Helmetta, New Jersey | |
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 Looking north along Main Street (CR 615) | |
 Seal | |
 Location of Helmetta inMiddlesex County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Middlesex County inNew Jersey highlighted in orange (right). | |
 Census Bureau map of Helmetta, New Jersey | |
  Helmetta Location in the United States Show map of the United States | |
| Coordinates:40°22′42″N74°25′24″W / 40.378417°N 74.423384°W /40.378417; -74.423384[1][2] | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Jersey |
| County | Middlesex |
| Incorporated | March 20, 1888 |
| Named after | Olivia Antoinette "Etta" Helme |
| Government | |
| • Type | Borough |
| • Body | Borough Council |
| • Mayor | Chris Slavicek (I, term ends December 31, 2027)[3][4] |
| • Administrator | John M. Podesta[5] |
| • Municipal clerk | Melissa Hallerman[6] |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.88 sq mi (2.27 km2) |
| • Land | 0.83 sq mi (2.15 km2) |
| • Water | 0.05 sq mi (0.13 km2) 5.57% |
| • Rank | 519th of 565 in state 25th of 25 in county[1] |
| Elevation | 59 ft (18 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 2,455 |
• Estimate (2023)[11] | 2,437 |
| • Rank | 470th of 565 in state 25th of 25 in county[12] |
| • Density | 2,963.8/sq mi (1,144.3/km2) |
| • Rank | 219th of 565 in state 17th of 25 in county[12] |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) |
| ZIP Code | |
| Area code(s) | 732[15] |
| FIPS code | 3402330840[1][16][17] |
| GNIS feature ID | 885250[1][18] |
| Website | www |
Helmetta is aborough inMiddlesex County, in theU.S. state ofNew Jersey. The borough is located in the heart of theRaritan Valley region, withManalapan Brook (a Raritan Rivertributary) flowing through the center of the community. As of the2020 United States census, the borough's population was 2,455,[10] its highestdecennial count ever and an increase of 277 (+12.7%) from the2010 census count of 2,178,[19][20] which in turn reflected an increase of 353 (+19.3%) from the 1,825 counted in the2000 census.[21] The community was established around a snuff mill opened in the 1820s that was acquired byGeorge Washington Helme in the 1880s.
Helmetta was formed as a borough by an act of theNew Jersey Legislature on March 20, 1888, when it was created from portions ofEast Brunswick, based on the results of a referendum held on March 10, 1888. Helmetta's boundary with East Brunswick Township was changed as of March 24, 1897.[22] The borough was named for Helme's daughter, Olivia Antoinette "Etta" Helme.[23][24]
G. W. Helme Snuff Mill District | |
 The Helmetta Snuff Mill in Spring 2012 | |
    | |
| Location | Main Street Helmetta, New Jersey |
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| Coordinates | 40°22′39″N74°25′31″W / 40.37750°N 74.42528°W /40.37750; -74.42528 |
| NRHP reference No. | 80002503[25] |
| NJRHP No. | 1842[26] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | August 15, 1980 |
| Designated NJRHP | February 1, 1980 |
Helmetta's main landmark is the large, abandoned Helme Products Inc. plant that sits adjacent to theCamden and Amboy Railroad line running through the borough.[27] The mill began producingsnuff in the 1880s. On February 23, 1900, the mill was bought by the American-Sniff Company in a merger with Helme Products Inc., but the merger was dissolved in 1911. In 1925, the mill became the largest of its kind in the world, and by 1934 it employed 400 people. In 1986, the mill was bought out byAmerican Maize-Products. Finally, in 1993, it was purchased bySwisher International, and operations were moved toWheeling, West Virginia.[28] In 2012, the mill was purchased by Kaplan Companies[29] and was subsequently transformed into an apartment complex. The transformation was completed in 2017.[30]
The G. W. Helme Snuff Mill District is a classic example of a late 1800s mill town. The district consists of theGeorge Washington Helme snuff mill, housing for employees, accessory buildings,St. George's Episcopal Church, Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, and Helmetta Pond, which at one time served as a source of power for the mill. About 109 buildings were originally in the district, which was named to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places on February 1, 1980, and to theNational Register of Historic Places, on August 15, 1980.[26][31]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 0.88 square miles (2.27 km2), including 0.83 square miles (2.15 km2) of land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km2) of water (5.57%).[1][2]
