GENERAL INFORMATION
OF THE
TOWNSHIP OF CHATHAM
COUNTY OF MORRIS, NEW JERSEY
General
The Township of Chatham, established in 1806, comprises an area of approximately 9.1 square miles and is located some 25 miles west of New York City. The Township is located in the southeasterly part of Morris County, bounded on the north by the Borough of Madison, on the east by the Borough of Chatham and the City of Summit, on the south by the County of Union and on the west by the Townships of Harding and Long Hill.
The Township’s proximity to the New York/New Jersey metropolitan areas enhances its desirability for executives of national and regional business corporations to locate in this area of luxury residential homes.
The Township has four shopping centers which are centrally located in the adjacent Short Hills Mall, Livingston Mall, and two local shopping plazas.
Transportation Access
The Township of Chatham is accessible to various highways, railroads, and airports. U.S. Route 24, which traverses the adjacent municipality (the Borough of Chatham), provides quick access to Routes 287, 80 and 78, John F. Kennedy Parkway, the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike.
The Township is within a half-hour drive of Newark Airport, and within 5 miles of the Morristown Airport.
There are NJ Transit Train Stations located in the Borough of Chatham, Madison, and Summit providing Mid-Town direct service to NYC Penn Station.
Municipal Government
The Township of Chatham is governed by a Township Committee which has executive and legislative powers and is comprised of five committee persons, elected at large for three year terms.
The Township Committee formulates policy, exercises budgetary controls within the statutes, enacts legislation by means of ordinances and resolutions, and is generally in charge of the conduct of municipal business.
The executive powers are implemented through a professional staff comprised of a Township Administrator, Chief Financial Officer, Clerk, Treasurer, Tax Collector, Tax Assessor, Superintendent of Public Works, and Chief of Police.
Office of the Township Administrator
As provided by local ordinance, the Township Administrator serves as the chief administrative officer, responsible for the proper and efficient administration of Township affairs. The duties include coordinating the operations of the Township, as well as the self-liquidating utilities, implementing the decisions of the Township Committee, preparation of the budget, and acting as Purchasing Agent. Currently the Township Administrator also serves as the Chief Financial Officer.
Other Departments
The Township Clerk
- Secretary to the governing body and in this capacity prepares agendas, records the minutes of all Committee meetings, and is responsible for maintaining all permanent Township records and documents. The Township Clerk also serves as the Municipal Election Official and is responsible for the administration of the primary and general elections.
The Township Engineer
- Appointed by the Township Committee. A licensed professional, he provides related consulting, engineering, surveying, and planning services that may be required by the Township.
The Township Tax Collector
- Performs the duties associated with the billing and collection of all taxes and sewer utility fees.
The Township Assessor
- Responsible for assessing all property within the municipality for real property tax purposes.
Department of Finance,
- Under the supervision of the Township Administrator, handles all financial matters of the Township, including the development of financial policy and the annual operating and capital budgets. The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for implementation and administration of payroll, payment of invoices, coordination of all Township purchases, municipal debt service, and the investment program for Township funds.
Department of Public Works
- Located on Southern Blvd., this 22 man department is responsible for road repairs, maintenance of Township equipment and facilities, recreation fields and Colony Pool and Tennis as well as the operation and maintenance of the Water Pollution Control Utilities.
Police Department
- A 23 member uniformed force under the direction of the Chief of Police. In addition there are school crossing guards, and a dispatching service which also provides emergency medical dispatch for the Chatham Emergency Squad and dispatches the 2 Fire Departments.
Environmental Commission
The Environmental Commission is an official arm of the local government, established to protect the environment, conserve natural resources, and foster a more sustainable community. Commissioners are appointed by the Mayor. In addition to being the public’s advocate, the Chatham Township Environmental Commission is an advisory body to the Mayor, Township Committee, our Municipal Departments, the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Open Space Advisory Committee, and the Tree Protection Committee. Contact CTEC
Planning Board and Board of Adjustment
The Planning Board is guided by both the Township and the County Master Plan in reviewing site plans, subdivision applications, and conditional use requests. Other duties include preparation of zoning ordinances, recommendations of amendments, and public hearing involving the master plan and its amendments.
Anyone wishing relief from the provisions of the zoning ordinances that regulate building improvements and construction must appeal to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Master Plan
The first formal Township planning study was adopted in 1957. The current comprehensive Master Plan was completed in 1989. This plan, as provided by the laws of New Jersey, has been revised periodically with several elements recently updated..
Zoning
The present zoning consists of four residential zones providing for single family dwellings in each zone with minimum lots areas required as follows – R-1: 100,000 square feet; R-2: 41,250 square feet; R-3: 20,000 square feet; and R-4: 10,000 square feet. There are two neighborhood business zones, as well as a third area that contains two local shopping plazas. In zones R-1, R-2 and R-3 there are provisions for cluster development, townhouses, and apartment options, as well as lot size averaging.
Residential
There are currently 3,652 single family dwellings in the Township, plus two apartment complexes. A 900 unit condominium complex located on River Road also is home to 73 units of Affordable Housing.
Recreational Facilities
The Township has many recreational areas. There are also County Parks and the Great Swamp Education Center. A major portion of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is located within the Township. The Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center is located on Southern Boulevard and is part of the Morris County Park System.
The Township employs a Recreation Director to coordinate a joint recreation program for residents of all ages in partnership with Chatham Borough. The program is supported by countless volunteers who serve as coaches and leaders of various recreational disciplines.
Library
The Township of Chatham and the Borough of Chatham, via referendum in 1974, formed the Joint Library of the Chathams, located on Main Street in the Borough. In 1983, a major addition was constructed and dedicated. This addition was completely funded from library funds and public contributions. The Library was expanded again in 2001.
Health Services
Hospital services are available at Morristown Memorial Hospital in Morristown, Overlook Hospital in Summit, and Saint Barnabas Hospital in Livingston.
Utilities
Utilities are provided by JCP&L, Verizon Telephone Company, Public Service Electric & Gas Company, and the New Jersey American Water Company, Comcast Cable and Verizon FIOS for TV and internet services.
Fire Departments
The Township is served by two volunteer fire companies, both of which maintain up-to-date equipment, sufficient to handle existing and anticipated demands.
- The Green Village Volunteer Fire Department, located on Green Village Road.
- Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Department located on River Road with a substation located on Southern Blvd.
First Aid
The Chatham Emergency Squad serves both the Township and the Borough of Chatham.
Education
The School District of the Chathams was established on July 1, 1988, incorporating the previously separate Chatham Borough and Chatham Township school districts. It continues the tradition of the two former districts by actively supporting excellence in education for students in Kindergarten through grade 12. The School District operates the following schools: Milton Avenue, Southern Boulevard, and Washington Avenue schools for grades Kindergarten to 3, Lafayette School for grades 4 and 5, the Chatham Middle School for grades 6 to 8 and the Chatham High School for grades 9 to 12.
Chatham High School offers a fully diversified curriculum in college preparatory and standard subjects including art, business, computer programming, English, foreign languages, home economics, mathematics, music, physical education, science, social studies, and technology. Cooperative Industrial Education and Vocational-Technical subjects are available in shared-time programs. Advance Placement opportunities are available in American and European history, biology, calculus, computer science, English, French, German and Spanish. A four-year honors sequence is offered in English, mathematics and science. For students with special educational needs, the school offers foundation courses in the academic areas and supportive instruction in supplementary, learning and study skills.
The School District of the Chathams consistently ranks as one the top public schools districts in the State of New Jersey.
