Bass River Township, New Jersey
Template:Short description Template:For Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Bass River Township is a township at the southeastern tip of Burlington County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The township bears a shoreline fronting both the Bass River and the Great Bay. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 1,355,<ref name=LWD2020/> a decrease of 88 (−6.1%) from the 2010 census count of 1,443,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn had reflected a decline of 67 (−4.4%) from the 1,510 counted in the 2000 census.<ref>Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref> The township and all of Burlington County is a part of the Philadelphia-Reading-Camden combined statistical area and the Delaware Valley.<ref>Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD Combined Statistical Area, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 1, 2023.</ref> Bass River is traversed by the Garden State Parkway.
Bass River was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 30, 1864, from portions of Little Egg Harbor Township and Washington Township.<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 93. Accessed June 13, 2012.</ref>
The township's name originated from the Bass River, a Template:Convert tributary of the Mullica River, that was in turn named for Jeremiah Basse, who served as governor of both West Jersey and East Jersey.<ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 27, 2015.</ref>
Geography
[edit]_in_Bass_River_Township,_Burlington_County,_New_Jersey.jpg){kind=link}
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 78.41 square miles (203.09 km2), including 75.12 square miles (194.57 km2) of land and 3.29 square miles (8.52 km2) of water (4.19%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Allens Bridge, Bass River State Forest, Calico, Charcoal Landing, Doctors Point, Frogtown, Harrisville, High Bridge, Leektown, Martha, Merrygold, Munion Field, New Gretna, Oak Island, Oswego Lake, Sim Place, State Forest and Wading River.<ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed January 11, 2025.</ref>
The township borders Washington Township and Woodland Township in Burlington County; Galloway Township and Port Republic in Atlantic County; and both Barnegat Township and Little Egg Harbor Township in Ocean County.<ref>Areas touching Bass River Township, MapIt. Accessed March 18, 2020.</ref><ref>Municipalities within Burlington County, NJ, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Accessed March 18, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>
The township is one of 56 South Jersey municipalities that are included within the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, a protected natural area of unique ecology covering Template:Convert, that has been classified as a United States Biosphere Reserve and established by Congress in 1978 as the nation's first National Reserve.<ref>The Pinelands National Reserve, New Jersey Pinelands Commission. Accessed November 20, 2013.</ref> All of the township is included in either the state-designated Pinelands area or the Pinelands National Reserve, which includes portions of Burlington County, along with areas in Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Ocean counties.<ref>Pinelands Municipalities, New Jersey Pinelands Commission, April 2003. Accessed November 20, 2013.</ref>
Demographics
[edit]2010 census
[edit]The 2010 United States census counted 1,443 people, 522 households, and 407 families in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 587 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 97.37% (1,405) White, 0.28% (4) Black or African American, 0.14% (2) Native American, 0.76% (11) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.35% (5) from other races, and 1.11% (16) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.12% (45) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>
Of the 522 households, 28.4% had children under the age of 18; 60.7% were married couples living together; 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 22.0% were non-families. Of all households, 15.5% were made up of individuals and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.09.<ref name=Census2010/>
20.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 33.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 104.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 101.0 males.<ref name=Census2010/>
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $64,185 (with a margin of error of +/− $5,782) and the median family income was $66,364 (+/− $8,461). Males had a median income of $50,625 (+/− $7,486) versus $48,950 (+/− $3,139) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $24,440 (+/− $2,573). About 9.4% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.5% of those under age 18 and 27.8% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Bass River township, Burlington County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 13, 2012.</ref>
2000 census
[edit]As of the 2000 United States census,<ref name="GR2" /> there were 1,510 people, 548 households, and 409 families residing in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 602 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the township was 98.87% White, 0.07% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.13% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.19% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Bass River township, Burlington County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 24, 2013.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Bass River township, Burlington County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 24, 2013.</ref>
There were 548 households, out of which 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were non-families. 19.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.15.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
In the township the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.6 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
The median income for a household in the township was $47,469, and the median income for a family was $51,167. Males had a median income of $35,179 versus $27,222 for females. The per capita income for the township was $20,382. About 2.4% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
