Bedminster, New Jersey
| Bedminster Township, New Jersey | |
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| — Township — | |
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| Coordinates: 40°40′3″N 74°39′20″W / 40.6675°N 74.65556°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Somerset |
| Royal Charter | April 4, 1749 |
| Incorporated | February 21, 1798 |
| Government[1] | |
| • Type | Township (New Jersey) |
| • Mayor | Robert F. Holtaway |
| • Administrator | Judith A. Sullivan[2] |
| Area | |
| • Total | 26.5 sq mi (68.6 km2) |
| • Land | 26.5 sq mi (68.6 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation[3] | 213 ft (65 m) |
| Population (2010 Census)[4] | |
| • Total | 8,165 |
| • Density | 308.1/sq mi (119.0/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 07921 |
| Area code(s) | 908 |
| FIPS code | 34-04450[5][6] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0882176[7] |
| Website | http://www.bedminster.us |
Bedminster Township is a Township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 8,165.[4]
Bedminster Township was created by Royal Charter on April 4, 1749, from portions of the Northern precinct. It was formally incorporated by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. Portions of the township were taken on March 28, 1912, to form Peapack-Gladstone.[8] The village of Pluckemin is also part of the township as is part of Pottersville. It is bordered on the north by Chester Township and on the northeast by Peapack-Gladstone.
Bedminster was the corporate headquarters of AT&T, prior to its merger with SBC Communications (the combined company is now known as AT&T Inc.). AT&T's Global Network Operations Center is currently located in Bedminister. It was also the corporate headquarters for Verizon Wireless before it was relocated to nearby Basking Ridge in 2006.
Bedminster Township is noted for having one of the most historic revolutionary war sites in the United States at what is known as the Pluckemin Continental Artillery Cantonment Site, recently added to the National Register of Historic Sites. Formed by General Henry Knox, chief of the Continental Army artillery was the leader responsible for building what is known as America's first military artillery training academy, the forerunner to West Point.
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[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 26.5 square miles (69 km2), all of it land.
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 1,374 |
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| 1940 | 1,606 | 16.9% | |
| 1950 | 1,613 | 0.4% | |
| 1960 | 2,322 | 44.0% | |
| 1970 | 2,597 | 11.8% | |
| 1980 | 2,469 | −4.9% | |
| 1990 | 7,086 | 187.0% | |
| 2000 | 8,302 | 17.2% | |
| 2010 | 8,165 | −1.7% | |
| Population 1930 - 1990.[4][9] | |||
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 8,302 people, 4,235 households, and 2,100 families residing in the township. The population density was 313.6 people per square mile (121.1/km²). There were 4,467 housing units at an average density of 168.7 per square mile (65.2/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 90.05% White, 1.75% African American, 0.11% Native American, 6.41% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.83% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.84% of the population.
There were 4,235 households out of which 20.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.4% were non-families. 44.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.96 and the average family size was 2.76.
In the township the population was spread out with 17.8% under the age of 18, 3.8% from 18 to 24, 40.3% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $71,550, and the median income for a family was $96,890. Males had a median income of $71,136 versus $48,589 for females. The per capita income for the township was $53,549. About 1.9% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Government
[edit] Local government
Bedminster Township is governed under the Township form of government with a five-member Township Committee. The Township Committee is elected directly by the voters in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year.[1] At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor.[10]
As of 2011[update], members of the Bedminster Township Committee (with their term end dates listed) are Mayor Robert F. Holtaway (term ends 2012), Bernie Pane (2013), Steven (Steve) Parker (2012), Sally Rubin (2011) and Katherine (Katy) Rupert (2013).[11]
[edit] Federal, state and county representation
Bedminster Township is in the 7th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 16th state legislative district.[12] The borough was relocated to the 23rd state legislative district by the New Jersey Apportionment Commission based on the results of the 2010 Census.[4] The new district will be in effect for the June 2011 primary and the November 2011 general election, with the state senator and assembly members elected taking office in the new district as of January 2012.[12]
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).
