Union Beach, New Jersey

Union Beach is a borough on Raritan Bay and the northern Jersey Shore in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The borough is a small coastal bedroom suburb of New York City in the New York metropolitan area, with views of Manhattan visible in the distance from the bayfront beach. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 5,723,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> a decrease of 522 (−8.4%) from the 2010 census count of 6,245,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected a decline of 404 (−6.1%) from the 6,649 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>

Union Beach was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 16, 1925, from portions of Raritan Township (now Hazlet), based on the results of a referendum held on April 16, 1925.<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. 186. Accessed May 30, 2024.</ref> A Template:Convert farm in the future borough was owned by the Poole family since the days of the American Revolutionary War. Following the development of the Central Railroad of New Jersey, the Poole Farm became the site of the Union Subdivision in 1908,<ref name=Thinking>Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living In/Union Beach, N.J.; Waterfront Borough Making a Comeback", The New York Times, May 5, 2002. Accessed October 13, 2015. "The arrival in the 1890s of the Central Railroad of New Jersey gave the community a boost, leading to the sale and subdivision of nearly all of the large farms. The 100-acre Poole farm became the Union Subdivision starting in 1908. The borough of Union Beach was formed in 1925 when it split off from Middletown Township.... MOST Union Beach students go on to the 523-student Keyport High School in the neighboring borough of Keyport. A handful of students are accepted into Red Bank Regional High School, after passing admissions tests to its three specialized programs: visual and performing arts; information technology; and finance."</ref> while an area that had been called East Point Beach Estates was renamed Union Beach by developer Charles Carr in 1920.<ref>Burket, William H. Union Beach, p. 7. Arcadia Publishing, 1998. Template:ISBN. Accessed October 13, 2015. "The property offered for sale in 1846 by the Florence & Keyport Co. was again offered for sale in 1915 as East Point Beach Estates and again in 1920 as Union Beach by Charles Carr."</ref>

Union Beach was part of the Bayshore Regional Strategic Plan, an effort by nine municipalities in northern Monmouth County to reinvigorate the area's economy by emphasizing the traditional downtowns, dense residential neighborhoods, maritime history, and the natural beauty of the Raritan Bayshore coastline. The plan has since been integrated into the county's 2016 master plan.<ref>2016 Monmouth County Master Plan, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed June 9, 2024.</ref>

Geography

Union Beach is 16.1 miles from Staten Island's Outerbridge. According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.88 square miles (4.87 km²), including 1.78 square miles (4.61 km²) of land and 0.10 square miles (0.26 km²) of water (5.32%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

Union Beach has undergone extensive restoration of its beach front, which offers a view of the New York City skyline and the Verazanno Narrows Bridge.<ref>Staff. "Grand opening for waterfront townhouses in Union Beach", Asbury Park Press, August 1, 2010. Accessed March 10, 2015. "Union Beach offers wonderful distant views of the New York City skyline in addition to the Verrazano Narrows Bridge connecting Brooklyn to Staten Island."</ref>

This restoration has occurred in phases and was performed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District.

A monument to the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks, constructed of black stone and dedicated in June 2002, is positioned to allow visitors to see past the memorial towards the location where the World Trade Center towers were visible from the borough.<ref>Point-Du-Jour, Rodney. "Memorial honors the memory of Sept. 11 victims", Asbury Park Press, June 30, 2002. Accessed October 28, 2013. "A group of residents yesterday strengthened an intimate bond between their community and the site of World Trade Center towers, which once could be seen from this Bayshore town and is now a vacant space in the New York City skyline, with the dedication of a Sept. 11 memorial."</ref><ref>Rafei, Roya. "Memorials rise around Shore as towns honor victims", Asbury Park Press, September 2, 2006. "In Union Beach, a 6-foot-high black stone monument has been diamond-etched with an outline of the New York City skyline and was positioned so that someone looking beyond the stone will see the exact site where the towers stood."</ref>

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names within the borough include Lorrillard Beach, Natco, Union Gardens and Van Marters Corner.<ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed March 10, 2015.</ref>

