Marlboro Township, New Jersey
—  Township  —
Seal
Map of Marlboro Township in Monmouth County. Inset: Location of Monmouth County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Marlboro Township, New Jersey
Coordinates: 40°20′19″N 74°16′7″W / 40.33861°N 74.26861°W / 40.33861; -74.26861Coordinates: 40°20′19″N 74°16′7″W / 40.33861°N 74.26861°W / 40.33861; -74.26861
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Monmouth
Incorporated	February 17, 1848
Government [1]
- Type	Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council)
- Mayor	Jonathan Hornik
- Administrator	Alayne Shepler[2]
Area
- Total	30.6 sq mi (79.2 km2)
- Land	30.6 sq mi (79.2 km2)
- Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation [3]	115 ft (35 m)
Population (2009)[4]
- Total	40,789
- Density	1,897.9/sq mi (500.1/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	07746
Area code(s)	732
FIPS code	34-44070[5][6]
GNIS feature ID	0882118[7]
Website	http://www.marlboro-nj.gov

Marlboro is a Township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township had a population of 36,398. The Census Bureau's 2005 population estimate shows that the Township has grown to 40,633, an increase of over 11.6% since the last decennial census.^[4]

Marlboro was formed as a Township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 17, 1848, from portions of Freehold Township.^[8]

CNN and Money magazine have selected Marlboro as one of the top 10 safest places to live,^[9] and as one of the top 100 places to live in America.^[10] Many people choose to move to Marlboro Township due to its proximity to the Jersey Shore, while still being within commuting distance of New York City and, to a lesser extent, Philadelphia. People stay in Marlboro to get away from an urban issues and stay in the Township because of the presence of good schools and for retirement.^[11]

[edit] Geography

Marlboro Township is located at latitude 40°18'55" North, longitude 74°14'48" West.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 30.6 square miles (79.2 km²), all of it land.

Morganville (2000 Census population of 11,255) is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Marlboro Township.

[edit] Weather & Climate

[edit] Weather

Marlboro is located close to the Atlantic Ocean. Due to the location Marlboro Township has on the Eastern Seaboard, the following weather features are noted:^[12]

• On average, the warmest month is July where the average high is 85 °F and the average low is 64 °F .
• The highest recorded temperature was 106°F in 1936.
• On average, the coolest month is January reaching an average low of 21 °F and an average high of 39 °F .
• The lowest recorded temperature was -20°F in 1934.
• The most precipitation on average occurs in August with an average 4.48 inches of rain.
• The least percipitation on average occurs in February with an average of 3.08 inches of rain.
• The average annual precipitation (in inches) is 46.77^[13]
• The average number of freezing days is 179.^[14]

[edit] Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification, Marlboro Township is considered to be in the Cfa zone. Marlboro Townsip has a Humid Sub-tropical climate placing it in Zone 7B on the US National Arboretum scale. This extends from Monmouth County, NJ to Northern Georgia. Because of its sheltered location and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, some Palm Trees can survive with minimal winter protection. Also, many Southern Magnolias, Crepe Myrtles, Musa Basjoo (Hardy Japanese Banana plants), native bamboo, native opuntia cactus, and bald cypress can be seen throughout commercial and private landscapes.

[edit] Housing & Demographics

[edit] Population

As of the census^[5] of 2000, there were 36,398 people, 11,478 households, and 10,169 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,189.7 people per square mile (459.4/km²). In the township the population was spread out with 30.2% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.

[edit] Diversity

The racial makeup of the township was 83.76% White, 2.05% African American, 0.05% Native American, 12.67% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.89% of the population.

There were 11,478 households out of which 50.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 81.3% were married couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 11.4% were non-families.

9.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.15 and the average family size was 3.38.

[edit] Income

The median income for a household in the township was $101,322, and the median income for a family was $107,894 (these figures had risen to $122,334 and $133,533 respectively as of a 2007 estimate^[16]). Males had a median income of $76,776 versus $41,298 for females. The per capita income for the township was $38,635. About 2.4% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Housing Costs

There were 11,896 housing units at an average density of 388.8/sq mi (150.1/km²). The median home cost in Marlboro Township is $546,050. Home appreciation in 2008 was -9.40 percent. Compared to the rest of the country, Marlboro Township's cost of living is 51.40% Higher than the U.S. average.^[17]

[edit] Expanded Housing

New houses under construction off Buckley Road, late 2005.

Following World War II, the state began to build and improve the roads infrastructure, and the township gained population. Even until the 1970s, Marlboro remained largely rural in character, but then it became a growing exurban destination for people working in New York and in nearby large suburban corporations. During the 1980s and early 1990s most of the new housing developments featured four- or five-bedroom houses, but then the trend turned toward larger estate homes, sometimes dubbed "McMansions." Because of the large building effort, Marlboro Township has in place restrictions for building around wetlands and has developed the Stream Corridor Preservation Restrictions which identify a series of rules for building near streams to mitigate contamination.

