Lopatcong Township (/loʊˈpætkɒŋ/) is a township in Warren County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 U.S. census, the township's population was 8,014,[8][9][10] reflecting an increase of 2,249 (+39.0%) from the 5,765 counted in the 2000 census, which had in turn increased by 713 (+14.1%) from the 5,052 counted in the 1990 census.[18]
Township in Warren County, New Jersey, United States
View of Lopatocng from the base of Marble Mountain.
History
What is now Lopatcong Township was created as Phillipsburg Township on March 7, 1851, by an act approved by the New Jersey Legislature from portions of Greenwich Township and Harmony Township. After Phillipsburg was incorporated as an independent municipality on March 8, 1861, the township changed its name to Lopatcong as of March 18, 1863, after the Lopatcong Creek in the area.[19][20]
The name of the creek and township—Lopatcong—came from four words of the Lenni Lenape Native Americans—Lowan peek achtu onk, which meant "winter watering place for deer".[21][22]
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 7.38 square miles (19.10km2), including 7.32 square miles (18.95km2) of land and 0.06 square miles (0.16km2) of water (0.81%).[1][2]
Delaware Park (2010 Census population of 700[23]) and Lopatcong Overlook (population 734 as of 2010[24]) are unincorporated communities and census-designated places (CDPs) located within the township.[25][26][27]
Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Ingersol Heights and Union Town.[28] Lopatcong is made up of several neighborhoods, including Morris Park, Delaware Park, Rosehill Heights, Brakeley Park, Lows Hollow, Country Hills, Meadow View, Scott's Mountain and Overlook.[citation needed]
The Township's economic data (as is all of Warren County) is calculated by the US Census Bureau as part of the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Census 2010
The 2010 United States census counted 8,014 people, 3,136 households, and 2,089 families in the township. The population density was 1,129.0 per square mile (435.9/km2). There were 3,420 housing units at an average density of 481.8 per square mile (186.0/km2). The racial makeup was 87.22% (6,990) White, 6.03% (483) Black or African American, 0.14% (11) Native American, 4.18% (335) Asian, 0.01% (1) Pacific Islander, 0.81% (65) from other races, and 1.61% (129) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.99% (480) of the population.[8]
Of the 3,136 households, 30.0% had children under the age of 18; 55.7% were married couples living together; 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 33.4% were non-families. Of all households, 29.3% were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.09.[8]
23.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 88.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 82.6 males.[8]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $77,320 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,889) and the median family income was $89,317 (+/− $6,056). Males had a median income of $61,771 (+/− $6,980) versus $49,338 (+/− $4,584) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $33,633 (+/− $2,586). About 0.7% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.[41]
Census 2000
As of the 2020 U.S. census,[15] there were 5,765 people, 2,143 households, and 1,523 families residing in the township. The population density was 814.6 people per square mile (314.4/km2). There were 2,429 housing units at an average density of 343.2 per square mile (132.5/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 96.27% White, 1.13% African American, 0.07% Native American, 1.63% Asian, 0.49% from other races, and 0.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.99% of the population.[39][40]
There were 2,143 households, out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.5% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.09.[39][40]
In the township, the population was spread out, with 24.5% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 22.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.3 males.[39][40]
The median income for a household in the township was $50,918, and the median income for a family was $65,545. Males had a median income of $52,540 versus $30,967 for females. The per capita income for the township was $24,333. About 4.7% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.[39][40]
Government
Local government
Lopatcong Township is governed by the Small Municipality form of government, which is available under the terms of the Faulkner Act only for those municipalities with a population below 12,000 at the time of adoption. The township is one of 18 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government.[42] The governing body is comprised of the Mayor and the four-member Township Council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a three-year term of office. Council members are elected to serve a term of three years on a staggered basis, so that two seats come up for election in the two years that the mayor is not up for election.[3]
As of 2022[update], members of the Lopatcong Township Council are Mayor James Mengucci (R, term on committee and as mayor ends December 31, 2020), Council President William D. Wright (R, 2022), Louis Belcaro (R, 2024), Richard McQuade (R, 2024) and James Palitto (R, 2022).[4][43][44][45][46]
In June 2016, the Township Council unanimously selected Yvonne Reitemeyer from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2016 that became vacant following the resignation of Donna Schneider.[47][48]
In the November 2012 general election, Lori Ciesla, who ran as part of the independent slate of Responsible Lopatcong Leadership, won election, as did Maureen McCabe who won an unexpired one-year term when she defeated Republican incumbent Andrew Horun who had been appointed earlier in the year to fill the vacant seat of H. Matthew Curry.[49]
Federal, state and county representation
Lopatcong Township is located in the 7th Congressional District[50] and is part of New Jersey's 23rd state legislative district.[9][51][52] Prior to the 2010 Census, Lopatcong Township had been part of the 5th Congressional District, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.[53]
