- Maurice River Township, New Jersey
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Maurice River Township, New Jersey — Township — Maurice River Township highlighted in Cumberland County. Inset map: Cumberland County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Maurice River Township, New Jersey
Coordinates: 39°19′35″N 74°56′1″W / 39.32639°N 74.93361°WCoordinates: 39°19′35″N 74°56′1″W / 39.32639°N 74.93361°W Country United States State New Jersey County Cumberland Formed January 19, 1748 Incorporated February 21, 1798 Government – Type Township (New Jersey) – Mayor Andrew Sarclette (2011) Area – Total 95.7 sq mi (247.9 km2) – Land 93.4 sq mi (241.9 km2) – Water 2.3 sq mi (6.0 km2) Elevation[1] 39 ft (12 m) Population (2006)[2] – Total 8,083 – Density 74.2/sq mi (28.6/km2) Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) – Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4) ZIP code 08327 - Leesburg Area code(s) 856 FIPS code 34-44580[3][4] GNIS feature ID 0882063[5] Website http://www.mauricerivertwp.org Maurice River Township is a township in Cumberland County, New Jersey, United States. It is part of the Vineland-Millville- Bridgeton Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area for statistical purposes. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 6,928.
Maurice River Township was first formed as a precinct on January 19, 1748, and was incorporated as one of New Jersey's initial 104 townships by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. Portions of the township were taken to form Millville on March 1, 1866.[6]
Contents
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 95.7 square miles (247.9 km²), of which, 93.4 square miles (241.9 km²) of it is land and 2.3 square miles (6.0 km²) of it (2.41%) is water.
Maurice River Township borders Commercial Township, Millville, and Vineland. Maurice River Township also borders Cape May County, Atlantic County, and the Delaware Bay. The Maurice River forms the western boundary between Maurice River Township and Commercial Township.
Maurice River Township is one hour from both Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Atlantic City, situated just off of Route 47, Route 49 and Route 55. Route 347 and County Routes 548, 550 and 552 all pass through the Township.
The township consists of several communities, including Bricksboro, the Cumberland, Delmont, Dorchester, Heislerville, Leesburg, Port Elizabeth and some portions of Belleplain and Milmay.[7] The township government is based in the community of Leesburg in the municipal complex. Maurice River Township is mostly rural in character and some of the land is covered by extensive forests of the Pine Barrens.
Cumberland Pond, MRT
History
Originally called Wahatquenak by the local Lenni Lenape Native Americans, the Maurice River is said to be named for a local legend, in which a Dutch ship on the river, the Prince Maurice, was sunk by the local Native Americans in 1657. The land was surveyed by John Worledge and Thomas Budd, and the village of Dorchester was laid out. However, it was not until 1798 on that the township itself was established.
Port Elizabeth was established as a port of delivery by an Act of Congress in 1789, and trade was done directly with the West Indies for several years, until the 1830s, when trading was done more with Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and New York City. Dorchester and Leesburg were known for shipbuilding industry, and the A.J. Meerwald (the State Ship of New Jersey) was built in the shipyards of Dorchester. The village of Heislerville and its surroundings were known for their oystering industry until around 1957, when a parasitic disease called MSX crippled the oyster population of the river. The oystering industry has not recovered since.[8]
In 1993, the Maurice River and its tributaries were designated as the Maurice National Scenic and Recreational River by the Congress.[9]
Culture
The pace of life in Maurice River Township is slow, and residents enjoy outdoors activities all year long afforded by the acres of unspoiled forest and waterways. With an abundance of forests and marshlands, numerous state wildlife refuges in the area are frequented by locals for hunting, fishing, bird-watching, hiking and boating. As a result, the preservation of the unique ecosystem of the Maurice River watershed has become an important issue for some residents. One group, Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries, Inc. formed to provide education and organize preservation efforts.
Demographics
Historical populations Census Pop. %± 1930 2,319 — 1940 2,261 −2.5% 1950 2,834 25.3% 1960 3,105 9.6% 1970 3,743 20.5% 1980 4,577 22.3% 1990 6,648 45.2% 2000 6,928 4.2% Est. 2006 8,083 [2] 16.7% Population 1930 - 1990.[10] As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 6,928 people, 1,332 households, and 1,012 families residing in the township. The population density was 74.2 people per square mile (28.6/km²). There were 1,461 housing units at an average density of 15.6 per square mile (6.0/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 98.63% White, 3.98% African American, 0.78% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 11.1% Pacific Islander, 9.43% from other races, and 2.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.15% of the population.
There were 1,332 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were non-families. 19.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the township the population was spread out with 12.9% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 55.1% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 6.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 277.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 343.8 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $43,182, and the median income for a family was $46,987. Males had a median income of $37,901 versus $27,928 for females. The per capita income for the township was $17,141. About 6.4% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Local government
Maurice River Township is governed under the Township form of government with a three-member Township Committee. The Township Committee is elected directly by the voters in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one seat coming up for election each year.[11] At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor.
