Editing Marlboro Township, New Jersey (section)

===Historical events===

====Town center====
The Marlboro township center has historically been considered an area around the intersection of Main Street ([[New Jersey Route 79|Route 79]]) and School Road.<ref>[https://www.marlboro-nj.gov/marlboro-history Marlboro Township History], Township of Marlboro. Accessed January 29, 2025.</ref> In the late 19th century the intersection held two hotels (both of them are now gone), general store (was on the lot of the current fire department building), and Post Office (was on the lot of a current Chinese Restaurant). Behind the current small mini-mart on the corner of this intersection, you can still see one of the original barns from the early 19th century. However, Marlboro no longer has any official [[town square|town center]] and can be considered an example of [[suburban sprawl]]. Efforts are underway to create an official "Village Center" and multiple proposals have come forward in recent discussions.<ref name="marlboro-nj.gov">[http://www.marlboro-nj.gov/Identified_Issues.pdf Marlboro Community Vision Plan Identified Issues] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815163616/http://www.marlboro-nj.gov/Identified_Issues.pdf |date=August 15, 2009 }}, Marlboro Township. Accessed June 29, 2011.</ref> Current vision statements suggest the creation of a pedestrian-friendly, [[mixed use]] Village Center, with an emphasis on walkability and traffic calming.<ref name=MP2012>Heyer Gruel & Associates. [http://www.marlboro-nj.gov/DOCUMENTS/Master_Plan_Re-exam_adopted_July_2012.pdf ''Master Plan Reexamination Report''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001926/http://www.marlboro-nj.gov/DOCUMENTS/Master_Plan_Re-exam_adopted_July_2012.pdf |date=March 4, 2016 }}, Township of Marlboro, August 2012. Accessed September 29, 2015.</ref>

====Cell phone ban====
In 2000, Marlboro became the first municipality in New Jersey, and one of the first areas in the U.S., to ban [[Restrictions on cell phone use by US drivers|cell phone use while driving]], a ban that took effect in March 2001. The restriction made use of a cell phone a primary offense, allowing a police officer to stop a motorist for phone use.<ref>Mengisen, Annika. [https://www1.gmnews.com/2004/07/01/new-jersey-cell-phone-law-takes-effect-today/ "New Jersey cell phone law takes effect today; Use of hand-held phone in motor vehicle will be a secondary offense"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816104330/https://www1.gmnews.com/2004/07/01/new-jersey-cell-phone-law-takes-effect-today/ |date=August 16, 2021 }}, ''Examiner'', July 1, 2004. Accessed January 20, 2018. "Marlboro was the first municipality in New Jersey to prohibit the use of hand-held cell phones by the operators of motor vehicles. The ban has been in effect since March 2001 and is a primary offense, meaning a police officer can stop a motorist for that specific violation."</ref>

====Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital====
Opened in 1931, [[Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital]] was located on {{convert|400|acre|km2}} in the eastern part of the township. It was opened with much fanfare as a "state of the art" psychiatric facility. It was closed 67 years later on June 30, 1998, as part of a three-year [[deinstitutionalization]] plan in which some the state's largest facilities were being shut down, with Marlboro's 800 patients being shifted to smaller facilities and group homes.<ref>[https://usahitman.com/mphhhttp/ Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819144051/https://usahitman.com/mphhhttp/ |date=2014-08-19 }}, USAHitman.com, September 7, 2013. Accessed August 30, 2015.</ref><ref>Peterson, Iver. [https://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/01/nyregion/at-67-marlboro-mental-hospital-closes.html "At 67, Marlboro Mental Hospital Closes"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', July 1, 1998. Accessed July 16, 2015. "Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital closed today for good, 67 years after it opened and after three years of blistering opposition from unions whose members lost good jobs, from the families of some patients who worried that their loved ones would be hurt and from homeowners who did not want mentally ill people as neighbors."</ref> The land that the hospital was placed on was known as the "Big Woods Settlement". It was largely farm land but there was a large distillery on the property which was torn down to make room for the hospital.<ref name=Beers1873/> Additionally, due to the long residential stays at the hospital, a cemetery was also located near the hospital for the residents who died while in residence and were unclaimed. The hospital was completely demolished in 2015. Most of the land was handed over to the Monmouth County Park system, with some of the ground becoming the final linkage of the [[Henry Hudson Trail]].<ref>[https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2525 Henry Hudson Trail], [[Monmouth County Park System]]. Accessed July 13, 2022. "Currently, the trail runs four miles from Rt. 537 in Freehold to Big Brook Park in Marlboro. The trail then resumes at Station Road in Marlboro and continues for five miles to Church Street in Matawan. Future plans for the Trail include linking these two sections of trail and providing a connection to the original, northern section of the Henry Hudson Trail."</ref> The park system had developed the Big Brook Park and continues to expand and work on the park to provide services to the Monmouth County residents.

====40% Green====
In June 2009, Marlboro Township Municipal Utilities Authority (MTMUA) deployed a 900&nbsp;kW solar power array from Sharp that will enable the MTMUA to meet nearly 40% of its electricity needs with emissions-free solar-generated power. This is considered one of the largest of its kind in the East. This solar energy system will reduce New Jersey CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by more than {{convert|4200000|lb|abbr=on}} annually; SO<sub>2</sub> emissions by {{convert|28000|lb|abbr=on}}; and NO<sub>2</sub> emissions by {{convert|18000|lb|abbr=on}}., as well as eliminating significant amounts of mercury.<ref>Staff. [https://www1.gmnews.com/2009/06/17/mtmua-touts-benefits-of-solar-power-array/ "MTMUA touts benefits of solar power array"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125205817/https://www1.gmnews.com/2009/06/17/mtmua-touts-benefits-of-solar-power-array/ |date=January 25, 2021 }}, ''News Transcript'', June 17, 2009. Accessed January 20, 2018. "The Marlboro Township Municipal Utilities Authority (MTMUA) has deployed a new 900-kilowatt solar power array from Sharp that will enable the MTMUA to meet nearly 40 percent of its electricity needs with emissions-free solar-generated power."</ref> Additionally, Marlboro has been recognized as a ''Cool City'' by the [[Sierra Club]]. Marlboro is the 10th Monmouth County municipality to be named a Cool City.<ref>Morton, Rebecca. [https://www1.gmnews.com/2009/01/14/mayor-sees-promise-challenges-ahead/ "Mayor sees advantages to town 'going green'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118162139/https://www1.gmnews.com/2009/01/14/mayor-sees-promise-challenges-ahead/ |date=November 18, 2018 }}, ''News Transcript'', January 14, 2009. Accessed January 20, 2018. "She noted that Marlboro is the 10th Monmouth County municipality to be named a Cool City."</ref>

====Preston Airfield====
Marlboro had an airport, [[List of airports in New Jersey|Preston Airfield]], which opened in 1954 and was in operation for almost 50 years. The airport was opened by Rhea Preston on his farm and consisted of two runways, one was {{convert|2400|ft|m}} as well as airplane hangars. It obtained a paved runway before 1972. In 1974, the airport had approximately 100 planes, 8 of which are used for air instruction.<ref>"Airport Weathers Fuel Crisis", Asbury Park Press, January 20, 1974, Page 74</ref> It won many awards and in 1974 was cited by the state Aviation Advisory Council as the "best maintained" airport.<ref>"Light Plane Airports Report Business as Usual", Asbury Park Press, April 6, 1975, page 43</ref> In 1975, the airport was given Planning Board approval to expand with 21 additional hangars and add an 840 square foot operations building.<ref name="Asbury Park Press 1975, Page 8">"Board Favors Airport Plans", Asbury Park Press, December 5, 1975, Page 8</ref> Exact records are not known as to when it changed its name to [[List of airports in New Jersey|Marlboro Airport]]. The [[PNC Bank Arts Center|Garden State Art Center]] was known to have used the airport to fly in entertainers such as [[Jimmy Buffett]], [[Jon Bon Jovi]], and [[Howard Stern]] for performances.<ref>"A History Rich in Lore - and Soil", Asbury Park Press, February 9, 2006, Page 88</ref> Planning board records reflect the intention to make this change in 1976.<ref name="Asbury Park Press 1975, Page 8"/> The NJ department of Transportation provided $4.8 million to expand Preston Airport.<ref>"$313 Million Plan Disclosed to Upgrade Aviation Facilities", Asbury Park Press, February 1, 1978, Page 3</ref> In 1979, the airport was described as having a single runway {{convert|2200|ft|m}} long. The airport was used for private aviation (Fixed wing as well as helicopters)<ref>"Student Pilot Safely Lands Malfunctioning Helicopter", Asbury Park Press, June 2, 1978, Page 51</ref> as well as having a private school for flying instruction.<ref>"Back in Business", Asbury Park Press, August 18, 1968, Page 12</ref> In 2000, the airport was purchased by Marlboro Holdings LLC owned by [[Anthony Spalliero]] who closed it with the intent to redevelop the airport into housing.<ref>[https://www.airfieldsfreeman.com/NJ/Airfields_NJ_E.htm#marlboro Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Eastern New Jersey], Paul Freeman, updated July 10, 2015. Accessed July 16, 2015.</ref> To foster the case for redevelopment, Spalliero donated land holdings he had near the airport to the township board of education, which was used to develop the Marlboro Early Learning Center, a school specialized for [[kindergarten]] classes. Following a $100,000 pay-off<ref>[https://www.justice.gov/usao/nj/Press/files/pdffiles/Older/spallieroSupIndictment0320.pdf ''United States Of America vs. Anthony Spalliero And Joseph Spalliero''], United States District Court of New Jersey. Accessed January 4, 2012.</ref> to former mayor [[Matthew Scannapieco]] the planning board used the distance to the new school as justification to close the airfield<ref>Vilacoba, Karl. [https://www1.gmnews.com/2002/10/23/spalliero-taking-marlboro-back-to-court-over-homes/ "Spalliero taking Marlboro back to court over homes; Lawsuit targets land that housed airport for 50 years"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804050045/https://www1.gmnews.com/2002/10/23/spalliero-taking-marlboro-back-to-court-over-homes/ |date=August 4, 2018 }}, ''News Transcript'', October 23, 2002. Accessed January 20, 2018.</ref> citing a reference to a fatal plane crash in 1997.<ref>McKinley, Jesse. [https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/13/nyregion/new-jersey-daily-briefing-cause-of-plane-crash-sought.html "New Jersey Daily Briefing; Cause of Plane Crash Sought"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', October 13, 1997. Accessed August 30, 2015.</ref> Part of the airport has now been developed into Marlboro Memorial Cemetery which now borders the defunct airfield.<ref>sing [https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=marlboro,+nj&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=55.718442,79.013672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Marlboro+Township,+Monmouth,+New+Jersey&ll=40.364989,-74.25465&spn=0.00663,0.009645&t=h&z=17 Google Maps], you can still see the disused airfield. In the most current image, some of the landing strip is overgrown but a large yellow "X" is painted at each end of the runway to show it is no longer used. The cemetery can be seen on the side of the landing strip to the north. The Marlboro Early Learning Center is the U-shaped gray building to the north-west of the runway with a large parking lot. The current image also shows the [[Henry Hudson Trail]] crossing the eastern edge of the runway.</ref> The other part of the airfield has been absorbed into the Monmouth County Park System.

