It is an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to serve our over 92,000 residents of Hamilton Township as Mayor. For over 34 years, Hamilton Township has been my home. Hamilton Township is a wonderful place to live, work, play and raise a family. It is the place where my mother lives, where I raised my own family and where my children still call home. We are a very special community – recently rated as the 51st best place to live in the country and the 4th best place to live in New Jersey by CNN/Money Magazine. But as our township motto says, I firmly believe we are “America’s Favorite Hometown!” Covering nearly 40-square miles, we are very much a community of neighborhoods – nestled with over 64 parks that include Veterans Park and the beautiful Sayen Gardens and acres of preserved open space. Our residents enjoy numerous sports and recreational opportunities and come together throughout the year to celebrate our special community events, such as at our annual Azalea Festival, Independence Day Fireworks and Concert celebration, SeptemberFest community day, Fall Harvest and Winter Wonderland events. And we are also home to a nationally renowned Senior Center that holds many programs throughout the year.
Located in central New Jersey, we enjoy a prime location that is within an hour’s drive of New York City, Philadelphia, and the Jersey Shore. The New Jersey Turnpike, Interstate Highways 195 and 295, U.S. Highways 130 and 206 and State Highways 33 and 29 all pass through Hamilton Township. Our fully developed infrastructure is highlighted by a very convenient and attractive train station. “America’s Favorite Hometown” enjoys a deep-rooted history dating back to 1686, when our community was organized as the Town of Nottingham. We are home to several historic sites that provide us with an appreciation of the past while reminding us of our historical significance, such as the Sayen House, Kuser Mansion and the Grafton House. Not only can you visit these beautiful homes, you can also hold your next special event there – as the homes can accommodate wedding receptions, celebrations, business meetings or special gatherings. Also in Hamilton Township is a Civil War and Native American Museum that features Civil War exhibits and Delaware Indian artifacts.
In Hamilton Township, we have an appreciation for the arts and culture. We are home to the nationally acclaimed Grounds for Sculpture, a 35 acre sculpture park. We are also currently working to establish a special arts and cultural district in our community surrounding the Grounds for Sculpture, where opportunities to appreciate the arts can flourish.
“America’s Favorite Hometown” also continues to enjoy a strong and vibrant local economy, with several shopping destinations and business opportunities for our residents. Large shopping destinations such as the Hamilton Marketplace and the Shoppes at Hamilton welcome shoppers along our growing Route 130 Corridor, which is well on its way to becoming an entertainment destination. And after shopping makes you work up an appetite, enjoy any one of our restaurants that serve delights for every taste and pocketbook. Our restaurants have made us known as the “Restaurant Capital of Mercer County.”
As Mayor, everyday I work along with my administration and our dedicated Township employees to maintain our high quality of life in Hamilton Township. Whether it is our efforts to make our government as affordable as it can be for our residents while ensuring fiscally responsible practices or providing the quality public services that you have come to expect and deserve, our job is to serve the people – and to make sure Hamilton Township remains “America’s Favorite Hometown.”
I look forward to seeing you around our beautiful community.
Sincerely,
John F. Bencivengo Mayor Township of Hamilton