Government
[edit]Local government
[edit]Since 1972, Bass River Township has been governed under the Walsh Act by a three-member commission.<ref>"The Commission Form of Municipal Government", p. 53. Accessed June 3, 2015.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 8. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The township is one of 30 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use the commission form of government.<ref>Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The governing body is comprised of three commissioners, who are elected at-large in non-partisan elections held every four years as part of the May municipal election to serve four-year terms of office on a concurrent basis.<ref name=DataBook>2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 49.</ref> Each of the Commissioners is appointed to serve as the head of a designated department. The commissioners choose a mayor, who presides over meetings but has no executive role.<ref>Commission Form Of Government, Bass River Township. Accessed December 7, 2022. "Bass River Township is governed by a Commission Form of Government. Voters elect three (3) Commissioners. At-large, nonpartisan, every 4 years. The Mayor is elected by the Board of Commissioner at reorganization for a 4-year term. The Mayor presides over Board of Commissioners."</ref>
Template:As of and continuing through May 15, 2028, members of the Bass River Township Board of Commissioners are Mayor William R. Adams (Commissioner of Revenue and Finance), Deputy Mayor Louis Bourguignon (Commissioner of Public Works, Parks and Public Property) and Jane Allen (Commissioner of Public Affairs and Public Safety; appointed to serve an unexpired term).<ref name=Commission>Commissioners, Bass River Township. Accessed April 18, 2024. "Bass River Township is governed by a Commission Form of Government. Voters elect three (3) Commissioners. At-large, nonpartisan, every 4 years. The Mayor is elected by the Board of Commissioner at reorganization for a 4-year term. The Mayor presides over Board of Commissioners."</ref><ref>2023 Municipal Data Sheet, Bass River Township. Accessed April 18, 2024.</ref><ref name=Burlington2024Municipal>Non-Partisan Municipal Election May 14th, 2024 Unofficial Results, Burlington County, New Jersey, updated June 4, 2024. Accessed January 11, 2025.</ref>
In June 2024, Jane Allen was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Nicholas Capriglione when he resigned at the reorganization meeting held the previous month; Allen will serve on an interim basis until the November 2025 general election, when voters will choose a candidate to serve the remainder of the term of office.<ref>Bonvie, Bill. "Former Bass River Board of Education Member to Fill Post Left Vacant by Capriglione’s Resignation from Commission", Pine Barrens Tribune, June 22, 2024. Accessed January 11, 2025. "A new acting member of the Bass River Township Commission was sworn in at a meeting of the three-member governing body on June 10 to fill the unexpected temporary vacancy created when three-term Commissioner Nicholas Capriglione abruptly resigned from his post at a May 24 reorganization meeting."</ref>
Bass River Township's municipal court, which it shares with neighboring Washington Township, is located in New Gretna.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Emergency services
[edit]Like other municipalities in New Jersey without a local police department, Bass River Township is served by troopers from the New Jersey State Police Troop C which maintains a barrack in Tuckerton.<ref>Police Department, Bass River Township. Accessed June 18, 2018. "Bass River Township is serviced by the New Jersey State Police out of the Tuckerton barracks."</ref> The New Jersey State Park Police, which operates a station in Washington Township, is responsible for any matters occurring within state forests.
The New Gretna Volunteer Fire Company provides fire protection for all of Bass River Township. Additionally the Fire Company provides rescue services and operates an EMS First Response vehicle for medical emergencies.<ref>Fire Department, Bass River Township. Accessed June 18, 2018. "Bass River Township is serviced by the New Gretna Volunteer Fire Company located on North Maple Avenue between the Municipal Building and the Bass River Elementary School."</ref>
Bass River Township is served by Galloway Township EMS, which also provides primary 911 emergency medical services for the residents of Galloway Township, New Jersey, Port Republic, New Jersey and Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, as well as the campus of Stockton University.<ref>About Us, Galloway Township Ambulance Squad. Accessed December 7, 2022. "GTAS is the primary EMS provider for Galloway Township, Egg Harbor City, Port Republic, Bass River Township, Stockton University and will frequently provide mutual aid to other surrounding communities."</ref>
Federal, state, and county representation
[edit]Bass River Township is located in the 3rd Congressional district<ref name=PCR2022>2022 Redistricting Plan, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 8, 2022.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 8th state legislative district.<ref>Districts by Number for 2023-2031, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed September 18, 2023.</ref>
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Politics
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As of March 2011, there were a total of 892 registered voters in Bass River Township, of which 187 (21.0% vs. 33.3% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 291 (32.6% vs. 23.9%) were registered as Republicans and 413 (46.3% vs. 42.8%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There as one voter registered to another party.<ref name=VoterRegistration>Voter Registration Summary - Burlington, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 25, 2014.</ref> Among the township's 2010 Census population, 61.8% (vs. 61.7% in Burlington County) were registered to vote, including 77.4% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.3% countywide).<ref name=VoterRegistration/><ref>GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 25, 2014.</ref>