The borough borders the Monmouth County municipalities of Hazlet, Keansburg (maritime border) and Keyport.<ref>Areas touching Union Beach, MapIt. Accessed March 11, 2020.</ref><ref>Regional Location Map, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed March 11, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

History

Hurricane Sandy

On October 28, 2012, at 4:00pm, the mayor issued a mandatory evacuation for the borough<ref>Staff. "Hurricane Sandy: N.J. county by county evacuations, flooding, closings", The Star-Ledger, October 28, 2012. Accessed July 24, 2015. "Union Beach - A mandatory evacuation has been issued for the whole community as of 4 p.m., said Michael Harriot, the community's emergency management coordinator."</ref> in preparation for Hurricane Sandy—the second-costliest hurricane in United States history.<ref>Staff. "Report: Sandy second-costliest hurricane in U.S. history", CBS News, February 12, 2013. Accessed June 25, 2017.</ref> When the hurricane arrived, approximately one third of the borough's 6,200 residents had left.<ref>Chesler, Caren. "Down by the Bayshore: Charting Raritan Bay's Recovery; Hurricane Sandy is just the latest calamity to strike the tough old towns along the Raritan Bay. From Keyport to Keansburg to Highlands, here's how they're bouncing back.", New Jersey Monthly', May 7, 2013. Accessed July 24, 2015.</ref>

Template:External media By the morning of October 29, of the estimated 2,143 households in the borough, approximately 200 homes and businesses were damaged,<ref>Peskoe, Ashley. "Hurricane Sandy decimates Union Beach", NJ.com, October 31, 2012. Accessed June 25, 2017. "Nearly 200 homes were destroyed in Union Beach in one of the worst storms the state has seen."</ref> 400 took on more than Template:Convert of water, and 62 were "completely missing". An additional 100 that had shifted off foundations and were no longer habitable.<ref>Sagara, Eric. "Hurricane Sandy's destruction: Aerial assessment shows nearly 72K buildings damaged in N.J.", The Star-Ledger, November 28, 2012. Accessed June 25, 2017. "In Union Beach, 62 homes 'no longer exist,' Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Harriott said. An additional 100 homes, including those that shifted off foundations, are no longer habitable, he said. Some 400 houses took on 6 feet or more of water. Seen another way, Sandy wrecked one in five homes in the tiny working-class community."</ref> The borough's police department borrowed several police cruisers from other municipalities such as Wilmington, NC and Clay County, Florida. Most cars were destroyed when flooding reached police headquarters.<ref>Derricke, Dennis. "Residents Of Storm-Ravaged Union Beach, N.J. Working Hard To Rebuild", WCBS-TV, December 11, 2012. Accessed March 11, 2020. "Union Beach remains in such poor shape a month and a half after Superstorm Sandy that some say the cost to rebuild may be just too much."</ref> Former residents from around the country mobilized and organized relief efforts: sending relief supplies; including advising and assisting public servants in acquiring replacements of lost emergency vehicles. In total, the borough lost 14 police cars, three ambulances and four fire trucks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Madison Township and Wanaque each gave repurposed police cruisers fully decaled with Union Beach logos, as well as other relief.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Some local agencies sold old police cruisers for one dollar each or donated police cars, and donations of two cars each came from North Carolina and Florida. EMS and fire trucks were also donated from near and far.

Jakeabob's Bay, a restaurant and waterfront tiki bar and one of the major employers in town,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which survived Hurricane Irene in 2011, was destroyed in the hurricane.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The storm surge completely washed through the building, pushing out tables, chairs, menus and displays. The restaurant owner, Gigi Liaguno-Dorr, organized the relief and rebuilding efforts for Union Beach.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The building was razed when the insurance companies that covered the restaurant would not pay out.<ref>Gurian, Scott. "With Insurance Settlements Still In Limbo, Sandy Victims Turn To Legal Remedies", NJ Spotlight, September 24, 2013. Accessed July 13, 2018. "Crews demolishing the remains of Jakeabob's Bay restaurant last March. Nearly a year after the storm, owner Gigi Liaguno-Dorr is still fighting with her insurance company."</ref> A new temporary restaurant was built but did not manage to renew its lease due to insurance disputes with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.<ref>Peskoe, Ashley. "Lack of post-Sandy funding causing Jakeabob's Off the Bay to close", NJ.com, March 6, 2014. accessed July 13, 2018. "Union Beach - A well-known restaurant that was destroyed in Hurricane Sandy, but opened a temporary location to continue serving the community until it could rebuild, will shut its doors at the end of the month. Jakeabob’s Off the Bay, the temporary location and community kitchen, will not renew its lease at the end of the month and March 28 will be the last day of business."</ref>

