Carpenter Resource Information for Monmouth County, New Jersey.

The use of official seals is a practice handed down from old English law, in which individuals and officials, from the King on down, used a distinctive seal as a means of authenticating official documents. No document, even those signed by the King himself, was considered valid and effective without the official seal.

    In fact, so important was the seal that an official custodian of the seal was appointed to safeguard it from loss or improper use. This custom prevails to this day, where by law the Clerk of the Board of Chosen Freeholders has "custody of the common seal of the County" (R.S. 40:21-18).

    The Monmouth County seal was authorized by the Freeholders as indicated by the following excerpt from the Minutes of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, on May 9, 1798:

    From time to time, questions have arisen regarding one of the symbols contained in the Monmouth County Seal. Some have questioned whether the Seal contains a cross, the symbol of Christianity. Actually, the figure found just left of center, protruding from the plough in the Seal, is the handle of the plough. If one were to look closely, they would notice that the handle is slightly curved to facilitate grasping by the farmer.

    In modern times the Seal has been made into a die which is then used to create an impression on a document by crimping the paper.
 

History of the Monmouth County, New Jersey Hall of Records.

    The first courthouse and jail was built on the Reid property in 1714, and while there are no known drawings of this building, it is thought to have been a small frame structure. It had to be replaced in 1719 because two prisoners escaped from it. Unfortunately, this structure burned down in 1727, and it was not until 1731 that a new courthouse was constructed. It was in this "1731 Courthouse" that the Declaration of Independence was read in 1776, several days after its adoption in Philadelphia. This same courthouse was used to care for wounded British and American soldiers after the Battle of Monmouth. In fact, when General Henry Clinton withdrew British forces under the cover of darkness after the battle, some five wounded officers and 40 men were left behind in the courthouse.

    In 1806 construction on the fourth courthouse was begun. It was completed in 1809 at a cost of $28,000. This building survived until 1855 when it suffered extensive damage as a result of a fire set by a woman prisoner in the county jail. It was rebuilt and remodeled only to suffer another devastating fire in 1873. Despite extensive damage to the courthouse and surrounding structures, most vital records were saved.

    Utilizing some of the stonework of the building that had just burned, work was rushed to complete a new courthouse in just four months. In the meantime, court sessions were held in the nearby Reformed Church. In 1884, a large addition was added to the rear of the courthouse along Court Street.

    In 1930, fire again plagued the courthouse, resulting in extensive damage to a stairway and belfry. From 1714 to 1954 the county courthouse was located at Main and Court Streets, the original site purchased from John Reid. In 1954 a new courthouse was completed two blocks north of the original site, next to Monument Park, on Court Street. The structure located at the corner of Main and Court Streets became known as the Hall of Records.

    However, thanks to John Reid, a courtroom still exists in the Hall of Records. In 1714, Reid wanted the county seat located in Freehold Township and thus sold the property to the Freeholders at a bargain price. But in return, he placed a provision in the deed that, should the property ever cease being used as a courthouse, ownership would revert back to the Reid family. Direct descendants of John Reid still reside in Freehold Township. The present Hall of Records contains the recently restored courtroom and chambers of Judge Alexander D. Lehrer, and various administrative offices of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, the governing body of the County of Monmouth, along with offices of the County Surrogate.

In New Jersey's early history, any person who owned land free from debts, mortgages, other legal claims or liens was a "freeholder." Those who were elected to serve were the "Chosen Freeholders." At first, legislative functions were performed by the Courts, later by a Board of Chosen Freeholders and Justices. Gradually, the judges became increasingly involved with judicial concerns and in 1798 the State Legislature established the Board of Chosen Freeholders as the legislative and administrative head of county government in New Jersey.

As a result, the 21 counties of New Jersey serve as a middle level of government between the state and federal governments and the municipalities. The counties deal with regional problems such as solid waste disposal and water supply, as well as the historic responsibility with the courts, roads, general government, and the conduct of elections.

For the first half of the nineteenth century, the system of apportioning Freeholders remained absolutely rigid; two Freeholders for each township, town or city. But when the number of townships in the county began to grow at an appreciable rate, the board membership became unwieldy. For example, if that rule were in effect today, Monmouth County would have 106 persons sitting on the Board of Chosen Freeholders, as there are 53 municipalities in the county.

Monmouth County is governed by five Freeholders elected at-large for three year terms. Each January, the Freeholders select one of their members to serve as the director of the board for the year to preside over the meetings and activities of the board.

The Freeholders oversee the five functions of county government, Administration & Special Services, Public Works & Engineering, Human Services, Health & Transportation, Finance and Justice & Parks.

Ordinarily, on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, the Board meets at 2:00 p.m. in workshop session in the Hall of Records and again at 7:00 p.m. for a formal Regular Meeting. On the fourth Thursday of each month, from March through September the Regular Meeting at 7:00 p.m. is rotated throughout one of the 53 towns in Monmouth County.

Regular Meetings are those in which the Freeholders take formal action. Workshop meetings are informal discussions of items to be considered at the next Regular Meeting and other important matters. Both Regular and Workshop meetings are open to the public.
 

