SJ Towns: Hainesport

Hainesport, which borders two branches of the Rancocas Creek as well as the growing townships of Mount Laurel and Lumberton, is fast becoming prime real estate in southern New Jersey. “The thing that makes our town stand out among the rest is that it is a small, rural town in a suburban area, surrounded by towns that are being built out or are built out,” according to Township Administrator Christopher Schultz.

Local builders are eager to purchase and start building as soon as permits are granted. “We are in the midst of a housing boom experiencing 6-to-8% population growth per year. There are approximately 800 homes that have been built in the last three years, under construction or slated for construction,” said Schultz. “We are the 5th fastest growing community in Burlington county, population wise, according to the census”, said Schultz.

The new homes in the area are in well-planned communities with classic home model designs to accommodate a modern family that wants to live on typically .25 of an acre or more. Many of the models of these newer homes have 4 or more bedrooms and open floor plans that incorporate many desirable features.

Papparone, Hovnanian, Orleans, and Great Northeastern Enterprises are the names of just a few of the homebuilders establishing subdivisions in this 6.53 square mile town. The draw for homebuyers is not only the home-size and “more for your money” mentality for these new-construction homes, but the school-system and other amenities.

For Hainesport schools this is an exciting time. There are approximately 456 students in the school system and this past year Hainesport’s average second-grade class size was 15, which put them within the top ten South Jersey public school districts for the category of smallest class size. Their goals are to maintain a relatively small class size and provide quality education.

The school technology program includes a computer lab and writing lab used by students in grades one through eight. Students are taught to utilize technology as a tool to support their academic studies. Each classroom is equipped with computers and access to the Internet to reinforce and enrich the learning experience. There are also library, art, music and foreign language programs offered. The schools’ Gifted and Talented Program provides an opportunity for students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. There are many opportunities for students to excel. Programs are offered in soccer, basketball, softball and cheerleading for middle school age children. After school clubs include: intramurals, Battle of the Books, and community services. The Hainesport school board serves pre-K-to-8 and then parents have the option of either having their kids feed into the Rancocas Valley Regional High School District or area private schools.

Hainesport is not a remarkably different town than it was in 1924 when it separated from Lumberton and had only 1000 residents. It still has hundreds of acres of open space. Although today there are over 4200 residents in the town, 6 churches that serve the religious needs of the community and a mix of business and shopping centers which are scattered through the Route 38 corridor and the Hainesport Industrial Park.

Municipal facilities and township government are keeping pace with this changing face of Hainesport. A new recreation facility for township residents opened on Marne Highway this year, which includes a 2-mile walking trail and a running and roller-blading area. The new municipal services facility, located in front of the recreation facility, is scheduled to open in July 2002. The township’s local government now consists of 5 governing departments- Public Safety, Community Development, Administration, Finance, and Public Works. Each Township Committee member is a liaison to a department and the Township Administrator manages the committee.

The remaining goals for 2002, according to Schultz, is to establish a volunteer program, a solid economic development plan, conduct a community recreation needs assessment and maintain the capital infrastructure.

According to the Master Plan for the township there should be growth to about 6000 persons within the next 6 to 10 years. The township is reassuring residents that they will be addressing future quality of life issues for current and future residents. “After many years of community planning we are now and will be trying to address quality of life issues within Hainesport,” said Schultz. The work plan for this year talks about addressing “recreation” and “redevelopment” on the Route 38 corridor as well as some other issues. Currently there are a few community associations, a senior group, and a parent-teacher organization, but the township volunteers and officials are trying to organize beyond that. Also, the sewer and road project will be completed in October 2003--wherever homes are getting new sewers, they will also be getting new roads.

Visit Hainesport's website at www.twp.hainesport.nj.us.

If you are interested in reading about other South Jersey towns, check out our SJ Town News page.

Article continues below

---

advertisement

---

Author: Sonina Matteo