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'{{For|the municipality formerly called Chester Township in Burlington County|Maple Shade Township, New Jersey}} {{See also|Chester Borough, New Jersey}} {{short description|Township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States}} {{Use American English|date=March 2020}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2020}} {{Infobox settlement |name = Chester Township, New Jersey |official_name = Township of Chester |settlement_type = [[Township (New Jersey)|Township]] |nickname = |motto = <!-- Images --> |image_skyline = Image:Chester Township.JPG |imagesize = 250x200px |image_caption = A [[Federal architecture|Federal-style]] [[American colonial architecture|Colonial home]] in Chester |image_flag = |image_seal = <!-- Maps --> |image_map = Morris County New Jersey incorporated and unincorporated areas Chester Township highlighted.svg |mapsize = 260px |map_caption = Location in [[Morris County, New Jersey|Morris County]] and the state of [[New Jersey]]. |image_map1 = Census_Bureau_map_of_Chester_Township,_New_Jersey.png |mapsize1 = 250x200px |map_caption1 = Census Bureau map of Chester Township, New Jersey |pushpin_map = USA New Jersey Morris County#USA New Jersey#USA |pushpin_label = Chester Township |pushpin_map_caption = Location in Morris County##Location in New Jersey##Location in the United States |pushpin_relief = yes <!-- Location --> |subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]] |subdivision_name = {{nowrap|{{flag|United States}}}} |subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] |subdivision_name1 = {{flag|New Jersey}} |subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in New Jersey|County]] |subdivision_name2 = {{flagicon image|Flag_of_Morris_County,_New_Jersey.gif}} [[Morris County, New Jersey|Morris]] |government_footnotes = <ref name=DataBook/> |government_type = [[Faulkner Act (small municipality)]] |governing_body = Township Council |leader_title = [[Mayor]] |leader_name = Marcia Asdal ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]], term ends December 31, 2022)<ref name=Officials/><ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/dca/home/2020mayors.pdf 2020 New Jersey Mayors Directory], [[New Jersey Department of Community Affairs]]. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> |leader_title1 = [[City manager|Administrator]] / [[Municipal clerk]] |leader_name1 = Robin Collins<ref>[http://chestertownship.org/contact-chester-twp/staff-directory/ Staff Directory], Chester Township. Accessed March 23, 2020.</ref> |established_title = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]] |established_date = April 1, 1799 |named_for = [[Cheshire|Chestershire]], England <!-- Area --> |unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = <ref name=CensusArea>[https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_cousubs_34.txt 2019 Census Gazetteer Files: New Jersey Places], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed July 1, 2020.</ref> |area_magnitude = |area_total_km2 = 75.67 |area_land_km2 = 75.45 |area_water_km2 = 0.22 |area_total_sq_mi = 29.22 |area_land_sq_mi = 29.13 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.09 |area_water_percent = 0.29 |area_rank = 93rd of 565 in state<br>5th of 39 in county<ref name=CensusArea/> <!-- Population --> |population_as_of = [[2010 United States Census|2010 Census]] |population_footnotes = <ref name=Census2010>[https://archive.today/20200212101619/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US3402712610 DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Chester township, Morris County, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed December 17, 2012.</ref><ref name=Districts2011/><ref name=LWD2010>[http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/2010/dp/dp1_mor/chester1.pdf Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Chester township] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903175053/http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/2010/dp/dp1_mor/chester1.pdf |date=September 3, 2014 }}, [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed December 17, 2012.</ref> |population_total = 7838 |population_rank = 293rd of 566 in state<br>24th of 39 in county<ref name=GCTPH1NJ2010>[https://www.census.gov GCT-PH1 Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey] , [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed December 11, 2012.</ref> |population_density_km2 = auto |population_density_sq_mi = 266.8 |population_density_rank = 487th of 566 in state<br>38th of 39 in county<ref name=GCTPH1NJ2010/> |population_est = 7670 |pop_est_as_of = 2019 |pop_est_footnotes = <ref name=PopEst/> <!-- General information --> |timezone = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]] |utc_offset = −05:00 |timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|Eastern (EDT)]] |utc_offset_DST = −04:00 |elevation_footnotes = <ref>{{Gnis|882199|Township of Chester}}, [[Geographic Names Information System]]. Accessed March 5, 2013.</ref> |elevation_m = |elevation_ft = 787 |coordinates_footnotes = <ref name=CensusArea/><ref name="GR1">[https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref> |coordinates = {{coord|40.776758|-74.686512|region:US-NJ_type:city|display=inline,title}} |postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code]] |postal_code = 07930 - Chester<ref>[http://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupResultsAction!input.action?resultMode=0&city=chester&state=NJ Look Up a ZIP Code for Chester, NJ], [[United States Postal Service]]. Accessed December 17, 2012.</ref><br>07931 - [[Far Hills, New Jersey|Far Hills]]<br> |area_code = [[Area code 908|908]]<ref>[http://www.area-codes.com/search.asp?frmNPA=&frmNXX=&frmState=NJ&frmCounty=Morris&frmCity=Chester Area Code Lookup - NPA NXX for Chester, NJ], Area-Codes.com. Accessed January 5, 2014.</ref> |blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]] |blank_info = 3402712610<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name="GR2">[https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website] , [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref><ref>[https://census.missouri.edu/geocodes/?state=34 Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604184407/https://census.missouri.edu/geocodes/?state=34 |date=June 4, 2019 }}, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed September 1, 2019.</ref> |blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |blank1_info = 0882199<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name="GR3">[http://geonames.usgs.gov US Board on Geographic Names], [[United States Geological Survey]]. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref> |website = {{URL|https://www.chestertownship.org}} |footnotes = }} '''Chester Township''' is a [[Township (New Jersey)|township]] in [[Morris County, New Jersey|Morris County]], [[New Jersey]], United States. As of the [[2010 United States Census]], the township's population was 7,838,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=Districts2011/><ref name=LWD2010/> reflecting an increase of 556 (+7.6%) from the 7,282 counted in the [[2000 United States Census|2000 Census]], which had in turn increased by 1,324 (+22.2%) from the 5,958 counted in the [[1990 United States Census|1990 Census]].