Chesterfield Township, New Jersey
Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Chesterfield Township is a township in Burlington County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 9,422,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> its highest decennial census count ever and an increase of 1,723 (+22.4%) from the 2010 census count of 7,699,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn had reflected an increase of 1,744 (+29.3%) from the 5,955 counted at 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> The township, and all of Burlington County, is a part of the Philadelphia-Reading-Camden combined statistical area and the Delaware Valley.<ref>Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD Combined Statistical Area, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 1, 2023.</ref>
Chesterfield has permanently preserved more than Template:Convert of farmland through state and county programs and a township-wide transfer of development credits program that directs future growth to a designated "receiving area" known as Old York Village, which is a neo-traditional, New Urbanism community built on Template:Convert incorporating a variety of housing types, neighborhood commercial facilities, a new elementary school, civic uses, and active and passive open space areas with preserved agricultural land surrounding the planned village. Construction began in the early 2000s and a significant percentage of the community is now complete. As of 2024, the majority of the construction is complete, including Old York Village's mixed-use commercial, retail, and housing component. Old York Village was the winner of the American Planning Association's National Outstanding Planning Award in 2004.<ref>"Old York Village, Chesterfield Wins an American Planning Association Award for an Outstanding Project/ Program/ Tool"</ref><ref>"Old York Village Implementing Smart Growth" Template:Webarchive</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
History
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The land was first settled in 1677, when a group of primarily Quaker immigrants from England established the settlement of Crosswicks, the oldest of the three communities of the township. The village was named after the Crosswicks Creek that separates Burlington and Mercer counties.<ref>Staff. "Chesterfield: Fields of dreams", Courier-Post, October 18, 2006. Accessed June 18, 2012.</ref> The other two villages were Recklesstown (now Chesterfield) and Plattsburg (now Sykesville).<ref>Henry Charlton Beck: More Forgotten Towns of Southern New Jersey; Rutgers University Press, 1963, p. 199</ref> Recklesstown was named in honor of one of its founders, Joseph Reckless, until the community's name was changed in 1888 at the urging of a Congressman and local resident in the face of public scorn.<ref>Chesterfield Township: Recklesstown Historic District Template:Webarchive, accessed April 26, 2007. "What is now the unincorporated village of Chesterfield was known as Recklesstown in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Its name derived not from the behavior of its inhabitants, but from one of its founders, Joseph Reckless. The name was changed in 1888, when the then Congressman for the district, himself a resident of the village, thought it an object of ridicule."</ref>
Chesterfield Township was originally formed on November 6, 1688. It was named after the 2nd Earl of Chesterfield whose seat of Chesterfield was in Derbyshire, where many of the township's earliest settlers had lived.<ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 28, 2015.</ref> The township was reformed by royal charter on January 10, 1713, and was incorporated as one of New Jersey's initial 104 townships by the Township Act of 1798 of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. Portions of the township were taken to form New Hanover Township (December 2, 1723) and Bordentown borough (December 9, 1825).<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. 95. Accessed June 18, 2012.</ref>
Crosswicks played a role during the American Revolutionary War. On June 23, 1778, British soldiers near the Crosswicks Creek shot the horse out from under Elias Dayton, a captain with the New Jersey militia. A cannonball from the period remains lodged in the side of the Friends Meeting House.<ref>Revolutionary War Sites, Burlington County, New Jersey. Accessed October 16, 2019.</ref>
Geography
[edit]According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 21.45 square miles (55.57 km2), including 21.31 square miles (55.20 km2) of land and 0.14 square miles (0.37 km2) of water (0.67%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />
Municipalities bordering the township are Bordentown Township, Mansfield Township, North Hanover Township, Springfield Township in Burlington County; and Hamilton Township in Mercer County.<ref>Areas touching Chesterfield Township, MapIt. Accessed March 23, 2020.</ref><ref>Municipalities within Burlington County, NJ, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Accessed March 23, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Chesterfield, Crosswicks, DavisvilleTemplate:Citation needed and Extonville.<ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.</ref>
Demographics
[edit]2010 census
[edit]The 2010 United States census counted 7,699 people, 1,539 households, and 1,311 families in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 1,601 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 53.98% (4,156) White, 29.12% (2,242) Black or African American, 0.51% (39) Native American, 8.35% (643) Asian, 0.03% (2) Pacific Islander, 5.01% (386) from other races, and 3.00% (231) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.08% (1,007) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>
Of the 1,539 households, 46.1% had children under the age of 18; 75.7% were married couples living together; 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 14.8% were non-families. Of all households, 10.6% were made up of individuals and 3.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.02 and the average family size was 3.26.<ref name=Census2010/>
