Washington Township, Morris County, New Jersey

Washington Township is a township in southwestern Morris County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.<ref>Explore Southwestern Morris County, Morris County Tourism Authority. Accessed April 10, 2024. "Southwestern Morris County includes a multitude of farms, farmers markets and community-supported agriculture offering fresh produce and festivals throughout the growing season throughout its communities of Mount Olive, Washington Township (Long Valley), Roxbury, Chester, Chester Township, Mount Arlington, Mendham, Mendham Township, Randolph and Netcong."</ref> As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 18,197,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> a decrease of 336 (−1.8%) from the 2010 census count of 18,533,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected an increase of 941 (+5.3%) from the 17,592 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>

The township is situated in the westernmost part of Morris County bordering both Hunterdon and Warren counties. It is located within the Raritan Valley region and is one of six municipalities (five of which are townships) in the state with the name "Washington".<ref>Wilk, Tom. "Awash in Washingtons: New Jersey has six towns named for the father of our country.", New Jersey Monthly, January 17, 2011. Accessed November 8, 2011. "In New Jersey, Washington can lay claim to another first. He's number one in names selected for the state's 566 municipalities. Bergen, Burlington, Gloucester, Morris and Warren counties all have a Washington Township. Warren also has a Washington Borough surrounded—naturally—by Washington Township. The largest is Gloucester County's Washington, with 52,096 people; the smallest is the Washington in Burlington, with a population of 649. New Jersey had a sixth Washington Township in Mercer County until 2008, when voters there approved a name change to Robbinsville."</ref> Washington Borough, located only Template:Convert away, is surrounded by another municipality that is also called Washington Township in Warren County.

The township has been ranked as one of the state's highest-income communities. Based on data from the American Community Survey (ACS) for 2014–2018, Washington Township residents had a median household income of $150,682, nearly 90% above the statewide median of $79,363.<ref name=PopEst/> In the 2013–2017 ACS, Washington Township had a median household income of $140,445, ranking 45th in the state.<ref>Cervenka, Susanne. "Rich in New Jersey: Here are the 50 wealthiest towns in the state. Is yours one of them?", Asbury Park Press, July 1, 2019. Accessed February 19, 2020. "45. Washington Township - County: Morris County; Median household income: $140,445; Percent making more than $200,000: 28%"</ref><ref>Washington Township 2017 Census Data Summary, Morris County, New Jersey Office of Planning and Preservation. Accessed February 21, 2020.</ref>

History

Washington Township was incorporated as a township by the New Jersey Legislature on April 2, 1798, from portions of Roxbury Township.<ref>Historical Timeline of Morris County Boundaries, Morris County Library. Accessed December 24, 2016. "1798, April 2. Washington Township is established from Roxbury. Center of Township is known as Long Valley or German Valley."</ref> Portions of the township were taken to form Chester Township as of April 1, 1799.<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. 197. Accessed May 30, 2024.</ref> The township was named for George Washington, one of more than ten communities statewide named for the first president.<ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 21, 2015.</ref><ref name=NYT1985>Rondinaro, Gene. "Washington Slept Here And There And. . .", The New York Times, February 17, 1985. Accessed September 19, 2024. "First in war, first in peace and, come tomorrow, first in the hearts of his countrymen, George Washington may be nowhere more fondly remembered than in New Jersey, where 12 communities are named for him. The profusion of such names - six Washington Townships, one each in Bergen, Burlington, Gloucester, Mercer, Morris and Warren Counties; Washington in Warren, Washington Crossing in Mercer, Washington Heights and Washington Park in Middlesex, Washingtonville in Sussex and Washington Valley in Morris - causes problems.... A 1983 attempt to change the name of Washington Township in Morris County to Long Valley - the township mailing address - was defeated in an election.... According to Mrs. Allen, historical accounts show that Washington slept overnight at a local tavern at least once in 1780, prompting the town fathers to name the community for him in 1798."</ref>