Warren County is governed by a three-member Board of County Commissioners, who are chosen at-large on a staggered basis in partisan elections with one seat coming up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects one of its members to serve as Commissioner Director and other as Deputy Director.[59] As of 2022[update], Warren County's Commissioners are
Commissioner Director Jason J. Sarnoski (R, Lopatcong Township; term as commissioner and commissioner director ends December 31, 2022)[60]
Commissioner Deputy Director Lori Ciesla (R, Lopatcong Township; term as commissioner ends 2024, term as deputy director ends 2022),[61] and
James R. Kern III (R, Pohatcong Township; 2025).[62][63] Constitutional officers of Warren County are
County Clerk Holly Mackey (R, Alpha; 2022),[64][65]
Sheriff James McDonald Sr. (R, Phillipsburg; 2022)[66][67] and
Surrogate Kevin O'Neill (R, Hackettstown; 2025).[68][69][70]
Politics
As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 5,153 registered voters in Lopatcong Township, of which 1,391 (27.0% vs. 21.5% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,470 (28.5% vs. 35.3%) were registered as Republicans and 2,288 (44.4% vs. 43.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 4 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[71] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 64.3% (vs. 62.3% in Warren County) were registered to vote, including 83.6% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 81.5% countywide).[71][72]
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 1,964 votes (52.8% vs. 56.0% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 1,638 votes (44.0% vs. 40.8%) and other candidates with 51 votes (1.4% vs. 1.7%), among the 3,720 ballots cast by the township's 5,386 registered voters, for a turnout of 69.1% (vs. 66.7% in Warren County).[73][74] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 1,985 votes (51.9% vs. 55.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 1,730 votes (45.2% vs. 41.4%) and other candidates with 46 votes (1.2% vs. 1.6%), among the 3,827 ballots cast by the township's 5,090 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.2% (vs. 73.4% in Warren County).[75] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 1,994 votes (57.5% vs. 61.0% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 1,419 votes (40.9% vs. 37.2%) and other candidates with 30 votes (0.9% vs. 1.3%), among the 3,467 ballots cast by the township's 4,536 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.4% (vs. 76.3% in the whole county).[76]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 70.4% of the vote (1,615 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 27.6% (634 votes), and other candidates with 2.0% (45 votes), among the 2,345 ballots cast by the township's 5,506 registered voters (51 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 42.6%.[77][78] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,455 votes (58.6% vs. 61.3% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 736 votes (29.6% vs. 25.7%), Independent Chris Daggett with 228 votes (9.2% vs. 9.8%) and other candidates with 35 votes (1.4% vs. 1.5%), among the 2,484 ballots cast by the township's 4,981 registered voters, yielding a 49.9% turnout (vs. 49.6% in the county).[79]
Education
The Lopatcong Township School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.[80] As of the 2018–2019 school year, the district, comprised of two schools, had an enrollment of 737 students and 54.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.5:1.[81] Schools in the district (with 2018–2019 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[82]) are
Lopatcong Elementary School with 378 students in grades Pre-K–4 and
Lopatcong Middle School with 356 students in grades 5–8.[83][84][85] Before the Middle School opened in 2003, students would attend the Elementary School through eighth grade; The middle school was constructed in the wake of increasing enrollment, which climbed more than 50% from just over 500 in 1995 to more than 750 by 2001.[86]
Public school students in ninth through twelfth grades attend Phillipsburg High School in Phillipsburg as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Phillipsburg School District. The high school also serves students from four other sending communities: Alpha, Bloomsbury (in Hunterdon County), Greenwich Township and Pohatcong Township.[83][87][88][89] The site of the new Phillipsburg High School, which began construction in January 2014, is in Lopatcong's borders. The three-story, 330,000-square-foot (31,000m2) building, with more than double the floor space of the existing high school and a capacity to accommodate more than 2,100 students, was completed for the 2016–2017 school year and was dedicated in September 2016 at ceremonies attended by Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie.[90][91] As of the 2018–2019 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 1,650 students and 126.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.0:1.[92]
Students from the township and from all of Warren County are eligible to attend Ridge and Valley Charter School in Frelinghuysen Township (for grades K–8)[93] or Warren County Technical School in Washington borough (for 9–12),[94] with special education services provided by local districts supplemented throughout the county by the Warren County Special Services School District in Oxford Township (for Pre-K–12).[83][95]
Lopatcong Township was featured in a 2003 The New York Times, which addressed problems of public school financing in suburban communities and various strategies that Lopatcong and other such communities were adopting to deal with the problem.[86]
Transportation
Roads and highways
View west along US 22 in Lopatcong Township
As of May2010[update], the township had a total of 45.59 miles (73.37km) of roadways, of which 35.19 miles (56.63km) were maintained by the municipality, 6.56 miles (10.56km) by Warren County and 3.84 miles (6.18km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[96]
The most prominent highway in Lopatcong Township is US 22, which traverses the southern section of the township. Route 57 traverses towards the center from its western end at US 22. The main county road that passes through is County Route 519 which passes through in the eastern part of the township.
