Milltown, New Jersey


Milltown is a borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 6,893, reflecting a decrease of 107 from the 7,000 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 32 from the 6,968 counted in the 1990 Census.
Milltown was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on January 29, 1889, from portions of North Brunswick, based on the results of a referendum held three days earlier. The borough was reincorporated by resolution of the borough council on May 2, 1896. A portion of East Brunswick Township was annexed in 1902. Originally known as Bergen's Mill, named for Jacob I. Bergen who owned the grist mill, the name is believed to have become "Milltown" from residents "going to the mill in town".
As of the 2000 Census, the center of population for New Jersey was located in Milltown, at Milltown Road, just east of the New Jersey Turnpike. Based on the results of the 2010 Census, the center of population had shifted to East Brunswick.
The groundbreaking anxiolytic and sedative drug Miltown developed by Carter Products, which became available to the public in the mid-1950s, was named for the borough.

History

Long before the arrival of the first Europeans, the Lenape Native Americans had established settlements along the Lawrence Brook. The discovery of many artifacts in the area above today's municipal building suggests the presence of a Native American settlement. In 1678, Thomas Lawrence, a New York baker, acquired a large area around the Lawrence Brook, which likely included today's Milltown. The Lawrence Brook was then called Piscopeek. The names and marks of several Native Americans appear on the bill of sale. In 1769, Fulcard Van Nordstrand advertised the sale of a large gristmill on the bank of Lawrence Brook. It would soon be called Lawrence Brook Mill. The 1903 classic western film The Great Train Robbery was shot in Milltown.
In March 2010, the Milltown City Council voted against changing the name of Petain Avenue, citing the difficulties that the street's residents would endure if the name changed. Petain Avenue is named for Philippe Pétain, a French World War I general who became the leader of the Vichy France government during World War II. The Vichy Regime willfully collaborated with Nazi Germany, taking state action against "undesirables", including Jews, Protestants, gays, gypsies, and left-wing activists. In total, the Vichy government participated in the deportation of 76,000 Jews to German extermination camps, although this number varies depending on the account; only 2,500 survived the war. After the war, Petain was charged with perjury and sentenced to death, though this was commuted to life imprisonment due to his advanced age. France has since changed the name of every street formerly known as Petain.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Milltown borough had a total area of 1.596 square miles, including 1.551 square miles of land and 0.045 square mile of water.
The borough borders North Brunswick to the west and East Brunswick to the east.
The Lawrence Brook, a tributary of the Raritan River, flows through the borough after exiting the Farrington Lake; a dam, under Main Street, creates a reservoir, the Mill Pond. The brook's watershed covers that includes Milltown and East Brunswick, New Brunswick, North Brunswick and South Brunswick.

Climate

The climate in the area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Milltown has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

2010 Census

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that median household income was $89,457 and the median family income was $103,750. Males had a median income of $63,377 versus $41,029 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $33,472. About 2.9% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

2000 Census

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 7,000 people, 2,627 households, and 1,943 families residing in the borough. The population density was 4,452.0 people per square mile. There were 2,670 housing units at an average density of 1,698.1 per square mile. The racial makeup of the borough was 93.86% White, 0.76% African American, 0.16% Native American, 3.07% Asian, 1.16% from other races, and 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.73% of the population.
There were 2,627 households, out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.9% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families. 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 22.9% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $68,429, and the median income for a family was $77,869. Males had a median income of $50,338 versus $38,220 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $29,996. About 1.3% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 1.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Milltown is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 of 565 municipalities statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey. The governing body consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle. The Borough form of government used by Milltown is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.
, the Mayor of Milltown is Democrat Trina Jensen Mehr, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the Milltown Borough Council are Council President Randy Farkas, Ronald Dixon, Nicholas Ligotti, Anna M. Neubauer, James Pareti and Felipe "Phil" Zambrana.
In January 2020, James Pareti was appointed by the Borough Council to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that became vacant when Trina Jensen Mehr resigned to take office as mayor earlier that month.
In the November 2011 General Election, Democrat Eric Steeber was elected to a four-year term as mayor, the borough's first Democrat to serve in the position for 25 years, while his running mates Randy Farkas and Joseph Pietanza won three-year terms on the Borough Council.

Federal, state and county representation

Milltown is located in the 12th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 17th state legislative district.

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 5,075 registered voters in Milltown, of which 1,609 were registered as Democrats, 823 were registered as Republicans and 2,643 were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 49.9% of the vote, ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 48.7%, and other candidates with 1.4%, among the 3,706 ballots cast by the borough's 5,159 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.8%. In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 52.0% of the vote, ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 45.5% and other candidates with 1.6%, among the 4,058 ballots cast by the borough's 5,250 registered voters, for a turnout of 77.3%. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 55.5% of the vote, outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 42.9% and other candidates with 0.9%, among the 3,927 ballots cast by the borough's 5,064 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 77.5.
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 64.6% of the vote, ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 33.5%, and other candidates with 2.0%, among the 2,586 ballots cast by the borough's 5,180 registered voters, for a turnout of 49.9%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 55.9% of the vote, ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 32.6%, Independent Chris Daggett with 8.7% and other candidates with 1.6%, among the 3,011 ballots cast by the borough's 5,096 registered voters, yielding a 59.1% turnout.

Education

The Milltown Public Schools serves students in public school for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. As of the 2017–18 school year, the district and its two schools had an enrollment of 755 students and 63.6 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 11.9:1. Schools in the district are
Parkview School and
Joyce Kilmer School.
For ninth through twelfth grades, public school students attend Spotswood High School in Spotswood as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Spotswood Public Schools, which also serves students from Helmetta. In 2013, Milltown and Spotswood had discussions of expanding the partnership between the two districts beyond the sending relationship. As of the 2017–18 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 679 students and 58.0 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 11.7:1.
The community is also served by the Greater Brunswick Charter School, a K-8 charter school serving students from Milltown, Edison, Highland Park and New Brunswick. As of the 2017–18 school year, the school had an enrollment of 395 students and 33.0 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 12.0:1.
Eighth grade students from all of Middlesex County are eligible to apply to attend the high school programs offered by the Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools, a county-wide vocational school district that offers full-time career and technical education at Middlesex County Academy in Edison, the Academy for Allied Health and Biomedical Sciences in Woodbridge Township and at its East Brunswick, Perth Amboy and Piscataway technical high schools, with no tuition charged to students for attendance.
Our Lady of Lourdes School operates under the supervision of Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen.

Transportation

Roads and highways

, the borough had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality, by Middlesex County and by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
County Route 617 is a major artery serving the borough along the eastern border. The New Jersey Turnpike passes through for about a mile, but the closest interchange is in neighboring East Brunswick Township. Also, U.S. 1 is outside in neighboring North Brunswick.

Public transportation

On weekdays, NJ Transit provides local bus service on the 811 route.
Coach USA Suburban Transit provides NYC rush-hour commuter service on the 400 route.
The Raritan River Railroad ran through Milltown, but is now defunct along this part of the line. The track and freight station still remain. Proposals have been made to use the line as a light rail route.

Notable people

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