Hillsborough Township, New Jersey: Difference between revisions
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Hillsborough Township is a township in Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Located in the Raritan Valley region, the township is a suburban and exurban bedroom community of New York City within the New York Metropolitan Area.<ref>Capuzzo, Jill P. "Living In Hillsborough, N.J.: A Sprawling Community With an Urban and Rural Feel", The New York Times, January 3, 2018. Accessed August 5, 2023.</ref> As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 43,276,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> an increase of 4,973 (+13.0%) from the 2010 census count of 38,303,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected an increase of 1,669 (+4.6%) from the 36,634 counted in the 2000 census.<ref>Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref>
Hillsborough Township was originally created by royal charter issued May 31, 1771, which was revoked and revised on September 12, 1771.<ref name=Story/> It was incorporated on February 21, 1798 by the New Jersey Legislature Township Act of 1798 as one of New Jersey's original group of 104 townships. Portions of the township were taken to form the boroughs of Millstone (May 14, 1894) and Manville (April 1, 1929).<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 223. Accessed May 28, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey Local Name Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed February 17, 2014.</ref> The township's name may have come from an earlier name of "Hillsbury", though it may have been named for Wills Hill, 1st Marquess of Downshire who was the Earl of Hillsborough.<ref name=History>History, Hillsborough Township. Accessed August 5, 2023. "Hillsborough's roads got their names from early records, Hillsborough was also known as Hillsbury and although the records are obscure, some believe the Township was named for Lord Hillsborough.... Hillsborough Township. Accessed December 19, 2019. "Hillsborough received its Charter on May 29, 1771, and officially became Hillsborough Township. Before that date it was known as the 'Westering Precinct of Somerset County'."</ref> Based on an analysis of data from the FBI's Uniform Crime Report for 2022, Hillsborough Township was ranked as the second-safest small city in the United States.<ref name=HillsboroughTownshipSafe>Template:Cite web</ref>
History
[edit]On May 31, 1771, Hillsborough was officially granted a Charter incorporating it as a Township.<ref name=History/> A revised charter was issued on September 12, 1771.<ref name=Story/> The records of Hillsborough Township are complete from their inception in 1746 and there are ten volumes, each some several hundred pages, kept in the Special Collections Department of the Rutgers University Library along with the Charter.
Hillsborough Township quickly took its place in history as the path General George Washington and his troops traveled from the Battle of Princeton to winter quarters in Morristown. While the British were encamped in the valley below awaiting an opportunity to attack, it is said that Washington drilled his troops on the Sourland Mountain around a spring near the top using different formations and corn stalks for guns. As the sun caught the stalks, the British thought Washington had received reinforcements and fresh supplies. The British troops, thinking that they were outnumbered, slipped off to New Brunswick leaving Washington to continue to Morristown.
The township was formally incorporated on February 21, 1798.<ref name=Story/>
Hillsborough is the home of the Belle Mead GSA depot, or Belle Mead General Depot, which was a storage site for materials during World War II, along with housing Italian and German prisoners of war. It continued storing materials until the 1980s, and various contaminants have leaked into the ground and surrounding area during that time. Efforts are under way to convert the site into a mixed recreation and R&D complex.<ref>2018 Master Plan Reexamination Report, Hillsborough Township Planning Board, November 29, 2018. Accessed August 5, 2023. "The Belle Mead GSA Depot Redevelopment Plan covers the 369-acre southern half of the former Belle Mead Army Depot. The plan establishes the RD/Research and Development District, which is intended to accommodate a range of low intensity office uses, scientific and applied research facilities, the development and application of technology and production facilities, and recreational uses."</ref>
Hillsborough is home to Duke Gardens and Duke Farms, a Template:Convert estate in the north-eastern quadrant of the town that was originally owned by tobacco and electric energy tycoon James "Buck" Duke and then passed down to daughter Doris Duke.<ref>Haddon, Heather. "Duke Estate Reopens; Bucolic Grounds Become Public Park, Conservation Center", Wall Street Journal, May 2, 2012. Accessed August 26, 2012. "For years here amid the gentle hills of the Raritan River valley in suburban New Jersey, a 2,740-acre estate that once provided the setting for Doris Duke's ornamental gardens has largely been kept private. Now, after years of debate about how to handle the massive plot formerly owned by one of the world's richest women, the bucolic grounds known as Duke Farms are set to open to the public May 19 and become one of the largest privately owned public spaces in the U.S., estate officials said."</ref> As of March 2023, approximately one-third of Hillsborough Township is preserved as Open Space and/or Preserved Farmland.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In Money magazine's 2013 Best Places to Live rankings, Hillsborough was ranked 16th in the nation, the third-highest among the three places in New Jersey included in the top 50 list.<ref>Staff. "2013 Best Places to Live; America's best small towns", CNN / Money, September 2013. Accessed August 12, 2013.</ref><ref>Staff. 2013 Best Places to Live - 16. Hillsborough, NJ, CNN / Money, September 2013. Accessed August 12, 2013.</ref> In the magazine's 2007 rankings, the township was ranked as the 23rd best place to live in the nation.<ref>Best Places to Live: Top 100 for 2007 – 23. Hillsborough, N.J.", Money, July 2007. Accessed August 12, 2013.</ref>
Geography
[edit]According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 55.10 square miles (142.71 km2), including 54.61 square miles (141.45 km2) of land and 0.49 square miles (1.26 km2) of water (0.88%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Amwell,Template:Citation needed Belle Mead, Blackwells Mills, Champlain, Cloverhill,Template:Citation needed Clover Mill, Flagtown, Frankfort, Hamilton, Higgins Mills, Montgomery, Neshanic, Pleasant View, Royce Field, Royce Valley, South Branch, Woods Tavern and Zion.Template:Citation needed<ref>Our Towns Template:Webarchive, Hillsborough Township. Accessed February 13, 2013. "Hillsborough is a collection of small villages, each of which has left its own imprint on the Townships history: Belle Mead, Blackwells Mills, Flagtown, Neshanic, South Branch"</ref><ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed April 27, 2015.</ref>
The township borders Branchburg Township, Bridgewater Township, Franklin Township, Manville, Millstone, Montgomery Township, Raritan and Somerville in Somerset County; and East Amwell Township, Raritan Township and Readington Township in Hunterdon County.<ref>Areas touching Hillsborough Township, MapIt. Accessed February 24, 2020.</ref><ref>Municipalities, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed February 24, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>
Ecology
[edit]According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Hillsborough Township would have an Appalachian Oak (104) vegetation type with an Eastern Hardwood Forest (25) vegetation form.<ref name="Conservation Biology Institute">U.S. Potential Natural Vegetation, Original Kuchler Types, v2.0 (Spatially Adjusted to Correct Geometric Distortions), Data Basin. Accessed November 5, 2020.</ref>
Climate
[edit]The township has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) if the -3 isotherm is used, consistent with most of Somerset County. The low in January, the coldest month on average, is 18 °F (−8 °C), while the high in July, the warmest month on average, is 85 °F (29 °C).Template:Weather box
Demographics
[edit]
2010 census
[edit]The 2010 United States census counted 38,303 people, 13,573 households, and 10,424 families in the township. The population density was 702.3 per square mile (271.2/km2). There were 14,030 housing units at an average density of 257.3 per square mile (99.3/km2). The racial makeup was 78.61% (30,109) White, 4.59% (1,757) Black or African American, 0.12% (46) Native American, 12.38% (4,743) Asian, 0.04% (15) Pacific Islander, 2.18% (834) from other races, and 2.09% (799) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 7.55% (2,893) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>
Of the 13,573 households, 40.3% had children under the age of 18; 65.7% were married couples living together; 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 23.2% were non-families. Of all households, 19.0% were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.25.<ref name=Census2010/>
26.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.5% was from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 32.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 91.4 males.<ref name=Census2010/>
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $105,429 (with a margin of error of +/− $2,892) and the median family income was $119,750 (+/− $2,852). Males had a median income of $81,807 (+/− $5,320) versus $52,366 (+/− $1,804) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $43,029 (+/− $1,701). About 0.8% of families and 1.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.1% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Hillsborough township, Somerset County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 26, 2012.</ref>
2000 census