<ref>[http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/2010/2010data/table7cm.xls Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807100630/http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/2010/2010data/table7cm.xls |date=August 7, 2017 }}, [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]], February 2011. Accessed December 17, 2012.</ref> It is known as the "doughnut" around [[Chester Borough, New Jersey|Chester Borough]] since it completely encapsulates it, making it part of 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" in the state, where one municipality entirely surrounds another.<ref name="nj.com">DeMarco, Megan. [http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/11/princeton_merger_voters_to_dec.html "Voters to decide whether to merge two Princetons into one"], ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', November 3, 2011. Accessed January 8, 2017. "There are 22 sets of 'doughnut towns' in New Jersey, those where one town wraps around the other town". Note that following voter approval of the Princeton merger, 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" remain.</ref> The township's name is derived from [[Cheshire|Chestershire]] in England.<ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. [http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/356/nj_place_names_origin.pdf#page=10 ''The Origin of New Jersey Place Names''], New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 28, 2015.</ref> It is located within the [[Raritan River|Raritan Valley region]]. Chester Township is located about {{convert|40|mi|km}} west of [[New York City]] and has large amounts of land that is either not developed or used for farming, with many Victorian style homes and large lots.<ref>Ritter, George A. [https://www.nj.gov/njhighlands/morris_county/chester_township/3_Chester_Twp_Adopted_Housing_Element.pdf ''Planning Report; Master Plan Amendment - Housing Element''], Chester Township, April 14, 2010. Accessed August 17, 2020. "Chester Township is characterized by large areas of public parkland, vast areas of undeveloped ground in its natural state or in agriculture, and residential development chiefly comprised of detached single-family homes on large lots."</ref> Throughout the year there are craft fairs, Victorian house tours during the holiday season, jazz concerts in downtown park, and other community events. <!-- INCOME IS HOW MUCH MONEY YOU EARN; WEALTH IS HOW MUCH MONEY YOU HAVE. ALL OF THE SOURCES HERE TALK ABOUT INCOME (NOT WEALTH). -->The township has been one of the state's highest-income communities. Based on data from the 2014–2018 ACS, the township residents had a [[median household income]] of $160,625, more than double the statewide median of $79,363.<ref name=PopEst/> In 2010, ''[[Forbes]]'' ranked Chester Township at 321st in its listing of "America's Most Expensive ZIP Codes," with a median home price of $823,691.<ref>Staff. [https://www.forbes.com/2010/09/27/most-expensive-zip-codes-2010-lifestyle-real-estate-zip-codes-10-rank.html "America's Most Expensive ZIP Codes: In these neighborhoods $4 million homes are the norm."], ''[[Forbes]]'', September 27, 2010. Accessed July 29, 2011.</ref> ==History== The earliest records of individuals settling in the area date back to deeds dated in 1713, for properties located near a point where two [[Lenape]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] trails crossed at an area called Black River. With the arrival of the [[Rogerenes]] in 1730, the area developed as an agricultural community, producing [[applejack (beverage)|applejack]], flax and wool, as well as raising cattle. The Township was created from portions of [[Roxbury Township, New Jersey|Roxbury Township]] and [[Washington Township, Morris County, New Jersey|Washington Township]] on April 1, 1799, following a [[referendum|local referendum]].<ref name=Story/> A burst of economic activity occurred starting in 1875 with the discovery of [[iron ore]] in the area, which led to the construction of dozens of mines, a blast furnace and many of the commercial and residential structures in the township date to that era. The discovery of far more abundant and productive mining sites in [[Minnesota]]'s [[Mesabi Range]] ended that boom after nearly 15 years. Chester returned to its farming roots in the 20th Century.<ref>[http://chestertownship.org/about-chester-nj/history/ History], Chester Township. Accessed January 9, 2017.</ref><ref name="Cheslow"/> It was established by an act of the [[New Jersey Legislature]] on April 1, 1799, from portions of both [[Roxbury Township, New Jersey|Roxbury Township]] and [[Washington Township, Morris County, New Jersey|Washington Township]], based on the results of a referendum held that day.<ref>[http://mclib.info/reference/local-history-genealogy/historical-timeline-of-morris-county-boundaries/ Historical Timeline of Morris County Boundaries], Morris County Library. Accessed December 24, 2016. "1799, April 1. Chester Township is established from Roxbury and Washington Township."</ref> Additional territories were acquired from [[Randolph, New Jersey|Randolph Township]] (in 1806) and Washington Township (1840 and 1853). Portions of the township were taken on April 3, 1930, to form [[Chester Borough, New Jersey|Chester Borough]], a separate municipality surrounded entirely by Chester Township.<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. [https://www.state.nj.us/dep/njgs/enviroed/oldpubs/bulletin67.pdf ''The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968''], Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 192. Accessed October 25, 2012.</ref> ==Geography== According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the township had a total area of 29.22 square miles (75.67&nbsp;km²), including 29.13 square miles (75.45&nbsp;km²) of land and 0.09 square miles (0.22&nbsp;km²) of water (0.29%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 /> [[Local government in New Jersey#Unincorporated communities|Unincorporated communities]], localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Hacklebarney, Horton, Milldale, Milltown, Mount Paul, Pleasant Hill and Upper Ironia.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/localnames.txt Locality Search], State of [[New Jersey]]. Accessed May 21, 2015.</ref> The township completely surrounds [[Chester Borough, New Jersey|Chester Borough]], making it part of 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" in the state, where one municipality entirely surrounds another.<ref name="nj.com"/> The township borders [[Mendham Township, New Jersey|Mendham Township]] to the east, [[Randolph, New Jersey|Randolph]] and [[Roxbury Township, New Jersey|Roxbury]] to the northeast, [[Mount Olive Township, New Jersey|Mount Olive]] to the northwest, and [[Washington Township, Morris County, New Jersey|Washington Township]] to the west, all of which are located in [[Morris County, New Jersey|Morris County]], while the [[Somerset County, New Jersey|Somerset County]] municipalities of [[Bedminster, New Jersey|Bedminster]] and [[Peapack-Gladstone, New Jersey|Peapack-Gladstone]], located in the [[Somerset Hills]] lie to the south and [[Tewksbury Township, New Jersey|Tewksbury Township]] in [[Hunterdon County, New Jersey|Hunterdon County]] to the southwest.