Monroe Matthew Earl of Monroe gets a little fishing help from his grandfather, Pat DiGangi of Jamesburg, during the annual fishing derby at Molder's Farm in Monroe. Once primarily a farming community, Monroe Township's rural character, its central location and its closeness to the New Jersey Turnpike have led to vast residential development in recent years. As single-family homes, retirement communities and industrial sites began to spring up throughout the township, local officials and residents have worked hard to ensure that open space remains here permanently. The success of their efforts is evidenced by the many preserved greenways, including the sprawling Thompson Park and other municipally and county-owned sites. Residents also take pride in the township's outstanding school system, low property taxes and efficient municipal services. Population: 27,999 Area: 43.8 square miles Municipal Building: 1 Municipal Plaza 521-4400 Mayor: Richard Pucci (D)  521-4400 Township Council: Joanne Connolly (D) Irwin Nalitt (D) Henry Miller (D) John Riggs (D) Gerald Tamburro (D) Council Meetings: First and last Mondays at 8 p.m. Township Clerk: Sharon Doerfler 656-4573 2002 Tax Rate: $2.58 per $100 at 77.75% ratio Emergencies: 911 First aid: 521-0222 Fire: 521-0222 Police: 521-0222 Zoning Board: Bob Tucker, 521-4400 Township Engineer: Ernie Feist, 723-3737 Recreation: Monroe Community Center 120 Monmouth Road 723-5000 Senior Citizen Center/ Office on Aging: 521-6111 Public Library: 4 Municipal Plaza 521-5000 Post Office: 08831 1601 Perrineville Road Board of Education: 521-2111 Superintendent of Schools: Dr. Ralph Ferrie 521-2111 SCHOOLS Grades K-3 Barclay Brook, 521-1000 Mill Lake, 251-5336 Grades 4-6 Brookside, 521-1101 Woodland, 251-1177 Grades 7-8 Applegarth (609) 655-0604 Grades 9-12 Monroe Township High School 521-2882 Recycling: aluminum, tin, newspaper, twice a month