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As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 36,634 people, 12,649 households, and 9,802 families residing in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 12,854 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the township was 85.96% White, 7.31% Asian, 3.76% African American, 0.09% American Indian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.28% from other races, and 1.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 4.75% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Hillsborough township, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 26, 2012.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Hillsborough township, Somerset County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 26, 2012.</ref>
There were 12,649 households, out of which 44.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them . said– 67.6% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.5% were non-families. 17.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88, and the average family size was 3.31.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
In the township, 29.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.0% was from 18 to 24, 34.7% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 6.8% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
The median income for a household in the township was $83,290, and the median income for a family was $93,933. Males had a median income of $62,273 versus $42,052 for females. The per capita income for the township was $33,091. About 2.1% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
Parks and recreation
[edit]Hillsborough is home to numerous parks and nature trails, operated by both the township and the Somerset County Park Commission, including; Ann Van Middlesworth Park, Mountain View Park, Woodfield Park, Sunnymeade Run Playground, Doyle Park - Mike Merdinger Memorial Trail, Sourland Mountain Preserve, and Sourland Mountain Hiking Trail.<ref>Resident Guide, Township of Hillsborough. Accessed December 21, 2022.</ref>
Duke Farms
[edit]Template:Further Duke Farms is an estate that was established by James Buchanan Duke, an American entrepreneur who founded Duke Power and the American Tobacco Company. The property is managed by the Doris Duke Foundation after the death of Doris Duke, the second owner. After extensive reorganization and an investment of $45 million, "Duke Farms" was opened to the public on May 19, 2012.<ref name=NYT2012>Zernike, Kate "An Oasis, Once Gilded, Now Greened", The New York Times, May 3, 2012. Accessed July 1, 2022. "Duke Farms, a 2,740-acre estate in Hillsborough, N.J., has had a $45 million face-lift and will open as a public park on May 19."</ref> Duke Farms is owned by the Duke Farms Foundation (DFF) that was established in 1998 to manage the estate. The Foundation, in turn, is part of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, and the two entities share a common board and leadership team.<ref>Duke Farms, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Accessed July 1, 2022. "In accordance with the directives in Doris Duke’s will, Duke Farms first opened to the public in May 2012 with a mission to promote conservation of wildlife. It is managed by the Duke Farms Foundation, which runs under the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation’s umbrella and shares the same board of trustees, president and CEO, and shared services teams."</ref>
Duke Gardens
[edit]
Despite some controversy for when the commission made the decision to permanently close Duke Gardens, demolishing the indoor display gardens that had been created by Doris Duke,<ref name=giannobile>Brown, Amanda. "Gardens at Duke Farms to close, then reopen a shade greener", The Star-Ledger, April 2, 2008. July 1, 2022.</ref> the commission has made strides in contributing to renovating the property for the 21st century. The DFF over the years have created new indoor and outdoor display gardens that are eco-friendly, use native plants, and are wheelchair accessible. In the process of rehabilitation numerous invasive foreign plants were removed including Norwegian maple and Asian Ailanthus and replaced by native species. On May 19, 2012, Duke Farms opened to the public. After a $45-million renovation, Duke Farms now include 30 endangered species and 230 varieties of birds, among which are the great blue heron and the bald eagle.<ref name=NYT2012/><ref>Tarraxi, Alexis."Bald Eagle Eggs Expected To Hatch Any Day At Duke Farms", Hillsborough, NJ, Patch, March 27, 2019. Accessed July 1, 2022.</ref> As part of the rehabilitation, the conservatory and greenhouses known as the Orchid Range were renovated to became more energy-efficient.
Government
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Local government
[edit]Hillsborough Township is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.<ref>Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle.<ref name=DataBook>2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 77.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The mayor and deputy mayor are chosen by the Township Committee from among its members at an annual reorganization meeting, each serving a one-year term.
