On May 19th, Montgomery Township was recognized by the New Jersey Legislature and the Somerset County Board of Freeholder for its top status in the 2016 New Jersey "Best Towns for Families" by New Jersey Family Magazine.
NJ Senator Kip Bateman and Assemblymen Jack Ciattarelli, 16th Legislative District; and Somerset County Freeholder Mark Caliguire presented State and County citations to honor Montgomery and extended their congratulations to the Township Committee.
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Officials from the 16th Legislative District and Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders recently congratulated Montgomery Township upon the town's top 'Best Towns for Families' ranking for 2016 by NJ Family Magazine. Pictured presenting citations are (l to r): Senator Kip Bateman, Freeholder Mark Caliguire, and NJ Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli.
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"Not every town gets ranked like Montgomery. We know all the work and hours the mayor and members of the township committee put in," said Senator Bateman, prior to reading the Senate citation, which states in part:
'Montgomery Township has been guided by citizens of character and public-spiritedness ... its leaders of today remain devoted to carrying on the Township's tradition of effective government.'
Montgomery was ranked #2 in New Jersey overall, #1 mid-sized town in the State, as well best in Somerset County for 2016 by NJ Family Magazine.
"This doesn't happen by accident or overnight. It takes leadership and involvement of citizens and all those who serve throughout the community," said Assemblyman Ciattarelli.
Among highlights cited in the survey were a stellar public school system, history going back to the American Revolution, lots of green space and parks, diversity, public safety, and Montgomery's proximity to New York City and Philadelphia.
"Like many residents, we moved here because Montgomery is a great place to raise a family," said Somerset County Freeholder Caliguire, who is also a resident and a former mayor of the township. "This happened because of the great leadership of the Township Committee and staff and dedicated volunteers."
Freeholder Caliguire, who presented a citation from the Somerset County Freeholders, has been a strong advocate for the 247-acre Skillman Park, a Somerset County passive recreation park redeveloped in 2011 from a decommissioned state institution property. It is an example of a new open space amenity benefiting Montgomery citizens, Somerset County residents, and the public at large.
"We really appreciate our legislature and freeholder board recognizing our town in this way," said Montgomery Township Mayor Pat Graham. "Montgomery's strong community, terrific schools and beautiful parks and open spaces all make our town a wonderful place to live."
Deputy Mayor Ed Trzaska added, "It was wonderful to have Kip, Jack, and Mark at last week's meeting. We will hang the state and county citations with pride in town hall. All three of these elected leaders have helped make our community the great place it is. Being chosen the #1 mid-sized town in New Jersey, #2 NJ town for families, and the #1 top-ranked NJ town in diversity, is a true testament of the quality of our residents and township professionals. Congratulations to everyone and look for some more exciting announcements as the summer goes on!"
The ranking looked at the entire state-more than 500 towns in all-and measured each municipality against a host of important factors, including school district quality, crime rates, affordability, commute times, percentage of families who live there, access to hospitals and general lifestyle factors.
To view the entire 2016 "Best Towns for Families" ranking list, go to:
Here is NJ Family magazine's "Most Diverse" list:
