Location of Boonton Township in Morris County highlighted in red (right). Inset map: Location of Morris County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (left).
New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Boonton Township as the 4th best place to live in the state in its rankings of the "New Jersey's Top Towns 2011–2012.[26]
History
Boonton Township's recorded history began about 1710 when William Penn, the Quaker land speculator, located in the northern valley his Lot No. 48, which contained 1,430 acres (580 ha) of fields and woodlands. James Bollen, whose bordering "plantation" stretching south toward the Tourne was described as "situate on the fork of Rockaway with an Indian plantation in it," mapped his 1,507 acres (6 km2) in 1715. In 1765 David Ogden purchased from Burnet and Skinner the Great Boonton Tract. When the Township of Boonton was created as of April 11, 1867 by "An Act to Divide the Township of Pequannoc in the County of Morris" most of Penn's Lot No. 48 and parts of the Bollen and Great Boonton Tracts fell within Boonton's boundary.
The first settler of proper record was Frederick DeMouth of FrenchHuguenot extraction. By 1758, his Rockaway Valley plantation within the Penn Lot covered 672 acres (2.72 km2), and it was on this land that the large Stickle, Bott and Kincaid farms were to prosper in the far distant future. Frederick Miller of German Palatine birth bought extensive land (later day Dixon acres) within the Bollen piece at 13 shillings per acre. These founding families were closely followed by the Hoplers, Van Winkles, Cooks, Scotts, Peers, Stickles and Kanouses.
McCaffrey Lane, the oldest recorded thoroughfare in the area, was built in 1767 by Samuel Ogden of the Great Boonton Tract. In 1822, North Main Street was "cut" along the proposed Morris Canal route. In 1824, the Morris Canal and Banking Company was chartered with John Scott of Powerville, an important commissioner. Locks number 9, 10 and 11 were constructed in newly named Powerville.
The Powerville Hotel, still standing, was built near Lock Number 11 to accommodate both canal and transient trade. The hotel, owned by Nathan Hopkins, gained fame as a station on the pre-American Civil WarUnderground Railroad.[27][28]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 8.50 square miles (22.01 km2), including 8.12 square miles (21.04 km2) of land and 0.38 square miles (0.97 km2) of water (4.41%).[1][2]
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Deer Pond, Dixons Pond, Powerville, Rockaway Valley and Sheep Hill.[29]
Of the 1,575 households, 33.8% had children under the age of 18; 63.1% were married couples living together; 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 27.0% were non-families. Of all households, 23.9% were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.17.[19]
24.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 16.2% from 25 to 44, 35.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 92.4 males.[19]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $117,333 (with a margin of error of ± $21,364) and the median family income was $135,781 (± $33,990). Males had a median income of $102,250 (± $17,348) versus $62,452 (± $17,486) for females. The per capita income for the township was $61,267 (± $12,232). About 3.8% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.[41]
Based on data from the 2006–2010 American Community Survey, Boonton Township had a per capita income of $61,267 (ranked 50th in the state), compared to per capita income in Morris County of $47,342 and statewide of $34,858.[42]
Census 2000
As of the 2000 United States census[15] there were 4,287 people, 1,476 households, and 1,157 families residing in the township. The population density was 508.9 inhabitants per square mile (196.5/km2). There were 1,510 housing units at an average density of 179.2 per square mile (69.2/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 93.00% White, 1.19% African American, 0.05% Native American, 4.08% Asian, 0.63% from other races, and 1.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.15% of the population.[39][40]
There were 1,476 households, out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.1% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.6% were non-families. 17.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.18.[39][40]
In the township the population was spread out, with 24.9% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.3 males.[39][40]
The median income for a household in the township was $91,753, and the median income for a family was $102,944. Males had a median income of $77,133 versus $46,302 for females. The per capita income for the township was $45,014. About 0.9% of families and 1.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.5% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.[39][40]
Government
Local government
Boonton Township is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.[43] The Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle.[7][44] At an annual reorganization meeting held in January after each election, a Mayor (formally described as Chairperson) and Deputy Mayor are selected by the Township Committee from among its members.[45]
As of 2024[update], members of the Boonton Township Committee are Mayor Brian Honan (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2026; term as mayor ends 2024), Deputy Mayor William Klingener (R, term on committee ends 2025; term as deputy mayor ends 2024), Thomas R. Donadio (R, 2026), Paul Allieri (R, 2025) and Thomas F. SanFilippo Jr. (R, 2024).[3][46][47][48][49][50][51]