Template:As of, members of the Hillsborough Township Committee are Mayor John Ciccarelli (R, term on committee and term as mayor end December 31, 2025), Deputy Mayor Catherine Payne (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2026; term as deputy mayor ends December 31, 2025), Shawn Lipani (R, 2026), Samantha Hand (D, 2025), and Robert Britting (R, 2027).<ref name=TownshipCommittee>Township Committee, Hillsborough Township. Accessed May 6, 2024.</ref><ref>2023 Municipal Data Sheet, Hillsborough Township. Accessed May 6, 2024.</ref><ref name=SomersetDirectory>2023 Directory of County & Municipal Offices, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed April 10, 2024.</ref><ref name=Somerset2023>2023 General Election November 7, 2023 Certified Official Results, Somerset County, New Jersey, November 29, 2023. Accessed January 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=Somerset2022>General Election November 8, 2022 Final Certified Results, Somerset County, New Jersey, updated November 23, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Somerset2021>2021 General Election Winning Candidates, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref>
In March 2022, the Township Committee selected Robert Britting Jr. from a list of three names nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2024 that had been held by Steven Cohen until he stepped down from office due to COVID-19-related health issues. Britting served on an interim basis until the November 2022 general election, when voters will choose a candidate to serve the balance of the term of office.<ref>Tarrazi, Alexis. "New Committeeman Selected To Fill Open Hillsborough Seat; Robert Britting was selected among three candidates to fill Steven Cohen's open seat following his resignation due to his COVID battle.", Hillsborough, NJ Patch, March 23, 2022. Accessed April 11, 2022. "A new committeeman took a seat at the Hillsborough Township dais on Tuesday night. Dr. Robert Britting was selected by the Hillsborough Township Committee to fill Steven Cohen's open seat after he resigned due to his ongoing battle with long-haul COVID-19."</ref>
In March 2021, the Township Committee chose Democrat Jeffrey Wright from three candidates listed by the local Democratic committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2021 that had been held by Olivia Holmes, who had resigned the previous month due to COVID related issues.<ref>Bassin, Steven. "Wright selected to join Hillsborough Township Committee", Hillsborough Beacon, March 3, 2021. Accessed April 11, 2022. "Democratic candidate Jeffrey Wright was appointed to take over the seat that belonged to former Councilwoman Olivia Holmes on the Hillsborough Township Committee at a special board meeting held on March. 2. Holmes resigned from her post on the board on Feb. 4, citing health issues that had arisen for her from contracting COVID-19."</ref>
Based on the results of a Charter Study Commission, a recommendation was listed on the November 2007 general election ballot proposing that the township adopt a Mayor-Council form of government under the Faulkner Act.<ref>Charter Study Commission Report Available On Hillsborough Website Template:Webarchive, Hillsborough Township, August 15, 2007. Accessed May 26, 2011.</ref> At the election, 58% of those voting rejected the proposed change, leaving Hillsborough's traditional township form of government unchanged.<ref>"Voters Give Township Committee Form A Vote of Confidence" Template:Webarchive, Hillsborough Township, November 7, 2007. Accessed May 26, 2011.</ref>
Federal, state, and county representation
[edit]Hillsborough Township is located in the 7th and 12th Congressional Districts<ref name=PCR2022>2022 Redistricting Plan, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 8, 2022.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 16th state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2011>Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref><ref name=LWV2019>2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.</ref><ref>Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref>
Template:NJ Congress 07 Template:NJ Congress 12 Template:NJ Senate
Template:NJ Somerset County Commissioners
Politics
[edit]As of March 2011, there were a total of 24,841 registered voters in Hillsborough Township, of which 5,575 (22.4% vs. 26.0% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 5,507 (22.2% vs. 25.7%) were registered as Republicans and 13,745 (55.3% vs. 48.2%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 14 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.<ref name=VoterRegistration>Voter Registration Summary - Somerset, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed February 13, 2013.</ref> Among the township's 2010 Census population, 64.9% (vs. 60.4% in Somerset County) were registered to vote, including 88.1% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.4% countywide).<ref name=VoterRegistration/><ref>GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 13, 2013.</ref>
