Roselle Park, New Jersey

Roselle Park, New Jersey
Borough
Roselle Park Welcome Sign
Map of Roselle Park in Union County. Inset: Location of Union County in New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Roselle Park, New Jersey
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Union
Incorporated	March 22, 1901
Government
• Type	Borough
• Mayor	Joseph Accardi (term ends December 31, 2014)
• Clerk	Doreen Cali
Area
• Total	1.232 sq mi (3.191 km2)
• Land	1.232 sq mi (3.191 km2)
• Water	0.000 sq mi (0.000 km2)  0.00%
• Rank	481st of 566 in state 19th of 21 in county
Elevation	79 ft (24 m)
Population  (2010 Census)
• Total	13,297
• Rank	188th of 566 in state 14th of 21 in county
• Density	10,792.7/sq mi (4,167.1/km2)
• Rank	30th of 566 in state 1st of 21 in county
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP code	07204
Area code	908
FIPS code	3403964650Template:GR
GNIS feature ID	0885380Template:GR
Website	http://www.rosellepark.net

Post Office

Chestnut Street

Municipal Complex

Roselle Park is a borough in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 13,297, reflecting an increase of 16 (+0.1%) from the 13,281 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 476 (+3.7%) from the 12,805 counted in the 1990 Census.

Roselle Park was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 22, 1901, from portions of Union Township. The separation occurred due to a number of grievances based on a lack of sufficient public services, including; lack of a modern sewage system, poor schools, neglected roads, and minimal public safety measures.

Geography

Roselle Park is located at 40°39′55″N 74°16′00″W (40.665265,-74.266706). According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.232 square miles (3.191 km²), all of which was land.Template:GR

The borough is bordered to the northeast by Union Township, to the northwest by Kenilworth, to the east by Elizabeth, to the south by Roselle and to the west by Cranford.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	3,138		—
1920	5,438		73.3%
1930	8,969		64.9%
1940	9,661		7.7%
1950	11,537		19.4%
1960	12,546		8.7%
1970	14,277		13.8%
1980	13,377		−6.3%
1990	12,805		−4.3%
2000	13,281		3.7%
2010	13,297		0.1%
2011 (est.)	13,372		0.6%
Population sources: 1910-1920 1910-1930 1930-1990 2000 2010

Census 2010

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $61,923 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,415) and the median family income was $75,017 (+/- $8,553). Males had a median income of $50,502 (+/- $5,243) versus $41,193 (+/- $5,261) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $30,566 (+/- $2,011). About 3.6% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.0% of those under age 18 and 1.9% of those age 65 or over.

Census 2000

As of the 2000 United States CensusTemplate:GR there were 13,281 people, 5,137 households, and 3,416 families residing in the borough. The population density was 10,855.7 people per square mile (4,203.1/km²). There were 5,258 housing units at an average density of 4,297.8 per square mile (1,664.0/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 80.87% White, 2.42% African American, 0.11% Native American, 9.14% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.89% from other races, and 2.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.34% of the population.

There were 5,137 households out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the borough the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 33.5% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $53,717, and the median income for a family was $63,403. Males had a median income of $42,623 versus $33,105 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $24,101. About 3.4% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 1.6% of those age 65 or over.

History

The first known settlement within what is now the Borough was built by Samuel Williams, in 1700. Galloping Hill Road was continually used by revolutionary war scouts, delivering messages to and from General George Washington and Governor Livingston. Galloping Hill Road also believed to be the route traveled by the British columns en route to the Battle of Connecticut Farms, battling the New Jersey militia the entire way. Son of American general William Crane, was bayoneted and killed by the British near what is now Galloping Hill Road and Colonial Road.

Elizabethtown & Somerville Railroad passed through in 1839, as the first railroad in Northern New Jersey. The first store in the world to be lit by electric light was Stone's Store on Westfield Avenue, lit by Thomas Edison's carbon filament prototype. In 1907, the first poured concrete building in the world, now the Robert Gordon School, was built in Roselle Park using Edison's revolutionary process. Roselle Park was home to the factory and lab of Marconi Wireless Telegraph, and became the site of the first regularly broadcast radio station, "WDY".