17.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 36.2% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 16.1% from 45 to 64, and 5.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 220.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 268.5 males.<ref name=Census2010/> The census statistics above include residents of a state youth detention center located at the northwest edge of Chesterfield Township, on the border with Hamilton Township.Template:Citation needed
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $113,125 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,124) and the median family income was $120,288 (+/− $8,240). Males had a median income of $76,563 (+/− $13,303) versus $58,229 (+/− $12,489) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $20,655 (+/− $4,105). About none of families and 0.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 2.0% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Chesterfield township, Burlington County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 18, 2012.</ref>
2000 census
[edit]As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 5,955 people, 899 households, and 744 families residing in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 924 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the township was 49.71% White, 37.36% African American, 0.67% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 8.45% from other races, and 3.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 12.34% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Chesterfield township, Burlington County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 9, 2013.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Chesterfield township, Burlington County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 9, 2013.</ref> The census statistics above included 3,341 residents of state correctional facilities located in the township.<ref>Bodnar, Jason. "State upholds Chesterfield's seat on school board", Burlington County Times, March 7, 2003. Accessed October 25, 2012. "It benefits Chesterfield, where 3,341 of 5,955 residents are in either Albert C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility or Garden State Youth Correctional Facility."</ref><ref>FISCAL NOTE ASSEMBLY, No. 3331 STATE OF NEW JERSEY 211th LEGISLATURE, New Jersey Legislature, December 13, 2004. Accessed October 25, 2012. "As of March 12, 2004, the Albert C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility and the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility, located in Chesterfield Township housed a total of 3,000 inmates. The 2000 census indicates that the township population less the correctional population totaled 2,625 individuals."</ref>
There were 899 households, out of which 38.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.6% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.2% were non-families. 12.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.19.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
In the township the population was spread out, with 11.8% under the age of 18, 40.7% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 12.6% from 45 to 64, and 5.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females, there were 345.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 423.4 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
The median income for a household in the township was $85,428, and the median income for a family was $91,267. Males had a median income of $50,305 versus $44,659 for females. The per capita income for the township was $17,193. (The per capita income figure is artificially low due to the above-mentioned youth detention center population.) About 0.4% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 1.0% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
Real estate
[edit]Chesterfield Township real estate prices were ranked second-highest in Burlington County by Philadelphia magazine in February 2010. Average real estate prices were listed at $411,000, behind Moorestown Township which was rated highest in the county with an average real estate price of $463,000.<ref>Staff. "Real Estate 2010: The Most Expensive Towns and Neighborhoods: Where you'll find the priciest properties in the Philly region.", Philadelphia (magazine), February 25, 2010. Accessed July 19, 2011.</ref>
Government
[edit]Local government
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Chesterfield 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. 103.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> At a reorganization meeting held in January of each year, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor, which by tradition has the committeeperson serving the last year of term in office chosen to serve as mayor. The Township Committee serves both as the township's executive and legislative body, and derives from the state statutes which delegates powers, prescribe the offices and structure and establish various procedures under which the Township must operate.<ref name=Committee/> In the 2013 general election, voters approved an expansion of the Township Committee from three members to five, with three seats up for election in November 2014; the existing seat expiring that year, a new three-year seat and a seat with a two-year term, with the full cycle starting as of the 2015 general election.<ref>O'Sullivan, Jeannie. "Chesterfield governing body to increase by 2 seats", Burlington County Times, November 6, 2013. Accessed February 14, 2015. "Residents have won their quest for wider representation on the Township Committee, but the change won't go into effect for more than a year. In Tuesday's election, voters approved a special question to expand the number of seats on the governing body from three to five. Citizens will have the opportunity to file petitions for the two new seats, along with one expiring term held by Committeeman Jeremy Liedtka, in the primary election in June."</ref>