    Under current New Jersey law, there are four basic forms of municipal government, each deriving its powers from the state Legislature. The four forms of government are borough, city, town, and township. Actually, a fifth basic "form" of government exists in only one municipality in New Jersey, that being the village form of government in Loch Arbour.

    The borough form of government was created in 1878 and modified by the Borough Act of 1987. There are approximately 218 municipalities using the borough form of government, which is supervised by a mayor and six council members, all of whom are elected at large. There are 37 boroughs in Monmouth County.

    Under the city form of government, the mayor and one city council member are elected at large. The other six city council members are each elected from wards. There are two cities in Monmouth County.

    The township form of government is the oldest form, having been first established in 1798, and enhanced by the Township Act of 1989. All committee members are elected at large. Each year, at the annual reorganization meeting, the township committee selects one of its members to preside as mayor for the year. It is the only form of government in which the mayor is not elected directly by the voters of the municipality. There are 11 municipalities in Monmouth County using the township form of government.

    The townships of Aberdeen, Howell and Ocean are not governed under the township form of government, but under variations of the other forms. Ocean Grove, located on the Atlantic Ocean between Asbury Park and Bradley Beach, is not a separate municipality, but a part of the Township of Neptune. It is a unique community of great historic significance. It is administered by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, a religious community that oversees affairs of the area as well as the famous Ocean Grove Auditorium.  

Township of Aberdeen
Address: One Aberdeen Square, Aberdeen, NJ 07747
Telephone: 583-4200 Fax: 290-3171
Regular Meetings: 7:00 p.m., First and Third Tuesdays in the Municipal Building
Web site: www.twp.aberdeen.nj.us/ 

Borough of Allenhurst
Address: 125 Corlies Avenue, Allenhurst, NJ 07711
Telephone: 531-2757 Fax: 531-8694
Regular Meetings: 7:30 p.m., Second and Fourth Tuesdays, in Borough Hall
http://www.allenhurstnj.org

Borough of Allentown
Address:  P.O. Box 487, Allentown, NJ 08501
Telephone: 609-259-3151 Fax: 609-259-7530
Regular Meetings: 7:00 p.m., Second and Fourth Tuesdays at Borough Hall, 8 North Main Street
www.allentownnj.com 

City of Asbury Park
Address: One Municipal Plaza, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Telephone: 775-2100 Fax: 775-1483 
Regular Meetings: 7:30 p.m., First and Third Wednesdays, in Council Chambers
(unofficial) www.asburypark.net 

Borough of Atlantic Highlands
Address: 100 First Avenue, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716
Telephone: 291-1444 Fax: 291-9725
Regular Meetings: 7:00 p.m., Second Wednesday at Borough Hall
Web site: http://www.ahnj.com
E-mail: atlhighlands@monmouth.com 

Borough of Avon-By-The-Sea
Address: 301 Main StreetAvon, NJ 07717
Telephone: 502-4510, Fax: 774-0605 
Regular Meetings: 8:00 p.m., Second and Fourth Mondays at the Municipal Building
E-mail: avon@monmouth.com  
Web site: http://www.avon-by-the-sea.com/

Borough of Belmar
Address: PO Box A, 601 Main St., Belmar, NJ 07719
Telephone: 681-3700 Fax: 681-3434
Regular Meetings: 8:00 p.m. Second and Fourth Wednesdays at Municipal Complex 
E-mail: sysadmin@belmar.com
Web site: http://www.belmar.com

Borough of Bradley Beach
Address: 701 Main Street, Bradley Beach, NJ 07720
Telephone: 776-2999, Fax: 775-1782
Meetings: Second and Fourth Tuesday 7 p.m. at Borough Hall
Web site: http://bradleybeachonline.com/index.html

Borough of Brielle
Address: 601 Union Lane,Brielle, NJ 08730
Telephone: 528-6600, Fax: 528-7186
Regular Meetings: 8:00 p.m. Second and Fourth Mondays at Borough Hall

Township of Colts Neck
Address: 124 Cedar DriveColts Neck, NJ 07722
Telephone: 462-5470, Fax: 431-3173 web address: http://www.colts-neck.nj.us/
Regular Meetings: 7.30 p.m. Second and last Wednesdays at Town Hall

Borough of Deal
Address: Durant Square, PO Box 56, Deal, NJ 07723
Telephone: 531-1454, Fax: 531-1705
Regular Meetings: 5:00 p.m., Second and Fourth Tuesdays at Borough Hall
Web site:  www.dealborough.com 

Borough of Eatontown
Address: 47 Broad Street, Eatontown, NJ 07724
Telephone: 389-7621, Fax: 389-7668
Regular Meetings: Second and Fourth Wednesdays at Municipal Building
Web site: http://www.eatontownnj.com/
E-mail: kathee@eatontownnj.com

Borough of Englishtown
Address: 15 Main Street, Englishtown, NJ 07726
Telephone: 446-9235 Fax: 446-4979
Regular Meetings: 7:30 p.m. Second and Fourth Wednesdays at 15 Main Street
http://www.englishtownnj.com/

Borough of Fair Haven
Address: 748 River Road Fair Haven, NJ 07704
Telephone: 747-0241, Fax: 747-6962
Regular Meetings: 8:00 p.m., Second and Fourth Mondays at Municipal Building
E-mail: fairhavenboro@monmouth.com.
Web site: www.monmouth.com/~fairhavenboro/

Borough of Farmingdale
Address: PO Box 58 Farmingdale, NJ 07727
Telephone: 938-4077, Fax: 938-2023 
Regular Meetings: 7:30 p.m., First and Third Tuesdays, at Community Center, 13 Asbury Ave.