[edit] Affordable housing

As part of its obligation under the Mount Laurel Decisions, the Council on Affordable Housing requires Marlboro to provide 1,673^[18] low / moderate income housing units. The first two rounds of New Jersey's affordable housing regulations ran from 1987-99. Under a Regional Contribution Agreement (RCA), Marlboro signed an agreement in June 2008 that will have Trenton build or rehabilitate 332 housing units (out of Marlboro's 1,600-unit obligation), with Marlboro paying $25,000 per unit, a total of $8.3 million to Trenton for taking on the responsibility for these units. Under proposed legislation, municipalities may lose the ability to use these RCAs to pay other communities to accept their New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) fair housing obligations.^[19] Marlboro is now required to build the balance of housing. When the New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing requested plans to complete this obligation, Marlboro has made history with the largest number of objectors to an affordable housing plan in the history of New Jersey.^[20] The process now appears bogged down in paperwork processing as the COAH's executive director will need to review the objections to determine their completeness and validity. In October 2009, Marlboro submitted a notice that they were thinking of changing the site of the affordable housing plan as it was discovered that ground contamination was located at the current proposed site.^[21] All affordable housing issues for the Township are handled by Thomas P. Howley as the Township’s Municipal Housing Liaison to the Marlboro Affordable Housing Agency.^[22]

[edit] Retirement Communities

Marlboro Township has a number of retirement communities. The most notable are:

• The Royal Pines at Marlboro
• The Sunrise Senior Community
• Greenbriar North Senior Housing Development. This development contains over 750 homes.
• Marlboro Greens - Located on Route 9 near Union Hill Rd, it was built between 1986 and 1988. This community contains 341 homes.
• Rosemont Estates - This development is not completed yet and still under construction.
• Chelsea Square in Marlboro - Still under construction. Construction started in 2008 and when completed, there will be 14 buildings in Chelsea Square. The buildings are 3 levels high, the bottom level is a parking garage.

[edit] Transportation

Overwelmingly, the usual mode of transportation in Marlboro Township is by car. The main public thoroughfares in Marlboro are U.S. Route 9, Route 18, County Route 520 and Route 79. These routes provide access to the main Garden State roads, the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike. Taxi services are also available through a number of local companies.

There are multiple public transportation options available. The transportation options available include Bus and Rail, Air and Ferry service. However, each one of these options involves significant issues when using regularly. NJ Transit provides service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan.^[23] If train transportation is desired, the Matawan train station provides a heavily-used train station at Aberdeen-Matawan on New Jersey Transit's North Jersey Coast Line, which attracts riders from all over Western Monmouth County, and carries them to New York City directly to New York Pennsylvania Station, and via Secaucus Junction. There is also a transfer available in Penn Station to transfer to Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark New Jersey. However, both options provide significant problems in terms of parking. Public parking options involve waiting lines of more than a year for a permit and private parking options are very expensive. Ferry service is available through the SeaStreak service in Highlands. This service offers ferry service to New York City with trips to Pier 11 near Wall Street and then East 35th Street. ^[24] However, there is no direct way to get to the Ferry. Currently, the trip involves about a 45 minute drive on secondary roads to reach the departing terminal. Following the close of the Perston Airfield, Monmouth Executive Airport in Farmingdale, Old Bridge Airport and Mar Bar L Farms municipal airport supply short-distance flights to surrounding areas and are now the closest air transportation services. The closest major airport is Newark Liberty International Airport and is 33.1 miles – about 42 mins from the center of Marlboro, NJ.

[edit] History

[edit] Area Development

In the area of Marlboro, settlements began about 12,000 years ago when people who migrated eastward from Siberia spread throughout the Americas. Those who settled in this area, about 1000 AD, developed into the Lenni Lenape. As the settlements developed, an agricultural society emerged, and small villages dotted what was to become Marlboro Township, Monmouth County and all across New Jersey. The Lenni Lenape Native Americans were the first known organized inhabitants of this area. After the Dutch arrival to the region in the 1620s, the Lenape were successful in restricting Dutch settlement to Pavonia in present-day Jersey City along the Hudson until the 1660s. The Dutch finally established a garrison at Bergen, allowing settlement of areas within the province of New Netherlands.The initial European proprietors of the area purchased the land from the Lenni Lenape leader or Sakamaker.^[25] One of the sons of the leader, was Weequehela^[26] who negotiated the sale of several of the initial tracts of land to the first farmers.^[27]

Following the initial sale of land, the history of the township starts about 1685, when the land was first settled by European farmers from Scotland, England and The Netherlands. In the time between 1685 and the early 1700s, the land was gradually purchased from the Lenni-Lenape with other surrounding areas. Following European settlement of the area, the Lenape population fell, due to infectious disease and disastrous over-harvesting of the animal populations. As the Lenni Lenape population declined, and the European population increased, the history of the area was increasingly defined by the new European inhabitants.

The lingua franca or common language spoken in the area was likely Dutch. However, this was likely one of many languages spoken with the culture very steeped in New Netherlander. The English and Scotch settlers were predominantly of Quaker persuasion. They established a meetinghouse and a cemetery on what is now Topanemus Road. The church later changed its affiliation to the Episcopal faith and became St. Peter's Episcopal Church which is now located in Freehold. The old burial ground still remains on Topanemus Road. In 1692 those of the Presbyterian Faith built a church and burial ground on what is now Gordons Corner Road. The church eventually moved to Tennent where it became known as the Old Tennent Church and played a role in the Revolutionary War. The old Scots Cemetery still remains at its original site.