In 1798, Morris County's Washington Township became the first incorporated in New Jersey, but by 1894 there were 18 municipalities and other communities across the state named Washington or Washingtonville.<ref>Schweber, Nate. "Washington’s Name Slept Here. And Here.", The New York Times, November 11, 2007. Accessed September 19, 2024. "He was a year away from death when, in 1798, New Jersey’s first Washington Township was incorporated in Morris County. Less than a century later there were 18 boroughs, townships and villages known as Washington or Washingtonville, according to an 1894 geographic dictionary of the state. There are now five townships and one borough called Washington, plus several more areas in municipalities that include the name, like Washington Crossing, a village in Hopewell Township in Mercer County."</ref>

In June 1979, a 5-year-old boy was killed by a leopard that had been chained to a stake outside of a circus, during a performance sponsored by the local fire department at Flocktown Road School.<ref>Hanley, Robert. "Circus Leopard Kills a Boy of 5 In Jersey Town",The New York Times, June 9, 1979. Accessed July 13, 2022. "Washington Township, N.J., June 8 — A circus leopard chained to stake killed a 5‐year‐old boy last night when he walked within about five feet of the animal."</ref>

A 1983 effort to rename Washington Township to Long Valley failed in an election.<ref name=NYT1985/>

Murder of Rachel Domas

On September 12, 1985, 14-year-old Rachel Domas was sexually assaulted and murdered on Fairmount Avenue by 19-year-old Michael Manfredonia while on her three-mile walk from school to her home after missing the school bus. Manfredonia, a gas station attendant who worked nearby, confessed to asking Domas out, when he was refused he pulled a knife and threatened to kill himself.

Domas told him to "stop acting childish" to which Manfredonia pushed her to the ground, sexually assaulted her and stabbed her 26 times, 15 of which were too shallow to cause significant damage and were intended to make Domas suffer. Police would find Domas's body buried in a shallow grave in the woods close to the road 2 days later.

Manfredonia would be turned in by his parents and was found by the police attempting to commit suicide by slicing his wrists and ingesting a high concentration of pills. Manfredonia, who had an IQ of 78 making him clinically retarded, was suffering from Intermittent explosive disorder. Manfredonia waved his right to a trial and was found guilty of murder, felony murder, aggravated sexual assault, kidnapping, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Manfredonia would be sentenced to life in prison as well as an additional 110 years and will not be eligible for parole until 2041.<ref>Hanley, Robert. "Ex-Gas Station Attendant Charged With Slaying Girl", The New York Times, September 17, 1985. Accessed July 13, 2022.</ref><ref>"Manfredonia seeks new trial for '85 slaying", New Jersey Hills, September 26, 2002. Accessed July 13, 2022. "Manfredonia, formerly of Parker Road, Chester Township, has been in state prison since he was found guilty of the Sept. 12, 1985 sexual assault and stabbing death of 14-year old Rachel Domas, whose family lived in the Long Valley section of the township."</ref><ref>Horowitz, Ben. "Funeral on Thursday for Reginald Stanton, remembered as a 'judge's judge'", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, July 20, 2016. Accessed July 13, 2022. "Among the precedent-setting cases handled by Stanton was that of Michael Manfredonia, a onetime Chester resident who was convicted of murder in the 1986 abduction and stabbing death of 14-year-old Rachel Domas of Long Valley."</ref>

Geography

File:Anthony-Corwin Farm, Washington Township, Morris County, NJ - area view.jpg

The Anthony–Corwin Farm in the valley by Schooley's Mountain

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 44.771 square miles (115.957 km²), including 44.387 square miles (114.963 km²) of land and 0.384 square miles (0.994 km²) of water (0.86%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name="GR1" />

Long Valley (2010 population of 1,879<ref>DP-1 - Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 from the Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Long Valley CDP, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 16, 2012.</ref>) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Washington Township.<ref>GCT-PH1 - Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County -- County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Morris County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 23, 2012.</ref><ref>2006-2010 American Community Survey Geography for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 23, 2012.</ref><ref name=CPH232>New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts - 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH-2-32), United States Census Bureau, August 2012. Accessed December 23, 2012.</ref> The Long Valley section—the heart of the township—was called German Valley when it was first settled in the 18th century by people from Saxony, in Germany,<ref>Staff. "MCWTW: Washington Township", Daily Record, August 6, 2008. Accessed December 23, 2012. "The heart of town, the Long Valley section, was called German Valley when it was first settled in the 1700s by people from Saxony, a region of Germany near the Polish border."</ref> until its name was changed around 1917 in the wake of anti-German sentiment following World War I.<ref>Karcher, Alan J. "Morris County's Municipal Madness", Daily Record, February 7, 1999. Accessed December 23, 2012. "However, the strong anti-German sentiment generated during World War I caused the name to be changed to Long Valley around 1917."</ref>

Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Bartley, Beattystown, Crestmoore, Drakestown, Fairmount, Four Bridges, German Valley, Lake George, Middle Valley, Naughright, Parker, Pleasant Grove, Pottersville, Scrappy Corner, Springtown and Stephensburg.<ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.</ref>

Schooley's Mountain is an unincorporated community in Washington Township named for the Schooley family, who owned a considerable amount of land there during the 1790s. The natural springs in the area helped attract visitors to the Schooley's Mountain section in the 1800s.<ref name=DR2009>Staff. "Washington Township", Daily Record, July 16, 2009. Accessed July 30, 2013.</ref>

Neighboring municipalities include Morris County communities Chester Township to the east, Mount Olive to the north, Hunterdon County communities Tewksbury Township to the south and Lebanon Township to the southwest as well as Warren County communities Mansfield Township to the west and Hackettstown to the northwest. Also in Somerset County in the extreme southeast corner of the town there is a border with Bedminster Township.<ref>Neighboring Municipalities, Washington Township. Accessed January 9, 2025.</ref><ref>Areas touching Washington Township, MapIt. Accessed March 4, 2020.</ref><ref>Morris County Municipalities Map, Morris County, New Jersey Department of Planning and Preservation. Accessed March 4, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

Demographics

File:Zion Lutheran Church, Long Valley, NJ - looking northwest.jpg

The Zion Lutheran Church in Long Valley located near the intersection of Route 513 and Route 517.

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 18,533 people, 6,237 households, and 5,195 families in the township. The population density was 417.5 per square mile (161.2/km²). There were 6,488 housing units at an average density of 146.2 per square mile (56.4/km²). The racial makeup was 93.06% (17,247) White, 1.39% (257) Black or African American, 0.06% (11) Native American, 3.30% (612) Asian, 0.01% (2) Pacific Islander, 0.69% (127) from other races, and 1.49% (277) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.57% (847) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 6,237 households, 43.4% had children under the age of 18; 73.7% were married couples living together; 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 16.7% were non-families. Of all households, 13.9% 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 2.95 and the average family size was 3.27.<ref name=Census2010/>

28.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 19.6% from 25 to 44, 34.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 96.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 93.3 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $112,651 (with a margin of error of ± $7,207) and the median family income was $124,818 (± $8,669). Males had a median income of $92,019 (± $5,016) versus $66,302 (± $11,089) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $49,154 (± $2,492). About 0.1% of families and 0.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.2% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Washington township, Morris County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 20, 2012. Note that small sample sizes for poverty statistics fall below the margin of error.</ref>

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 17,592 people, 5,755 households, and 4,874 families residing in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 5,890 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the township was 96.16% White, 0.83% African American, 0.09% Native American, 1.87% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.21% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Washington township, Morris County, New JerseyTemplate:Dead link, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 20, 2012.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Washington township, Morris County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 20, 2012.</ref>

There were 5,755 households, out of which 47.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.1% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.3% were non-families. 12.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.4% 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 3.31.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the township the population was spread out, with 30.2% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.5 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the township was $97,763, and the median income for a family was $104,926. Males had a median income of $76,791 versus $41,759 for females. The per capita income for the township was $37,489. About 1.8% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

Government

Local government

Washington 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. 110.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Vice Mayor.<ref name=Committee/>