Union Beach Memorial School, the borough's only school, was inundated with floodwaters and debris when the storm surge and extreme high tide swept through the borough.<ref>Muessig, Tracy Gauthier. "Union Beach looks to rebuild damageAlternative for students under consideration", Asbury Park Press, November 1, 2012. Accessed May 7, 2015.</ref><ref>Staff. "Transforming a School, Rebuilding a Community After Hurricane Sandy", Points of Light, October 30, 2013. Accessed May 7, 2015.</ref> The school had been used as an evacuation center but began taking on water as the storm raged.<ref>Rundquist, Jeanette. "Hurricane Sandy aftermath: Some N.J. schools reopen with no heat, no lunch", the Star-Ledger, November 6, 2012. Accessed October 13, 2015.</ref> Hundreds of library books and teaching materials were destroyed along with thousands of dollars worth of instruments. After several months of emergency repairs by volunteers, including students and teachers, the renovations including new floors, walls, desks and murals were finished prior to the end of the school year.

Demographics

2000 census

The 2010 United States census counted 6,245 people, 2,143 households, and 1,624 families in the borough. The population density was 3,461.5 per square mile (1,336.5/km²). There were 2,269 housing units at an average density of 1,257.7 per square mile (485.6/km²). The racial makeup was 91.05% (5,686) White, 1.54% (96) Black or African American, 0.16% (10) Native American, 1.81% (113) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 3.09% (193) from other races, and 2.35% (147) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.98% (686) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 2,143 households, 34.5% had children under the age of 18; 56.0% were married couples living together; 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 24.2% were non-families. Of all households, 18.7% were made up of individuals and 5.6% 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 3.32.<ref name=Census2010/>

24.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 30.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 98.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 96.3 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $61,347 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,084) and the median family income was $76,744 (+/− $15,912). Males had a median income of $55,000 (+/− $5,759) versus $36,002 (+/− $3,887) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $24,982 (+/− $1,875). About 3.1% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% 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 Union Beach borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 15, 2012.</ref>

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 6,649 people, 2,143 households, and 1,722 families residing in the borough. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 2,229 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the borough was 94.45% White, 0.87% African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.23% Asian, 1.35% from other races, and 1.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.09% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Union Beach borough, New JerseyTemplate:Dead link, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 25, 2011.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Union Beach borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 15, 2012.</ref>

There were 2,143 households, out of which 43.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.7% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.6% were non-families. 15.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.09 and the average family size was 3.44.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the borough the population was spread out, with 29.1% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.9 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

in 2022, the median household income of the 1.99k households in Union Beach grew to $124,828 from the previous year's value of $114,028.

Government

Local government

Union Beach is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.<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 governing body is comprised of a mayor and a borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year 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. 67.</ref> The borough form of government used by Union Beach is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.<ref>Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask" Template:Webarchive, New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Accessed November 30, 2014.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref>

Template:As of, the mayor of Union Beach is Republican Charles W. Cocuzza, who was elected to serve a term of office ending December 31, 2023. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Albin J. Wicki (R, 2024), Louis S. Andreuzzi (R, 2023), Anthony Cavallo (R, 2025), Albert E. Lewandowski (R, 2025), Cherlanne Roche (R, 2023) and Eileen Woodruff (R, 2024).<ref name=MayorCouncil>Mayor and Borough Council, Borough of Union Beach. Accessed May 2, 2023.</ref><ref>2023 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Union Beach. Accessed May 2, 2023.</ref><ref name=Monmouth2022>General Election November 8, 2022 Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey Clerk, updated December 27, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Monmouth2021>November 2, 2021 General Election Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey, December 13, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref><ref name=Monmouth2020>November 3, 2020 General Election Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey, updated November 3, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.</ref><ref name=Monmouth2019>General Election November 5, 2019 Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey Clerk, updated December 16, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.</ref>