Marlboro was the scene of a number of skirmishes during the American Revolutionary War, in particular following the Battle of Monmouth in 1778. During the war, the Pleasant Valley section was often raided by the British for food supplies and livestock. The area was referred to as the "Hornet's nest" because of the intensity of the militia's attacks on the British. Beacon Hill (of present day Beacon Hill Road) was one of three Monmouth County sites where beacons were placed to warn the residents and the Continental forces if the enemy should approach from the bay. There was also considerable activity in the Montrose area of the Township as British troops, retreating from the Battle of Monmouth, tried to wind their way to ships lying off Sandy Hook.

Marlboro was formed as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 17, 1848, from portions of Freehold Township.^[8] The township is named for the prevalence of marl, which was first discovered in the area in 1768. (The township's name was originally Marlborough, and then at some point was shortened.) Farmers used marl to improve the soil in the days before commercial fertilizers and there was a heavy demand for it. Marlboro's first industry was the export of the material, used primarily as fertilizer, throughout the state and by boat to New York and other parts of the country.

Before World War II Marlboro Township was actually the nation's largest grower of potatoes and also know for the tomato industry. ^[28] Marlboro was rural and composed mostly of dairy, potato, tomato and other farms laced with small hamlets with modest inns or taverns; these included Morganville, Robertsville, Wickatunk, Bradevelt, Topanemus, and Pleasant Valley, with the center being Marlboro Village. The name Morganville still exists as a section of Marlboro with its own ZIP code, as does Wickatunk to a lesser extent; Robertsville, Topanemus and Pleasant Valley are names of significant roads within the township; Bradevelt is used less frequently, but, like the others, appears from time to time on maps and road signs.

Following World War II, Marlboro started to grow and housing developments started to replace the farm and rural nature as the community expanded.

[edit] Historical Events

[edit] Town Center

The Marlboro town center has historically been considered an area around the intersection of Main Street (Route 79) and School Road.^[29] Behind the small mini-mart on the corner of this intersection, you can still see one of the original barns from the early 1800's. However, Marlboro no longer has any official town center and can be considered an example of suburban sprawl. Efforts are underway to create an official "town center" and multiple proposals have come forward in recent discussions.^[30]

[edit] Cell Phone Ban

In 2000, Marlboro became the first municipality in New Jersey, and one of the first areas in the U.S., to ban cell phone use while driving, a ban that took effect in March 2001.^[31]

[edit] 40% Green

In June 2009, Marlboro Township Municipal Utilities Authority (MTMUA) deployed a 900kW solar power array from Sharp that will enable the MTMUA to meet nearly 40% of its electricity needs with emissions-free solar-generated power. This is considered one of the largest of its kind in the East. on an annual basis, this solar energy system will reduce New Jersey CO2 emissions by more than 4,200,000 lbs; SO2 emissions by 28,000 lbs; and NO2 emissions by 18,000 lbs., as well as eliminating significant amounts of mercury. ^[32] Additionally, Marlboro has been recognized as a Cool City by the Sierra Club. Marlboro is the 10th Monmouth County municipality to be named a Cool City. ^[33]

[edit] Perston Airfield

Marlboro had an airport, Perston Airfield, which opened in 1954 and was in operation for almost 50 years. The airport was opened by Rhea Perston on his farm and consisted of two runways, one was 2,400 feet as well as airplane hangers. It obtained a paved runway before 1972. Exact records are not know as to when it changed it's name to Marlboro Airport. It is believed to be somewhere between 1975-1979. In 1979, the airport was described as having a single runway 2,200 feet long. In 2000, the airport was purchased by Marlboro Holdings LLC owned by Anthony Spalliero. and was closed with the intent to redevelop the airport into housing.^[34] Reportedly, Spalliero donated land holdings he had near the airport to the township Board of Education. This donated land was then developed as the Marlboro Early Learning Center - a school specialized for Kindergarten classes. The distance to the new school was then used as justification to close the airfield ^[35] in reference to a fatal plane crash in 1997.^[36] Part of the airport has now been developed into Marlboro Memorial Cemetery which had bordered the now defunct airfield. Google Maps still shows the dis-used airfield with a large yellow "X" painted at each end of the runway to show it is no longer used.

[edit] Virgin Mary Sighting

Starting in 1989, Joseph Januszkiewicz started reporting visions of the Virgin Mary near the blue spruce trees in his yard at exactly 9:28pm.^[37] The visions started to appear six months after he returned from a pilgrimage to Medjugorje in Yugoslavia. Since that time as many as 8,000 pilgrims gathered on the first Sundays of June, July, August and September to pray, meditate and share in the vision.^[38] On September 7, 1992 Bishop John Reiss gave Joseph Januszkiewicz permission to release his messages. However, in 1993, Catholic Diocese of Trenton ruled that nothing "truly miraculous" was happening at the Januszkiewicz home. However, in Nov. 2004, pictures were taken of a mist which shows up at the location of the vision.^[39] In April 2005, Januszkiewicz claims that the visions had stopped and he reports there have been no sightings since.^[40]

[edit] Government

[edit] Local government

Marlboro Township's Municipal Complex contains the Town Hall and administrative offices, police station, Board of Education office, recreation center, recycling center, and other facilities

Marlboro Township is governed under the Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council) system of municipal government.^[1]

The Marlboro Township Council is made up of five elected officials. Township residents elect a new Councilperson every four years on the first Tuesday in November. At its reorganization meeting, the Council elects a President and Vice-President, each of whom serve a term of one year or until the election and qualification of a successor.