Patricia Collins was chosen in January 2020 by the Township Committee from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2021 that had been held by Michele Rankin until her resignation from office effective in December 2019.[52]
In December 2018, the Township Committee selected Brian Honan from a list of candidates submitted by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that had been vacated the previous month by Robert A. Rizzo, who resigned from office; Honan served on an interim basis until the November 2019 general election, when he was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.[53][54][55]
Federal, state and county representation
Boonton Township is located in the 11th Congressional District[56] and is part of New Jersey's 25th state legislative district.[57][58][59]
Morris County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of seven members who are elected at-large in partisan elections to three-year terms on a staggered basis, with either one or three seats up for election each year as part of the November general election.[64] Actual day-to-day operation of departments is supervised by County Administrator Deena Leary.[65]: 8 As of 2025[update], Morris County's Commissioners are:
The county's constitutional officers are:
Clerk Ann F. Grossi (R, Parsippany–Troy Hills, 2028),[73][74]
Sheriff James M. Gannon (R, Boonton Township, 2025)[75][76] and
Surrogate Heather Darling (R, Roxbury, 2029).[77][78]
Elections
As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 3,061 registered voters in Boonton Township, of which 558 (18.2%) were registered as Democrats, 1,386 (45.3%) were registered as Republicans and 1,114 (36.4%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 3 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[79]
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 61.4% of the vote (1,430 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 37.4% (870 votes), and other candidates with 1.2% (28 votes), among the 2,341 ballots cast by the township's 3,185 registered voters (13 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 73.5%.[80][81] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 59.2% of the vote (1,439 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 39.0% (949 votes) and other candidates with 1.1% (27 votes), among the 2,431 ballots cast by the township's 3,199 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.0%.[82] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 62.4% of the vote (1,480 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 36.3% (860 votes) and other candidates with 0.8% (25 votes), among the 2,372 ballots cast by the township's 3,083 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 76.9.[83]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 75.3% of the vote (1,077 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 23.2% (332 votes), and other candidates with 1.5% (22 votes), among the 1,454 ballots cast by the township's 3,199 registered voters (23 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 45.5%.[84][85] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 64.9% of the vote (1,126 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 27.7% (480 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 6.2% (107 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (12 votes), among the 1,735 ballots cast by the township's 3,131 registered voters, yielding a 55.4% turnout.[86]
As of May 2010[update], the township had a total of 35.59 miles (57.28 km) of roadways, of which 28.97 miles (46.62 km) were maintained by the municipality and 6.62 miles (10.65 km) by Morris County.[93]
No Interstate, U.S. or state highways pass through Boonton Township. The most significant road directly serving the township is County Route 511. However, Interstate 287 and U.S. Route 202 are accessible in neighboring municipalities.
^ abTownship Committee, Boonton Township. Accessed May 5, 2024. "The Township government consists of a five-member Township Committee. The Township Committee members are elected for a three-year term. The Chairman and Vice-chairman serve as the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, respectively and are selected by the Township Committee."
^Historical Timeline of Morris County BoundariesArchived December 25, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Morris County Library. Accessed December 24, 2016. "1867, April 11. Boonton Township is established from Pequannock.... 1924, March 3. Mountain Lakes Borough is established from Boonton and Hanover Township."
^Ricker, Jean. Our History, Boonton Township. Accessed March 20, 2020.
^Zimmer, David M. "Watching Underground Railroad miniseries? Here are some North Jersey safe houses", The Record, May 24, 2021. Accessed June 26, 2024. "Outside of Harriet Tubman’s summertime stints working at Cape May hotels, New Jersey’s connection to the Underground Railroad generally sticks to the I-95 corridor.... Near Grimes' home, in neighboring Boonton Township, was another station, the Powerville Hotel. It was owned by Nathan Hopkins, whose son Charles Hopkins became involved in the railroad as a teenager, went on to join the First New Jersey Volunteer Infantry in 1861, survived a stint as a Confederate prisoner at Andersonville in Georgia and became the town’s mayor in 1880."