====Virgin Mary sighting====
Starting in 1989, Joseph Januszkiewicz started reporting [[Vision (spirituality)|visions]] of the [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Virgin Mary]] near the [[blue spruce]] trees in his yard.<ref>Gibson, David. [https://web.archive.org/web/20121106055101/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-22466233.html "Virgin Mary Visiting No More, Man Says"], ''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]'', January 20, 1995. Accessed June 29, 2011. "Since 1989, in something of a churchly cause celebre, Joseph Januszkiewicz has reported seeing the Virgin Mary at his Marlboro Township home on the first Sunday of every month, at exactly 9:28 p.m."</ref> The visions started to appear six months after he returned from a [[pilgrimage]] to [[Međugorje]] in [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]]. Since that time as many as 8,000 [[pilgrim]]s have gathered on the first Sundays of June, July, August and September to pray, meditate and share in the vision.<ref>Hanley, Robert. [https://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/16/nyregion/struggling-with-those-who-seek-virgin-mary-reported-vision-has-brought-grumbling.html "Struggling With Those Who Seek the Virgin Mary; Reported Vision Has Brought Grumbling and Expenses to Officials in Marlboro Township"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', September 16, 1992. Accessed August 30, 2015.</ref> On September 7, 1992, Bishop [[John C. Reiss]] gave Januszkiewicz permission to release his messages. In 1993, the [[Catholic Diocese of Trenton]] ruled that nothing "truly miraculous" was happening at the Januszkiewicz home. Pictures were taken in November 2004 of a paranormal mist that showed up at the location of the vision, though by April 2005, Januszkiewicz claimed that the visions had stopped and he reports there have been no sightings since.<ref>Davis, Marion. [http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/happened-visions-fade-article-1.687737 "Whatever Happened To . . . ? Visions Fade Away"], ''[[New York Daily News]]'', April 30, 1995. Accessed August 30, 2015.</ref>

==== Train crash ====
On October 13, 1919, a Central Railroad train collided with a truck on the Hudson Street crossing. The truck was owned by Silvers Company. The train suffered a derailment but the accident only had one loss of life. Michael Mooney, train engineer, died from burns from the train boiler water.<ref>Randall Gabrielan, Marlboro Township, C. 1999, Page 86</ref><ref>"Train Accident", ''Matawan Journal'', October 16, 1919, Page 1</ref>