The Township Council is Marlboro's legislative body. It sets policies, approves budgets, determines municipal tax rates, and passes resolutions and ordinances to govern the town. The Council also appoints citizen volunteers to certain advisory boards and the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The Council may investigate the conduct of any department, officer or agency of the municipal government. They have full power of subpoena as permitted by Statute.

The Mayor of Marlboro Township is Jonathan Hornik (D, took office in 2008).^[41] The current Marlboro Township Council consists of Council President Jeff Cantor, Council Vice President Steve Rosenthal, Frank LaRocca, Randi Marder and Rosa Tragni.^[42]

On Election Day, November 6, 2007, Democrat Jonathan Hornik unseated Republican incumbent Mayor Robert Kleinberg. Democrats Frank LaRocca and Randi Marder each won a four-year seat on the Township Council, unseating incumbent Republicans Patti Morelli and Joseph Pernice.^[43]

[edit] Local political issues

Political issues in Marlboro include land development and loss of open space, growth of population leading to the need for additional public schools and higher property taxes, and recurring instances of political corruption.

Former three-term mayor Matthew Scannapieco was arrested by the FBI and subsequently pleaded guilty to taking $245,000 in bribes from a land developer in exchange for favorable rulings and sexual favors.^[44][45] The same investigation has also resulted in charges against several other township officials as well as a Monmouth County Freeholder.

[edit] Emergency Services

The township of Marlboro has multiple departments which handle emergency services. In addition to the offices below, other departments can be reached through a county wide directory maintained by the Township of Marlboro. The following are the emergency service departments in Marlboro:

• Police - There is a full-time Marlboro Township Police Department composed of over 70 full-time police officers. The current Chief of police is Bruce E. Hall who started in this position in February 2009 following Police Chief Robert C. Holmes Sr. retiring on New Year's Eve 2008.^[46]
• Office of Emergency Management - The Office of Emergency Management is responsible for preparing for and managing any declared or other large scale emergency, event, or occurrence, either man-made or natural, which may occur within Marlboro Township. By law the Office of Emergency Management must have an Emergency Operation Plan (EOP) that addresses all of the possible/probable emergencies that may occur.
• Fire Prevention Bureau - The Fire Prevention Bureau enforces the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code in all buildings, structures and premises, Condo development residential buildings and other owner-occupied residential buildings. The Fire Prevention Bureau does not enforce codes in residential units of less than three dwelling units.
• Fire, First Aid, & Rescue Squads - Marlboro Township has four volunteer fire departments and two volunteer first aid squads:
  • Marlboro Fire Co. No. 1 (28-1)
  • Robertsville Volunteer Fire Co. (28-2)
  • Morganville Independent (28-3)
  • Morganville (28-4)
  • Marlboro First Aid & Rescue Squad (28-21)
  • Morganville First Aid & Rescue Squad (28-23)
• Emergency Notification System Established - SWIFT911™ is a high speed notification program with the capability of delivering recorded warnings to the entire community or targeted areas, via telephone, email, text or pager. Messages can be transmitted through the Marlboro Township Police Department or Office of the Mayor and the system can contact up to four telephone numbers until reaching the designated party. Emergency and Non-emergency messages are also able to reach TTY (teletypewriter) phones used by those who are deaf or hard of hearing. ^[47]

[edit] Federal, state and county representation

Most of Marlboro Township is in the Twelfth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 12th Legislative District. A small sliver of the Township is in the Sixth Congressional District.^[48]

New Jersey's Sixth Congressional District, covering portions of Middlesex County and Monmouth County, is represented by Frank Pallone (D). New Jersey's 12th congressional district, covering portions of Hunterdon County (8 municipalities), Mercer County (9), Middlesex County (12), Monmouth County (14) and Somerset County (1), is represented by Rush D. Holt Jr. (D).^[49] New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).

For the 2008-2009 Legislative Session, the 12th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Jennifer Beck (R, Red Bank) and in the Assembly by Caroline Casagrande (R, Colts Neck Township) and Declan O'Scanlon (R, Little Silver).^[50] The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).^[51]

Monmouth County is governed by a five-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. As of 2009^[update], Monmouth County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Barbara J. McMorrow (D, Freehold Township), Freeholder Deputy Director John D'Amico, Jr. (D, Oceanport), Lillian G. Burry (R, Matawan), Robert D. Clifton (R, Matawan) and Amy A. Mallet (D, Fair Haven).^[52]