<ref>[https://global.mapit.mysociety.org/area/1072287/touches.html Areas touching Chester Township], MapIt. Accessed March 22, 2020.</ref><ref>[https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5hiBO5NWHt5YzdlbHhiWnNWU2s/view Morris County Municipalities Map], [[Morris County, New Jersey]] Department of Planning and Preservation. Accessed March 22, 2020.</ref><ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/gis/maps/polnoroads.pdf New Jersey Municipal Boundaries], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]]. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref> ==Demographics== {{US Census population | align=left | 1810= 1175 | 1820= 1212 | 1830= 1334 | 1840= 1328 | 1850= 1334 | 1860= 1558 | 1870= 1743 | 1880= 2337 | 1890= 1625 | 1900= 1409 | 1910= 1251 | 1920= 1195 | 1930= 1453 | 1940= 874 |1940n=* | 1950= 1297 | 1960= 2107 | 1970= 4265 | 1980= 5198 | 1990= 5958 | 2000= 7282 | 2010= 7838 | estimate=7670 | estyear=2019 | estref=<ref name=PopEst>[https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/chestertownshipmorriscountynewjersey,morriscountynewjersey,NJ/PST045219 QuickFacts for Chester township, Morris County, New Jersey; Morris County, New Jersey; New Jersey from Population estimates, July 1, 2019, (V2019)], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed May 21, 2020.</ref><ref>[https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2010-2019/mcds/totals/SUB-MCD-EST2019-ANNRES-34.xlsx Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Minor Civil Divisions in New Jersey: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2019], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed May 21, 2020.</ref><ref>[https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/datasets/2010-2019/cities/totals/sub-est2019_34.csv Census Estimates for New Jersey April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2019], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed May 21, 2020.</ref> | footnote=Population sources:<small>1810-1920<ref>[https://dspace.njstatelib.org/xmlui/handle/10929/25218?show=full ''Compendium of censuses 1726-1905: together with the tabulated returns of 1905''], [[New Jersey Department of State]], 1906. Accessed July 9, 2013.</ref><br>1850-1870<ref>Raum, John O. [https://archive.org/details/historyofnewjers02raum/page/256 ''The History of New Jersey: From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Volume 1''], p. 256, J. E. Potter and company, 1877. Accessed December 17, 2012. "Chester was formed in 1799, and in 1850 contained a population of 1,334 inhabitants; in 1860, 1,558; and in 1870, 1,743."</ref> 1850<ref>[[J. D. B. De Bow|Debow, James Dunwoody Brownson]]. [https://books.google.com/books?id=25TicJOdU0AC&pg=PA140 ''The Seventh Census of the United States: 1850''], p. 140. R. Armstrong, 1853. Accessed December 17, 2012.</ref><br>1870<ref>Staff. [https://archive.org/details/acompendiumnint00offigoog/page/n263 <!-- pg=260 --> ''A compendium of the ninth census, 1870''], p. 260. [[United States Census Bureau]], 1872. Accessed December 17, 2012.</ref> 1880-1890<ref>Porter, Robert Percival. [https://archive.org/details/preliminaryresu01portgoog/page/n218 <!-- pg=98 --> ''Preliminary Results as Contained in the Eleventh Census Bulletins: Volume III - 51 to 75''], p. 98. [[United States Census Bureau]], 1890. Accessed September 23, 2012.</ref><br>1890-1910<ref>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924070698356/page/n345 <!-- pg=338 --> ''Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910: Population by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions, 1910, 1900, 1890''], [[United States Census Bureau]], p. 338. Accessed December 17, 2012.</ref> 1910-1930<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=kifRAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA717 ''Fifteenth Census of the United States: 1930 - Population Volume I''], [[United States Census Bureau]], p. 717. Accessed September 23, 2012.</ref><br>1930-1990<ref>[http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/1990/poptrd6.htm New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510075104/http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/1990/poptrd6.htm |date=May 10, 2015 }}, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed June 28, 2015.</ref> 2000<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/> 2010<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=Districts2011/><ref name=LWD2010/><br>* = Lost territory in previous decade.</small> }} ===Census 2010=== {{USCensusDemographics|year=2010|type=township|name=Chester Township; Morris County|7838|5490|70.0|1487|19.0|1035|13.2|7715|7314|82|2|274|1|42|123|341|2697|2592|105|29.46|0.09|29.38|266.8|91.8|2592|84.9|43.4|76.5|5.6|15.1|11.6|5.4|3.00|3.27|92.8|91.8|1.0|6.5|0.6|0.0|0.6|30.0|4.9|16.3|35.6|13.2|44.4|100.0|96.6}} The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 [[American Community Survey]] showed that (in 2010 [[inflation adjustment|inflation-adjusted]] dollars) [[median household income]] was $162,188 (with a margin of error of +/- $17,186) and the median family income was $168,942 (+/- $15,109). Males had a median income of $147,109 (+/- $13,523) versus $67,647 (+/- $9,800) for females. The [[per capita income]] for the township was $77,787 (+/- $8,389). About 3.1% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 0.9% of those age 65 or over.<ref>[https://archive.today/20200212082238/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0600000US3402712610 DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Chester township, Morris County, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed December 17, 2012.</ref> Based on data from the 2006-2010 [[American Community Survey]], Chester Township had a per capita income of $77,787 (ranked 16th in the state), compared to per capita income in Morris County of $47,342 and statewide of $34,858.<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/lpa/industry/incpov/income2010/income.xls Median Household, Family, Per-Capita Income: State, County, Municipality and Census Designated Place (CDP) With Municipalities Ranked by Per Capita Income; 2010 5-year ACS estimates], [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed June 3, 2020.</ref> ===Census 2000=== As of the [[2000 United States Census]]<ref name="GR2" /> there were 7,282 people, 2,323 households, and 2,014 families residing in the township. The [[population density]] was 248.3 people per square mile (95.9/km²). There were 2,377 housing units at an average density of 81.1 per square mile (31.3/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 95.12% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|white]], 1.15% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|African American]], 0.01% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Native American]], 2.39% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Asian]], 0.05% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Pacific Islander]], 0.26% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|other races]], and 1.00% from two or more races. [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Hispanic]] or [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Latino]] of any race were 2.58% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>[http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/0603402712610.pdf Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Chester township, Morris County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522063439/http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/0603402712610.pdf |date=May 22, 2015 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed December 17, 2012.