Public transportation
NJ Transit bus service is provided on the 890 and 891 routes.[97]
Notable people
See also: Category:People from Lopatcong Township, New Jersey
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Lopatcong Township include:
Donald J. Albanese (born 1937), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1976 to 1982[98]
Ned Bolcar (born 1967), linebacker who played three seasons in the NFL, one with the Seattle Seahawks and two with the Miami Dolphins[99]
Lou Reda (1925–2017), filmmaker who specialized in television documentaries[100]
Harold S. Sloan (1888–1988), economist who wrote extensively and taught in the field of economics, who also served as the executive director of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation[101]
Doug Steinhardt (born 1968), attorney and politician who served as mayor of Lopatcong Township and is Chairman of the New Jersey Republican State Committee[102]
Film community
Lopatcong Township was the primary location for the independent film Several Ways to Die Trying. The film's writer/director, Glen Tickle, as well as members of the cast and crew are residents of the township.[103]
Raum, John O. The History of New Jersey: From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Volume 1, p. 272, J. E. Potter and company, 1877. Accessed June 6, 2013. "Lopatcong contains 1,150 inhabitants [in 1870].... Phillipsburg is on the Delaware directly opposite in Pennsylvania The city of the same name is divided into three wards The population in 1860 was 3,741; and in 1870, 5,932." Note that the 1860 population listed for Phillipsburg city is actually the data for Phillipsburg township, before it was renamed as Lopatcong.
Novak, Steve. "Meet Lopatcong Township's newest councilwoman", The Express-Times, June 28, 2016. Accessed August 8, 2016. "Lopatcong Township has a new councilwoman, though only for the next six months. Yvonne Reitemeyer, 46, was unanimously selected by the council Monday night to fill the rest of the term left by Councilwoman Donna Schneider's resignation this month."
Special Meeting Minutes June 27, 2016, Township of Lopatcong. Accessed August 8, 2016. "Council Vacancy: - Council President Pryor made a motion to appoint Yvonne Reitemeyer to fill the Council vacancy, seconded by Councilman Belcaro. Roll call vote: AYES: Councilman Belcaro, Councilwoman McCabe, Council President Pryor, Mayor McKay; NAYS: None. Yvonne Reitemeyer was sworn in as Councilwoman."
Foster, David. "Independents take two seats, Republican one on Lopatcong Township Council, according to unofficial results", The Express-Times, November 7, 2012. Accessed June 10, 2013. "Independent candidate Lori Ciesla secured a nod for the three-year seat along with Republican Louis Belcaro.... Independent Maureen McCabe squeaked out a win by four votes over incumbent Andrew Horun for the one-year term. Horun was appointed by council in April to fill a vacancy left by H. Matthew Curry."
Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.
Biography of Bob Menendez, United States Senate, January 26, 2015. "Menendez, who started his political career in Union City, moved in September from Paramus to one of Harrison's new apartment buildings near the town's PATH station.."
Governmental Structure, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed February 22, 2022. "Warren County operates under the County Commissioner form of county government. The Board of County Commissioners consists of three Commissioners each elected at large for staggered terms of three years. The Commissioner Director is chosen by the full board at the board’s annual reorganization meeting in January. The Commissioners supervise, direct and administer all county services and functions through the various departments, autonomous boards, agencies, and commissions. Reporting to the Board of County Commissioners is an appointed County Administrator."