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 371 votes (59.0% vs. 40.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 236 votes (37.5% vs. 58.1%) and other candidates with 15 votes (2.4% vs. 1.0%), among the 629 ballots cast by the township's 945 registered voters, for a turnout of 66.6% (vs. 74.5% in Burlington County).<ref>Presidential November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Burlington County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 25, 2014.</ref><ref>Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Burlington County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 25, 2014.</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 423 votes (60.6% vs. 39.9% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 260 votes (37.2% vs. 58.4%) and other candidates with 12 votes (1.7% vs. 1.0%), among the 698 ballots cast by the township's 917 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.1% (vs. 80.0% in Burlington County).<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Burlington County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed December 25, 2014.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 408 votes (61.8% vs. 46.0% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 240 votes (36.4% vs. 52.9%) and other candidates with 9 votes (1.4% vs. 0.8%), among the 660 ballots cast by the township's 892 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.0% (vs. 78.8% in the whole county).<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Burlington County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed December 25, 2014.</ref>
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 314 votes (72.5% vs. 61.4% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 100 votes (23.1% vs. 35.8%) and other candidates with 13 votes (3.0% vs. 1.2%), among the 433 ballots cast by the township's 964 registered voters, yielding a 44.9% turnout (vs. 44.5% in the county).<ref>2013 Governor: Burlington County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, January 29, 2014. Accessed December 25, 2014.</ref><ref>Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast November 5, 2013 General Election Results : Burlington County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, January 29, 2014. Accessed December 25, 2014.</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 298 votes (62.1% vs. 47.7% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 140 votes (29.2% vs. 44.5%), Independent Chris Daggett with 34 votes (7.1% vs. 4.8%) and other candidates with 5 votes (1.0% vs. 1.2%), among the 480 ballots cast by the township's 920 registered voters, yielding a 52.2% turnout (vs. 44.9% in the county).<ref>2009 Governor: Burlington County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed December 25, 2014.</ref>
Education
[edit]The Bass River Township School District served students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade at Bass River Township Elementary School.<ref>Bass River Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Bass River Township School District. Accessed June 23, 2020. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through six in the Bass River Township School District. Composition: The Bass River Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Bass River Township."</ref><ref>Bass River Township School District 2015-16 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed June 23, 2020. "The Bass River Township School District is comprised of one elementary school which serves grades preschool through six. Students in grades seven through twelve attend Pinelands Regional School District."</ref><ref>2018–2019 Burlington County Public Schools Directory, Burlington County, New Jersey. Accessed June 23, 2020.</ref> As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 106 students and 12.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 8.3:1.<ref>District information for Bass River Township Board Of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2020.</ref> In the 2016–2017 school year, Bass River had the 10th-smallest enrollment of any school district in the state, with 102 students.<ref>Guion, Payton. "These 43 N.J. school districts have fewer than 200 students", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, September 2017. Accessed January 30, 2020. "Based on data from the state Department of Education from the last school year and the Census Bureau, NJ Advance Media made a list of the smallest of the small school districts in the state, excluding charter schools and specialty institutions.... 10. Bass River Township; Enrollment: 102; Grades: Pre-K-6; County: Burlington; Town population: 1,443"</ref>
The Bass River Township Elementary School was closed and students from the township began attending the schools of the Little Egg Harbor Township School District in the 2020–21 school year.<ref>Lowe, Claire."Bass River Township students to attend Little Egg Harbor schools next year",The Press of Atlantic City, April 6, 2020. Accessed May 22, 2022. "Students from Bass River Township will attend Little Egg Harbor Schools next year as financial and academic challenges have crippled the district’s ability to operate.... The decision to enter into an agreement with Little Egg Harbor Township was reached at a March 25 school board meeting and will go into effect on July 1."</ref> As of the 2021–22 school year, the district, comprised of three schools, had an enrollment of 1,672 students and 156.7 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.7:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Little Egg Harbor Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2021–22 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics.<ref>School Data for the Little Egg Harbor Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref>) are Robert C. Wood Sr. Early Childhood Center<ref>Robert C. Wood Sr. Early Childhood Center, Little Egg Harbor School District. Accessed August 2, 2023.</ref> with 281 students in pre-kindergarten, George J. Mitchell Elementary School<ref>George J. Mitchell Elementary School, Little Egg Harbor School District. Accessed August 2, 2023.</ref> with 611 students in kindergarten through third grade and Frog Pond Elementary School<ref>Frog Pond Elementary School, Little Egg Harbor School District. Accessed August 2, 2023.</ref> with 780 students in grades 4 to 6.<ref>Living & Learning in Ocean County - Public Schools Directory 2022-2023, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed August 2, 2023.</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the Little Egg Harbor Township School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 31, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Little Egg Harbor Township School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>
