Welcome
Welcome to the Bridgewater Township website. With this media we hope to provide the pubic an overview of our township and a means of keeping you informed and up to date of activities in the township. By doing so, we welcome your feedback.
Please feel free to offer suggestions for improvement, let us know what interest you and send articles or data that would be of interest to others in the township. For those that do not have a computer you may receive a hard copy by requesting same from Connie Ely, Bridgewater Township Secretary.
About Bridgewater Township
Bridgewater Township is located in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania in the area known as the Endless Mountains. The Township has a history of being an agriculture area; however, agriculture has declined in economic importance but remains an important element of the rural working landscape. Timber harvesting and related industries continue to be an integral part of the productive use of open lands with bluestone quarrying gaining an economic importance. Presently the development of the Marcellus Shale natural gas extraction looms as a major contributor to the economic well being of the area.
The Township surrounds the Borough of Montrose and is also boarded by Brooklyn, Dimock, Forest Lake, Franklin, Jessup, New Milford, and Silver Lake Townships. The land area is 40.5 square miles. The 2000 census population was 2668 and reflects a growth of 12.7% from the 1990 which was 2368. Our population per square mile is 66.
There are several lakes in the Township. Montrose Lake is the source of water for Montrose Borough and portions of the Township. The lake is bordered by a mix of commercial and residential area. Heart Lake is situated partially in Bridgewater Township and New Milford Townships and has a history of being a summer retreat for people from the nearby city areas. Presently there are many year round residents. Lake Chris Ann and Lake Raylean are mostly residential areas with a mix of part time and full time residents.
Major watersheds in the Township are Wyalusing Creek, Snake Creek, Meshoppen Creek and HopBottom Creek.
Bridgewater Township was established in 1798. The first permanent settler was Stephen Wilson who came from Vermont and built a log cabin in 1798 just south of Montrose. Another early settler was Daniel Brewster who settled near Brewster Pond, which is named after him. Other early settlers were Joseph Butterfield, Henry Vail, Zebulon Bullard, Reuben Wells, William Jones, Albert Wells and Dennis Wells. These families settled near the present village of South Montrose.
Economic Outlook 2010
The present economic situation has impacted the Township. Liquid fuels funding from the state was reduced 4% in 2009 and projected to drop 3% in 2010. This money is used for a major portion of our road maintenance. The reduction is due to the decreased fuel consumption brought on by the depressed economy and sustained higher fuel prices. At the same time we are experiencing increases in cost for our road materials, fuel, and repair/maintenance parts for the equipment.
Although there has been an increase in spending and decrease in Liquid Fuels funding the 2010 budget keeps the tax rates the same as 2009.