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 49.8% of the vote (9,071 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 48.5% (8,842 votes), and other candidates with 1.7% (301 votes), among the 18,319 ballots cast by the township's 26,570 registered voters (105 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 68.9%.<ref name=2012Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 9,507 votes (49.8% vs. 52.1% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 9,218 votes (48.2% vs. 46.1%) and other candidates with 250 votes (1.3% vs. 1.1%), among the 19,107 ballots cast by the township's 23,926 registered voters, for a turnout of 79.9% (vs. 78.7% in Somerset County).<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Somerset County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed February 13, 2013.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 9,246 votes (53.0% vs. 51.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 7,965 votes (45.7% vs. 47.2%) and other candidates with 176 votes (1.0% vs. 0.9%), among the 17,433 ballots cast by the township's 21,152 registered voters, for a turnout of 82.4% (vs. 81.7% in the whole county).<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Somerset County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed February 13, 2013.</ref>
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 69.2% of the vote (7,855 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 29.1% (3,298 votes), and other candidates with 1.7% (190 votes), among the 11,493 ballots cast by the township's 26,883 registered voters (150 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 42.8%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 7,436 votes (59.9% vs. 55.8% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 3,765 votes (30.3% vs. 34.1%), Independent Chris Daggett with 1,046 votes (8.4% vs. 8.7%) and other candidates with 96 votes (0.8% vs. 0.7%), among the 12,416 ballots cast by the township's 24,456 registered voters, yielding a 50.8% turnout (vs. 52.5% in the county).<ref>2009 Governor: Somerset County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed February 13, 2013.</ref>
Education
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The Hillsborough Township School District serves students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.<ref>Hillsborough Township Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Hillsborough Township Public Schools. Accessed June 2, 2022. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades pre-kindergarten through 12 in the Hillsborough Township School District. Composition: The Hillsborough Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Hillsborough Township. Millstone Borough is included in the district under the terms of a sending-receiving relationship."</ref> Students from Millstone attend the district's schools, originally as part of a sending/receiving relationship; the New Jersey Commissioner of Education merged Millstone's non-operating school district with the Hillsborough Township School District effective July 1, 2009.<ref>June 30, 2009 Letter from Lucille Davy to Millstone School District Board President Merging Millstone with Hillsborough Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of Education Accessed October 17, 2018.</ref> As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of nine schools, had an enrollment of 7,288 students and 596.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.2:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Hillsborough Township Public School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics<ref>School Data for the Hillsborough Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref>) are Amsterdam Elementary School<ref>Amsterdam Elementary School, Hillsborough Township School District. Accessed June 2, 2022.</ref> (456 students; in grades K–4), Hillsborough Elementary School<ref>Hillsborough Elementary School, Hillsborough Township School District. Accessed June 2, 2022.</ref> (488; K–4), Sunnymead Elementary School<ref>Sunnymead Elementary School, Hillsborough Township School District. Accessed June 2, 2022.</ref> (495; K–4), Triangle Elementary School<ref>Triangle Elementary School, Hillsborough Township School District. Accessed June 2, 2022.</ref> (354; K–4), Woodfern Elementary School<ref>Woodfern Elementary School, Hillsborough Township School District. Accessed June 2, 2022.</ref> (354; K–4), Woods Road Elementary School<ref>Woods Road Elementary School, Hillsborough Township School District. Accessed June 2, 2022.</ref> (421; Pre-K–4), Auten Road Intermediate School<ref>Auten Road Intermediate School, Hillsborough Township School District. Accessed June 2, 2022.</ref> (1,143; 5–6), Hillsborough Middle School<ref>Hillsborough Middle School, Hillsborough Township School District. Accessed June 2, 2022.</ref> (1,218; 7–8) and Hillsborough High School<ref>Hillsborough High School, Hillsborough Township School District. Accessed June 2, 2022.</ref> (2,318; 9–12).<ref>Schools Contacts, Hillsborough Township School District. Accessed June 2, 2022.</ref><ref>2021-2022 Somerset County Public School Directory, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed June 2, 2022.</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the Hillsborough Township Public School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 1, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Hillsborough Township School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>