The borough borders the Middlesex County municipalities ofEast Brunswick,Monroe Township andSpotswood.[32][33][34]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 447 | — | |
| 1910 | 661 | 47.9% | |
| 1920 | 687 | 3.9% | |
| 1930 | 801 | 16.6% | |
| 1940 | 667 | −16.7% | |
| 1950 | 580 | −13.0% | |
| 1960 | 779 | 34.3% | |
| 1970 | 955 | 22.6% | |
| 1980 | 955 | 0.0% | |
| 1990 | 1,211 | 26.8% | |
| 2000 | 1,825 | 50.7% | |
| 2010 | 2,178 | 19.3% | |
| 2020 | 2,455 | 12.7% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 2,437 | [11] | −0.7% |
| Population sources: 1900–1920[35] 1900–1910[36] 1910–1930[37] 1940–2000[38] 2000[39][40] 2010[19][20] 2020[10] | |||
The2010 United States census counted 2,178 people, 891 households, and 596 families in the borough. Thepopulation density was 2,562.9 per square mile (989.5/km2). There were 920 housing units at an average density of 1,082.6 per square mile (418.0/km2). The racial makeup was 88.61% (1,930)White, 3.95% (86)Black or African American, 0.09% (2)Native American, 4.87% (106)Asian, 0.00% (0)Pacific Islander, 1.15% (25) fromother races, and 1.33% (29) from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.53% (164) of the population.[19]
Of the 891 households, 27.8% had children under the age of 18; 52.5% were married couples living together; 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 33.1% were non-families. Of all households, 26.0% were made up of individuals and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.97.[19]
20.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 30.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.2 males.[19]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010American Community Survey showed that (in 2010inflation-adjusted dollars)median household income was $80,690 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,944) and the median family income was $96,875 (+/− $8,073). Males had a median income of $63,625 (+/− $7,838) versus $48,333 (+/− $6,040) for females. Theper capita income for the borough was $36,941 (+/− $2,537). About 3.4% of families and 3.7% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.[41]
As of the2000 United States census[16] there were 1,825 people, 746 households, and 495 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,153.6 inhabitants per square mile (831.5/km2). There were 769 housing units at an average density of 907.5 per square mile (350.4/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.15%White, 2.41%African American, 0.22%Native American, 2.41%Asian, 0.05%Pacific Islander, 0.88% fromother races, and 0.88% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 5.32% of the population.[39][40]
There were 746 households, out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% weremarried couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.01.[39][40]
In the borough the population was spread out, with 22.1% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 44.1% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 6.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.2 males.[39][40]
The median income for a household in the borough was $60,125, and the median income for a family was $64,659. Males had a median income of $47,604 versus $33,929 for females. Theper capita income for the borough was $26,668. About 3.2% of families and 3.3% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over.[39][40]
Helmetta is governed under theborough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.[42] The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions electedat-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.[7] The borough form of government used by Helmetta is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor canveto ordinances subject to anoverride by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.[43][44]
As of 2024[update], the mayor of Helmetta Borough isIndependent Christopher Slavicek, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027. Members of the Helmetta Borough Council are Council President Peter J. Karczewski (R, 2024), Sandra Bohinski (I, 2026), Michael R. Duffy (R, 2024), Ronald Dzingleski (I, 2025), Joseph Reid (I, 2025) and Nicholas Stasi (I, 2026).[3][45][46][47][48]