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>[https://archive.today/20200212135439/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0600000US3402712610 DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Chester township, Morris County, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed December 17, 2012.</ref> Of the 2,323 households, 46.0% feature children under the age of 18, 79.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.3% were non-families. 10.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.05 and the average family size was 3.29.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/> In the township the population was spread out, with 30.5% under the age of 18, 4.1% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/> The median income for a household in the township was $117,298, and the median income for a family was $133,586. Males had a median income of $91,841 versus $52,076 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the township was $55,353. About 2.4% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the [[poverty threshold|poverty line]], including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/> ==Parks and recreation== [[File:Cooper Mill.JPG|thumb|right|Nathan Cooper Gristmill]] [[File:Nathan_Cooper_Gristmill,_Chester_Township,_NJ_-_looking_west.jpg|thumb|right|Looking west at [[Nathan Cooper Gristmill|Cooper Gristmill]] at [[Black River County Park]]]] <blockquote class="toccolours" style="text-align:justify; width:45%; float:right; padding: 10px 15px 10px 15px; display:table;">Of the township's {{convert|29.8|sqmi|km2}}, 42%, or about {{convert|12|sqmi|km2}}, is permanently protected from development. There are nature reserves and parkland, but also agricultural property that is deed restricted under the state Farmland Preservation Program, which buys the development rights while allowing the farmer to retain title and continue working the land.<ref name="Cheslow">Cheslow, Jerry. [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/24/realestate/24livi.html "Don't Count on Running Into the Neighbors"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', June 24, 2007. Accessed January 19, 2015.</ref></blockquote> Chester has been described as a rural environment that caters to "agritourism." The township has developed this reputation by preserving farmland through public investment in open spaces.<ref name="Cheslow"/> The township's parks and preserves are free and open to the public. Parks include: * '''Chubb Park:''' An {{convert|85|acre|m2|adj=on}} area with playing fields, skating, ponds, and sledding.<ref name="Chester">[http://chestertownship.org/township-committees/parks/township-parks/ Township Parks], Chester Township. Accessed January 19, 2015.</ref> * '''Tiger Brook Park:''' Purchased with the assistance of the New Jersey Green Acres Program in 1980, this {{convert|270|acre|km2|adj=on}} preserve contains a {{convert|10|acre|m2|adj=on}} reservoir.<ref name="Chester"/> * '''Hacklebarney State Park:''' This {{convert|890|acre|km2|adj=on}} park was established in 1924 with the donation of {{convert|32|acre|m2}}. The Black River, which bisects the park, is one of the premier trout fishing streams in New Jersey.<ref name="Chester"/> * '''Black River Fish and Wildlife Management Area:''' This area consists of {{convert|3020|acre|km2}} in the northern portion of the Township. It was purchased under the Green Acres Acquisition Program for recreational activities, including fishing, hunting, canoeing, cross-country skiing and hiking.<ref name="Cheslow"/> * '''Highlands Ridge Park:''' Former Bell Laboratories Outdoor Research Lab. Site of the 'Telephone Pole Farm' and current headquarters of the New Jersey Highlands Council, a 15-member appointed body tasked with implementation of the New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act of 2004. Development is highly constrained due to state and township ordinances. The entire Township is located in the New Jersey Highlands with approximately 86% of the land area designated as part of the more highly constrained Highlands Preservation Area. This environmentally sensitive area supplies drinking water to two-thirds of the state's residents. In 2004, the state passed the Highlands Preservation Act to limit development. In 2005, 27 new homes were built and 16 in 2006.<ref name="Cheslow"/> == Government == === Local government === In 1958, Chester Township changed its form of government from the [[Township (New Jersey)|Township]] form to a [[Faulkner Act]] form, [[Faulkner Act (small municipality)|Small Municipality]], Plan C. The township is one of 18 municipalities s(of the 565) statewide that use this form of government, which is available to municipalities with fewer than 12,000 residents at the time of adoption.<ref>[https://cgs.rutgers.edu/sites/cgs.rutgers.edu/files/documents/resources/rc_munichart_inventory_2011.pdf ''Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey''], [[Rutgers University]] Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed November 18, 2019.</ref> The governing body is comprised of four Councilmembers and the Mayor, all elected [[at-large]] for three-year terms on a staggered basis as part of the November general election, with two seats coming up for election in consecutive years followed by the mayoral seat in the third year of the cycle.<ref name=DataBook>''2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book'', [[Rutgers University]] [[Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy]], March 2013, p. 110.</ref> The candidates run on a partisan basis at regular primary and general election times. Independent candidates, having declared their intentions at primary time, run only in the general election. Chester Township's form of government features a [[strong mayor]], who acts as the township's executive, overseeing the creation of a budget, preparing an annual financial report and the enforcement of state and local laws, and is responsible for hiring most township officials (with approval of the Council). The Council, which is the township's legislative body, selects one of its members to serve as president to preside when the mayor is not present. The mayor participates and votes in Council sessions and makes committee assignments to Councilmembers. The mayor and a member of the Council serve on the Planning Board. {{As of|2020}}, the [[Mayor]] of Chester Township is [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] Marcia Asdal, whose term of office ends December 31, 2022. Members of the Chester Township Council are Brian Curley (R, 2021), Tim Drag (R, 2021), Michael Inganamort (R, 2020) and Derek Moore (R, 2020).<ref name=Officials>[http://chestertownship.org/township-committees/town-council/ Elected Officials], Chester Township. Accessed March 23, 2020. As of date accessed, Asdal's term-end year has not been updated.