Location of Spotswood in Middlesex County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Middlesex County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
Its first settler James Johnston originally called the place "Spottiswoode", named for his old place of residence in Scotland, and dates back to its original settlement in 1685.[23][24][25] It was also historically spelled Spottswood.[26]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.42 square miles (6.3 km2), including 2.31 square miles (6.0 km2) of land and 0.11 square miles (0.28 km2) of water (4.46%).[1][2]
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Outcalt, which is located along the border of Spotswood and Monroe Township.[31]
Of the 3,128 households, 29.3% had children under the age of 18; 55.0% were married couples living together; 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 31.5% were non-families. Of all households, 27.1% were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.16.[20]
21.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 28.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 91.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 86.1 males.[20]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $70,360 (with a margin of error of +/− $9,861) and the median family income was $90,652 (+/− $8,741). Males had a median income of $59,226 (+/− $4,823) versus $43,365 (+/− $4,935) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $31,249 (+/− $1,696). About 2.5% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.7% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.[41]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[17] there were 7,880 people, 3,099 households, and 2,163 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,389.8 people per square mile (1,308.8 people/km2). There were 3,158 housing units at an average density of 1,358.5 per square mile (524.5/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 99.24% White, 0.05% African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, and 0.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.38% of the population.[39][40]
There were 3,099 households, out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.10.[39][40]
In the borough the population was spread out, with 22.4% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.[39][40]
The median income for a household in the borough was $55,833, and the median income for a family was $73,062. Males had a median income of $45,979 versus $35,859 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $25,247. About 2.6% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over.[39][40]
Parks and recreation
Tennis courts are located on Summerhill Road. Spotswood parks are located on Rieder Road, Mundy Avenue, Michael Road, and East Spotswood. A World War Two Memorial is located in the East Spotswood Park.[42]
Government
Local government
The Borough of Spotswood operates within the Faulkner Act (formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law of 1950) under the Mayor-Council (Plan B), implemented based on the recommendations of a Charter Study Commission as of July 1, 1976.[43] The borough is one of 71 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government.[44] The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the five-member borough council, who are chosen at-large to four-year terms of office on a non-partisan basis in elections held on a staggered basis in even-numbered years as part of the November general election. Three council seats are up for election together and then two council seats and the mayoral seat are up for vote two years later.[7][45] The mayor is the chief executive and has responsibility for the administration of the government. The legislative power resides solely within the borough council. There is separation of legislative and executive power in this form of government.[46]
As of 2024[update], the Mayor of Spotswood is Jackie Palmer, whose term of office ends December 31, 2024.[3] Members of the Borough Council are Council President Nicholas Legakis (2026), William Lawrence "Larry" Kraemer (2026), Edward Lesko (2024), Dawn Schwartz (2026) and Andrew Zaborney (2024; elected to serve an unexpired term).[47][48][49][50]
In the 2022 borough elections, Kraemer retained his seat, while Legakis and Schwartz joined the council to replace outgoing councilmembers Theodore Ricci (2022) and Charles Spicuzzo (2022).[49] In the 2020 election, Jackie Palmer was elected as the first female mayor, Edward Lesko as the borough's youngest councilmember and Marilyn Israel as the first black councilmember.[51][50] In August 2022, Andrew Zaborney was sworn in to fill the seat expiring in December 2024 that had been held by Marilyn Israel until she resigned from office.[52]
In May 2015, Councilmember Frank LoSacco resigned from office from a term expiring in December 2016.[53] In the November 2015 general election, Leo Servis was elected to serve the balance of the term of office[54] and was sworn in at the December 7, 2015, meeting after the election results were certified.[55]
Citing potential savings of $25,000, Spotswood's council approved a measure in 2010 that would allow the borough to take advantage of new state legislation under which it would to shift its non-partisan municipal elections from May to the November general election, with the first municipal race taking place in November 2012.[56] In the November 2012 general election, Nicholas Poliseno defeated Curtis Stollen in the mayoral race to succeed Thomas W. Barlow, who didn't run for re-election. Council incumbents Frank LoSacco and Edward T. Seely ran unopposed.[57]
Law enforcement
The Spotswood Police Department is a 24/7 law enforcement agency that serves both Spotswood and Helmetta. The department has 22 officers, 3 full-time dispatchers, and 4 part-time dispatchers, led by Chief Michael Zarro.[58] In April 2018, Helmetta disbanded its three-officer police force and entered into a six-year shared services agreement with Spotswood to provide police, dispatch and EMS services.[59] This six-year agreement ended in July 2022, when Helmetta and Jamesburg entered a six-year shared services agreement.[60]
