Chatham is actually two co-joined towns - Chatham Boro and Chatham Township. Both share
a common heritage and are often referred to by their shared name, Chatham. These two quiet picturesque residential communities are 25 miles west of New York City. Chatham Boro is a smaller community of 2.4 square miles and Chatham Township is the larger with 9.3 square miles. Chatham is located just to the West of Summit, to the South of Short Hills and to the East of Madison New Jersey. Read More...
Chatham Boro Overview
The Lenni Lenape Indians were the first people to settle in the area over six hundred years ago. In 1680 Sir George Carteret paid the Lenni Lenape Indians for the land and named it Chatham after the English Prime Minister, Sir William Pitt, Earl of Chatham. The Morris and Essex Railroad came to Chatham in 1837. Chatham's reputation as a fine, healthy place to live brought a community of
bustling tourist trade.
Chatham offers the perfect blend of historical ambiance and today's finest amenities with an array of quaint shops and restaurants as well as abundant recreational facilities (golf and tennis, for example). There are excellent shopping facilities and restaurants along Chatham's Main Street and nearby in downtown Madison and Summit, as well as at the Hickory Tree Shopping Center in Chatham Township. In addition, The Mall at Short Hills is only 5 minutes away.
CHATHAM BORO SHOPPING
The downtown and local shopping areas offer a variety of unique specialty shops, service-based businesses and professional offices. Chatham Boro has a downtown of its own and is in close proximity to other local downtown areas such as Madison and Summit. There are quite a variety of shops from housewares to painting supplies to one of the best toy stores around.
For beautiful home furnishings definitely be sure to stop by Meli Melo Home which carries a mix of beautiful objects that reflect today's relaxed life style with a sense of luxury and comfort, including everything from fine furniture to accessories to jewelry! And of course the Mall at Short Hills is only 5 minute away. There you will find exactly what you are looking for with its restaurants, boutiques and upscale major retailers.
CHATHAM BORO DINING
Due to its close proximity to attractive town centers in literally every direction, Chatham Boro offers a wide variety of dining opportunities within easy reach. While it would take pages to name all the wonderful surrounding restaurants, here is a sampling.
In downtown Chatham Boro, no dining list would be complete without including Scalini Fedeli. Built in an old farmhouse, it has a Zagat rating of #1 favorite in NJ overall for northern Italian cuisine.favorites include Martini Bistro, famous for its namesake martinis but also good food and a lively bar scene and Basilico which offers consistently great Italian fare in a sophisticated, chic atmosphere with the option to dine al fresco in nice weather. The recently opened Moonshine Supper Club has become a popular bar and lounge offering contemporary American comfort food with style.
For something a bit different, Khun Thai offers a mix of Thai and Asian fusion menu selections that are always delicious. Residents all quickly discover the famous Millburn Deli which rapidly becomes a frequent destination for just about everyone. The employees are great fun and the sandwiches fantastic. Also in Millburn, La Strada, across from the movie theatre, is well known for their delicious eat in or takeout pizza and relaxed family atmosphere.
In Summit, there are many wonderful lunch and dinner choices. At the high end of the scale is Roots Steak House with a sophisticated décor, fantastic New York style steak house dining and a great wine list. Fiorino Ristorante is known for consistently delicious northern Italian dishes and its unique private wine room. For upscale casual family dining, Marco Polo restaurant has been serving delicious Italian and Continental cuisine for 75 years. A brunch or lunchtime favorite is Food in Summit offering traditional fare with a contemporary flair.
CHATHAM BORO TRANSPORTATION
Buses and trains provide easy access to New York City as well as to Hoboken, Newark and Jersey City. Located on the NJ Transit Morris & Essex train line (also referred to as the Midtown Direct train line), the Chatham Boro train station is right in the center of town and conveniently located. Express trains from Short Hills to NYC take only 45 minutes. Relax, sleep or work on new double decker trains and arrive at work fresh and ready to start the day.
Commuter parking lots are available for residents of Chatham Boro only. Chatham Township residents cannot apply for a parking permit but can use the daily parking spaces. In addition, buses pick up commuters at various points in town. Chatham Boro is a quick 20 minutes from Newark Airport and is close to major highways.
Visit the New Jersey Transit website for more information regarding buses and Midtown Direct trains to and from New York City.
CHATHAM BORO SCHOOL SYSTEM
With all Chatham Boro has to offer, nothing is more important to residents and buyers than the Chatham Boro school system. Consistently highly ranked by New Jersey Monthly Magazine and other publications, the school system is beyond reproach. Chatham Boro and Chatham Township share the Lafayette School, the Chatham Middle School and the Chatham High School, while Chatham Boro has two of its own elementary schools: Milton and Washington. Both are equally desirable and the best New Jersey has to offer from its public school system.
Chatham Boro NJ Schools
- Milton Elementary School (Grades K - 3), 16 Milton Avenue, Chatham, NJ 07928 973-457-2508
- Washington Elementary School (Grades K - 3), 102 Washington Avenue, Chatham, NJ 07928 973-457-2510
- Lafayette School (Grades 4 and 5), 221 Lafayette Avenue, Chatham, NJ 07928 973-457-2507
- Chatham Middle School (Grades 6 - 8), 480 Main Street, Chatham, NJ 07928 973-457-2506
- Chatham Senior High School (Grades 9 - 12), 255 Lafayette Avenue, Chatham, NJ 07928 973-457-2505
For more information about the Chatham school system, please visit the Chatham School District website.
CHATHAM BORO CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Chatham Boro provides a wide range of cultural and recreational opportunities, some of which are jointly sponsored with Chatham Township. Chatham Boro does administer its own tennis courts, municipal pool, playgrounds and parks. In addition, Chatham Boro participates in McArp (Morris County Adaptive Recreation Program), and is offered Golf Permits to the Millburn Par 3 and Summit Golf Courses.
There are quite a few recreational areas within Chatham Boro:
- Shepard Kollock Park, located off Parrott Mill Road, offers a covered picnic shelter, an all purpose field, baseball, softball, a boat launch and a playground.
- Memorial Park, located off North Passaic Avenue, offers a tree covered playground, softball/baseball, an all purpose field, basketball, picnic tables and a swimming pool.
- Garden Park, located off Main Street and adjacent to the Chatham Middle School, offers tennis practice boards, 6 tennis courts, basketball and a playground area.
- Lum Field, located off Lum Avenue, offers baseball, softball and an all purpose field.
- Stanley Park, located on River Road adjacent to the Passaic River, offers a small picnic area.
- Tennis memberships are available to Chatham Residents. Residents can purchase membership to the courts by bringing their current drivers license, a current electric or gas utility bill and a small 1 inch headshot picture, weekdays, to the Chatham Borough Municipal Building Recreation Office.
- Pool memberships to the Chatham Boro Municipal Pool are available to Chatham residents.
To reserve a park or picnic area, contact Chatham Boro Recreation at 973-635-7066. Activities that are co-sponsored with Chatham Township Recreation or are Chatham resident clubs are listed on the Joint Chatham Recreation website.
CHATHAM BORO SERVICES AND UTILITIES
Electricity and gas are provided by Jersey Central Power & Light (FirstEnergy) and Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G), respectively. Water, sewer and trash collection are provided at an additional fee by the town. More information can be found here: Chatham Boro Utilities. The Township picks up trash twice weekly, and there is an active recycling program with weekly pickup. A drop off recycling center is located 99 Summit Avenue.
Chatham Boro Listings
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