[edit] Education

[edit] pre-Kindergarten to Middle School

The Marlboro Public Schools serve students in pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade. The district is composed of eight school facilities: one pre-school, five elementary schools and two middle schools. Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics^[53]) are Early Learning Center for kindergarten and preschool special education (537 students), five elementary schools for grades 1-5: Frank Defino Central School (815), Frank J. Dugan Elementary School (705), Asher Holmes Elementary School (616), Marlboro Elementary School (676) and Robertsville Elementary School (657); both Marlboro Middle School home of the Hawks (1,168) and Marlboro Memorial Middle School home of the Monarch Lions (968) serve grades 6-8. Marlboro Township public schools spend $9,221 per student. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $6,058. There are about 14 students per teacher in Marlboro Township. ^[54]

[edit] High School

Marlboro Township has a public high school, Marlboro High School (opened 1968), home of the Mustangs, which is part of the Freehold Regional High School District serving grades 9-12. The district also serves students from Colts Neck Township, Englishtown, Farmingdale, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Howell Township and Manalapan Township.^[55] Some students in Marlboro attend Colts Neck High School, also part of the Freehold Regional High School District. Many Marlboro students attend the various Learning Centers and Academies available throughout the District, and students from other District townships and boroughs attend Marlboro High School's Business Learning Center. Total per pupil high school expenditures are $13,780 while the average state expenditures is $15,798.^[56]

[edit] Private Schools

The High Point Schools are a group of private special education elementary and adolescent schools located on a 10-acre (40,000 m²) campus in the Morganville section of the Township. The schools have been providing educational and therapeutic services for students ages 5 – 21 who have emotional, behavioral and learning difficulties for 40 years. The staff-to-student ratio is 1:3.

Among private schools also notable is Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Monmouth County, a Pre-K-Grade 8 Jewish Day School, which is a member of the Solomon Schechter Day School Association, the educational arm of the United Synagogue of America and Tennent Co-Op Pre-K.

[edit] School Summary

[edit] Library

Marlboro also has a library, it is know as the Marlboro Free Public Library. Centrally located with a good amount of free parking. The library offers story time to various toddler age groups. There are meeting rooms for groups to gather and hold meetings or parties. The Children's department is large and well lit, with a great selection of books. There is no additional charge for movie rental.

[edit] Crime

The number of violent crimes recorded by the FBI in 2003 was 15. The number of murders and homicides was 1. The violent crime rate was reported to be very low at 0.4 per 1,000 people. ^[59]

[edit] Recreation

Marlboro has a strong Township-sponsored recreation program, with activities for all ages. This includes very popular soccer and basketball^[60] leagues for boys and girls; in addition Little League baseball / softball and Pop Warner football / cheerleading, and a growing amateur wrestling program.

In the summer the Township holds free outdoor concerts by notable popular music artists. In recent years performers have included Jay and the Americans, Bill Haley's Comets, Lesley Gore, Little Anthony & The Imperials, Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge, The Platters, The Trammps, and The Tokens.

In 2007, Marlboro introduced monthly indoor concerts at the recreation center. These shows feature many upcoming artist as well as local talent. Artists have included Marlboro own's Someday Never, Bedlight For Blue Eyes and Sound The Alarm

Marlboro is also home to the Marlboro Players, a private theater group that holds open auditions for background roles.

For walkers and bicyclists, two segments of the Henry Hudson Trail have substantial stretches within the township.

Camp Arrowhead is a YMCA summer day camp located on Route 520 across from the abandoned 411 acre Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital.

[edit] General Parks

The Recreation Commission maintains several parks and facilities for public use. However, some ball fields require permits for usage. The following is a list of recreation facilities:

[edit] Tot Lots

Marlboro Township has a number of areas of parks specialized and set up for very young children. There are collectively know as Tot-Lots:^[66]

• Falson Park - Falson Lane.
• Hawkins Road Park - Hawkins Road off Union Hill Road.
• Marlboro Country Park - Gordons Corner Road - Municipal Swim Club.
• Marlin Estates Park - East Francis Ave.
• Municipal Complex - Wyncrest Road
• Nolan Road Park - Corner of Lloyd and Nolan Roads.
• Recreation Way Park - at Community Center
• Union Hill Recreation Complex - Union Hill Road
• Wicker Place Park - off Texas Road

[edit] Dog Parks

• Marlboro has an off-leash dog park located at the township municipal complex on Wyncrest Road.

[edit] Fossil Hunting

While not officially open to the public, Big Brook transects the border of Colts Neck and Marlboro, New Jersey. To find this site, follow directions posted at various fossil collecting websites.The stream cuts through sediments that were deposited during the Late Cretaceous period. Reportedly, prolific finds of fossils, such as shark teeth, and other deposits of Cretaceous marine fossils, including belemnites are frequently found.^[67] Additionally, this area is generally regarded as one of the top three dinosaur fossil sites in the state. Multiple dinosaur finds have been found in this area.^[68] Most currently, a leg section from a duckbilled dinosaur called a hadrosaur was found.^[69] Near this area, the first Dinosaur discovery in North America was made, back in 1858.^[70] A Mastodon find also occurred in early 2009 when several bones from a Mastodon were found by an individual fossil hunting.^[71] Much of the credit for the fossil finds goes to the vast deposits of marl which is known for its preservation value.^[72] If you go to Big Brook, you should take note of the contamination article about Big Brook Park below.