Members of the Maurice River Township Committee are Mayor Andrew Sarclette (Term expires December 31, 2010), Deputy Mayor Kathy Ireland (Term Expires 2011) and Committeeman Kevin Langley (Term Expires 2012).[12]
Federal, state and county representation
Two New Jersey Department of Corrections prisons, the Bayside State Prison and the Southern State Correctional Facility,[13][14] are in the township.[15]
Maurice River Township is in the 2nd Congressional district. New Jersey's Second Congressional District is represented by Frank LoBiondo (R, Ventnor City). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
Maurice River Township is in the 1st legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature, which is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Jeff Van Drew (D, Dennis Township) and in the Assembly by Nelson Albano (D, Vineland) and Matthew W. Milam (D, Vineland).[16]
Cumberland County is governed by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, who are elected at-large in partisan elections to serve staggered three-year terms in office, with two or three seats coming up for election each year.[17] As of 2011, Cumberland County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director William Whelan (Bridgeton, term ends December 31, 2011)[18], Deputy Director James A. Dunkins, (Millville, 2011)[19], Samuel L. Fiocchi, Sr. (Vineland, 2013)[20] Jane Jannarone (Vineland, 2011)[21], Carl W. Kirstein (Bridgeton, 2013)[22], Louis N. Magazzu (Bridgeton, 2012)[23] and Thomas Sheppard (Cedarville, 2012)[24][25]
Education
The Maurice River Township School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. As of the 2005-06 school year Maurice River Township Elementary School had an enrollment of 406 students.[26] In the 2007-2008 school year, Maurice River Township Elementary School was one of only three schools in the state of New Jersey to receive the honor of being designated a School to Watch. Despite this honor, it is one of several schools targeted for closure as a result of Governor Jon Corzine's efforts to balance the state budget. Under Corzine's plan, the NJ Department of education hopes to close small schools within the next three years. Students at Maurice River Township Elementary School will be bused to a larger regional school within Cumberland County. There is currently a heated debate within the community about the future of the school. MRTE School principal John Saporito has been a vocal opponent of the plan and actively seeking alternatives to keep the school open. Meetings of concerned parents with the Board of Education and Mr. Saporito have prompted many ideas and debate. This included the suggestion Maurice River Township build a high school. However the New Jersey Department of Education indicated MRT's population does not meet the criteria to house a high school. Public school students in grades 9-12 are currently bused to the high school in Millville, as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Millville Public Schools. Students in grade 9 and half of those in grade 10 attend Memorial High School, while the other half in grade 10 and the entirety of grades 11 and 12 attend Millville Senior High School.[27]
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Maurice River Township include:
- Mike Lafferty (1975-) Enduro motorcycle champion.[28]
- Thomas Lee (1780–1856), represented New Jersey at large in the United States House of Representatives from 1833-1837.[29]
- Merritt Gant (1971-), former guitarist of heavy metal bands, Overkill (band) and Faith or Fear.
References
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Township of Maurice River, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed January 4, 2008.
- ^ a b Census data for Maurice River township, United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 1, 2007.
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 121.
- ^ The History of "Maurice River Township", accessed April 6, 2007
- ^ Historic Themes and Resources within the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route: Maritime Activities, accessed April 6, 2007
- ^ National Wild & Scenic Rivers System: Maurice River, National Park Service, accessed April 6, 2007. "In 1993, the Maurice River and several tributaries—including Menantico and Muskee Creeks and the Manumuskin River—were added to the National Wild and Scenic River System."
- ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
- ^ 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 103.
- ^ Maurice River Mayor & Committee, Maurice River Township. Accessed June 10, 2008. Site shows 2007 term-end date as of date accessed.
- ^ "Southern State Correctional Facility." New Jersey Department of Corrections. Retrieved on September 27, 2011. "4295 ROUTE 47 DELMONT, NEW JERSEY 08314"
- ^ "Bayside State Prison." New Jersey Department of Corrections. Retrieved on September 27, 2011. "4293 RT. 47 LEESBURG, NEW JERSEY 08327"
- ^ "Maurice River township, Cumberland County, New Jersey." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on September 27, 2011.
- ^ "Legislative Roster: 2010-2011 Session". New Jersey Legislature. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/roster.asp. Retrieved 2010-02-08.
- ^ About Cumberland County Government, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed January 3, 2011.
- ^ William Whelan, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed January 6, 2011.
- ^ Rev. James A. Dunkins, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed January 6, 2011.
- ^ Samuel L. Fiocchi, Sr., Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed January 6, 2011.
- ^ Jane Jannarone, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed January 6, 2011.
- ^ Carl W. Kirstein, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed January 6, 2011.
- ^ Louis N. Magazzu, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed January 6, 2011.
- ^ Thomas Sheppard, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed January 6, 2011.
- ^ County Freeholders, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed January 6, 2011. Note that as of the date the source was accessed, the county website incorrectly listed 2014 term end dates for Fiocchi and Kirstein, which based on their three-year term is 2013.
- ^ "Data for the Maurice River Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed June 10, 2008.
- ^ About the Maurice River Township School District, Maurice River Township School District. Accessed June 10, 2008. "The Maurice River Township School District consists of one elementary school and is a sending district to the Millville School District for its high school students. Maurice River Township transports approximately 180 students to the Memorial and Senior High Schools in Millville."
- ^ Palmer, Kit. "Laughing All The Way", CycleNews, April 11, 2005. Accessed December 24, 2007. "Mike Lafferty and Rich Lafferty finished 1-2 at the fourth round of the AMA FMF Racing National Enduro Series, held in the Lafferty's backyard in Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, yesterday."
- ^ Thomas Lee, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed October 17, 2007.
External links
- Maurice River Township website
- Cumberland County webpage for Maurice River Township
- Maurice River Township School
- Maurice River Township School's 2009–10 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- Data for the Maurice River Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics
- - More on MSX disease
Municipalities and communities of Cumberland County, New Jersey Cities 
Borough Townships Commercial | Deerfield | Downe | Fairfield | Greenwich | Hopewell | Lawrence | Maurice River | Stow Creek | Upper Deerfield
CDPs Communities Cumberland | Delmont | Dorchester | Fortescue | Leesburg | Mauricetown | Newport | Port Elizabeth | Sea Breeze | Seabrook
Categories:- Townships in Cumberland County, New Jersey
- Pine Barrens of New Jersey
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