In May 2020, the borough council appointed Albin J. Wicki to fill the seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by Paul J. Smith Jr. until his death the previous month.<ref>Borough Council Meeting Minutes for May 21, 202, Borough of Union Beach. Accessed August 10, 2022. "WHEREAS, due to the death of Mayor Paul J. Smith, Jr. on April 30, 2020, a vacancy for the position of Mayor of Union Beach has occurred; ... and WHEREAS, within 30 (thirty days) of the occurrence, the Governing Body must fill the vacancy of Mayor Paul J. Smith, Jr. whose term expires on December 31, 2023 by appointment (N.J.S.A. 40A:16-11) for a period until such time a successor is duly elected at the General election of November 3, 2020; ... NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Borough Union Beach, County of Monmouth, that Albin J. Wicki be appointed to the position of Mayor of the Borough of Union Beach until such time as a successor is duly elected at the General Election of November 3, 2020"</ref> In the November 2020 general election, Charles W. Cocuzza was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.<ref name=Monmouth2020/>

Federal, state and county representation

Union Beach is located in the 6th 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 13th 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>

Politics

Template:PresHead Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRowTemplate:PresRowTemplate:PresRow |} As of March 2011, there were a total of 3,782 registered voters in Union Beach, of which 887 (23.5%) were registered as Democrats, 667 (17.6%) were registered as Republicans and 2,228 (58.9%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.<ref>Voter Registration Summary - Monmouth, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 13, 2012.</ref>

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 52.6% of the vote (1,109 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 46.3% (976 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (22 votes), among the 2,119 ballots cast by the borough's 3,857 registered voters (12 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 54.9%.<ref name=2012Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 53.2% of the vote (1,490 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 43.9% (1,229 votes) and other candidates with 1.5% (41 votes), among the 2,802 ballots cast by the borough's 4,103 registered voters, for a turnout of 68.3%.<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Monmouth County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed December 13, 2012.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 56.2% of the vote (1,569 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 42.0% (1,172 votes) and other candidates with 0.9% (37 votes), among the 2,793 ballots cast by the borough's 4,114 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 67.9.<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Monmouth County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed December 13, 2012.</ref>

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 73.6% of the vote (1,099 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 24.2% (362 votes), and other candidates with 2.1% (32 votes), among the 1,520 ballots cast by the borough's 3,642 registered voters (27 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 41.7%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 65.5% of the vote (1,152 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 24.6% (432 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 7.7% (136 votes) and other candidates with 1.7% (30 votes), among the 1,759 ballots cast by the borough's 3,917 registered voters, yielding a 44.9% turnout.<ref>2009 Governor: Monmouth County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed December 13, 2012.</ref>

Education

The Union Beach School System serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at Union Beach Memorial School.<ref>Annual Comprehensive Financial Report of the Union Beach School District, New Jersey Department of Education, for year ending June 30, 2018. Accessed March 11, 2020. "The Union Beach School District is a Type II district located in the county of Monmouth, State of New Jersey. As a Type II district, the School District functions independently through a Board of Education. The Board is comprised of nine members elected to three-year staggered terms. The purpose of the District is to educate students in grades PreK-8."</ref> As of the 2019–20 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 640 students and 61.7 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.4:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Union Beach Public School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2021.</ref>

Public school students in ninth through twelfth grades attend Keyport High School in Keyport, as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Keyport Public Schools.<ref>Keyport High School 2016 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed August 5, 2017. "Keyport High School, a four year comprehensive high school, serves both the Keyport and Union Beach communities."</ref> As of the 2019–20 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 373 students and 36.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.2:1.<ref>School data for Keyport High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2021.</ref>

Students have the choice to apply for Red Bank Regional High School for admission into its specialized programs.<ref>Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living In/Union Beach, N.J.; Waterfront Borough Making a Comeback", The New York Times, May 5, 2002. Accessed July 15, 2012. "Most Union Beach students go on to the 523-student Keyport High School in the neighboring borough of Keyport. A handful of students are accepted into Red Bank Regional High School, after passing admissions tests to its three specialized programs: visual and performing arts; information technology; and finance."</ref> High school students also have the option to apply to one of the career academies in the Monmouth County Vocational School District.<ref>About, Monmouth County Vocational School District. Accessed August 31, 2013.</ref>