Public school students in seventh through twelfth grades attend the schools of the Pinelands Regional School District, which also serves students from Eagleswood Township, Little Egg Harbor Township and Tuckerton Borough.<ref>Pinelands Regional School District 2016 Report Card Narrative Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed January 22, 2020. "The Pinelands Regional School District is a regional school district located in southern Ocean County. The District consists of a Junior High School for grades 7-9 and a High School for grades 10-12. The communities of Bass River, Eagleswood, Little Egg Harbor, and Tuckerton are served by the District with approximately 1,700 students in grades 7-12."</ref><ref>School Choice Template:Webarchive Pinelands Regional School District. Accessed January 22, 2020. "Pinelands Regional School District is comprised of a Junior High School and a High School. The District serves students in grades 7 through 12 living in the communities of: Bass River Township (Burlington County), Eagleswood Township, Little Egg Harbor Township, Tuckerton Borough"</ref><ref>Staff. "Regional School Districts", Burlington County Times, March 14, 2012. Accessed July 14, 2022. "Pinelands Regional - Serves: Bass River in Burlington County; Eagleswood, Little Egg Harbor and Tuckerton in Ocean County"</ref><ref>Greenfield, Bruce. "Ocean County Report On Consolidation and Regionalization"Template:Dead link, Report of the Executive County Superintendent, March 15, 2010. Accessed April 21, 2011. "Pinelands Regional - Eagleswood, Tuckerton, Bass River, Little Egg Harbor"</ref> Schools in the district (with 2021–22 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics<ref>School Data for the Pinelands Regional School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref>) are Pinelands Regional Junior High School<ref>Junior High School, Pinelands Regional School District. Accessed August 2, 2023.</ref> with 532 students in grades 7–8 and Pinelands Regional High School<ref>Senior High School, Pinelands Regional School District. Accessed August 2, 2023.</ref> with 1,070 students in grades 9–12.<ref>Living & Learning in Ocean County - Public Schools Directory 2022-2023, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed August 2, 2023.</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the Pinelands Regional School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed August 2, 2023.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Pinelands Regional School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref> The district's board of education is comprised of nine members directly elected by the residents of the constituent municipalities to three-year terms on a staggered basis, with three seats up for election each year.<ref>Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Pinelands Regional School District, New Jersey Department of Education, for year ending June 30, 2019. Accessed August 14, 2020. "The Pinelands Regional School District is a Type II School District located in the County of Ocean, State of New Jersey. As a Type II School District, the School District functions independently through a Board of Education. The Board is comprised of nine members elected to three-year terms. These terms are staggered so that three members’ terms expire each year. The purpose of the School District is to educate students in grades seven through twelfth. The operation of the District includes one regional junior high and one senior high school, located Little Egg Harbor"</ref> Seats on the high school district's board of education are allocated based on the population of the constituent municipalities, with one seat allocated to Bass River Township.<ref>Board of Education: About Us Template:Webarchive, Pinelands Regional School District. Accessed June 23, 2020. "The Board of Education is composed of nine citizens elected to serve terms of three years each. Representatives are elected on the basis of constituent population - one from Bass River Township, one from Eagleswood Township, six from Little Egg Harbor Township, and one from the Borough of Tuckerton."</ref>
Students from Bass River Township, and from all of Burlington County, are eligible to attend the Burlington County Institute of Technology, a countywide public school district that serves the vocational and technical education needs of students at the high school and post-secondary level at its campuses in Medford and Westampton Township.<ref>Why Choose BCIT?, Burlington County Institute of Technology. Accessed November 20, 2013.</ref>
Transportation
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Roads and highways
[edit]Template:As of, the township had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality, Template:Convert by Burlington County and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.<ref>Burlington County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed November 20, 2013.</ref>
Bass River Township is the only municipality in Burlington County that hosts U.S. Route 9<ref>U.S. Route 9 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated July 2013. Accessed December 8, 2022.</ref> and the Garden State Parkway.<ref>Garden State Parkway Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated August 2014. Accessed December 8, 2022.</ref> The two roads enter from the southwest concurrently, then separate at Exit 50. Exit 50 is one of two partial interchanges on the parkway that are located in Bass River, with Exit 50 being northbound off-southbound on. The other exit, Exit 52 for County Route 654 in New Gretna, is northbound on-southbound off. The township also hosts a high-speed toll plaza on the mainline northbound Garden State Parkway.