Transportation
[edit]_from_the_overpass_for_Somerset_County_Route_514_(Amwell_Road)_in_Hillsborough_Township,_Somerset_County,_New_Jersey.jpg){kind=link}
Roads and highways
[edit]Template:As of, the township had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality, Template:Convert by Somerset County and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.<ref>Somerset County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed July 24, 2014.</ref>
U.S. Route 206 is the main road that passes through the township. Construction of a new alignment of US 206, the Template:Convert US 206 Bypass<ref>US 206 Bypass Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, January 2014. Accessed August 1, 2016.</ref> began in 2010 to bypass the congested stretch of the road. Built in two phases, the first Template:Convert phase, between Hillsborough and Amwell Roads, was opened in October 2013. The second phase was originally expected to be completed by 2015, but was delayed multiple times due to a lack of state funding. Construction finally resumed in 2017 and the roadway was completed in 2021.<ref>Muscavage, Nick. "Hillsborough Route 206 bypass final construction begins", Courier News, April 13, 2018. Accessed February 24, 2020.</ref> The road is named for Peter J. Biondi, a former Hillsborough mayor and member of the General Assembly.<ref>Staff. "Christie Administration opens portion of Route 206 Bypass in Hillsborough", The Messenger-Gazette, October 28, 2013. Accessed August 1, 2016. "The Christie Administration opened a portion of the Route 206 Bypass between Amwell Road and Hillsborough Road in Hillsborough, Somerset County. The bypass, championed by the late Hillsborough Mayor and Assemblyman Peter J. Biondi, will be named in his honor."</ref>
Now that construction of the Bypass is completed, the intention is for the existing US-206 to become a downtown "main street" for the township and be zoned for commercial and residential use.<ref>Fox unveils re-designed Hillsborough Bypass: New smart growth plan reduces sprawl, preserves more open space, New Jersey Department of Transportation press release dated December 20, 2002.</ref><ref>Paik, Eugene. "Hillsborough bypass plan for highway advances to next stage",The Star-Ledger, March 18, 2012. August 26, 2012. "Work has proceeded over the past year on a $110 million two-lane bypass around traffic-jammed Route 206 through Hillsborough, a 3.6-mile project nearly four decades in the making. The bypass would allow the municipality to transform the area around the currently gridlocked road into a pedestrian-friendly downtown."</ref>
Main county roads that pass through are CR 514 which runs for Template:Convert through the township,<ref>County Route 514 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, October 2012. Accessed August 1, 2016.</ref> and CR 533.<ref>County Route 533 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, November 2012. Accessed August 1, 2016.</ref> Interstate 287 is outside the municipality in bordering Bridgewater and Franklin Townships. Part of the proposed routing of Interstate 95 through central New Jersey included Hillsborough; this project was ultimately canceled in the 1980s.<ref>Daigle, Michael. "Building Boom Shaped Current Bypass Project; 'Smart growth' changed the scope of the Route 206 construction.", Hillsborough Patch, April 3, 2012. Accessed August 1, 2016. "During that time, a plan surfaced to extend I-95 along a path from Trenton through Montgomery and Hillsborough to connect with I-287 in Piscataway. This was the 'Somerset Freeway,' and it soon ran into local opposition, some statewide resistance and a new factor—cost constraints. In 1980, Gov. Brendan Byrne killed the project, and in 1983, Congress removed it from the federal highway list."</ref>
Rail
[edit]NJ Transit has proposed a new West Trenton Line that would stretch for Template:Convert from the West Trenton station in Ewing Township to a connection with the Raritan Valley Line at Bridgewater Township, and from there to Newark Penn Station in Newark. The plan would include stations at both Belle Mead and Hillsborough. The plan was canceled due to lack of funding and NJ Transit has no plans to restore the project.<ref>West Trenton Line Template:Webarchive, NJ Transit. Accessed April 27, 2015.</ref><ref>Proposed Restoration of Passenger Service on the West Trenton Line - Alignment Map Template:Webarchive, NJ Transit. Accessed April 27, 2015.</ref>
The Norfolk Southern Railway's Lehigh Line (formerly the mainline of the Lehigh Valley Railroad), runs through Hillsborough Township.<ref>New Jersey's Railroad Network, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated October 2016. Accessed February 24, 2020.</ref>
Bus
[edit]Hillsborough is served by SCOOT buses, providing service to Manville, Bridgewater Township and Somerville, with service continuing to Bedminster during rush hour.<ref>County Shuttle Schedules, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed December 31, 2017.</ref>