The 16th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Christopher Bateman (R, Somerville) and in the General Assembly by Jack Ciattarelli (R, Hillsborough Township).[13] Peter J. Biondi won re-election to an eighth term in the Assembly but died days after the November 2011 election; He will be replaced by a Republican Party convention of district delegates and the remaining year on his seat will be filled in a November 2012 special election.[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]
Somerset County is governed by a five-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, whose members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year.[17] As of 2012[update], Somerset County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Patricia L. Walsh (Green Brook Township, term ends December 31, 2013),[18] Freeholder Deputy Director Peter S. Palmer (Bernardsville, 2014),[19] Mark Caliguire (Montgomery Township, 2012),[20] Patrick Scaglione (Bridgewater Township, 2012).[21] and Robert Zaborowski (Franklin Township, 2014),[22][23]
[edit] Education
The Bedminster Township School District serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade. As of the 2005-06 school year, Bedminster Township Public School had an enrollment of 585 students.[24]
Public school students in grades 9-12 attend Bernards High School, as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Somerset Hills Regional School District, a K - 12 district serving students from Bernardsville, Far Hills and Peapack-Gladstone.[25]
[edit] Transportation
Bedminster is traversed by Interstate 287, which runs through the eastern section, while Interstate 78 runs mostly through the center of the township. U.S. Route 202 and U.S. Route 206 also pass through running parallel to I-287 from the Bridgewater area to Pluckemin.
Major county roads that pass through include CR 512 and CR 523.
[edit] Points of interest
- Natirar
- The Historic Vanderveer/Knox House & Museum - a mid- 18th century refurbished home used by General Henry Knox during the Revolutionary War that serves local history to the area.
- Trump National Golf Course, owned by Donald Trump.
- Continental Artillery Military Cantonment Historic Site - known also as the Pluckemin Continental Artillery Cantonment Site or Pluckemin Artillery Park - where General Henry Knox created America's first artillery training academy known as the "precursor to the US Military Academy" at West Point during the winter of 1778-1779.
[edit] Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Bedminster Township include:
- John DeLorean (1925–2005), founder of the De Lorean Motor Company.[26]
- John H. Ewing (born 1918), member of the New Jersey General Assembly and the New Jersey Senate.[27]
- Steve Forbes (born 1947), editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine and president and chief executive officer of its publisher, Forbes Inc., and 2000 Presidential candidate[28]
- Robert Wood Johnson IV (born 1947), Owner of the New York Jets football team and great-grandson of the founder of the Johnson & Johnson Corporation.[29]
- Alexander Manley (born 1992), Student liaison between Bedminster and Rochester Institute of Technology, also known for playing in a small local band The Juxtaposers.
- Thomas Kean (born 1935), former Governor of New Jersey and Chairman of the 9/11 Commission.[30]
- James Linn (1749–1821), represented New Jersey's 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1799 to 1801.[31]
- Mark Sanchez (born 1986), Quarterback of the New York Jets football team.[32]
- John Van Dyke (1807–1878), represented New Jersey's 4th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1847 to 1851.[33]
- John Honeyman (1729–1822), alleged "spy of Washington" during the American Revolutionary War lived the last 30 years of his life in the Lamington, NJ area and is buried in the Lamington Presbyterian Church Cemetery (his original gravestone, as well as a document showing his assigned church pew, is exhibited inside the church building).
- Harrison A. Williams (1919–2001), United States Senator involved in the Abscam scandal.[34]
[edit] References
- ^ a b 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 77.
- ^ Administrator, Bedminster Township. Accessed June 3, 2011.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Township of Bedminster, Geographic Names Information System, accessed December 20, 2007.
- ^ a b c d 2011 Apportionment Redistricting: Municipalities sorted alphabetically, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed June 2, 2011.
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 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. 221.
- ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
- ^ Your Municipal Government, Bedminster Township. Accessed June 3, 2011.