[edit] Bow Hunting

Some areas of Monmouth County Big Brook Park allow bow hunting access. A permit is required. These areas are outlined in a map provided by the Monmouth County Park System.

[edit] Golf

Bella Vista Country Club has an 18 hole course over 5,923 yards with a par of 70. It is considered a Private Non-Equity club. Google Maps shows the location of the country club and golf course.

[edit] Walking/Jogging Trail

The Henry Hudson Trail goes through parts of Marlboro. However, in September 2009, the Monmouth County Park System closed a section of the Henry Hudson Trail Southern Extension going through Marlboro Township (Aberdeen to Freehold) for 18 months while Conti Federal Services performs the clean-up. Part of this path runs through the Imperial Oil superfund clean-up site. There were concerns of undisclosed contaminated soil found and a clean-up became necessary.^[73]

[edit] Festivals

• Marlboro Blues & BBQ Festival - Fall
• Marlboro Day - Fall
• Multicultural Day - November
• Halloween Party & Parade - October
• Music Festival - Spring
• Dinosaur Day - April

[edit] Future Open Space Land

The township has preserved the areas known as Stattel's Farm & McCarron Farm (also known as Golden Dale Farm) from future development. They are currently working farms, but Marlboro Township has purchased the rights to prevent future development on the land and preserve it as future open space.^[74]

[edit] Area Attractions

Marlboro Township is located near some major East Coast recreation attractions. One of the most notable of these attractions is the Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township. The Jersey Shore is also another close feature which is located south by taking Route 18 or by taking County Route 520 east. The Freehold Raceway Mall is a super-regional mall anchored by J.C. Penney, Lord & Taylor, Macy's, Nordstrom and Sears. For horse racing, the Freehold Raceway is the oldest half-mile racetrack in the United States, it offers harness racing. The Manasquan Reservoir is 30 minutes south on Route 9 and offers nature and exercise related activities such as fishing, non-powered water sports, bird watching, jogging, biking, dog walking. The reservoir also has a nature exhibit where people can go see the local wildlife.

[edit] Historic Locations

[edit] The Marlboro Tree

Discovered in 1997 and located near one of the Big Brook tributaries, The Marlboro Tree, a massive black willow tree has been certified by the New Jersey Forest Service as a "State Champion" tree, signifying that it is the largest known tree of its species in the State of New Jersey, and the largest tree of any kind in Marlboro Township. It is about 152 years old and measures 76 feet in height and 19' 8" in circumference. Five grown people must hold hands to fully encircle the tree.^[75]

[edit] Old Scots Burial Grounds

On the National Register of Historic Places^[76] since August 2001, Old Scots Burial Grounds, Marlboro - Circa 1705, archaeologist Gerard Scharfenberger is working to excavate the foundation of the original Old Scots Meeting House as well as any unmarked graves on the property. This is the original location where the congregation of the Old Tennent Presbyterian Church once met^[77][78] as well as part of the site where the Battle of Monmouth was fought.^[79]

[edit] Robertsville Elementary School

Originally built in 1832, Robertsville Elementary School was once a one-room schoolhouse that was built on the corner of Tennent and Union Hill Roads. It was remodeled in 1912 and used for special education purposes at that time. This building is still standing today. In 1968, the current school was constructed down the road. It is believed to have been named after Matthew Roberts, a prominent businessman in the day.^[80]

[edit] September 11 Memorial

Marlboro lost eight of its residents as the result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks; a memorial has been built. It is located near the Marlboro Recreation Center. The memorial consists of a circle of flowering dogwoods, surrounding benches and a memorial fountain on the township municipal grounds.

[edit] Battle of Monmouth

The Battle of Monmouth as well as a number of skirmishes were fought in and around Marlboro Township during the American Revolutionary War. Many area placards and signs can be found on the local roads to identify specific local events from the battle. The Marlboro Township area farms were often raided by the British for food supplies and local livestock taken from area farmers. Following defeat in this battle, the British retreat from the area to their ships in the bay. A local state park, Monmouth Battlefield State Park, nearby in Freehold Township and Manalapan Township provides local reference to this historic event.

[edit] Township Historic Markers

Many of the houses and buildings located in the area commonly know as the "center of town" (around the intersection of Route 79 and School Road), are older historic buildings. Many of them contain signs in front of them identifying the individual buildings and their historic significance. Among the buildings identified, one building was one of the first churchs in the area (now a dance studio), another was the childhood home of Garret Augustus Hobart - 24th Vice President of the United States (now an art studio), and another was the old parsonage (now a hair cutting business).