</ref><ref>[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12HqAie81A90S61IcVqPcR-Arib_jn0t_ 2018 Municipal User Friendly Budget], Chester Township. Accessed September 12, 2019.</ref><ref name=MorrisManual>[https://morriscountyclerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/MC-Manual-2020-Web-031620.pdf#page=30 ''Morris County Manual 2020''], [[Morris County, New Jersey]] Clerk. Accessed June 3, 2020.</ref><ref name=MorrisOfficials>[https://morriscountyclerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Muncipal-Elected-Officials-031720.pdf ''Morris County Municipal Elected Officials For The Year 2020''], [[Morris County, New Jersey]] Clerk, updated March 17, 2020. Accessed June 3, 2020.</ref><ref name=Morris2019>[https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Morris/98870/web/#/summary General Election November 5, 2019, Official Results], [[Morris County, New Jersey]], updated November 15, 2019. Accessed January 31, 2020.</ref><ref name=Morris2018>[https://morriscountyclerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2018-General-Winners.pdf General Election Winners List For November 6, 2018], [[Morris County, New Jersey]] Clerk. Accessed January 1, 2019.</ref><ref name=Morris2017>[http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Morris/71886/191442/Web01/en/summary.html General Election November 7, 2017 Official Results], [[Morris County, New Jersey]] Clerk, updated November 17, 2017. Accessed January 1, 2018.</ref> In July 2017, Derek Moore was selected from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2017 that had been held by Matt Kass until he resigned from office.<ref>Kitchin, Mark. [http://www.newjerseyhills.com/observer-tribune/news/moore-picked-for-unexpired-term-on-chester-township-council/article_18d2bc87-de77-50a2-8e30-d3c6e943e375.html "Moore picked for unexpired term on Chester Township Council"], Observer-Tribune, July 21, 2017. Accessed December 1, 2017. "Derek Moore, a former president of the grades K-8 Board of Education, was named Tuesday to fill the unexpired term of Matt Kass, who has resigned from the Township Council."</ref> ==== Merger discussion with Chester Borough ==== In 2007, New Jersey Governor [[Jon Corzine]] created incentives for municipalities with less than 10,000 inhabitants to combine with other communities. The goal is to reduce the overall cost of government and thereby offer some tax relief. "New Jersey has 21 counties, 566 municipalities and 616 school districts, and property taxes average $6,800 per homeowner, or twice the national average."<ref name="VanDyke">Van Dyke, Meghan. "The Chesters look at forming one community", ''[[Daily Record (Morristown)]]'', June 4, 2008.</ref><ref>Porter, David via [[Associated Press]]. [http://www.newsobserver.com/2009/05/17/43270/strapped-towns-eye-mergers-but.html "Strapped towns eye mergers, but few reach the altar"], ''[[The News & Observer]]'', May 17, 2009. Accessed January 15, 2015.</ref> Chester Borough split from Chester Township in 1930 over the creation of sewer and water infrastructure in the more densely settled center of the municipality. The residents of the rural portions of the Township did not wish to financially support the construction and maintenance of a public sewer or water utility. Since that time rural Chester Township has relied upon individual private wells for water and septic systems for wastewater treatment while the Borough is primarily, although not entirely, served by public sewer and water. Concerns over the extension of utilities into the rural Township with the resultant potential for large scale growth served as an impediment to consolidation. The prohibition of utility extensions supported by the NJ State Plan and codified in the Highlands Water Protection Act, along with the development restrictions contained in the Highlands Act have lessened those concerns. Additionally, an aggressive land conservation program in the Township has resulted in over 40% of the {{convert|29|sqmi|km2|adj=on}} Township being placed into permanent preservation, further lessening worries about potential overdevelopment. The two municipalities currently share a common K-8 school district, volunteer fire department, library, first aid squad and other municipal services. Governor Corzine's plan to reduce or eliminate state aid had residents considering recombining towns. The two mayors publicly endorsed a cost/benefit analysis of a merger.<ref name="VanDyke"/> However, a merger vote planned for November 2, 2010, was delayed until 2011 due to Governor Christie's elimination of equalization funds that would ensure some taxpayers do not pay more due to the merger, as an analysis by the [[New Jersey Department of Community Affairs]] estimated that township residents would eee an annual increase of $128 on their property taxes while those in the borough would see an average decline of $570 in their taxes.<ref>Goldberg, Dan. [http://www.nj.com/news/local/index.ssf/2010/10/chesters_merger_panel_puts_off.html "Chester merger panel puts off meeting until next year"], ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', October 5, 2010. Accessed July 27, 2015. "Progress toward merging the two Chesters has slowed to a crawl, and the consolidation commission charged with studying the feasibility of it has decided not to meet again until 2011.... A DCA report delivered in May showed that the merger, based on 2009 data, would reduce borough taxes by approximately $570 on a home assessed at the borough average of $528,000. It would increase township taxes $128 on a home assessed at $826,000, the township average."</ref> === Federal, state and county representation === Chester Township is located in the 7th Congressional District<ref name=PCR2012>[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2012-congressional-districts/njcd-2011-plan-components-county-mcd.pdf Plan Components Report], [[New Jersey Redistricting Commission]], December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 25th state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2011>[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2011-legislative-districts/towns-districts.pdf Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District], [[New Jersey Department of State]]. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref><ref name=LWV2019>[https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5bae63366fd2b2e5b9f87e5e/5d30f0a94a82c66427e564d2_2019_CitizensGuide.pdf ''2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government''], New Jersey [[League of Women Voters]]. Accessed October 30, 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/districtnumbers.asp#25 Districts by Number for 2011-2020], [[New Jersey Legislature]]. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref> Prior to the [[New Jersey Legislative Districts, 2011 apportionment|2011 reapportionment]] following the [[2010 United States Census|2010 Census]], Chester Township had been in the [[24th Legislative District (New Jersey)|24th state legislative district]].<ref name=LWV2011>[http://www.lwvnj.org/images/cg_2011.pdf#page=56 ''2011 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604153059/http://www.lwvnj.org/images/cg_2011.pdf#page=56 |date=June 4, 2013 }}, p. 56, New Jersey [[League of Women Voters]]. Accessed May 22, 2015.