Community Corner

Warren Officials Want to Celebrate Being Named No. 2 Town in NJ

Celebration tentatively planned for Nov. 14.

Mayor Vic Sordillo and the Warren Township Committee are thrilled that New Jersey Monthly magazine, in naming its best places to live, has named Warren Township as no. 1 ranked town in Central Jersey, and no. 2 overall in the state.

New Jersey Monthly released the information in August.

But township officials want to spread the word, in case not all of the township's residents have heard. 

Township Committeewoman Carolann Garafola had a number of ideas for how to promote the news — and further promote Warren Township's advantages.

She suggested putting the news on Cablevision, an idea that during the Township Committee's discussion evolved into producing a presentation about Warren Township on the local access Cablevision channel, which is channel 15.

Garafola's other ideas included putting the news on the township letterhead, or adding it to the municipal scrolling sign after flu shot news is distributed.

"If we don't toot our own horn, who else will do it?" she asked.

Volunteer/community get-together tentatively planned for Nov. 14

But the township's biggest idea for a celebration is a combination municipal meeting, perhaps shortened, and local volunteer appreciation day that could also highlight Warren Township's no. 2 ranking on New Jersey Monthly's list.

"It's really the people who make the difference," Sordillo said.

Committee members tentatively set a date for Nov. 14, which Garafola said is the last Township Committee meeting before Thanksgiving. She added she will look into whether the township can host the event at Watchung Hills Regional High School.

Sordillo said that the township's volunteers would receive an invite, and other residents can let the town know if they would be attending.

Township Committee members already are planning the menu — perhaps even with contributions from local eateries — and Sordillo said officials want to make sure there is enough to go around for guests. "We don't want 16,000 people to show up, and we have food for 300," he observed.

A press release released in August, announcing the September issue's arrival with  New Jersey Monthly's list of best places to live in the state, said the ranking keyed in on eight factors: property taxes, home values, population growth, land development, employment, crime rate, school performance, and proximity to services—which are said to best represent the quality of life in New Jersey. The story was published on Warren Patch at that time.

The list of 100 Top Towns was compiled for New Jersey Monthly by the Polling Institute at Monmouth University. 
 
"Buying a home is the biggest investment most of us will make in a lifetime," says New Jersey Monthly Editor Ken Schlager. "Our Top Towns rankings are 
intended, at least in part, to help with that decision. Certainly, the towns in our Top 10 are among the most attractive in the state for any homebuyer."


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