Coach USA offers weekday express service across 42nd Street to the United Nations in Midtown Manhattan from Hillsborough operated by Suburban Transit. There are four morning buses Monday through Friday with a reduced schedule on some Holidays.<ref>Hillsborough, NJ to New York, NY, Coach USA. Accessed March 4, 2018.</ref>
Notable people
[edit]Template:Category see also People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Hillsborough Township include:
- Lori Alhadeff (born 1975), member of the Broward County School Board who founded a gun control-promoting organization after her daughter Alyssa died in the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting<ref>Travis, Scott. "‘Action! We need it now!': Mother of Parkland shooting victim turns her grief into a fight for change", Los Angeles Times, September 2, 2018. Accessed August 12, 2019. "Alhadeff grew up in Hillsborough Township, N.J., about 40 miles north of Trenton."</ref>
- John Bell, former radio DJ on Z100 WHTZ Elvis Duran and the Z Morning Zoo<ref>Deak, Mike. "Random Drug Testing to Remain at High School; With passionate remarks on both sides, BOE votes to retain controversial policy.", HillsboroughPatch, October 23, 2012. Accessed February 13, 2013. "Another township resident, former Z100 morning personality John Bell who was known as the 'Voice of Reason,' also voiced support for keeping the policy."</ref>
- Brad Benson (born 1955), former New York Giants offensive lineman from 1977 to 1987, owner of Rainbow Run Farm<ref>Gola, Hank. "Where are they now? Former Giant Brad Benson's motor in overdrive", New York Daily News, December 20, 2008. Accessed May 2, 2017. "Benson would play just one more year, purchasing the land for his first dealership during the 1987 season. Now Benson lives on a 40-acre farm in Hillsborough, N.J., with his wife, two sons and daughter."</ref>
- Peter J. Biondi (1942–2011), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly and was Mayor of Hillsborough from 1986 to 1993<ref>Megerian, Chris. "Assemblyman Peter J. Biondi (R-Somerset), dies at 69, days after re-election", The Star-Ledger, November 10, 2011. Accessed August 1, 2016. "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.... He held multiple positions in Hillsborough, including mayor from 1986 to 1993. He later became a Somerset County freeholder, then an assemblyman."</ref>
- Michael Ian Black (born 1971), actor, comedian, member of The State and Stella<ref>Condran, Ed. "State Of The State; Defunct comedy troupe morphs into Stella", Asbury Park Press, November 19, 2004. Accessed August 26, 2012. "When Michael Ian Black was coming of age in Hillsborough during the '80s, he didn't envision himself as a sketch comedy player."</ref>
- Jeannette Brown (born 1934), organic medicinal chemist, historian and author<ref>Staff. "Hillsborough woman lobbies for science", Courier News, February 27, 2003. Accessed May 2, 2017. "The two co-chairmen of the North Jersey American Chemical Society Minority Affairs Committee, Jeannette Brown of Hillsborough and Al-lene Johnson of Maplewood, were invited to voice the position of the organization regarding science education at a Town Hall Meeting for the African-American community in January."</ref>
- Jack Ciattarelli (born 1961), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly and as a Somerset County Freeholder, and was a 2017 gubernatorial candidate<ref>Assistant Republican Whip Jack M. Ciattarelli, New Jersey Assembly Republicans. Accessed August 1, 2016. "Ciattarelli and his wife, Melinda, have resided in Hillsborough since 1998, enrolling all four of their children in the public school system."</ref>
- Jyotirmoy Datta (born 1936), Bengali writer, journalist, poet and essayist<ref>Datta, Jyotirmoy. "Buddhadev Bose: The first hundred years", Urharlppol, November 2008. Accessed August 22, 2014. "Datta currently lives in Hillsborough Township, New Jersey, near New York City, where he works as a journalist with Desi Talk and as the Arts & Humanities Editor for News India Times."</ref>
- Doris Duke (1912–1993), heiress and philanthropist<ref>via Associated Press. "Doris Duke, 80", The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 29, 1993. Accessed March 30, 2008. "Doris Duke, 80, the tobacco heiress whose father's fortune made her the 'richest girl in the world' and propelled her into an international circle of celebrities, died yesterday.... Her main residence was Duke Farms in Hillsborough, N.J."</ref>
- Roy Freiman (born 1959), politician who has represented the 16th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2018<ref>D'Elia, Gianluca. "2017 Election Guide: District 16 legislative race", Planet Princeton, November 5, 2017. Accessed January 16, 2018. "The longtime Hillsborough resident and member of the Hillsborough sustainable steering committee was a vice president in strategy and analytics at Prudential Financial from 1992 to 2016. Freiman earned his bachelor’s degree in business and managerial economics from the State University of New York College in Oneonta."</ref>
- Jessica Galli (born 1983), female wheelchair racing athlete<ref>Jones, Will. "Three-Time Paralympian Looks to Add to Medal Case", NJTV, March 9, 2012. Accessed May 2, 2017. "Galli's success at the international level can be greatly attributed to the Lightning Wheels Athletic Club in Mountainside who oversaw her development on the track. The Hillsborough-born athlete was introduced to the club at the age of seven after a car accident fractured her spine."</ref>