Template:As of, the members of the Washington Township Committee are Mayor Michael Marino (R, term on committee and as mayor ends December 31, 2025), Vice Mayor Matthew Murrello (R, term on committee ends 2026; term as vice mayor ends 2025), Walter Curioni (R, 2027), Kenneth W. "Bill" Roehrich (R, 2027) and Richard Wall (R, 2025).<ref name=Committee>Local Government, Washington Township. Accessed January 9, 2025. "Later revisions to the act increased the number of committee members to five, with elections scheduled so the three year terms were staggered.... The Township Act of 1989 retained the basic structure of the township form of government and provided for a mayor elected by the committee from among its members for a one-year term of office. The Act provides for an annual partisan election, with primaries in June and the general election in November."</ref><ref>2024 Municipal Data Sheet, Washington Township. Accessed January 9, 2025.</ref><ref name=MorrisManual>Morris County Manual 2024, Morris County, New Jersey Clerk. Accessed May 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=MorrisOfficials>Morris County Municipal Elected Officials For The Year 2024, Morris County, New Jersey Clerk, updated March 20, 2024. Accessed May 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=Morris2024>Summary Results Report 2024 General Election November 5, 2024 Official Results, Morris County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 18, 2024. Accessed January 1, 2025.</ref><ref name=Morris2023>General Election November 7, 2023 Official Results, Morris County, New Jersey, updated December 11, 2203. Accessed January 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=Morris2022>General Election November 8, 2022, Official Results, Morris County, New Jersey, updated November 28, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref>

In June 2022, the Township Committee appointed Michael Marino to fill the seat expiring in December 2022 that had been held by Tyler Oborn until he resigned from office as he was moving out of state.<ref>Kitchin, Mark. "Marino chosen to fill Washington Township Committee seat", Observer-Tribune, June 22, 2022. Accessed July 13, 2022. "Michael Marino was selected and sworn in as a member of the Township Committee on Monday, June 20 meeting – but not without a little controversy as Township Committeeman Gregg Forsbrey rejected any proposals concerning the office. Marino replaces Tyler Oborn, who resigned from the all-Republican dais on Tuesday, June 14 and attended his last meeting during the Wednesday, June 15 work session. He resigned because he sold his house and moved with his family to Alabama."</ref>

In September 2021, committeeman Greg Forsbrey, who was originally elected as a Republican in 2016, and subsequently re-elected in 2019, left the party and became an independent. He cited the election of two people who lost their party committee seats in the previous primary to be the chair and vice chair of the local Republican Committee, saying that this ignored the results of the primary and through it the will of the voters.<ref>Wildstein, David. "Washington township committeeman quits GOP over party leadership squabble", New Jersey Globe, September 20, 2021. Accessed July 13, 2022. "Blaming local political conflicts in his Washington Township (Morris County), township committeeman Gregg Forsbrey has left the Republican Party.... His departure leaves the GOP with a 4-1 majority and Forsbrey becomes a rare independent holding local office in New Jersey in a municipality that holds partisan elections."</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The 2013 property tax rate for Washington Township was $2.328 per $100 of assessed value, with an equalization ratio of 97.57%.<ref>Tax Assessor, Washington Township. Accessed October 30, 2014. "The 2013 equalization ratio is 97.57 % and the 2013 tax rate is $2.328 per hundred."</ref>

Federal, state and county representation

Washington Township is located in the 7th Congressional District<ref name="PCR20122">Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 24th state legislative district.<ref>Districts by Number for 2023-2031, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed September 18, 2023.</ref>

Politics

Template:PresHead Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow |} As of March 2011, there were a total of 12,709 registered voters in Washington Township, of which 1,999 (15.7%) were registered as Democrats, 5,295 (41.7%) were registered as Republicans and 5,401 (42.5%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 14 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.<ref>Voter Registration Summary - Morris, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 23, 2012.</ref>

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 64.0% of the vote (6,021 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 34.9% (3,278 votes), and other candidates with 1.1% (107 votes), among the 9,451 ballots cast by the township's 13,373 registered voters (45 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 70.7%.<ref name=2012Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 61.1% of the vote (6,323 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 37.6% (3,887 votes) and other candidates with 0.9% (94 votes), among the 10,342 ballots cast by the township's 13,315 registered voters, for a turnout of 77.7%.<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Morris County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed December 23, 2012.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 64.7% of the vote (6,402 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 34.1% (3,377 votes) and other candidates with 0.6% (79 votes), among the 9,894 ballots cast by the township's 13,048 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 75.8.<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Morris County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed December 23, 2012.</ref>