^About Us, Boonton Township. Accessed May 16, 2022. "The Township government consists of a five-member Township Committee. The Township Committee members are elected for a three-year term. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are selected by the Township Committee."
^Meeting Minutes for January 8, 2020, Township of Boonton. Accessed March 20, 2020. "Township Committee Vacancy Mr. Cabana advised that he received three names from the Boonton Township Republican County Committee of individuals interested in filling the vacancy on the Township Committee created by the resignation of Michele Rankin which was effective December 31, 2019.... Vice Chairman Klingener moved the appointment of Patricia Collins to fill the unexpired term. The motion was seconded by Mr. Honan and unanimously carried on a roll call vote."
^Township Committee Regular Meeting Minutes November 27, 2018, Township of Boonton. Accessed September 10, 2019. "On a motion by Mrs. Rankin, seconded by Mr. Allieri and so carried the resignation of Robert Rizzo was accepted by the Township Committee."
^Township Committee Regular Meeting Minutes December 10, 2018, Township of Boonton. Accessed September 10, 2019. "Committee Member Rankin moved Resolution 18-151, Appointment of Brian Honan to fill the vacant Township Committee seat, which is appended to the minutes of this meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Klingener and unanimously carried on a roll call vote."
^Board of County Commissioners, Morris County, New Jersey. Accessed June 1, 2022. "Morris County is governed by a seven-member Board of County Commissioners, who serve three-year terms."
^Boonton Township School District 2015 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed June 6, 2016. "The Boonton Township School District has one school, Rockaway Valley School, which houses a PreK through Grade 8 program for approximately 450 children. The district maintains a send-receive relationship with the neighboring Mountain Lakes School District, whereby our students attend Mountain Lakes High School."
^Information/ MLHS Information, Boonton Township School District. Accessed January 3, 2017. "Boonton Township School District maintains a 'send-receive' relationship with Mountain Lakes High School.... Once enrolled in Mountain Lakes High School, the responsibility for the education of the student rests with the High School. While the Boonton Township School District pays tuition for all residents enrolled at the High School, the High School faculty, staff and administration bear the responsibility for all academics, student IEP's and 504's, extra-curricular activities and the students' general health, well-being and safety at school."
^ abGarber, Phil. "25th District Assembly and senate Independents clash with Republican incumbents", New Jersey Hills, October 25, 2013. Accessed November 13, 2013. "In the Senate race, Independent Maureen Castriotta of the Landing section of Roxbury Township is vying for the four-year seat of Republican Sen. Anthony 'Tony' Bucco of Boonton Township.... They are competing against incumbents Michael Patrick Carroll of Morris Plains and Anthony M. Bucco of Boonton Township for the two two-year terms at stake."
^Romano, Jay. "A Senate Tradition Faces Wide Attack", The New York Times, July 18, 1993. Accessed November 14, 2013. "But Senator John H. Dorsey of Boonton Township has invoked senatorial courtesy, whereby a state senator acting alone can block such an appointment."
^"Book can help entrepreneurs", Neighbor News, December 3, 2008. Accessed December 26, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "Michael (Mike) Michalowicz, who started and sold two businesses and now works as a consultant to individuals undertaking new business ventures, recently published The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur.... The author, who lives in Mountain Lakes with his wife and three children, grew up in Boonton Township. He graduated from Boonton High School and the Virginia Institute of Technology."
^Kelly Tripucka – Knicks Television AnalystArchived 2014-01-02 at the Wayback Machine, MSG Network. Accessed November 14, 2013. "Tripucka and wife Janice reside in Boonton Township, NJ and have three children: 11-year-old daughter Reagan and sons Jake, 18, and Travis, 20, who attend college and play lacrosse."
^O'Neill, Dan. "Tripucka's sports dream runs in the family", St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 29, 2012. Accessed November 14, 2013. "Growing up in Boonton Township, N.J., Travis Tripucka wanted to play basketball. Specifically, he wanted to play basketball at the University of Notre Dame, just like his dad. His dad is Kelly Tripucka, among the more celebrated athletes ever to come out of Notre Dame."