- Eugene Harvey, Magic: The Gathering player<ref>Staff. "Feature: The Top 4 Team Profiles", Wizard.com, July 1, 2007. Accessed May 2, 2017. "Eugene Harvey; Age: 25; Hometown: Hillsborough, N.J."</ref>
- Daria Hazuda, biochemist and discoverer of HIV Integrase strand transfer inhibitors<ref>"N.J. native's research lead to Merck's groundbreaking HIV drug", The Star-Ledger, November 7, 2009. Accessed May 4, 2022. "By 2002, Daria Hazuda had bet her career and several years of her life on what she hoped would be a groundbreaking HIV drug, one that could help save lives and reap huge profits for her employer, Merck & Co.... As a girl in Hillsborough, Hazuda dreamed of a career that would help people."</ref>
- Abraham Hoagland (1797–1872), early Mormon leader, pioneer, and one of the founders of Royal Oak, Michigan, and Salt Lake City, Utah<ref>"Abraham Hoagland", Church Historian's Press. Accessed May 2, 2017. "Born at Hillsborough, Somerset County, New Jersey; son of Mary Bunn and Lucas Hoagland."</ref>
- Jaheim (born 1978), R&B singer<ref>Staff. "Police charge rhythm and blues singer Jaheim with speeding, marijuana possession in Hillsborough", The Messenger-Gazette, April 14, 2010. Accessed August 22, 2014. "The 32-year-old Hillsborough resident charged by township police in late March with speeding and marijuana possession was identified as platinum-selling rhythm and blues singer Jaheim, according to the web site theboombox.com."</ref>
- Joe Lis (1946–2010, class of 1964), Major League Baseball player<ref>Joe Lis, Society for American Baseball Research. Accessed June 4, 2020. "When Joe turned 11, the family moved to Hillsborough Township, where he played in the local American Legion and Tri-State Leagues."</ref>
- Adam Mamawala (born 1987), stand-up comic<ref>Meade, Ashley. "'Laugh At Lunch' Series Off To Great Start With Adam Mamawala", The Stall, October 16, 2013. Accessed May 2, 2017. "Mamawala, raised in Hillsborough, NJ, currently lives in Hoboken, and performs throughout New York City and at colleges across the country."</ref>
- Shawn Mayer (born 1979), NFL safety who played for the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns<ref>Staff. "Lions Safety Mayer Injured, Will Miss Season", The Philadelphia Inquirer, August 15, 2000. Accessed March 30, 2008. "Safety Shawn Mayer, who had figured heavily in Penn State's plans this year, will miss the football season because of a knee injury suffered in practice.... The 6-foot, 197-pounder from Hillsborough, N.J., played in every game last season."</ref>
- Shaun O'Hara (born 1977), NFL center who played for the New York Giants<ref>O'Gorman, George. "Giants Stadium celebration gives Big Blue chance to celebrate at home for the first time in months", Trentonian, February 6, 2008. Accessed March 30, 2008. "For two of the Giants' three Jersey guys, the salute by their home state wasn't a surprise. 'They always do things right in New Jersey,' said center Shaun O'Hara, a Rutgers grad who grew up in Hillsborough and now lives in Rutherford."</ref>
- Ricky Proehl (born 1968), NFL wide receiver who has played for the Indianapolis Colts and is currently the wide receiver coach of the Carolina Panthers<ref>Player profile for Ricky Proehl Template:Webarchive, Indianapolis Colts. Accessed December 20, 2006.</ref><ref>Ricky Proehl celebrates Super Bowl championship: 'It felt awesome,' ex-Hillsborough High football standout said, Princeton Packet, February 3, 2000.</ref>
- Dustin Sheppard (born 1980), MLS forward who played for the MetroStars<ref>Miller, Justin. "Hillsboro's Sheppard getting shot in MLS", Courier News, August 3, 2002. Accessed July 31, 2013.</ref>
- Elliott F. Smith (1931–1987), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1978 to 1984, where he represented the 16th Legislative District<ref>Fitzgerald's Legislative Manual, 1984, p. 189. Accessed February 20, 2018. "Elliott F. Smith, Rep., Hillsborough - Mr. Smith was born in New York City Feb. 11, 1931. He attended Hillsborough Township elementary schools, Somerville High School, and Rutgers University, where he studied agriculture and was graduated in 1953."</ref>
- Yannick Smith (born 1990), professional soccer forward<ref>Patten, John. "Hillsborough's Yannick Smith Headed to Pro Soccer; Houston team adds forward in supplemental draft.", Hillsborough Patch, January 29, 2013. Accessed May 2, 2017. "Major League Soccer's Houston Dynamo drafted Yannick Smith, a Hillsborough High School graduate, during a supplemental draft round, the team announced Jan. 22."</ref>
- Rich Vos (born 1957), comedian<ref>Condran, Ed. "Rich Vos", Bucks County Courier Times, February 23, 2006. Accessed July 10, 2013. "'I'm very close with my daughters,' Vos said. 'I moved to Hillsborough to be close to them. I know comics who never see their kids. I don't get that.'"</ref>
- Peter Dumont Vroom (1791–1873), 9th Governor of New Jersey<ref>Peter D. Vroom, New Jersey Historical Society. Accessed December 16, 2006.</ref>
References
[edit]External links
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