[edit] Contaminated & Superfund Sites

[edit] Burnt Fly Bog

Located off of Tyler Lane, the area of Burnt Fly Bog in Marlboro Township is listed as a superfund clean-up site. It is a rural area covering approximately 1,700 acres, most of it in Marlboro Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Some also extends into Middlesex County. During the 1950s and early 1960s, as many as seven unlined lagoons on 10 acres were used for storage of waste oil. As a result at least 60 acres of the bog have been contaminated. In addition to the contaminated area, the site consists of: four lagoons -- two containing liquid, two containing sludge; an approximately 13,000-cubic-yard mound of sludge; and an undetermined number of exposed and buried drums. The site is a ground water discharge area for the Englishtown Aquifer. Ground water flows to the surface in this area and drains into Deep Run stream. In this bog, ground water, surface water, and air are contaminated by oil and various organic chemicals. The following contaminations are know to be present, Ethylbenzene, Methylene Chloride, Tetrachloroethylene, Toluene, Base Neutral Acids, metals, PAHs, PCBs, Unknowun Liquid Waste, and VOCs. ^[81]

A number of clean-up efforts have been mounted starting in September 1981. At that time the EPA awarded a Cooperative Agreement to New Jersey for $336,305 in grant funds authorized under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. In July 1983, the State completed (1) a field investigation to characterize ground water, (2) a feasibility study for removal of contaminated soil and drums, and (3) a feasibility study for closing the site. Early in 1982, EPA used $35,000 of CERCLA emergency funds to install a 900-foot fence and repair a 6-foot section of dike. EPA and the State are negotiating on two Cooperative Agreements for further cleanup activities.^[82]

[edit] Imperial Oil Co.

This 15-acre part of land was owned by Imperial Oil Co./Champion Chemicals. It is a superfund clean-up site.^[83] The site was added to the National Priorities List of Superfund sites in 1983. The site consists of six production, storage, and maintenance buildings and 56 above-ground storage tanks. Known contamination includes: PCBs, Arsenic, lead and Total petroleum hydrocarbons.^[84] A number of companies may have been responsible for waste oil discharges and arsenical pesticides released to a nearby stream as industrial operations date back to 1912. The area is protected by a fence that completely encloses it. This site is being addressed through Federal and State actions. The Mayor of Marlboro Township, Mr. Hornik said the polluted site is considered one of the worst in the country.^[85]

In 1991, EPA excavated and disposed of an on-site waste filter clay pile pursuant to a removal action. In 1997, EPA posted warning signs on foot and bicycle trails near the site and the tarp covering the remaining waste filter clay pile was replaced to prevent any human contact with the contaminants and to limit the migration of the contamination. Arsenic and metals continued to be found in soils in the vicinity of the Imperial Oil Company Superfund site.^[86] In April 2002, EPA excavated and disposed of a 25 foot by 25 foot area of soil containing a tar-like material discovered outside of the fenced area. The presence of elevated levels of PCBs and lead in this material may have presented a physical contact threat to trespassers. In April 2004, 18,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil was removed from Birch Swamp Brook and adjacent properties. In August 2007, EPA arranged for 24-hour security at the site, given that Imperial Oil declared bankruptcy and ceased operations at the site during July 2007.^[87]

The EPA announced in 2009 the startup of remediation activities for contaminated soils at the site now called "Operable Unit 3" (OU3). Marlboro Township has benefited from the $10-$25 million in stimulus funding to pay for the cost of this cleanup. EPA plans to conduct a public information session in late 2009 to inform the area residents in Marlboro of the details of remedial activities.^[88]

[edit] Marlboro Middle School

Marlboro Middle School contamination issue was an issue which was handled by the State / Local level. It was not a superfund site. This field was a, Angus bull farm prior to being donated to the town for school construction. During the soccer fields improvement program, tests were conducted at the soccer complex which showed elevated levels of unspecified contaminants. The Mayor closed the fields as soon as the test results came in. The township then applied for and received a grant to help with the anticipated remediation work. Marlboro received money from the Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund to conduct the soil remediation at site of work being done to the soccer complex. ^[89]

[edit] Entron Industries Site

This property clean-up is being handled through the NJEDA and is not considered a superfund clean-up site. The site is located at the northeastern intersection of Route 79 and Beacon Hill Road. There are a total of 10 buildings on the site along with wooded areas. Investigations have found the presence of a variety of unspecified environmental contaminants associated with prior industrial activities. In addition, investigations included possible groundwater contamination on the property. There are no current known plans for clean-up, however, public hearings have been held to start the process of clean-up and redevelopment of the area.^[90] Marlboro township was given a total of $200,000 in two different grants to complete remedial investigation of the site by the NJEDA.^[91]

[edit] Arky Property

This is a non-Superfund clean-up site with focus by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. It is located at 217 Route 520 in Marlboro Township. This is a 22 acre site which was an automobile junkyard. Contamination consisted of Volatile Organic Compounds in the groundwater and soil contamination of Metals, trichloroethylene (TCE). methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs).^[92] In 1998, NJDEP conducted a second drum removal action and excavated 70 buried drums and contaminated soil. The drums of hazardous wastes had been crushed and buried prior to 1987. In the prior removal, 22 drums were found and removed. NJDEP has installed additional monitor wells near the site. Investigations are continuing to determine if additional contamination is present on the site which requires clean-up actions. ^[93]