</ref> Prior to the 2010 Census, Chester Township had been part of the {{ushr|NJ|11|11th 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.<ref name=LWV2011/> {{NJ Congress 07}} {{NJ Senate}} {{NJ Legislative 25}} {{NJ Morris County Freeholders}} ===Politics=== As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 5,435 registered voters in Chester Township, of which 807 (14.8%) were registered as [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]], 2,608 (48.0%) were registered as [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] and 2,018 (37.1%) were registered as [[Unaffiliated (New Jersey)|Unaffiliated]]. There were 2 voters registered to other parties.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-morris-co-summary-report.pdf Voter Registration Summary - Morris], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 17, 2012.</ref> In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2012|2012 presidential election]], Republican [[Mitt Romney]] received 67.2% of the vote (2,579 cast), ahead of Democrat [[Barack Obama]] with 32.2% (1,235 votes), and other candidates with 0.7% (25 votes), among the 3,854 ballots cast by the township's 5,757 registered voters (15 ballots were [[Spoilt vote|spoiled]]), for a turnout of 66.9%.<ref name=2012Elections>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-presidential-morris.pdf |title=Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Morris County |date=March 15, 2013 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |accessdate=December 24, 2014}}</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-ballotscast-morris.pdf |title=Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 6, 2012 - General Election Results - Morris County|date=March 15, 2013 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |accessdate=December 24, 2014}}</ref> In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2008|2008 presidential election]], Republican [[John McCain]] received 62.7% of the vote (2,821 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 36.1% (1,623 votes) and other candidates with 0.9% (39 votes), among the 4,499 ballots cast by the township's 5,748 registered voters, for a turnout of 78.3%.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-morris.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Morris County], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed December 17, 2012.</ref> In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2004|2004 presidential election]], Republican [[George W. Bush]] received 65.5% of the vote (2,840 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat [[John Kerry]] with 33.3% (1,445 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (37 votes), among the 4,336 ballots cast by the township's 5,654 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 76.7.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_morris_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election: Morris County], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed December 17, 2012.</ref> In the [[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2013|2013 gubernatorial election]], Republican [[Chris Christie]] received 81.2% of the vote (2,280 cast), ahead of Democrat [[Barbara Buono]] with 17.4% (488 votes), and other candidates with 1.5% (41 votes), among the 2,848 ballots cast by the township's 5,714 registered voters (39 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 49.8%.<ref name=2013Elections>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-results-governor-morris.pdf |title=Governor - Morris County |date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |accessdate=December 24, 2014}}</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-ballotscast-morris.pdf |title=Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 5, 2013 - General Election Results - Morris County|date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |accessdate=December 24, 2014}}</ref> In the [[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2009|2009 gubernatorial election]], Republican Chris Christie received 72.1% of the vote (2,381 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat [[Jon Corzine]] with 19.0% (628 votes), Independent [[Chris Daggett]] with 8.0% (264 votes) and other candidates with 0.3% (10 votes), among the 3,302 ballots cast by the township's 5,601 registered voters, yielding a 59.0% turnout.<ref>[http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-morris.pdf 2009 Governor: Morris County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017231210/http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-morris.pdf |date=October 17, 2012 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed December 17, 2012.</ref> == Education == Students in public school for [[pre-kindergarten]] through [[eighth grade]] attend the [[Chester School District]], together with children from [[Chester Borough, New Jersey|Chester Borough]].<ref name=About>[https://www.chester-nj.org/domain/9 About Our District], Chester School District. Accessed February 12, 2020. "Students in grades nine through twelve go to the West Morris Regional High School District.The district is composed of Dickerson Elementary School (K-2), Bragg Intermediate School (3-5), and Black River Middle School (6-8). Dickerson and Bragg Schools are located on Route 24, east of Chester Borough; Black River Middle School is on Route 513 (North Road), north of Chester Borough. The school district serves two municipalities, Chester Borough and Chester Township."</ref> As of the 2017–18 school year, the district, comprised of three schools, had an enrollment of 1,069 students and 110.0 classroom teachers (on an [[full-time equivalent|FTE]] basis), for a [[student–teacher ratio]] of 9.7:1.<ref name=NCES>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&details=1&ID2=3403060&DistrictID=3403060 District information for Chester School District], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed November 1, 2019.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2017-18 enrollment data from the [[National Center for Education Statistics]]<ref>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3403060 School Data for the Chester School District], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed November 1, 2019.</ref>) are Dickerson Elementary School<ref>[https://www.chester-nj.org/dickerson Dickerson Elementary School], Chester School District. Accessed February 12, 2020.</ref> with 318 students in grades PreK-2, Bragg Elementary School<ref>[https://www.chester-nj.org/bragg Bragg Elementary School], Chester School District. Accessed February 12, 2020.</ref> with 363 students in grades 3-5 and Black River Middle School<ref>[https://www.chester-nj.org/brms Black River Middle School], Chester School District. Accessed February 12, 2020.</ref> with 387 students in grades 6–8.<ref>[https://www.chester-nj.org/domain/88 School Directory], Chester School District. Accessed February 12, 2020.</ref><ref>[https://homeroom5.doe.state.nj.us/directory/school.php?district=0820&source=01 New Jersey School Directory for the Chester School District], [[New Jersey Department of Education]]. Accessed December 29, 2016.</ref> Dickerson and Bragg Schools are located on [[County Route 510 (New Jersey)|County Route 510]], east of Chester Borough; Black River Middle School is on [[County Route 513 (New Jersey)|County Route 513]] (North Road), north of Chester Borough.