Samuel Mena was appointed in September 2021 to fill the seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by Noreen Carolan-Genthe and Nicholas Stasi was appointed in October 2021 to fill the seat formerly held by Joseph Perez and also expiring in December 2021. Both Mena and Stasi will serve on an interim basis until the November 2021 general election when voters will select candidates to serve the balance of the terms of office.[49]
In January 2016, Ronald Dzingleski and Joseph Reid were appointed to fill two of the three vacant council seats.[50]
In April 2016, the borough council selected Noreen Carolan to fill the term expiring in December 2016 that had been held temporarily by Brian Hackett who had in turn been appointed to fill the seat held by Yvette Bruno.[51]
In 2014, a recording of a police officer telling a cameraperson stating that he has the constitutional right to take video that he doesn't "give a damn" about constitutional rights was made public. In response, the city government proposed an ordinance banning video and photography inside public buildings without a permit.[52]
In April 2018, Helmetta disbanded its three-officer police force and entered into a six-year shared services agreement withSpotswood to provide police, dispatch and EMS services to Helmetta residents.[53] 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.[54] In July 2022, Helmetta and Jamesburg entered into a six-year shared service contract in which Jamesburg would provide police and dispatch services to Helmetta. This decision came about after the Borough of Spotswood decided that providing dispatch services to Helmetta was not economically viable.[55]
In 2018, the borough had an average property tax bill of $6,270, the lowest in the county, compared to an average bill of $8,092 in Middlesex County and $8,767 statewide.[56][57]
Helmetta is located in the 12th Congressional District[58] and is part of New Jersey's 12th state legislative district.[59]
For the119th United States Congress,New Jersey's 12th congressional district is represented byBonnie Watson Coleman (D,Ewing Township).[60][61] New Jersey is represented in theUnited States Senate byDemocratsCory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027) andAndy Kim (Moorestown, term ends 2031).[62]
For the2024-2025 session, the12th legislative district of theNew Jersey Legislature is represented in theState Senate byOwen Henry (R,Old Bridge Township) and in theGeneral Assembly byRobert D. Clifton (R,Matawan) andAlex Sauickie (R,Jackson Township).[63]
Middlesex County is governed by aBoard of County Commissioners, whose seven members are electedat-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.[64] As of 2025[update], Middlesex County's Commissioners (with party affiliation, term-end year, and residence listed in parentheses) are:
Director Ronald G. Rios (D,Carteret, 2027),[65]Deputy Director Shanti Narra (D,North Brunswick, 2027),[66]Claribel A. "Clary" Azcona-Barber (D,New Brunswick, 2025),[67]Charles Kenny (D,Woodbridge Township, 2025),[68]Leslie Koppel (D,Monroe Township, 2026),[69]Chanelle Scott McCullum (D,Piscataway, 2025)[70] andCharles E. Tomaro (D,Edison, 2026).[71][72]
Constitutional officers are:ClerkNancy Pinkin (D, 2025,East Brunswick),[73][74]Sheriff Mildred S. Scott (D, 2025, Piscataway)[75][76] andSurrogate Claribel Cortes (D, 2026; North Brunswick).[77][78][79]
As of March 2011, there were a total of 1,399 registered voters in Helmetta, of which 403 (28.8%) were registered asDemocrats, 264 (18.9%) were registered asRepublicans and 731 (52.3%) were registered asUnaffiliated. There was one voter registered to another party.[80]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024[81] | 60.8%798 | 34.3%476 | 4.9%35 |
| 2020[82] | 54.7%709 | 43.2%560 | 2.1%27 |
| 2016[83] | 57.7%619 | 39.2%420 | 3.1%33 |
| 2012[84] | 48.1%442 | 50.4%463 | 1.4%13 |
| 2008[85] | 52.6%557 | 45.4%480 | 2.0%21 |
| 2004[86] | 56.6%587 | 42.6%442 | 0.8%8 |