[edit] DiMeo Property

This 77-acre property property^[94] was purchased by Marlboro Township under P.B. 938-05^[95] for recreational uses, including walking/jogging trails, a playground area and a picnic grove area.^[96] Clean-up is being handled through the NJEDA and is not considered a superfund clean-up site. In 2004, Marlboro Township awarded $30,250 to Schoor DePalma^[97] to address and monitor the contaminated soil at the north side of the Dimeo property. The Demeo property is located at Pleasant Valley and Conover roads. The soil on this property had widespread hazardous levels of arsenic, lead, pesticides and petroleum related contamination. These contaminations are consistent with farming related operations.^[98] After clean-up, deep monitoring wells were created. In 2007, Birdsall Engineering obtained a contract to investigate arsenic and pesticide contamination on previously known DiMeo property. The contract was for an amount not to exceed $18,964. There were two isolated hot spots where levels of pesticides are higher than others. The work was being done by the state farmland preservation program.^[99] In 2008, Marlboro Township was awarded $122,248 for continued clean-up and monitoring by the NJEDA.^[100]

[edit] Big Brook Park

This site is being addressed through state and local department and funds and is not a superfund clean-up site. In 1997, the Monmouth County Park System bought 378 acres of the closed Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital land. The intent is to create a a regional park, similar to Holmdel Park.^[101] It is also expected to be home to part of the Henry Hudson Trail.^[102] However, it is currently closed to the general public and is currently primarily used for bow hunting. The plans have not been completed due to potential environmental contamination.^[103] Preliminary environmental studies by Birdsall Engineering found asbestos and oil contamination on the grounds.^[104] Additionally, there's agricultural grade arsenic, a byproduct of farming, on the land.^[105] The funding for the study was secured through New Jersey’s Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund.^[106] According to bid #0030-08 the requests for a company to perform asbestos removal on the site was made.^[107] At this time, the clean-up effort is not know and testing continues. Currently, the park system is considering expanding Big Brook by another 300 acres.^[108]

[edit] Murray Property

This site is being addressed through state and local funds and is not considered a superfund clean-up site. The property is contaminated with an undisclosed substance. To clean up the contamination, 1,708 cubic yards of soil was removed. The site is located on Prescott Drive, Block 233 Lot 13.^[109]

[edit] Notable residents

Notable current and former residents include:

• Darryl Dawkins (born 1957), former NBA basketball player and current head coach of the Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs
• Frank Dicopoulos (born 1957), actor on the Guiding Light.^[110]
• Max Ehrich (born 1991), actor from High School Musical 3: Senior Year.^[111]
• Josh Flitter (born 1994), actor most noted for starring in the movies The Greatest Game Ever Played and Nancy Drew.^[112]
• The Hayes Family sextuplets, stars of the show Table for 12, born in September 2004.^[113] They are the first surviving sextuplets in New Jersey.^[114]
• Garret Hobart (1844-1899), twenty-fourth Vice President of the United States.^[115]
• Ellen Karcher (born 1964), New Jersey state senator from 2004-2008.^[116]
• Jeff Kwatinetz, Hollywood talent manager.^[117]
• Ronald "Monkey Man" Filocomo, Bonanno crime family associate, convicted murderer of Bonanno capo Dominick "Sonny Black" Napolitano.^[118]
• Dan Klecko (born 1981), NFL Fullback for the Philadelphia Eagles.^[119]
• Rob Kluge and Esther Kluge, stars of Momma's Boys
• Adam Mesh, television reality show contestant on NBC's Average Joe and Average Joe: Adam Returns.^[120]
• Craig Mazin (born 1971), screenwriter of Scary Movie 3 and Scary Movie 4.^{[citation needed]}
• Jim Nantz (born 1959), sportscaster.^[121]
• Kal Penn (born 1977), actor from Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle.^[122]
• Melissa Rauch of VH1's Best Week Ever.^[123]
• Tony Reali (born 1978), Host of ESPN's Around the Horn.^[124]
• Andrew Scher created the CBS-TV show "The Doctors."^[125]
• Ross Seligman, guitar/vocals for the band Echo Helstrom.^{[citation needed]}
• Gregg and Evan Spiridellis, the founders of Jib Jab.^[126]
• Felicia Stoler, host of TLC's Honey, We're Killing the Kids.^[127]
• Paul Wesley (born 1982 as Paul Wasilewski), actor who stars as one of leads in TV series The Vampire Diaries.^[128]

[edit] Cryptozoology

[edit] Bigfoot

There have been two known Bigfoot episodes in Marlboro Township and three others in the towns around Marlboro. Cryptozoology sites list these sightings. In Marlboro Township, there was one in 2005^[129] and one in 2002.^[130]

[edit] Jersey Devil

On July 11th 2006, four people in the backyard of a neighboring town in Manalapan Township saw a large creature with large black wings, similar to the Jersey Devil, in a tree.^[131] In 2007, in a neighboring town of Freehold, New Jersey, a woman supposedly saw a huge creature with bat-like wings near her home. This was assumed to be the Jersey Devil. ^[132]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Marlboro Township official website
• Marlboro Public Schools (K-8) official website
• Marlboro Public Schools's 2007–08 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
• Data for the Marlboro Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics
• Marlboro High School official website
• Freehold Regional High School District
• Marlboro Players
• Fidelity Chinese School at Marlboro
• Freehold Regional High School District's 2007–08 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
• Marlboro Township Recreational Basketball Program Website
• Marlboro Township Soccer Association

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