<ref name=About/> As a consolidated school district, all residents in the two constituent municipalities vote for board of education members who represent the entire district, not just the municipality in which they reside.<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/education/finance/fp/cafr/search/18/0820.pdf#page=8 ''Comprehensive Annual Financial Report of the Chester School District''], [[New Jersey Department of Education]], for year ending June 30, 2018. Accessed March 1, 2020. "The District provides a full range of educational services appropriate to preschool through eighth grade for the students residing in Chester Township and Chester Borough and is considered a Consolidated School District."</ref> Students in public school for [[ninth grade|ninth]] through [[twelfth grade]]s in both communities attend [[West Morris Mendham High School]], which serves students from the surrounding [[Morris County, New Jersey|Morris County]] school districts of Chester Borough, Chester Township, [[Mendham Borough, New Jersey|Mendham Borough]] and [[Mendham Township, New Jersey|Mendham Township]]. The high school is part of the [[West Morris Regional High School District]], which also serves students from [[Washington Township, Morris County, New Jersey|Washington Township]], who attend [[West Morris Central High School]].<ref>[https://www.wmrhsd.org/boe/about_the_board About the Board], West Morris Regional High School District. Accessed August 17, 2020. "The West Morris Regional High School District (WMRHSD) Board of Education is comprised of nine members who represent five municipalities in western Morris County; Mendham Borough, Mendham Township, Chester Borough, Chester Township, and Washington Township. Because Chester Borough and Chester Township have joined to form a consolidated K-8 school district, there are a total of four separate K-8 districts that send students to the WMRHSD."</ref><ref>[http://www.nj.gov/education/pr/1415/narrative/27/5660/000.html West Morris Regional High School District 2015 Report Card Narrative], [[New Jersey Department of Education]]. Accessed June 4, 2016. "Established in 1958, the West Morris Regional High School District operates two schools, West Morris Central High School and West Morris Mendham High School. The regional district serves the students of five Morris County communities: Chester Borough, Chester Township, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township and Washington Township. Students from Washington Township attend West Morris Central High School, and students from the Chesters and the Mendhams attend West Morris Mendham High School."</ref> As of the 2017–18 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 1,241 students and 97.0 classroom teachers (on an [[full-time equivalent|FTE]] basis), for a [[student–teacher ratio]] of 12.8:1.<ref>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3417550&ID=341755004552 School data for West Morris Mendham High School], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed November 1, 2019.</ref> The district's [[board of education]] has nine members who are elected directly by voters to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis.<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/education/finance/fp/cafr/search/18/5660.pdf#page=8 ''Comprehensive Annual Financial Report of the West Morris Regional High School District''], [[New Jersey Department of Education]], for year ending June 30, 2018. Accessed February 12, 2020. "The School District is administered by a nine-member Board of Education ('the Board'), with three members elected each year for three-year terms."</ref> The nine seats on the board of education are allocated based on the populations of the constituent municipalities, with two seats assigned to Chester Township.<ref>[https://www.wmrhsd.org/boe/board_of_education Board of Education], West Morris Regional High School District. Accessed February 12, 2020.</ref> ==Transportation== [[File:2018-07-30 12 04 56 View north along U.S. Route 206 just north of Pottersville Road in Chester Township, Morris County, New Jersey.jpg|thumb|right|US 206 northbound in Chester Township]] ===Roads and highways=== {{As of|2010|5}}, the borough had a total of {{convert|12.06|mi}} of roadways, of which {{convert|8.37|mi}} were maintained by the municipality, {{convert|2.58|mi}} by Morris County and {{convert|1.11|mi}} by the [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]].<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/mileage_Morris.pdf Morris County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]], May 2010. Accessed July 24, 2014.</ref> [[U.S. Route 206]] and [[County Route 513 (New Jersey)|CR 513]] are the main north–south roads through the township while [[County Route 510 (New Jersey)|CR 510]] act as the east–west road. No limited access roads run through Chester, but they are accessible in neighboring communities, such as [[Interstate 80 in New Jersey|Interstate 80]] in Roxbury and Mount Olive, and both [[Interstate 287]] and [[Interstate 78 in New Jersey|Interstate 78]] in Bedminster. ===Public transportation=== [[NJ Transit]] local bus service was provided on the [[MCM4 (New Jersey bus)|MCM4]] and [[MCM5 (New Jersey bus)|MCM5]] routes<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090522212333/http://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=BusRoutesMorrisCountyTo Morris County Bus/Rail Connections], [[NJ Transit]], backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of May 22, 2009. Accessed August 6, 2015.</ref> until June 2010, when NJ Transit pulled the subsidy.<ref>[http://www.njtransit.com/var/var_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=ServiceChangesPvtCarrierTo Private Carrier Bus Service reductions], [[NJ Transit]]. Accessed August 6, 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/Morris_County_Map.pdf Morris County System Map], [[NJ Transit]]. Accessed August 6, 2015.</ref> ==Notable people== {{Category see also|People from Chester Township, New Jersey}} People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Chester Township include: * [[Ralph Barkman]] (1907–1998). [[American football]] player who played in the NFL for the [[Orange Tornadoes]].<ref>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BarkRa20.htm Ralph Barkman], [[Pro-Football-Reference.com]]. Accessed July 25, 2020. "Born: September 22, 1907 in Chester Township, NJ... High School: Roxbury (NJ)"</ref> * [[Jim Breuer]] (born 1967), comedian.<ref>Keller, Joel. [https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/16/nyregion/in-person-mr-breuers-neighborhood.html "In Person; Mr. Breuer's Neighborhood"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', October 16, 2005. Accessed February 28, 2008.</ref> * [[Alex Buzbee]] (born 1985), [[defensive end]] for the [[Washington Redskins]] of the [[National Football League|NFL]].<ref>[http://guhoyas.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/051507aaa.html Former Hoya Football Standout Alex Buzbee Signs with Washington Redskins] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105002404/http://guhoyas.