In the2012 presidential election, DemocratBarack Obama received 50.4% of the vote (463 cast), ahead of RepublicanMitt Romney with 48.1% (442 votes), and other candidates with 1.4% (13 votes), among the 925 ballots cast by the borough's 1,372 registered voters (7 ballots werespoiled), for a turnout of 67.4%.[87][88] In the2008 presidential election, RepublicanJohn McCain received 52.1% of the vote (557 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 44.9% (480 votes) and other candidates with 2.0% (21 votes), among the 1,069 ballots cast by the borough's 1,438 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.3%.[89] In the2004 presidential election, RepublicanGeorge W. Bush received 56.2% of the vote (587 ballots cast), outpolling DemocratJohn Kerry with 42.3% (442 votes) and other candidates with 0.6% (8 votes), among the 1,044 ballots cast by the borough's 1,382 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 75.5.[90]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021[91] | 61.8%484 | 36.3%284 | 1.9%15 |
| 2017[92] | 57.9%334 | 37.4%216 | 4.7%27 |
| 2013[93] | 71.7%503 | 26.1%183 | 2.3%16 |
| 2009[94] | 68.0%476 | 25.5%179 | 6.5%45 |
| 2005[95] | 49.8%375 | 40.1%302 | 10.1%76 |
In the2013 gubernatorial election, RepublicanChris Christie received 71.7% of the vote (503 cast), ahead of DemocratBarbara Buono with 26.1% (183 votes), and other candidates with 2.3% (16 votes), among the 718 ballots cast by the borough's 1,374 registered voters (16 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 52.3%.[93][96] In the2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 67.5% of the vote (476 ballots cast), ahead of DemocratJon Corzine with 25.4% (179 votes), IndependentChris Daggett with 4.4% (31 votes) and other candidates with 2.0% (14 votes), among the 705 ballots cast by the borough's 1,402 registered voters, yielding a 50.3% turnout.[97]
All public school students from Helmetta attend theSpotswood Public Schools, with the districts having been consolidated after a July 2009 decision by theNew Jersey Department of Education that merged Helmetta into the Spotswood district.[98] Students fromMilltown attend the high school as part of asending/receiving relationship with theMilltown Public Schools.[99][100][101]
The Spotswood Public Schools serve students inpre-kindergarten throughtwelfth grade.[102] As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of four schools, had an enrollment of 1,610 students and 136.5 classroom teachers (on anFTE basis), for astudent–teacher ratio of 11.8:1.[103] Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from theNational Center for Education Statistics[104]) are G. Austin Schoenly Elementary School[105] with 207 students in grades PreK–1, E. Raymond Appleby Elementary School[106] with 334 students in grades 2–5, Spotswood Memorial Middle School[107] with 349 students in grades 6–8 andSpotswood High School[108] with 692 students in grades 9–12.[109][110][111]
Eighth grade students from all of Middlesex County are eligible to apply to attend the high school programs offered by theMiddlesex County Magnet Schools, a county-wide vocational school district that offers full-time career and technical education at its schools inEast Brunswick,Edison,Perth Amboy,Piscataway andWoodbridge Township, with no tuition charged to students for attendance.[112][113]
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 8.79 miles (14.15 km) of roadways, of which 7.28 miles (11.72 km) were maintained by the municipality and 1.51 miles (2.43 km) by Middlesex County.[114]
The major thoroughfare in the borough isMain Street (County Route 615) which connects with Monroe to the southwest and Spotswood to the northeast.[115] Main Street is largely known as Bordentown-Amboy Turnpike between Jamesburg and South Amboy.
TheNew Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95) is accessible at Exit 8A in neighboring Monroe Township.[116]
An analysis of speeding tickets issued over an 18-month period between 2011 and 2013 showed that 222 tickets were issued in that timeframe with only two given to borough residents, which was cited as supporting claims that the borough's police department is unfairly targeting non-residents.[117]
Middlesex County Area Transit (MCAT) shuttles provide service to and from Helmetta on routes operating across the county.[118] The M2 Route connectsJamesburg, Helmetta andSpotswood withEast Brunswick including theBrunswick Square Mall.[119]
listed as the G. W. Helme Snuff Mill Historic District
Places adjacent to Helmetta, New Jersey | |
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