Transportation

Roads and highways

File:2018-05-25 15 23 39 View south along New Jersey State Route 36 between Shore Road and Harris Avenue on the border of Hazlet Township and Union Beach in Monmouth County, New Jersey.jpg

Route 36 on the edge of Union Beach

Template:As of, the borough had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality, Template:Convert by Monmouth County and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.<ref>Monmouth County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed November 7, 2013.</ref>

Route 36 runs along the borough's southern border with Hazlet Township.<ref>Route 71 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, April 2009. Accessed November 7, 2013.</ref>

Public transportation

NJ Transit local bus service is available on the 817 route.<ref>Bus Routes, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed April 30, 2023.</ref> to Perth Amboy. Direct to NYC bus service is in town on the Academy bus route named “Route 36 to Port Authority”. Academy bus also runs direct to Wall Street in town with a route 36/Union Ave stop. “Route 36 to Wall Street” service. Train service: Closest train station is in neighboring Hazlet which is on the North Jersey Coastline service line.

Union Beach is 29 miles (33 mins) from Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark / Elizabeth.

Boating

The distance by water from Staten Island, New York, to Union Beach is approximately 2 to 3 nautical miles, depending on the specific starting and ending points you consider within Staten Island and Union Beach, respectively.

This distance translates roughly to 2.3 to 3.5 miles in standard land measurements. The water route generally follows the Raritan Bay, which separates Staten Island from the New Jersey shoreline.

Controversy

Union Beach made national news for its opposition to a wind turbine proposed by the Bayshore Regional Sewerage Authority that would be constructed in close proximity to residential houses, sensitive bird habitats, and protected wetlands. The agency received approval in October 2009 from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for the turbine, which would stand Template:Convert high.<ref>McConville, Jim. "Union Beach wind turbine plan gets DEP approval", Asbury Park Press, October 31, 2009. Accessed July 15, 2012. "The Bayshore Regional Sewerage Authority has been given the OK by the state Department of Environmental Protection to go out to bid for construction of a 380-foot-tall, energy-producing wind turbine, officials said."</ref> The case was brought to the Supreme Court of New Jersey, which in September 2014 upheld a state law disallowing local ordinances from preventing the development of certain wind power projects in New Jersey.<ref>Spoto, MaryAnn. "N.J. Supreme Court won't hear appeal of controversial Union Beach wind turbine", NJ.com, September 26, 2014. Accessed May 7, 2015. "Union Beach has been dealt a blow in its fight against the construction of a wind turbine at the Bayshore Regional Sewerage Authority after the state Supreme Court refused to consider hearing its appeal. The denial by the state's highest court affirms lower court rulings that said an amendment to the state's Municipal Land Use Law trumps a borough ordinance that effectively blocked the construction of the turbine."</ref>

Notable people

Template:Category see also People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Union Beach include:

• Paul Bacon (born 1923), designer of book and album covers<ref>Staff. "Interview: Paul Bacon (Part 1)", Jazzwax.com, July 13, 2010. Accessed August 9, 2012.</ref>
• Skip O'Brien (1950–2011), actor who had a recurring role on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation<ref>Staff. "Skip O'Brien: Obituary", Asbury Park Press, April 8, 2011. Accessed August 9, 2012. "Born Bernard Francis O'Brien in Jersey City, Skip moved to Union Beach as a young boy, and lived there until he entered the U.S. Marine Corps in 1968. After graduating from Brookdale College in 1980, he moved to California to pursue his dream of becoming an actor.... He relocated to Hazlet in 2010 to be close to his family."</ref>

In popular culture

Union Beach was used as the eighth checkpoint of the titular race in the seventh part of the popular manga series, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

External links

• Union Beach information and community calendar
• Union Beach School District
• Template:NJReportCard
• School Data for the Union Beach School District, National Center for Education Statistics