Template:As of, members of the Chesterfield Township Committee are Mayor Matthew Litt (D, term on committee and as mayor ends December 31, 2023), Deputy Mayor Denise E. Koetas-Dale (D, term on committee ends 2026; term as deputy mayor ends 2024), Belinda Blazic (R, 2024), Shreekant Dhopte (D, 2025) and Rebecca Hughes (R, 2026).<ref name=Committee>Township Committee, Chesterfield Township. Accessed May 3, 2024.</ref><ref>2024 Municipal Data Sheet, Chesterfield Township. Accessed May 3, 2024.</ref><ref>2023 General Election November 7, 2023 Official Results, Burlington County, New Jersey, updated November 30, 2023. Accessed January 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=Burlington2022>November 8, 2022 Summary Report Burlington County Official Results, Burlington County, New Jersey, updated November 29, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Burlington2021>November 2, 2021 Summary Report Burlington County Official Results, Burlington County, New Jersey, updated November 18, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref>
After the November 2016 general election ended with a tie between Democrat Rita Romeu and Republican Ron Kolczynski who both had 1,289 votes for the second of two township committee seats, a judge in January 2017 decided that Romeu won the race as she was entitled to two additional votes that had not been counted in November.<ref>"Judge: Rita Romeu Takes Twp Committee, Will be Sworn in Thursday", WBNC News, January 2017. Accessed September 15, 2019. "A judge today declared Rita Romeu a winner in the 2016 Chesterfield Township Committee Election. 2 more votes from Chesterfield residents whose ballots did not originally count was all it took Wednesday afternoon to end the long-standing tie between Democratic Candidate Rita Romeu and Republican Ron Kolczynski."</ref>
Federal, state and county representation
[edit]Chesterfield Township is located in the 3rd Congressional District<ref name=PCR2012>Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 8th state legislative district.<ref>Districts by Number for 2023-2031, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed September 18, 2023.</ref>
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Politics
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As of March 2011, there were a total of 2,855 registered voters in Chesterfield Township, of which 682 (23.9% vs. 33.3% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 864 (30.3% vs. 23.9%) were registered as Republicans and 1,304 (45.7% vs. 42.8%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 5 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.<ref name=VoterRegistration>Voter Registration Summary - Burlington, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 25, 2014.</ref> Among the township's 2010 Census population, 37.1% (vs. 61.7% in Burlington County) were registered to vote, including 45.1% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.3% countywide).<ref name=VoterRegistration/><ref>GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 25, 2014.</ref>
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 1,195 votes (49.1% vs. 58.1% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 1,189 votes (48.8% vs. 40.2%) and other candidates with 37 votes (1.5% vs. 1.0%), among the 2,436 ballots cast by the township's 3,129 registered voters, for a turnout of 77.9% (vs. 74.5% in Burlington County).<ref>Presidential November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Burlington County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 25, 2014.</ref><ref>Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Burlington County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 25, 2014.</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 1,089 votes (49.4% vs. 58.4% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 1,058 votes (48.0% vs. 39.9%) and other candidates with 32 votes (1.5% vs. 1.0%), among the 2,204 ballots cast by the township's 2,681 registered voters, for a turnout of 82.2% (vs. 80.0% in Burlington County).<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Burlington County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed December 25, 2014.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 896 votes (54.8% vs. 46.0% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 713 votes (43.6% vs. 52.9%) and other candidates with 19 votes (1.2% vs. 0.8%), among the 1,636 ballots cast by the township's 1,986 registered voters, for a turnout of 82.4% (vs. 78.8% in the whole county).<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Burlington County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed December 25, 2014.</ref>
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 975 votes (64.6% vs. 61.4% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 476 votes (31.5% vs. 35.8%) and other candidates with 30 votes (2.0% vs. 1.2%), among the 1,509 ballots cast by the township's 3,138 registered voters, yielding a 48.1% turnout (vs. 44.5% in the county).<ref>2013 Governor: Burlington County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, January 29, 2014. Accessed December 25, 2014.</ref><ref>Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast November 5, 2013 General Election Results : Burlington County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, January 29, 2014. Accessed December 25, 2014.</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 837 votes (55.1% vs. 47.7% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 580 votes (38.2% vs. 44.5%), Independent Chris Daggett with 57 votes (3.8% vs. 4.8%) and other candidates with 34 votes (2.2% vs. 1.2%), among the 1,518 ballots cast by the township's 2,786 registered voters, yielding a 54.5% turnout (vs. 44.9% in the county).<ref>2009 Governor: Burlington County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed December 25, 2014.</ref>
Education
