Warren Sets Celebration Date for Being 'Best Place' to Live

Warren Township has been named as New Jersey Monthly's top choice for "Best Places to Live" in Central Jersey and No. 2 in the state — and now township officials have set a date of Nov. 13 to jointly celebrate that achievement and also to honor local volunteers.

As proposed at the Township Committee meeting last month, the Warren Township Committee selected an evening — settling on 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, to hold the regular committee meeting at the Watchung Hills Regional High School at 108 Stirling Road in Warren. The meeting and reception will be held in the South Building Auditorium.

All residents and businesses are invited to join township officials for the celebration. Refreshments will be served in the south building cafeteria after the meeting, according to the announcement sent out by the township on Tuesday.

"Township Leadership would like to give thanks to any and all volunteers, residents, businesses, and employees of Warren in recognition of New Jersey Monthly honoring Warren Township as the 2013 No. 1 Best Place to Live in Central Jersey and No. 1 in the State of New Jersey," the announcement said.

"It's really the people who make the difference," Township Mayor Victor Sordillo said at the meeting in mid-September, in saying why he felt Warren was noted by New Jersey Monthly in its annual list.

New Jersey Monthly recognized the Township online and in its September 2013 issue, "Best Place to Live: Top Ranked Towns for Young Families, Singles and Empty Nesters."

Comments were made by Sordillo in the article, looking at Warren’s fiscal conservatism, low debt limit, recreation program and volunteerism as a way of life in the township.

As he had at the meeting, Sordillo praised the volunteerism of emergency service personnel in both Fire and Rescue and the dedicated service provided by the numerous members of Boards, Commissions and Recreational Organizations from Sports to Scouting; all contributing to a significant method of reducing governmental costs.

The township was recognized by New Jersey Monthly for its location, mix of neighborhoods, and excellent schools, according to criteria outlined by the publication. In addition, the ability to attract businesses such as Chubb and Citigroup has assisted in maintaining a low tax rate.

A press release announcing the issue in late August 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 diversity of restaurants and shops on Mountain Boulevard and throughout the township were also thought to make Warren an attractive community.

Warren Township is first in Central Jersey because of its residents; it is not the dwellings or the businesses, but the people that make Warren special, township officials said in Tuesday's release.

Following up further on discussion in September, the Township Committee is encouraging all businesses in Warren to include Warren Township on their company letterhead as “2013 #1 Best Place to Live in Central Jersey and #2 in the State of New Jersey.”

"The Township Committee is recognizing all of those who make this community special at their meeting on Nov. 13...at the high school," the release said.

All attendees are asked to R.S.V.P. by Nov. 1 at: NOV13EVENT@WARRENNJ.ORG.