Harding Township, New Jersey

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Harding Township, New Jersey
settlement_type = Township
nickname =
motto =


imagesize =
image_caption =


image_



mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Map highlighting Harding Township's location within Morris County. Inset: Morris County's location within New Jersey.


mapsize1 = 250x200px
map_caption1 = Census Bureau map of Harding Township, New Jersey
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = New Jersey
subdivision_name2 = Morris
government_type =
leader_title = Committee Chair
leader_name = Louis J. Lanzerotti
leader_title1 = Administrator
leader_name1 = Gail McKane [ [http://www.hardingnj.org/content/view/22/68/ Administration] , Harding Township. Accessed August 2, 2007.]
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = June 25, 1894
area_magnitude =
area_total_sq_mi = 20.5
area_total_km2 = 53.0
area_land_sq_mi = 20.4
area_land_km2 = 52.9
area_water_sq_mi = 0.04
area_water_km2 = 0.1
area_urban_sq_mi =
area_urban_km2 =
area_metro_sq_mi =
area_metro_km2 =
population_as_of = 2006
population_footnotes =
population_total = 3363
population_metro =
population_urban =
population_density_km2 = 60.1
population_density_sq_mi = 155.6
timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 40 |latm = 44 |lats = 30 |latNS = N
longd = 74 |longm = 30 |longs = 09 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 70
elevation_ft = 230
elevation_footnotes = [Gnis|882195|Township of Harding, Geographic Names Information System, accessed August 2, 2007.]
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 07976
area_code = 973
website = http://www.hardingnj.org/
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 34-29700GR|2 [ [http://mcdc2.missouri.edu/webrepts/commoncodes/ccc_nj.html A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey] , Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.]
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0882195GR|3
footnotes =

Harding Township is a township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the population of the township was 3,180.

The township contains two unincorporated communities, a portion of Green Village and all of New Vernon, both of which have origins as colonial settlements that predate the American Revolution. The governmental offices for the township are in New Vernon.

The 07976 Zip Code for New Vernon was named one of the "25 Richest Zip Codes" in the United States by "Forbes" magazine in 2006. [ [http://www.forbes.com/2006/04/17/06zip_most-expensive-zip-codes_cx_sc_0421intro.html The Most Expensive ZIP Codes 2006] , "Forbes" magazine April 21, 2006] Many relatively unchanged large country estates that have been passed down through several generations attest to the wealth of many of its residents. Some have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places and some of those, have nonprofit support organizations that assure the retention of the original nature of the properties.

Harding Township was formed as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on September 1, 1922, from portions of Passaic Township (now known as Long Hill Township), based on the results of a referendum passed on May 9, 1922."The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 193.]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 20.5 square miles (53.0 km²), of which, 20.4 square miles (52.9 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.20%) is water.

Demographics

USCensusPop
1930=1206
1940=1565
1950=1970
1960=2683
1970=3249
1980=3236
1990=3640
2000=3180
estimate= 3363
estyear=2006
estref= [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=Search&geo_id=06000US3403775740&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US34%7C05000US34037%7C06000US3403775740&_street=&_county=harding&_cityTown=harding&_state=04000US34&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=060&_submenuId=population_0&ds_name=null&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= Census data for Harding township] , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 2, 2007.]
footnote=Population 1930 - 1990. [ [http://www.wnjpin.net/OneStopCareerCenter/LaborMarketInformation/lmi01/poptrd6.htm New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990] , Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.] As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 3,180 people, 1,180 households, and 940 families residing in the township. The population density was 155.6 people per square mile (60.1/km²). There were 1,243 housing units at an average density of 60.8/sq mi (23.5/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 97.20% White, 0.41% African American, 1.07% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.79% of the population.

There were 1,180 households out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.3% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.3% were non-families. 17.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the township the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 21.9% from 25 to 44, 32.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $111,297, and the median income for a family was $128,719. Males had a median income of $95,737 versus $57,308 for females. The per capita income for the township was $72,689. None of the families and 1.1% of the population were living below the poverty line, including none under eighteen and 3.3% of those over 64.

Government

Local government

Harding Township is governed under the Township form of government with a five-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 or two seats coming up for election each year. ["2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book", Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 95.] At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.

Eleven standing committees are appointed at the reorganization meeting including planning, zoning and legal; finance and insurance; public safety; public works and building; personnel; recreation commission; freeholder liaison; Glen Alpin Steering liaison; school board liaison; open space liaison; and board of health liaison. Two members of the township committee serve on each standing committee and provide oversight to the departments.

As of 2008, members of the Harding Township Committee are Committee Chair (Mayor) Louis J. Lanzerotti, Committee Vice-Chair (Deputy Mayor) Marshall P. Bartlett, John R. Murray, III, James A. Rybka, and Ned Ward. [ [http://www.hardingnj.org/content/view/14/29/ Township Committee] , Harding Township. Accessed February 28, 2008.]

Federal, state and county representation

Harding Township is in the Eleventh Congressional District and is part of the New Jersey's 21st Legislative District. [ [http://www.lwvnj.org/pubs/CG06.pdf 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government] , New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 55. Accessed August 30, 2006.]

Education

The Harding Township School District serves public school students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Harding Township School had an enrollment of 321 (as of the 2005-06 school year). [ [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3406720 Data for the Harding Township School] , National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 28, 2008.]