- ^ 2011 Bedminster Township Committee, Bedminster Township. Accessed March 30, 2011.
- ^ a b 2011 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 54. Accessed June 3, 2011.
- ^ Legislative Roster 2012-2013 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 11, 2012.
- ^ Megerian, Chris. "Assemblyman Peter J. Biondi (R-Somerset), dies at 69, days after re-election", The Star-Ledger, November 10, 2011. Accessed January 11, 2012. "Assemblyman Peter Biondi, who on Tuesday was elected to his eighth term in the state Legislature representing the 16th District covering parts of Somerset and Morris Counties, died tonight after a battle with cancer, the Assembly Republican office said."
- ^ "About the Governor". New Jersey. http://www.nj.gov/governor/about/. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
- ^ "About the Lieutenant Governor". New Jersey. http://www.nj.gov/governor/lt/. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
- ^ Somerset County Government: At Your Service, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed January 25, 2012.
- ^ Patricia Walsh, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed January 25, 2012.
- ^ Peter S. Palmer, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed January 25, 2012.
- ^ Mark Caliguire, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed January 25, 2012.
- ^ Patrick Scaglione, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed January 25, 2012.
- ^ Robert Zaborowski, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed January 25, 2012.
- ^ Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed January 25, 2012.
- ^ Data for the Bedminster Township Public School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 27, 2008.
- ^ Somerset County School Districts-Sending/Receiving/Regional, Somerset County Superintendent of Schools. Accessed April 27, 2008.
- ^ Festival celebrates the De Lorean, BBC News, May 24, 2001
- ^ King, Wayne. "Bill to Cut Florio's Aid To Schools Is Gaining", The New York Times, January 18, 1991. Accessed June 26, 2010.
- ^ Steve Forbes, The Washington Post, August 17, 1999
- ^ Sandomir, Richard. " The Jets Fill One Opening: New Owner at $635 Million", The New York Times, January 12, 2000. Accessed September 30, 2007. "Johnson, who is 52 years old, has homes in Manhattan and Bedminster, N.J."
- ^ WEDDINGS; Rhonda Norton, Thomas Kean Jr., The New York Times, November 13, 1994
- ^ James Linn, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed December 3, 2007.
- ^ Calder, Rich. "It's showtime for B'way Mark Sanchez", The New York Post, January 21, 2010. Accessed February 2, 2010. "Lives with his brother Brandon in Bedminster, NJ"
- ^ John Van Dyke, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed September 1, 2007.
- ^ Martin, Douglas. "Ex-Senator Harrison A. Williams Jr., 81, Dies; Went to Prison Over Abscam Scandal", The New York Times, November 20, 2001. Accessed November 4, 2007. "Harrison A. Williams Jr., the Democratic senator from New Jersey who used his considerable power to further the interests of labor and education before being convicted of bribery and conspiracy in the Abscam scandal, died on Saturday. He was 81 and lived in Bedminster."
[edit] External links
- Bedminster Township website
- Bedminster Township Public School
- Bedminster Township Public School's 2009–10 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- Data for the Bedminster Township Public School, National Center for Education Statistics
- The Vanderveer House and Knox Museum- See where General Henry Knox resided while building and managing the Pluckemin Artillery winter Cantonment of 1778-1779.
- The history of the Pluckemin Artillery Academy- America's first military training academy
- The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills - providing historic preservation and local history for Bedminster Township and the other townships that make up the Somerset Hills in Somerset County, New Jersey.
- Somerset Hills School District
- Hills List. Local information for Bedminster and Basking Ridge
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Washington Twp | Chester Twp | Peapack and Gladstone | |
| Tewksbury Twp |  |
Far Hills and Bernards Twp |
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 Bedminster Twp  |
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| Readington Twp | Branchburg Twp | Bridgewater Township |
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Coordinates: 40°40′51″N 74°40′36″W / 40.68083°N 74.67667°W