Government

Local government

The Borough of Roselle Park is governed under the Borough form of municipal government by an elected Mayor and a six-member Borough Council. Roselle Park is divided into five election districts, referred to as wards, with one Councilperson elected from each ward, and one Councilperson elected at large. The Mayor is elected to a four-year term and Councilpersons are elected to three-year terms.

As of 2013, the Mayor Of Roselle Park is Joseph Accardi (R, term ends December 31, 2014). Members of the Borough Council are Council President Modesto "Moe" Miranda, Jr. (Ward 4; R, 2013), Andrew Casais (Ward 1; R, 2014), Carl A. Hokanson (At Large; D, 2014), Charlene Storey (Ward 2; D, 2015), Tanya Torres (Ward 3; R, 2013) and Michael Yakubov (Ward 5; R, 2015).

Federal, state and county representation

Roselle Park is located in the 10th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 21st state legislative district. Prior to the 2010 Census, Roselle Park had been part of the 7th Congressional District, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.

For the 118th United States Congress, New Jersey's 10th congressional district is represented by Donald Payne Jr. (D, Newark). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrat Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027). One seat is currently vacant after Senator Bob Menendez (Englewood Cliffs) resigned on August 20, 2024.

For the 2024-2025 session, the 21st legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Jon Bramnick (R, Westfield) and in the General Assembly by Michele Matsikoudis (R, New Providence) and Nancy Munoz (R, Summit). Template:NJ Governor

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 7,525 registered voters in Roselle Park, of which 2,325 (30.9% vs. 41.8% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,279 (17.0% vs. 15.3%) were registered as Republicans and 3,918 (52.1% vs. 42.9%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 3 voters registered to other parties. Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 56.6% (vs. 53.3% in Union County) were registered to vote, including 72.9% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 70.6% countywide).

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 3,064 votes here (59.9% vs. 66.0% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 1,931 votes (37.7% vs. 32.3%) and other candidates with 75 votes (1.5% vs. 0.8%), among the 5,117 ballots cast by the borough's 7,841 registered voters, for a turnout of 65.3% (vs. 68.8% in Union County). In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 3,083 votes here (53.5% vs. 63.1% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 2,530 votes (43.9% vs. 35.2%) and other candidates with 96 votes (1.7% vs. 0.9%), among the 5,759 ballots cast by the borough's 7,953 registered voters, for a turnout of 72.4% (vs. 74.7% in Union County). In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 2,753 votes here (50.6% vs. 58.3% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 2,619 votes (48.1% vs. 40.3%) and other candidates with 43 votes (0.8% vs. 0.7%), among the 5,443 ballots cast by the borough's 7,773 registered voters, for a turnout of 70.0% (vs. 72.3% in the whole county).

In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,700 votes here (49.2% vs. 41.7% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 1,404 votes (40.6% vs. 50.6%), Independent Chris Daggett with 249 votes (7.2% vs. 5.9%) and other candidates with 41 votes (1.2% vs. 0.8%), among the 3,455 ballots cast by the borough's 7,711 registered voters, yielding a 44.8% turnout (vs. 46.5% in the county).

Education

The Roselle Park School District serves public school students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade. As of the 2010-11 school year, the district's five schools had an enrollment of 2,049 students and 166.3 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.32:1. Schools in the district (with 2010-11 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Aldene/Ernest J. Finizio School (K-5; 268 students), Robert Gordon School (K-5; 263), Sherman School (K-5; 334), Roselle Park Middle School (6-8; 475) and Roselle Park High School (9-12; 626).

Library

The Roselle Park Veterans Memorial Library officially had its name changed in the early 1980s in honor of the veterans of Roselle Park who made the building possible. The library currently has more than 10,000 square feet (930 m²) of space used to store traditional books in addition to computers, books on tape, videos, CD's, Meeting Room, information center, pictures, and music tapes. The library offers a photocopier and FAX service and allows its patrons to reserve and renew materials over the phone and online. The library offers free Wi-Fi access.

The Veterans Memorial Library offers an array of events for an older audience such as Charity Projects, Book Discussions, and a Book of the Month Club. The Veterans Memorial Library also caters to children and young teens with many different events. Events such as Homework Help, No Bullying Resources, and Crazy For Crafts, among other things, are offered free of charge and children are encouraged to participate.