[edit]The Chesterfield School District serves students in public school for pre-kindergarten through sixth grade at Chesterfield Elementary School.<ref>Chesterfield Township Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Chesterfield School District. Accessed July 31, 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 six in the Chesterfield Township School District. Composition: The Chesterfield Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Chesterfield Township."</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the Chesterfield Township School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 31, 2024.</ref> As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 723 students and 67.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.8:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Chesterfield Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref> A replacement school building for grades K–6 was planned based on the results of a referendum passed in December 2007 that provided for spending of $37.7 million towards the project.<ref>Walsh, Jim. "School repair plan rejected in Deptford", Courier-Post, December 12, 2007. Accessed July 19, 2011. "But residents approved a $37.7 million plan for a new elementary school in fast growing Chesterfield, Burlington County..."</ref> The new school opened in January 2011, after having been pushed back from an original target opening date of September 2010.<ref>Chesterfield School District 2014 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 23, 2020. "The Chesterfield Township School District is ranked among the fastest growing districts in the state of New Jersey. In response to this rapid growth, the district opened a new, state-of-the-art school in January 2011."</ref>
Public school students in seventh through twelfth grades attend the schools of the Northern Burlington County Regional School District, which also serves students from Mansfield Township, North Hanover Township and Springfield Township, along with children of United States Air Force personnel based at McGuire Air Force Base.<ref>Northern Burlington County Regional High School 2016-17 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 23, 2020. "Northern Burlington County Regional High School proudly serves students from Chesterfield, Mansfield, North Hanover, and Springfield Townships, as well as students from Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst."</ref><ref>Esposito, Martha. "Discover Burlington County 2013: Regional School Districts", Burlington County Times, April 26, 2015. Accessed March 23, 2020. "Northern Burlington County Regional - Serves: Chesterfield, Mansfield, North Hanover, Springfield, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst"</ref> The schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics<ref>School Data for the Northern Burlington County Regional School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref>) are Northern Burlington County Regional Middle School<ref>Northern Burlington County Regional Middle School, Northern Burlington County Regional School District. Accessed July 31, 2022.</ref> with 743 students in grades 7 - 8 and Northern Burlington County Regional High School<ref>Northern Burlington County Regional High School, Northern Burlington County Regional School District. Accessed July 31, 2022.</ref> with 1,403 students in grades 9-12.<ref>School Performance Reports for the Northern Burlington County Regional School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 31, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Northern Burlington County Regional School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref> Both schools are in the Columbus section of Mansfield Township. Using a formula that reflects the population and the value of the assessed property in each of the constituent municipalities, taxpayers in Chesterfield Township pay 21.6% of the district's tax levy, with the district's 2013–2014 budget including $35.6 million in spending.<ref>Zimmaro, Mark. "Sharp tax increase included in Northern Burlington budget", Burlington County Times, April 8, 2013. Accessed November 10, 2014. "The $35.6 million budget represents a 2.7 percent increase from last year's spending plan.... Tax rates in sending districts are determined using a state equalization formula that takes into account factors such as population and assessed values. Based on the formula, Chesterfield taxpayers fund 21.6 percent of Northern Burlington's tax levy, Mansfield 46.5 percent, North Hanover 14.2 percent and Springfield 17.7 percent."</ref> The 7–12 district's board of education has nine members, who are elected directly by voters to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with three seats up for election each year.<ref>New Jersey Boards of Education by District Election Types - 2018 School Election, New Jersey Department of Education, updated February 16, 2018. Accessed January 26, 2020.</ref> The nine seats on the Board of Education are allocated based on the population of the constituent municipalities, with two seats assigned to Chesterfield Township.<ref>Board of Education Members, Northern Burlington County Regional School District. Accessed February 13, 2020.</ref><ref>Annual Comprehensive Financial Report of the Northern Burlington County Regional School District, New Jersey Department of Education, for year ending June 30, 2019. Accessed August 14, 2020. "The Regional Board of Education is comprised of nine members, each elected to three year terms. Based on the 2010 US Census the regional school boards seats are allocated as follows: Chesterfield has two seats, Mansfield has three seats, North Hanover has three seats, and Springfield has one seat. "</ref>
Students from Chesterfield Township, and from all of Burlington County, are eligible to attend the Burlington County Institute of Technology, a countywide public school district that serves the vocational and technical education needs of students at the high school and post-secondary level at its campuses in Medford and Westampton Township.<ref>Why Choose BCIT?, Burlington County Institute of Technology. Accessed November 23, 2013.</ref>
Transportation
[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 Burlington County and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.<ref>Burlington County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed November 23, 2013.</ref>
Major county roads that pass through include Route 528, Route 537 and Route 545.