Borough of Freehold
Address: 51 W. Main Street, Freehold, NJ 07728
Telephone: 462-1410, Fax: 409-1453
Regular Meetings: 7:30 p.m. First and Third Mondays at Municipal Building
Web site: http://www.FreeholdCenter.com/

Township of Freehold
Address: 1 Municipal Plaza, Freehold, NJ 07728
Telephone: 294-2000 Fax: 462-7910 Regular Meetings: 8:00 p.m. Fourth Tuesday at Municipal Building
http://www.twp.freehold.nj.us/

Township of Hazlet
Address: 319 Middle Road, Hazlet, NJ 07730
Telephone: 264-1700, Fax 264-1785 Regular Meetings: 8:00 p.m. First and Third Tuesdays at Municipal Building

Borough of Highlands
Address: 171 Bay Avenue, Highlands, NJ 07732
Telephone: 872-1224 Fax: 872-0670
Regular Meetings: 8:00 p.m. First and Third Wednesdays at Municipal Building
Web site: http://www.highlandsnj.com

Township of Holmdel
Address: PO Box 410, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Telephone: 946-4330, Fax: 946-0116
Regular Meetings: 7:30 p.m. Second and Fourth Mondays at Town Hall
Web site: www.holmdeltownship.com

Township of Howell
Address: PO Box 580, 251 Preventorium Rd., Howell, NJ 07731
Telephone: 938-4500 Fax: 938-4818
Regular Meetings: 7:30pm, First and Third Mondays of each month.
Web site: http://www.twp.howell.nj.us

Borough of Interlaken
Address: 100 Grasmere Avenue, Interlaken, NJ 07712
Telephone: 732-531-7405 Fax: 732-531-7099
Meetings: 7:30 pm, First & Third Wednesdays, at Borough Hall

Borough of Keansburg
Address: 29 Church Street, Keansburg, NJ 07734
Telephone: 787-0215 Fax: 787-0778
Regular Meetings: 8:00 p.m. Fourth Tuesdays at Municipal Building
Agenda Meetings: Second Tuesdays at 5:30 PM.

Borough of Keyport
Address: 70 West Front Street, PO Box 70, Keyport, NJ 07735
Telephone: 739-3900, Fax: 739-8738 
Regular Meetings: 7:00 p.m., (closed Session) 
8pm (open meetings) First and Third Tuesdays at the Council Chambers, 70 West Front Street.
E-mail: tantonucci@keyportonline.com
Web site: www.keyportonline.com

Borough of Little Silver
Address: 480 Prospect Avenue, Little Silver, NJ 07739
Telephone: 842-2400 Fax:219-0581
Regular Meetings: 8:00 p.m. First and Third Mondays at Borough Hall
Web site: (unofficial) www.monmouth.com/~lsboe/

Village of Loch Arbour
Address: 550 Main Street, Loch Arbour, NJ 07711
Telephone: 531-4740 Fax: 531-8778
Regular Meetings: 7:30 p.m. First Wednesday at Municipal Building

City of Long Branch
Address: 344 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ 07740
Telephone: 222-7000, Fax: 222-1516
Regular Meetings: 8:00 PM, Second and Fourth Tuesdays at City Hall  
E-mail: info@longbranch.org  
web address  www.longbranch.org

Township of Manalapan
Address: 120 Rte. 522 and Taylors Mills Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726
Telephone: 446-3200 Fax: 446-9615
Regular Meetings: 8:00 p.m. Second and Fourth Wednesdays at Municipal Complex

Borough of Manasquan
Address: 15 Taylor Avenue, PO Box 199, Manasquan, NJ 08736
Telephone: 223-0544 Fax: 223-0587
Regular Meetings: 8:00 p.m. First and Third Mondays at Municipal Building
Web site: http://www.manasquan-nj.com

Township of Marlboro
Address: 1979 Township Drive, Marlboro, NJ 07746
Telephone: 536-0200 Fax: 972-7697Council Fax: 972-6928 
Regular Meetings: 8:00 p.m. Second and Fourth Thursdays at Town Hall
http://www.marlboro-twp.com
E-mail: marlinfo@aol.com

Borough of Matawan
Address: PO Box 424, Matawan, NJ 07747
Telephone: 290-2001 Fax: 290-7585 
Meetings: Exec. Session 6:30 pm. Regular 7:30 p.m. First and Third Tuesdays
Web address http://www.matawanborough.com/matawan/

Township of Middletown
Address: One Kings Highway, Middletown, NJ 07748
Telephone: 615-2000 Fax: 957-9090
Regular Meetings: 8:00 p.m., First and Third Mondays at Town Hall
Web address: www.middletownnj.org