For grades 9-12, public school students attend Madison High School in Madison, as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Madison Public Schools. [ [http://education.state.nj.us/rc/rc07/narrative/27/2870/27-2870-050.html Madison High School 2007 Report Card Narrative] , New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 28, 2008. "Madison High School also enjoys the benefits of our sending-receiving relationship with Harding Township, a nearby K-8 school district."]

History

After the retreat of the Wisconsin Glacier, a mighty glacial lake called Glacial Lake Passaic formed in this area that, about 15,000 to 11,000 years ago, extended for 30 miles (48 km) in length and was 10 miles (16 km) wide. The lake finally drained when a blockage of the Passaic River reopened. The Great Swamp is the remnant of the lake bottom and portions of the swamp lay in what now is the township. Once the lake drained, higher areas became a wooded area that was used for hunting, fishing, and farming by Native Americans. At the time of colonization by the Dutch it belonged to the matrilineal Lenape tribes, but British colonists did their best to displace them westward.

Much of what now is known as Harding was an agricultural community with roots stretching as far back as the early 1700s. Bypassed by colonial turnpikes, revolution era canals, and railroads laid in the Victorian era, the area remained a rural backwater. For almost two centuries of European occupation, its open and rolling landscapes reflected its agricultural use, as land had been cleared for cattle pastures, orchards, and fields of grain. The Great Swamp, the wooded slopes of the Watchung Mountains, and those near Jockey Hollow also were used by local farmers for wood supply. The communities of Green Village, Logansville, New Vernon, and Pleasantville were the village centers in this agricultural community; it was not unusual for villages to have a store and post office, a school of one or two rooms, churches, blacksmiths, and sometimes, a tavern.

Wealthy urban residents from Manhattan and Newark in search of rural tranquility pushed beyond the natural barrier presented by the Watchung Mountains and bought great swaths of farmland, enlarged old farmhouses, and landscaped the grounds. Several estate owners, desirous of better roads and wishing to deter suburban development, led the movement to form Harding Township.

The township was created in 1922 from the northern half of what was then Passaic Township (present day Long Hill Township) and it was named after the incumbent President of the United States, Warren G. Harding. [Washington, Gregory C. [http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_docid=115BC8E5CA3B1C30&p_docnum=1&p_queryname=NaN&p_product=NewsBank&p_theme=aggregated4&p_nbid=T51J57JOMTE4NTg0NzQ0OS4yODY4NjU6MTo3OnJhLTE4ODg "Town snapshot: Harding"] , "The Star-Ledger", November 30, 2006. Accessed August 2, 2007. "When concluded, Passaic Township was cut in half and the northern half was named after the sitting president of the United States, Warren G. Harding."]

The desire to preserve Harding’s rural character was quite evident by 1928. An unusual private land preservation effort was begun with the "New Vernon Neighborhood Restrictive Agreement", when several estate owners convinced many others to place restrictive covenants on their land that would remain as parts of the deeds. This voluntary effort to limit development and save the pastoral qualities of over 1,000 acres (4 km²) across Harding Township influenced subsequent zoning codes, which emerged several decades later, and helped preserve the landscape to the present day.

Noted residents

Notable current and former residents of Harding Township include:
* William O. Baker (1915-2005), former head of Bell Labs. [Kamin, Arthur Z. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C05EFD81E3CF930A15753C1A962958260 "State Becomes a Part of Celebrating Marconi's Achievements"] , "The New York Times", October 23, 1994. Accessed July 6, 2008. "One of the council members is from New Jersey -- Dr. William O. Baker of New Vernon, the retired chairman of AT&T Bell Laboratories at Murray Hill."]
* Justin Gimelstob (born 1977), professional tennis player. [Staff. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9906E2DE1339F935A25756C0A960958260 "SPORTS PEOPLE: TENNIS;Gimelstob Takes Shot at the Pros"] , "The New York Times", May 16, 1996. Accessed September 3, 2007. "The first pro tournament for the 19-year-old U.C.L.A. sophomore from Harding Township, N.J., will be the Stella Artois Grass Court Championships in London in June."]
* Kerry Kittles (born 1974), professional basketball player.Fact|date=April 2008
* Eric Mangini (born 1971), Head Coach of the New York Jets. [ [http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080731/UPDATES01/80731005 "New York Jets coach buys $4M Harding Twp. home"] , "Daily Record (Morristown)", July 31, 2008. Accessed August 21, 2008.]
*Bart Oates (born 1958), professional football player.Fact|date=April 2008
* William E. Simon (1927-2000), United States Secretary of the Treasury for Nixon and Ford.Garbarine, Rachelle. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE7D91131F933A25755C0A966958260 "If You're Thinking of Living in: Harding"] , "The New York Times", June 10, 1990. Accessed February 28, 2008. "Among its residents are William E. Simon, the former Secretary of the Treasury, and Robert P. Luciano, the chairman of Schering-Plough, the pharmaceutical company."]

References

External links

* [http://www.hardingnj.org/ Harding Township website]
* [http://www.hardingtwp.k12.nj.us/ Harding Township School]
*NJReportCard|27|2010|0|Harding Township School
* [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3406720 Data for the Harding Township School] , National Center for Education Statistics
* [http://www.hardingcivic.org/ Harding Township Civic Association]
* [http://www.dailyrecord.com Regional area newspaper]