Other state and county-maintained roads that pass through include Route 167 (a Template:Convert dead-ended old alignment of U.S. 9)<ref>NJ Route 167 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, June 2018. Accessed December 7, 2022.</ref> and County Route 542.<ref>County Route 542 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated June 2012. Accessed December 8, 2022.</ref>
Public transportation
[edit]NJ Transit provides service in the township on the 559 route that runs between Atlantic City and Lakewood Township.<ref>Burlington County Bus/Rail Connections, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 22, 2009. Accessed June 13, 2012.</ref><ref>South Jersey Transit Guide Template:Webarchive, Cross County Connection, as of April 1, 2010. Accessed December 13, 2014.</ref>
Warren Grove Gunnery Range
[edit]Warren Grove Gunnery Range is a military bomb practice range. Military planes, including A-10s and F-16s from East Coast Air National Guard units, use the area for practice bombing and strafing. Named for Warren Grove in adjacent Little Egg Harbor and Stafford townships, the range is actually located in Bass River Township.
Incidents
[edit]- In May 2007, flares dropped from an F-16 belonging to the 177th Fighter Wing set off a large wildfire that consumed more than 18,000 acres (73 kmTemplate:Sup) of the Pinelands and forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents.<ref>"Military must fix communication", Courier-Post, July 28, 2007. Accessed August 11, 2007. "On May 15, a fighter pilot mistakenly released flares while on a training mission over the Warren Grove Gunnery Range in Ocean County. At the time, the ground below was extremely dry. The flares hitting the ground touched off a fire that burned Template:Convert of Pinelands, injured two people, destroyed four homes and damaged 53 other homes."</ref>
- In November 2004, an F-16 fired 25 rounds that hit the Little Egg Harbor Intermediate School.<ref>McFadden, Robert D.; and Hanley, Robert. "Warplane Strafes a School in New Jersey", The New York Times, November 5, 2004. Accessed December 13, 2012. "The pilot was to have fired the half-second burst of shells well into the dive, at about 5,000 feet, the colonel said, but instead the cannon went off at an altitude of 7,000 feet, and at least eight of the bullets - non-explosive lead slugs more than 2 inches long - crashed through the roof of Little Egg Harbor Intermediate School, three miles south of the target range."</ref><ref>"Little Egg school shot by jet to get $519,000", Press of Atlantic City, November 2, 2006.</ref>
- In January 2002, an aircraft practicing at Warren Grove crashed near the Garden State Parkway spewing flames and molten metal across the busy road.
- In June 2001, a Template:Convert forest fire occurred when an Air National Guard plane dropped a Template:Convert practice bomb at the range.
- In April 1999, nearly Template:Convert of forest, wetlands, cedar swamp and cranberry bogs burned after a Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 111th Fighter Wing plane dropped a "dummy" bomb more than a mile from its target.
Notable people
[edit]Template:Category see also People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Bass River Township include:
- Andy Boswell (1873–1936), Major League Baseball pitcher who served in the New Jersey General Assembly<ref>Rainey, Chris. Andy Boswell, Society for American Baseball Research. Accessed June 21, 2022. "Born September 26, 1873 in New Gretna, New Jersey, Andrew Cottrell Boswell was the first of two sons born to John and Alletria Boswell."</ref>
- Thomas A. Mathis (1869–1958), political boss and racketeer who served in the New Jersey Senate and was the Secretary of State of New Jersey<ref>Myers, William Starr. Prominent Families of New Jersey, Volume 1, p. 221. Accessed June 21, 2022. "Thomas A. Mathis was born at New Gretna, Burlington County, New Jersey, on June 7, 1869, the son of Alfred H. and Abigail (Loveland) Mathis, both of whom were born at New Gretna, New Jersey."</ref>
- Britt Rescigno, chef<ref>DeBarth, Kaitlyn. "LBI's Own, Chef Britt Rescigno 'Beat Bobby Flay'", TAPinto Stafford / LBI, March 28, 2022. Accessed April 18, 2025. "Local to the LBI Region, Rescigno was born into the food industry. Her father a chef, she also grew up in New Gretna living next door to Allen's Clam Bar, which was first opened and owned by her maternal grandmother and grandfather."</ref>
References
[edit]External links
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