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 75.5% of the vote (4,467 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 22.5% (1,330 votes), and other candidates with 2.0% (120 votes), among the 5,981 ballots cast by the township's 13,294 registered voters (64 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 45.0%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 69.1% of the vote (5,076 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 21.5% (1,582 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 8.4% (618 votes) and other candidates with 0.5% (39 votes), among the 7,348 ballots cast by the township's 13,037 registered voters, yielding a 56.4% turnout.<ref>2009 Governor: Morris County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed December 23, 2012.</ref>

Education

The Washington Township Schools is a public school district that serves students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.<ref>Washington Township Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Washington Township Schools. Accessed March 12, 2020. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Preschool Handicapped through eighth in the Washington Township School District. Composition: The Washington Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Washington Township, Morris County."</ref> As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of four schools, had an enrollment of 1,938 students and 196.9 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 9.8:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Washington Township 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 Washington Township Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref>) are Benedict A. Cucinella Elementary School<ref>Benedict A. Cucinella Elementary School, Washington Township Schools. Accessed July 13, 2022.</ref> with 451 students in grades PreK-5, Flocktown-Kossmann School<ref>Flocktown-Kossmann School, Washington Township Schools. Accessed July 13, 2022.</ref> with 442 students in grades PreK-5, Old Farmers Road School<ref>Old Farmers Road School, Washington Township Schools. Accessed July 13, 2022.</ref> with 310 students in grades K-5 and Long Valley Middle School<ref>Long Valley Middle School, Washington Township Schools. Accessed July 13, 2022.</ref> with 720 students in grades 6–8.<ref>Our Schools Overview, Washington Township Schools. Accessed July 13, 2022.</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the Washington Township School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 1, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Washington Township Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>

Students in public school for ninth through twelfth grades attend West Morris Central High School, which is located in the township, but has a Chester mailing address. The school is part of the West Morris Regional High School District, which also serves students from the surrounding Morris County school districts of Chester Borough, Chester Township, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township.<ref>West Morris Regional High School District 2015 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed June 4, 2016. "Established in 1958, the West Morris Regional High School District operates two schools, West Morris Central High School and West Morris Mendham High School. The regional district serves the students of five Morris County communities: Chester Borough, Chester Township, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township and Washington Township. Students from Washington Township attend West Morris Central High School, and students from the Chesters and the Mendhams attend West Morris Mendham High School."</ref> of the 2020–21 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 1,098 students and 94.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.6:1.<ref>School data for West Morris Central High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref> The high school district's board of education is comprised of nine members who are elected directly by voters to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis.<ref>Annual Comprehensive Financial Report of the West Morris Regional High School District, New Jersey Department of Education, for year ending June 30, 2018. Accessed February 12, 2020. "The School District is administered by a nine-member Board of Education ("the Board"), with three members elected each year for three-year terms."</ref> The nine seats on the board of education are allocated based on the populations of the constituent municipalities, with four seats assigned to Washington Township.<ref>Board of Education, West Morris Regional High School District. Accessed February 12, 2020.</ref>

Transportation

File:2018-07-30 10 28 27 View west along U.S. Route 46 just west of East Avenue in Washington Township, Morris County, New Jersey.jpg

U.S. Route 46 westbound in Washington Township

Roads and highways

The township had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality, Template:Convert by Morris County and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.<ref>Morris County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed July 18, 2014.</ref>

U.S. Route 46, County Route 513, and County Route 517 pass through the township. The nearest limited-access roads are Interstate 80 in neighboring Mount Olive and Interstate 78 in neighboring Tewksbury Township. U.S. Route 206 is accessible in nearby Bedminster and Chester townships.