Emergency medical services
Spotswood EMS provides 24 hour care to residents. The emergency medical services division was established in 2005 by the Borough of Spotswood.[61]
Federal, state and county representation
Spotswood is located in the 12th Congressional District[62] and is part of New Jersey's 12th state legislative district.[63]
Middlesex County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners, whose seven members are elected at-large on a partisan basis to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held in January, the board selects from among its members a commissioner director and deputy director.[69] As of 2025[update], Middlesex County's Commissioners (with party affiliation, term-end year, and residence listed in parentheses) are:
As of March 2011, there were a total of 5,119 registered voters in Spotswood, of which 1,485 (29.0%) were registered as Democrats, 965 (18.9%) were registered as Republicans and 2,667 (52.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 2 voters registered as either Libertarians or Greens.[85]
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 50.1% of the vote (1,764 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 48.6% (1,712 votes), and other candidates with 1.4% (48 votes), among the 3,557 ballots cast by the borough's 5,177 registered voters (33 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 68.7%.[89][90] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 52.4% of the vote (2,001 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 45.4% (1,734 votes) and other candidates with 1.7% (64 votes), among the 3,820 ballots cast by the borough's 5,217 registered voters, for a turnout of 73.2%.[91] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 55.4% of the vote (2,014 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 43.4% (1,580 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (34 votes), among the 3,638 ballots cast by the borough's 4,952 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 73.5.[92]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 70.2% of the vote (1,591 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 28.3% (640 votes), and other candidates with 1.5% (34 votes), among the 2,290 ballots cast by the borough's 5,254 registered voters (25 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 43.6%.[97][98] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 63.2% of the vote (1,627 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 28.6% (736 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 6.4% (165 votes) and other candidates with 1.2% (31 votes), among the 2,576 ballots cast by the borough's 5,043 registered voters, yielding a 51.1% turnout.[99]
Immaculate Conception Pre-School (toddler–Pre-K) and Immaculate Conception School (K–8), which opened in September 1960, operate under the supervision of Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen.[114][115]
Transportation
Roads and highways
As of July 2015[update], the borough had a total of 29.51 miles (47.49 km) of roadways, of which 25.52 miles (41.07 km) were maintained by the municipality and 4.07 miles (6.55 km) by Middlesex County.[116]
Both Route 18 and County Route 527 just miss the borough by less than a mile. The closest limited access road is the New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95) which is accessible in both neighboring East Brunswick Township (Exit 9) and bordering Monroe Township (Exit 8A).
^Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living in: Spotswood", The New York Times, May 30, 1993. Accessed November 6, 2013. "Named for the town of Spotteswoode in Scotland, the borough traces its history to 1685, when a Scot named James Johnstone took advantage of an offer from the British proprietors of New Jersey of 50 acres to anyone willing to move to outlying areas. Thus, Spotswood became the first European settlement in southern Middlesex County."
^Form of Government, Borough of Spotswood. Accessed February 1, 2024. "The Borough of Spotswood operates under the Mayor-Council Plan B within the provisions of the Optional Municipal Charter Law of 1950 (Faulkner Act - NJSA:40:69A-31 et. seq.). A mayor is elected by the people for a term of four years on a non-partisan basis. A five-member council-at-large is elected on a non-partisan basis, with each council person serving four years."
^Harris, Vashti. "A night of firsts: Spotswood council swears in first female mayor, first Black councilwoman, youngest councilman", CentralJersey.com, January 7, 2021. Accessed February 1, 2024. "Starting off the year by making local history, newly elected Mayor Jackie Palmer was sworn into office, making her the Borough of Spotswood’s first female mayor.... Filled with a night of firsts, DeStefano also swore in Lesko, 23, who has become the youngest person appointed to the Borough Council.... Continuing the borough’s historic swearing-in ceremony, DeStefano also swore in Israel, the borough’s first Black American woman appointed to the council."
^Miller, Dawn. "Meet Spotswood Borough Council Candidate Andrew Zaborney", TAPinto Milltown / Spotswood, October 24, 2022. Accessed February 1, 2024. "Former Spotswood High School TV/Radio and Media teacher Andrew Zaborney was sworn in to fill the Spotswood Borough Council seat vacated by former Councilwoman Marylin Israel in August. Israel resigned from the council seat she won in the November 2020 election earlier this summer."
^Uzialko, Adam C. "Spotswood eyes council vacancy", Sentinel-EBS News, May 7, 2015. Accessed July 13, 2016. "The Spotswood Borough Council has a vacant seat left by the resignation of Council President Frank LoSacco.... Members of the Borough Council will vote to appoint a replacement to LoSacco's unexpired term, which is set to end in December 2016. The person chosen will have to run for election in November to fill out the remainder of the unexpired term, DeStefano said."