Railroads

Roselle Park has a rich railroading heritage. A steam locomotive adorns the Borough seal, and the town is very welcoming to railroad enthusiasts.

The Elizabethtown & Somerville railway began laying rails through what would become Roselle Park in 1839. It eventually became the Central Railroad of New Jersey between Jersey City, New Jersey and Scranton, Pennsylvania. Throughout the years as traffic grew, the line would grow to four main tracks, and also offered trains of Reading Company and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

Roselle Park and Roselle formerly shared a rail station on the CNJ mainline. Passenger service East of Bayonne, New Jersey ended on April 30, 1967. Shuttle service between Bayonne, New Jersey and Cranford, New Jersey continued on for several years but eventually ended, resulting in the closure of the old station on Chestnut Street. The line continued to see operation as an access route to the NJTransit/NJDOT railroad shops at Elizabethport until the mid-1980s. It is currently out of service and unused, as the Conrail Elizabeth Industrial Track.

Competition would come as the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company realized that railroading was a more efficient mode of transportation for their coal than a canal system. They formed the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and began building Eastward in 1853. By 1872, they had reached Roselle, and formed the subsidiary Newark and Roselle Railway in order to continue building East to the Hudson River. April 1, 1976 the Lehigh Valley Railroad became part of the Consolidated Rail Corporation, also known as Conrail and became known as their "Lehigh Line". On June 1, 2001, Conrail was purchased and split between Norfolk Southern (60%) and CSX (40%), and became "shared assets". Conrail continues to operate the Lehigh Line. In addition to New Jersey Transit the line sees anywhere from 35-45 freights per day from four railroads; Conrail, Norfolk Southern, CSX, and tri-weekly Canadian Pacific (formerly Delaware and Hudson Railway). The track is Norfolk Southern's primary access route into and out of the New York City metropolitan area, and is also part of CSX's primary North-South corridor.

The Roselle Park Train Station offers New Jersey Transit commuter rail service as part of their Raritan Valley Line Service. This was a result of the Aldene Connection which opened April 30, 1967. Currently the station is located at milepost 16.0 on the Conrail Lehigh Line, on the corner of Chestnut Street and West Lincoln Avenue; the same location of the original Lehigh Valley station. In addition to local travel, from here, one take the train to Newark, New Jersey or New York City and connect to various modes of travel to nearly anywhere in the U.S. and Canada on Amtrak.

The town was also once served by the Rahway Valley Railroad. The line was exempted in 1991 by then Rahway Valley Railroad controller Delaware Otsego Corporation, and was given to the County of Union. It has remained dormant since. However, beginning in 2004, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders began taking steps to reactivate the routes. They named the Morristown and Erie Railway as designated operator, and funded the beginning of Right-of-way renewal. Currently the Morristown and Erie Railway is awaiting further funding to complete the work. As of 2011, the project has halted and no further steps are being taken to reactivate the railway.

Other transportation

Route 28 passes through Roselle Park, and the Garden State Parkway skirts the western boundary of the borough. New Jersey Transit Bus Operations provides bus service on the 58 with service from Elizabeth to Kenilworth, on the 94 to Newark and on the 113 to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City.

Newark Liberty International Airport is approximately 10 minutes away, with hundreds of flights departing to and arriving from all over the globe daily. Linden Airport, a general aviation facility, is also in nearby Linden, New Jersey.

Notable people

Notable current and former residents of Roselle Park include:

• Michael Ausiello (born 1972), TV Guide writer.
• Rick Barry (born 1944), NBA All-Pro Forward. Ranked #2 on the Sports Illustrated list of The 50 Greatest New Jersey Sports Figures.
• Gregory Gillespie (1936–2000), artist.
• Keith Loneker (born 1971), former professional football player and actor.
• Alan Pasqua (born 1952), pianist, composer and jazz musician.

External links

• Borough website
• Roselle Park School District
• School Performance Reports for the Roselle Park School District, New Jersey Department of Education
• Data for the Roselle Park School District, National Center for Education Statistics
• Colfax Manor
• Community United Methodist Church