Public transportation

NJ Transit offered local bus service on the MCM5 route, which was terminated in 2010 as part of budget cuts.<ref>Morris County Bus / Rail Connections, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 22, 2009. Accessed December 23, 2012.</ref><ref>Morris County System Map, NJ Transit. Accessed August 5, 2015.</ref><ref>Private Carrier Bus Service reductions, NJ Transit. Accessed August 3, 2015.</ref>

Local media

Radio station WRNJ has studios, offices and its transmitter in Washington Township, broadcasting at 1510 AM and several FM stations in neighboring towns. The station is licensed to nearby Hackettstown.<ref>Contact Us, WRNJ. Accessed July 13, 2022.</ref>

The township's official newspaper is the Daily Record.<ref>Resolution R-03-20 Designation Of The Daily Record As The Official Newspaper For The Township Of Washington – 2020, Township of Washington, January 4, 2020. Accessed November 24, 2020. "Be It Resolved, by the Township Committee of the Township of Washington, Morris County, New Jersey, that the Daily Record is hereby designed at the official newspaper for the Township of Washington for the year 2020 and the Daily Record and the Observer Tribune are hereby designated as the newspapers for publication of notices in accordance with the requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act."</ref> The Observer-Tribune is a weekly newspaper that serves Washington Township and a few surrounding communities in western Morris County.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Notable people

File:Celeste Holm and Oscar from Gentleman's Agreement trailer.jpg

Celeste Holm

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Washington Township include:

• Wesley Addy (1913–1996), actor<ref>Staff. "Obituaries: Wesley Addy", The Star-Gazette, January 16, 1997. Accessed October 22, 2015. "Wesley Addy, 83, of New York City and Washington Township, Morris County, died Dec. 31 at Danbury Hospital, Danbury, Conn."</ref>
• Walt Ader (1913–1982), race car driver who placed 22nd at the 1950 Indianapolis 500<ref>Walt Ader, Racing-Reference.info. Accessed October 22, 2015.</ref>
• Jack Borgenicht (1911–2005), mountain climber, entrepreneur, preservationist and philanthropist<ref>Goldberg, Dan. "N.J. to purchase, preserve millionaire's Long Valley land as open space", The Star-Ledger, December 8, 2010. Accessed September 3, 2019. "Jack Borgenicht, an eccentric millionaire, was known in Morris County for his philanthropic and preservation efforts. The late local legend helped spur the success of Morris County’s fledgling preservation program 15 years ago. Now state, county and local officials think it’s a fitting tribute to purchase and preserve 228 acres of his Long Valley estate."</ref>
• Michael Burton (born 1992), football fullback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League<ref>Koestenblatt, Jason. "Long Valley's Burton Drafted by Detroit Lions; First West Morris Central graduate in school history to make professional team.", Long Valley, NJ Patch, May 2, 2015. Accessed October 22, 2015. "From the Wolfpack to the Lions' den, blue and silver has always looked good on Michael Burton. The little boy from Long Valley who dreamed of playing professional football is now a grown man with a chance to put on the pads at the highest level."</ref>
• Dolan Twins (born 1999), comedy duo<ref>Whitehouse, Beth. "YouTube's Dolan Twins: 10 things you need to know", Newsday, June 8, 2016. Accessed March 1, 2017. "'We're from a country town called Long Valley,' Ethan says of New Jersey."</ref>
• Guy R. Gregg (born 1949), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1992 to 2008, where he represented the 24th Legislative District<ref>Sucato, Kirsty. "Communities; A Fight to Restore Cleanup Money", The New York Times, January 27, 2002. Accessed October 22, 2015. "The reauthorization bill's main opponent, Assemblyman Guy R. Gregg, Republican of Long Valley, acknowledged that politics were partly to blame."</ref>
• Celeste Holm (1917–2012), Oscar-winning actress<ref name=DR2009/><ref>via Associated Press. "Celeste Holm, Oscar-winning actress, dies at 95", The Express-Times, July 15, 2012. Accessed October 22, 2015. "Celeste Holm married her fourth husband, actor Robert Wesley Addy, in 1966. The couple lived in Washington Township., Morris County, N.J."</ref><ref>Summary of Preserved Farms - EG Jewett / Holm Farm, Morris County Agriculture Development Board, October 12, 2012. Accessed October 22, 2015. "Owned since 1922 by the family of actress Celeste Holm, this large farm atop Schooley's Mountain is in wheat and tree fruit production."</ref>
• Jacob W. Miller (1800–1862), politician who represented New Jersey in the United States Senate<ref>Jacob W. Miller, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed October 22, 2015. "Miller, Jacob Welsh, a Senator from New Jersey; born in German Valley, Morris County, N.J., August 29, 1800"</ref>
• Henry Muhlenberg (1711–1787), founder of Lutheranism in America, who established a congregation in German Valley, which met at the Old Stone Church<ref>Pitney, Henry Cooper. A History of Morris County, New Jersey: Embracing Upwards of Two Centuries, 1710-1913, p. 174. Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1914. Accessed September 24, 2015. "The stone church was built by the same congregation as a union church in 1774. This old church was peculiarly built, it had no gable end nor steeple, the roof sloping down to the walls on four sides. Inside there were galleries on three sides, the little pulpit box standing on one leg under an immense sounding board. First among the Lutheran preachers in the valley was Rev. Heny Melchior Muhlenberg, D.D., known as the 'Father of American Lutheranism' (remembered by Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pennsylvania), a man of great learning and deep piety."</ref>
• Ida C. Nahm (1865–1922), physician and clubwoman<ref>Lineage Book, Volume 41, p. 190. Daughters of the American Revolution, 1915. Accessed July 6, 2018. "Ida Catherine Mettler Nahm, M. D. Born in German Valley, New Jersey"</ref>
• Andrew Politi (born 1996), professional baseball pitcher<ref>Andrew Politi, Seton Hall Pirates baseball. Accessed September 1, 2024. "Hometown: Long Valley, N.J. High School: West Morris"</ref>
• Mike Rossi (born 1994), freestyle aerialist<ref>Koestenblatt, Jason. "'Jersey' Mike Rossi Aims For Gold in 2014 Olympics; Long Valley teen on fast track to world competition.", Long Valley, NJ Patch, June 14, 2011. Accessed January 22, 2014.</ref>
• Paul Schmidtberger, novelist, whose works include Design Flaws of the Human Condition<ref>About Paul Schmidtberger, Marly Rusoff & Associates. Accessed October 22, 2015. "Paul Schmidtberger was born and raised in Schooley's Mountain, New Jersey."</ref>
• Shannon Sohn (born 1974), television news reporter at WABC-TV Eyewitness News in New York City, where she became the first helicopter reporter to win a national Emmy Award<ref>Smith, Jessica. " TV news reporter recalls how her career took offOBHS grad became first helicopter reporter to win national Emmy", Suburban, July 3, 2008. Accessed October 22, 2015. "Though Sohn now lives in Dan's hometown of Long Valley with her family, her mother Alexsandra still lives in Old Bridge."</ref>
• Bill Stepien (born 1978), former Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Chris Christie and former campaign manager for the Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign<ref>Garber, Phil. "Mendhams, Long Valley heavy into top ranks of Trump campaign ", Observer-Tribune, August 31, 2016. Accessed November 22, 2016. "And last week, Trump's campaign hired Bill Stepien, 38, of Long Valley, a graduate of West Morris Central High School and Rutgers."</ref>
• Lisa Unger (born 1970), author of contemporary fiction<ref>Franze, Anthony. "A Between The Lines Interview with Lisa Unger by Anthony J. Franze", The Big Thrill, January 1, 2014. Accessed May 18, 2016. "My teen years were spent in a small town in New Jersey called Long Valley. When I turned eighteen, I left for college in Manhattan and spent the next thirteen years in New York City. My brother swears that Long Valley was my inspiration for The Hollows."</ref>
• Diana West (born 1965), lactation consultant and author specializing on the topic of breastfeeding<ref>Elliott, Victoria Stagg. ""A private place for nursing mothers: Legal requirement is easy to meet", American Medical News, May 16, 2011, archived at leclairryan.com. Accessed September 24, 2017. "'It can feel uncomfortable, but a clear policy can make it less so,' said Diana West, a lactation consultant in Long Valley, N.J., who has written books on breastfeeding."</ref>
• Charles Wuorinen (1938–2020), Pulitzer Prize-winning composer of contemporary classical music<ref>June 9th People, LGBT Daily Spotlight. Accessed September 3, 2019. "Wuorinen resides in New York City and Long Valley, New Jersey."</ref>

External links

• Washington Township website
• Washington Township Historical Society
• Washington Township Schools
• Template:NJReportCard
• School Data for the Washington Township Schools, National Center for Education Statistics
• West Morris Regional High School District
• WashingtonTwp on Twitter