The New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95) passes through the northwestern part of the township, entering on the western border with Bordentown Township and continuing for approximately Template:Convert into Hamilton Township in Mercer County.<ref>Interstate 95 / New Jersey Turnpike Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, October 2001. Accessed November 23, 2013.</ref> The nearest interchange is Exit 7 in neighboring Bordentown Township.<ref>Travel Resources: Interchanges, Service Areas & Commuter Lots, New Jersey Turnpike Authority. Accessed November 23, 2013.</ref>
From 2004 when plans were announced until its completion in early November 2014, the Turnpike was widened along a Template:Convert stretch between Interchange 6 in Mansfield Township to Interchange 9 in East Brunswick in Middlesex County. Two new carriageways (to accommodate the outer roadways, or truck lanes) were built from Interchange 6 to Interchange 8A in Monroe Township, Middlesex County, and an additional lane on the existing outer roadways was added as well between Interchanges 8A and 9, bringing the roadway up to 12 lanes of traffic in a 3-3-3-3 "dual-dual" configuration of separate truck and car lanes in each direction.<ref>NJ Turnpike Interchange 6 to Widening program Overview, New Jersey Turnpike Authority. Accessed November 21, 2013. "The NJ Turnpike Interchange 6 to 9 Widening Program (Widening Program) consists of approximately 35 miles of road widening and associated interchange improvements from the vicinity of Interchange 6, in Mansfield Township, Burlington County (Milepost 48) to just south of Interchange 9 in East Brunswick Township, Middlesex County (Milepost 83)."</ref><ref>Gov. Christie, NJDOT Commissioner Fox Praise $2.3 Billion NJ Turnpike Infrastructure Investment Project Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Turnpike Authority. Accessed November 3, 2014. "The Widening Program created a three-lane Outer Roadway in each direction over the 25 miles between Interchange 6 in Mansfield Township, Burlington County, and Interchange 8A in Monroe Township, Middlesex County."</ref>
There is no public transportation provided in the township. In neighboring Bordentown, the RiverLINE provides service to Camden and Trenton. NJ Transit provides service on the Northeast Corridor Line to Penn Station New York in nearby Hamilton Township, where many township residents commute for work.
Notable people
[edit]Template:Category see also People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Chesterfield Township include:
- Kenneth R. Blackmon (born Template:Circa), reserve United States Navy Rear Admiral who has been serving as Vice Commander of United States Fleet Forces Command since October 1, 2023<ref>Rear Admiral Kenneth Blackmon, United States Navy. Accessed July 31, 2022. "Rear Adm. Kenneth R. Blackmon is a native of Chesterfield, New Jersey."</ref>
- Antron Brown (born 1976), drag racer who became the sport's first African American champion when he won the 2012 Top Fuel National Hot Rod Association championship<ref>Caldwell, Dave. "Sprinter Turned Driver Is a Quick Study in Acceleration", The New York Times, August 30, 2009. Accessed November 26, 2013. "Brown, a 33-year-old native of Chesterfield, N.J., could become the first African-American to win a major N.H.R.A. championship.... Brown lived in Trenton until he was 6. When his grandfather died, his family moved to his grandmother's 10-acre farm in Chesterfield, in the rural part of Burlington County."</ref>
- Andrea Katz (born 1978 or 1979), politician serving as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly for the 8th legislative district since January 2024<ref>"Andrea Katz", Bucks County Courier Times, September 23, 2015. Accessed December 1, 2023. "Community and/or professional organizations with which you are affiliated: Chesterfield Township Board of Education, member"</ref>
- Charles Newbold (1764–1835), blacksmith who, in 1797, received the first patent for a cast iron plow<ref>The Cast Iron Plow, Today in Science History. Accessed November 26, 2013. "Charles Newbold, born in Chesterfield, NJ (1980), spent his teenage years investigating the use of cast iron to improve on the heavy iron-clad wooden plow then available. He was issued the first US patent for a plow on 26 June 1797."</ref>
- Ely Playter (1776–1858), farmer, lumberman, militia officer and member of the Upper Canada House of Assembly<ref>Roberts, Julia. Women, Men, and Taverns in Tavern-Keeper Ely Playter's Journal, York University. Accessed July 31, 2022. "Playter was also a Loyalist. Born in the midst of Revolution, on November 30, 1776, in Chesterfield Township, Burlington County, New Jersey, he never actually chose his allegiance, but had Loyalism and its repercussions thrust upon him."</ref>