Jason J. Sarnoski, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed February 22, 2022.
Lori Ciesla, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed February 22, 2022.
James R. Kern III, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed February 22, 2022.
2009 Governor: Warren CountyArchived 2012-10-17 at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed June 8, 2013.
Loptacong Township Board of Education Bylaw 0110 - Identiification, Lopatcong Township School District. Accessed June 5, 2020. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through eight in the Lopatcong Township School District. Composition: The Lopatcong Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Lopatcong Township."
Mansnerus, Laura. "Great Haven for Families, but Don't Bring Children", The New York Times August 13, 2003. Accessed June 10, 2013. "That describes Lopatcong, near Interstate 78 at the state's western edge. As farms gave way to subdivisions of single-family houses, the population rose to 6,991 in 2002 from 5,765 in 2000. Enrollment at the town's elementary school was 503 in 1995 and 755 in 2001, and it is expected to reach 900 this fall, when a new middle school will open."
Phillipsburg High School 2015 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed June 5, 2020. "At the secondary level, the district serves not only students from the town of Phillipsburg which makes up 37.6% of the high school population, but also students from the surrounding boroughs of Alpha and Bloomsbury, as well as the townships of Greenwich, Lopatcong, and Pohatcong."
About PSD, Phillipsburg School District. Accessed June 5, 2020. "The district serves students from the Town of Phillipsburg and five sending communities at the secondary level: Alpha, Bloomsbury, Greenwich, Lopatcong and Pohatcong Townships. Phillipsburg is the largest community in Warren County."
Peters, Sarah. "New Phillipsburg High School beginning to take shape in Lopatcong Township", The Express-Times, July 7, 2014. Accessed March 29, 2015. "The new Phillipsburg High School is starting to take shape atop a steep hillside off Belvidere Road in Lopatcong Township.... Five school board members and at least four administrators embarked on the tour of the property scheduled to open during the 2016-2017 academic year."
Novak, Steve. "Christie: New Phillipsburg High School most modern in N.J.", The Express-Times, September 21, 2016. Accessed January 17, 2017. "The 330,000-square-foot high school finally opened for classes this month, and Gov. Chris Christie -- who on Wednesday was the guest of honor at a ceremony marking the $127.5 million project's completion -- thanked the assembled staff, students and other dignitaries for their patience.... The building on a hilltop in Lopatcong Township is designed for 2,172 students in grades 9 to 12, with 50 general classrooms, 12 science labs, 4 computer labs, media center and arts and vocational facilities."
F.A.Q., Ridge and Valley Charter School. Accessed January 17, 2017. "Enrollment is open, on a space available basis, to all K-8 students residing in N.J. with priority given to students residing in the districts of Blairstown, Hardwick, Knowlton, Frelinghuysen, and North Warren Regional School."
About UsArchived 2013-09-27 at the Wayback Machine, Warren County Technical School. Accessed September 16, 2013.
AboutArchived 2013-09-27 at the Wayback Machine, Warren County Special Services School District. Accessed September 16, 2013.
via Associated Press. "Albanese a candidate", Red Bank Register, October 8, 1980. Accessed June 5, 2020. "State Assemblyman Donald J. Albanese said yesterday that he is best suited to succeed Gov. Brendan T. Byrne next year. Albanese, 43, of Lopatcong Township in Warren County, said he is an Italian-American with a perfect rating from conservatives."
Staff. "Warren County Hall of Fame inductees announced", Warren Reporter, August 22, 2014. Accessed May 2, 2015. "A native of Lopatcong Township and a Phillipsburg High School graduate, Bolcar was a 1984 USA Today High School All-American selection."
Novak, Steve. "Lou Reda, renowned local producer of 100s of documentaries, dies at 92", The Express-Times, September 30, 2017. Accessed September 30, 2017. "The production company said goodbye to the boss Saturday morning, when Lou Reda died from a sudden illness. He was 92.... Reda, a World War II Navy veteran who lived in Lopatcong Township for decades, produced hundreds of documentaries for A&E and the History Channel in the '80s and '90s, his son said."
Staff. "Harold S. Sloan, 100, Former Manufacturer", The New York Times, November 9, 1988. Accessed October 1, 2017. "Harold Stephenson Sloan, a retired manufacturer, economist, teacher and author who was a brother of the industrialist Alfred P. Sloan, died in his sleep Saturday at his home in Lopatcong Township, N.J. He was 100 years old."
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