of this community is Washington Rock State Park, which commemorates the spot where George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette watched the movement of the British soldiers during the American Revolutionary War, mainly the months of May and June 1777. Washington Rock State Park was commissioned on March 17, 1913 and is about 34 acres in size.
[edit] Education
The Green Brook School District serves public school students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. Within the district there are two schools (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[14]), the Irene E. Feldkirchner Elementary School (grades K-3; 456 students) and the Green Brook Middle School (grades 4-8; 496 students). Both the elementary school and the middle school recently underwent construction. The schools are now much larger and contain more classrooms to help facilitate the students learning.
For the 1998-99 school year, Irene E. Feldkirchner Elementary School was recognized with the Blue Ribbon Award from the United States Department of Education, the highest honor that an American school can achieve.[15]
Green Brook's public school students in grades 9-12 attend public school at Watchung Hills Regional High School in Warren Township. Students from Green Brook and from the neighboring communities of Watchung and Warren Township (in Somerset County) and Long Hill Township (in Morris County) attend the school.[16]. As of the 2005-2006 school year, there were over 1,900 students attending. Watchung Hills underwent some recent remodeling and now has a new gym, auditorium, and classrooms.
[edit] Community organizations
There are several committees and organizations within the township of Green Brook. Green Brook has a Baptist Church on Green Brook Road. There is the Green Brook Seniors, which is held at the Senior Center. This is a place for all township seniors to meet and participate in different events. Green Brook also has a Lions Club, which volunteers for different causes. The Green Brook Recreation Committee is a volunteer organization that provides programs and event for all residents.
[edit] Notable residents
- James Granuzzo - former bassist and founding member of the alternative rock band BEDlight for BlueEYES.[citation needed]
[edit] References
- ^ Administration, Township of Green Brook. Accessed December 20, 2007.
- ^ USGS GNIS: Township of Green Brook, Geographic Names Information System, accessed December 20, 2007.
- ^ a b Census data for Green Brook township, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 25, 2007.
- ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 223.
- ^ a b c about our town, Green Brook Township. Accessed April 27, 2008. Lists 1932 as the date when the township's name was changed to Green Brook.
- ^ Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
- ^ Our government, Green Brook Township. Accessed April 27, 2008.
- ^ 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 58. Accessed August 30, 2006.
- ^ Legislative Roster: 2008-2009 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed June 6, 2008.
- ^ About the Governor, New Jersey. Accessed June 6, 2008.
- ^ The Role of County Government: "What Is A Freeholder?", Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed March 30, 2008.
- ^ Data for the Green Brook School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 27, 2008.
- ^ Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized 1982-1983 through 1999-2002 (PDF), United States Department of Education. Accessed May 11, 2006.
- ^ Somerset County School Districts-Sending/Receiving/Regional, Somerset County Superintendent of Schools. Accessed April 27, 2008.
[edit] External links
- Green Brook Township
- Green Brook School District
- Green Brook School District's 2006-07 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- Data for the Green Brook School District, National Center for Education Statistics
- Watchung Hills Regional High School website
- Green Brook Schools' Alumni Site
- Green Brook Hockey Club website
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