^December 7, 2015, Meeting Minutes, Borough of Spotswood. Accessed July 12, 2016. "It is my extreme pleasure to declare the Honorable Leo B. Servis Jr. elected Councilman for the Borough of Spotswood in accordance with the Statutes provided.... The Clerk administered the Oath of Office for Council-At-Large, Leo B. Servis Jr. Councilman's Servis' granddaughters held the bible for him."
^Shahid, Aliyah. "9 in Perth Amboy, 4 in Spotswood seek council seats", The Star-Ledger, March 18, 2010. Accessed November 27, 2012. "Until this year, under state law, non-partisan towns were required to hold their municipal elections on the second Tuesday in May. In January, the state passed a law allowing municipalities to switch the date from May to November, on the same day as the general election.... Earlier this month, Spotswood unanimously approved the move to hold elections in November, starting in 2012."
^McEvoy, James. "Poliseno edges out Stollen in Spotswood mayoral bid; Currently the borough's volunteer fire chief, mayor-elect says voters wanted change"Archived November 18, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Sentinel, November 15, 2012. Accessed November 27, 2012. "Councilman Nicholas Poliseno will serve as the next mayor of Spotswood, having edged out longtime council President Curtis Stollen in the borough's first contested mayoral race in many years. Poliseno garnered 1,471 to Stollen's 1,222 in the Nov. 6 elections.... In the Nov. 6 council election, incumbents Frank LoSacco and Edward T. Seely, who ran with Stollen, won re-election with 1,743 and 1,734, respectively. They ran uncontested."
^Loyer, Susan. "Helmetta disbands police force, enters into shared services agreement with Spotswood", Courier News, April 19, 2018. Accessed August 7, 2018. "Helmetta's police force will be disbanded at the end month and replaced by a shared services agreement that will have Spotswood providing police services to the borough, while saving the borough hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Borough Council members approved on second reading Wednesday evening an ordinance to eliminate its police department in its entirety. The termination date for borough police officers is April 30."
^Biography, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. Accessed January 3, 2019. "Watson Coleman and her husband William reside in Ewing Township and are blessed to have three sons; William, Troy, and Jared and three grandchildren; William, Kamryn and Ashanee."
^Board of County Commissioners, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Accessed May 1, 2022. "The residents of Middlesex County's 25 municipalities elect seven persons to serve as members of the Board of County Commissioners. The Commissioners are elected at large to staggered three-year terms in the November general election. In January of each year, the Board reorganizes, selecting one Commissioner to be County Commissioner Director and another to be County Commissioner Deputy Director."
^"Governor - Middlesex County"(PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014. Archived from the original(PDF) on September 10, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
^Spotswood Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Spotswood Public Schools. Accessed June 27, 2022. "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 twelve in the Spotswood School District. Composition: The Spotswood School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Spotswood."
^Donahue, Brian. "State forces school districts to merge; Helmetta district folded into Spotswood school system", Sentinel, July 9, 2009. Accessed February 2, 2017. "State officials last week ordered the consolidation of the Helmetta and Spotswood school districts, a move that some local officials described as abrupt and worrisome.... There will be no change in school attendance as a result of the merger, since Helmetta's 291 K-12 students will continue to be educated in Spotswood's schools."
^Fact Sheet 2021-2022, Milltown Public Schools. Accessed June 27, 2022. "Through a formal send–receive contract, approved by the Department of Education, our high school students are sent on a tuition basis to Spotswood High School. Our operating budget supports Parkview School and Joyce Kilmer School, as well as the tuition for students attending Spotswood High School."
^Spotswood High School 2015 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed July 11, 2016. "I want to welcome you to Spotswood High School, a comprehensive institution that focuses on excellence in academics, the arts, athletics, and community service. Spotswood High School has served the residents in Spotswood, Helmetta, and Milltown since 1976."
^About Us, Spotswood Public Schools. Accessed June 27, 2022. "Located in Spotswood, New Jersey, we are a small pre-kindergarten through 12th grade district that educates approximately 1,600 children from the three communities of Spotswood, Helmetta, and Milltown."
^HistoryArchived June 1, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, Immaculate Conception School. Accessed October 8, 2015. "The church was designed to accommodate 1,000 people. The school consisted of 12 classrooms. The total cost of the new parish facility was 1.5 million dollars. In November 1960, the complex was dedicated. In September 1960, Immaculate Conception School opened with grades one, two, and three. The initial enrollment was 198 students."