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/051507aaa.html |date=January 5, 2008 }}, [[CBS College Sports Network|CSTV]], May 15, 2007. Accessed October 14, 2007. "Like most college seniors, Georgetown University senior Alex Buzbee (Chester, N.J./Seton Hall Prep) went through a series of job interviews."</ref> * [[Robert L. Clifford]] (1924-2014), associate justice of the [[New Jersey Supreme Court]].<ref>Johnson, Brent. [http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/12/former_nj_supreme_court_justice_robert_clifford_dies_at_89.html "Former N.J. Supreme Court Justice Robert Clifford dies at 89"], NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], December 1, 2014. Accessed May 12, 2017. "Clifford retired at age 70 — the mandatory retirement age for justices — in 1994. Most recently, the Chester Township resident was counsel to the Morristown law firm McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter."</ref> * [[Nathan A. Cooper]] (1802–1879), landowner and businessman, owner of the [[Nathan Cooper Gristmill]] and the [[General Nathan Cooper Mansion]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Greenidge |first1=Frances |title=Chester, New Jersey: A Scrapbook of History |url=https://books.google.com/books/about/Chester_New_Jersey_a_Scrapbook_of_Histor.html?id=xgHAGAAACAAJ |date=1974 |publisher=Chester Historical Society |location=Chester, New Jersey |pages=52–3 |chapter=Nathan A. Cooper}}</ref> * [[John J. Degnan]] (born 1944), former [[Attorney General of New Jersey]] who became Chairman of the [[Port Authority of New York and New Jersey]] in 2014.<ref>Staff. [http://www.newjerseyhills.com/observer-tribune/news/chester-township-s-degnan-awarded-honorary-doctorate-degree/article_bf23bbeb-7d4a-56f3-9eb0-4b8e8599d390.html "Chester Township's Degnan awarded honorary doctorate degree"], ''Observer-Tribune'', May 18, 2016. Accessed May 12, 2017.</ref> * [[James Gandolfini]] (1961–2013), actor.<ref>Netburn, Deborah. [http://observer.com/2002/04/sopranos-suburb/ "Sopranos Suburb?"], ''[[The New York Observer]]'', April 29, 2002. Accessed June 19, 2014. "In January of last year, Mr. Gandolfini bought a historic farmhouse in Chester Township, N.J., for $1.14 million."</ref> * [[Martha Brookes Hutcheson]] (1871-1959), [[landscape architect]], lecturer and author.<ref>Goldberg, Dan. [https://www.nj.com/news/local/index.ssf/2010/06/bamboo_brook_garden_returning.html "Bamboo Brook garden returning to its glory of yesteryear"], ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', June 2, 2010. Accessed September 26, 2018. "A restoration project is nearly complete and it has been decades since the once-famous garden in Chester Township looked this good. Martha Brookes Hutcheson, a pioneer for women in landscaping, designed the garden in 1911.... She consulted for wealthy northeastern families but her magnum opus and last surviving work is her home garden, which was donated to the Morris County Park Commission in 1972 by Hutcheson’s daughter, Martha Hutcheson Norton, along with the rest of the 100-acre property."</ref> * [[Dave Levey]], finalist on ''[[Hell's Kitchen (U.S. season 6)|Hell's Kitchen]]''.<ref>Manochio, Matt. [http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20091006/COMMUNITIES/91005113/Chester-native-finalist-on--Hell-s-Kitchen---cooking-show&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL "Chester native finalist on 'Hell's Kitchen' cooking show"], ''[[Daily Record (Morristown)]]'', October 5, 2009. Accessed July 27, 2015.</ref> * [[Rick Porcello]] (born 1988), pitcher for the [[New York Mets]].<ref>Ash, Lorraine. [http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/99999999/LIVING/90708020/Name-dropping-Morris "Name dropping in Morris: Life in county shapes luminaries' successes"], ''[[Daily Record (Morristown)]]'', July 8, 2009. Accessed April 28, 2011. "Rick Porcello, 20 - Grew up in Chester Township, now lives in Detroit"</ref> * [[William Segal]] (1904–2000), magazine publisher and self-taught artist whose work often reflected his interest in [[Eastern philosophies]] and religions.<ref>Jensen, Elizabeth. [https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/arts/television/01burns.html "The Man Who Captivated Ken Burns"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', July 29, 2010. Accessed December 1, 2017. "Three short and intimate films about William Segal, a painter and spiritual teacher, that Ken Burns and his colleagues made from 1992 to 2000 were mostly meant to be seen within Mr. Segal's personal and professional circles.... Even so, Mr. Burns agreed to the quick turnaround for what he now calls 'a labor of love,' and with colleagues who included Buddy Squires and Roger Sherman spent several days at the Segals' farm in Chester, N.J., filming Mr. Segal talking about his philosophy of painting and seeing."</ref> * [[Michael Yamashita]] (born 1949), ''[[National Geographic (magazine)|National Geographic]]'' photographer and documentary filmmaker.<ref>Garber, Phil. [https://www.newjerseyhills.com/observer-tribune/news/after-china-yamashita-returns-home-to-chester-township-to-help-hopeful-photographers/article_106210e0-f94d-58f6-ae04-c12399b2cd11.html "After China, Yamashita returns home to Chester Township to help hopeful photographers; Chester Township photographer lends skills to Duke Farms"], ''Observer-Tribune'', March 20, 2015. Accessed November 10, 2020. "Chester Twp. – Michael Yamashita has photographed some of the most exotic places on earth but he’s coming home to share his photographic excellence at the expansive Duke Farms in Hillsborough."</ref> *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ ur mom lol (Born 1969)] (click the link!!1!!!) ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== {{commons category}} {{Wikivoyage}} *{{official website|http://www.chestertownship.org}} *[https://www.chester-nj.org/ Chester School District] *{{NJReportCard|27|0820|0|Chester Township Public School District}} *[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3403060 School Data for the Chester Township Public School District], [[National Center for Education Statistics]] *[https://www.wmrhsd.org/ West Morris Regional High School District] *[https://www.wmmhs.org/ West Morris Mendham High School] *[http://www.dailyrecord.com ''Daily Record'', area newspaper] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110727075726/http://www.memory-lane.org/files/CTWP908.swf Photographic montage of Chester Township] *[http://www.chestergame.org Chester Game Association] {{Morris County, New Jersey}} {{Geographic Location (8-way) |Center = The Chesters |Northwest = [[Mount Olive Township, New Jersey|Mount Olive Township]] |North = [[Roxbury Township, New Jersey|Roxbury Township]] |Northeast = [[Randolph, New Jersey|Randolph Township]] |East = [[Mendham Township, New Jersey|Mendham Township]] |West = [[Washington Township, Morris County, New Jersey|Washington Township]] |South = [[Bedminster, New Jersey|Bedminster Township]] |Southeast = [[Peapack-Gladstone, New Jersey|Peapack-Gladstone]] |Southwest = [[Tewksbury Township, New Jersey|Tewksbury Township]] |}} [[Category:Chester Township, New Jersey| ]] [[Category:1799 establishments in New Jersey]] [[Category:Faulkner Act (small municipality)]] [[Category:Populated places established in 1799]] [[Category:Townships in Morris County, New Jersey]]'