Buena Regional Middle School & Abundant Living Choirs perform on December 1^st at Township Hall

Santa & His Elves were on hand November 11^th at Saw Mill Park

A Crowd of 150 visited Township Hall on December 2^nd for a fun evening.

An Olde Tyme Christmas at the Historic Friendship Church was held on Friday, November 26, 2017. Many enjoyed the beautifully decorated historic church and sang along to the Christmas Carols.

The newest Richland Volunteer Fire Company truck, which went out on parade for the holidays to show off their new equipment and bring a little holiday spirit. Other Buena Vista Fire Companies do the same thing during the Holidays.  Photo: Dave Griffith

On Friday December 1, 2017 the Buena Vista Township Special Events Committee held their 18th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Township Hall on Route 40.

Santa, Mrs. Claus, several Elves and Minnie Mouse rode in on a fire truck from the Richland Volunteer Fire Company followed by a parade of 20 other local Fire, Rescue and NJ State Police vehicles.

Santa led the crowd of over 150 in lighting the Christmas Tree on the front lawn. Santa and his court proceeded inside the building to hear wishes and give every child present a gift plus a large candy cane.

Hot chocolate and cookies were available for everyone. Two choirs led an audience participation sing-a-long. The were the Abundant Living Church Choir led by Kim Albert and the Buena Middle School Select Choir under the direction of Karen Coates.

Mayor Chuck Chiarello, Deputy Mayor Teresa Kelly, Committeemen Steve Martinelli and John Armato were on hand with Beth Conway and the Special Events Committee Members, Township Clerk Lisa Tilton, and Public Works Employees. Miss South Jersey and Miss Junior South Jersey gave out gift bags from the local Municipal Drug Alliance led by Gia Haws.

The event was paid for by donations and the Special Events Committee.

Halloween Fun Day a Huge Success

The 13^th Annual Saw Mill Park Halloween Fun Day was held on Saturday, October 21^st.  The event drew a huge crowd that joined in the festivities that included a Pumpkin Decorating, Hay Rides, Trick or Treating around the park and much more.  There was also a costume parade with candy and prizes and judging of the coloring contest.  The Patcong Valley Model Railroad Museum was also open during the event.

The Township Environmental Commission gave away pumpkins for each child to decorate.   As you can see from the photos below, everyone was decked out in their best costumes for the day.  Thanks to the members of the Special Events Committee and Environmental Commission for coordinating the event.

St. Augustine Prep. Installation Mass for Father Murray

On September 20^th Committeeman John Armato and Committeeman John Williams attended the Installation Mass of the New Head of School Father Robert J. Murray.

High School Conducts Distracted Driving Seminar and Simulation

Municipal Drug Alliance partnered with Buena Regional High School in conducting a Distracting Driving Seminar and Simulation. Committeeman John Armato and Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo attended the event and spoke with the students.

Volunteer Fire Companies Win Awards at Annual Convention

On September 16^th three Volunteer Fire Companies in Buena Vista Township attended the Annual New Jersey State Fireman’s Association Convention in Wildwood, NJ. Each Volunteer Fire Company won an award.

Collings Lakes placed 1^st for Marching and received the Special Judges Committee Award in the Memory of Chief Ed Jones.

East Vineland placed 1^st for Best Appearing Tanker Straight or Tractor Drawn for Tanker Truck 1222, Best Appearing Unit from Atlantic County Overall for Unit 1220 and Best Appearing Engine Any Size Pump 25-years and Older.

Richland Fire Company placed 2^nd for Best Appearing Straight or Tractor Drawn Tanker 1500 gal. or more.

MLK Community Center Hosts Veterans Breakfast

Many showed up at the Annual Veterans Breakfast to annual those that have served. Many children wrote thank you cards for the Veterans.  Pictured is Deputy Mayor Teresa Kelly, Committeeman John Armato, Committeeman John Williams, David Turner and members of “We Care”.

Elementary Students Become Hero’s for a Day

Students from Collings Lakes Elementary School dressed as their favorite hero for a day. Superman, Spiderman and Batman all showed up.

Students Tour Collings Lakes Fire Company

Students toured Collings Lakes Vol. Fire Company and received a demonstration on fire safety. Fun was had by all and the kids enjoyed the day.

Did you know Buena Vista Township has a Community Garden? Impact Harvest, a local non-profit organization; along with a couple hundred volunteers built the garden two years ago at the Dr. Martin Luther King Center in Newtonville.

The garden was built to serve the residents, but we need help. Impact Harvest is looking for committed volunteers to help with the garden next season. It’s light work and there is no experience necessary. All ages, abilities, and groups are welcome to help. All volunteers are welcome to share the bounty of harvest from the garden. If you are interested in helping next spring, please contact Valerie Behrens at (609) 440-6717 or val_behrens@impactharvest.org

Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo & Township Clerk Lisa Tilton

On August 28, 2017, Mayor and Township Committee reappointed Lisa A. Tilton as Township Clerk/Registrar. Lisa also currently serves as the Planning/Zoning Board Secretary and is a member of the Township’s Master Plan Committee, Development Review Committee and Advisor to the Environmental Commission for Sustainable Jersey.

Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo administered the Oath of Office to Ms. Tilton with her family present. “It is an honor and privilege to not only work, but be part of Buena Vista Township” Tilton said. Lisa has worked in Government for over fifteen (15) years, is a lifelong resident of Atlantic County and a graduate from the Pilgrim Academy in Galloway Township in 1995. Lisa came to Buena Vista Township in January 2014 as a temporary employee and was made a permanent appointment shortly thereafter.

On August 4, 2014, the Township Committee appointed Lisa Tilton as Township Clerk/Registrar.  She is a Registered Municipal Clerk, Certified Municipal Registrar, Certified Technical Assistant, Certified Planning Board Member and a Notary.

Prior to coming to Buena Vista, she served ten (10) years in the Township of Galloway, completing her tenure as Township Clerk/Registrar. Lisa also served as a Planning Board member for the Township of Galloway in which she worked on the Township’s Master Plan and served on their Development Review Committee.

Lisa works with a dedicated staff in the Clerk’s Office, which includes Lori Ricci as the Deputy Clerk/Deputy Registrar and Lori Faisst as Clerk Typist/Alternate Deputy Registrar.

The season is approaching where we are once again asking for a helping hand to those less fortunate in our community this Thanksgiving and Christmas time.

Buena Vista Township will be accepting canned food and non-perishable food items that will go to help the Community Food Pantry at the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center in Newtonville and the Abundant Living Church Food Bank located on Route 54 at Jackson Road.

Collection containers will be located at each of the Township Post Offices, BVT Municipal Building, and the MLK Community Center, 661 Jackson Rd. in Newtonville.

Please make any donations no later than November 10^th for Thanksgiving and December 15^th for Christmas.

The 13^th Annual Saw Mill Park Halloween Fun Day will be held on Saturday, October 21^st from 11 am to 1 pm at Saw Mill Park, Harding Highway (Route 40) in Richland Village.

There will be a costume parade with lots of candy and prizes for the funniest, most beautiful, scary, cutest, original and best all-around costume!  The coloring contest pages will be judged with prizes in three categories.

Entry forms will be distributed throughout the schools or pick one up at Town Hall.  Free hayrides and games for the kids!

Pizza and drinks will be available for sale at reasonable prices.  Come enjoy this event with the family!

No Admission – Donations are accepted. Come and see highly detailed HO scale models of many different   trains, operated on a large realistic model railroad through beautiful scale scenery of western Pennsylvania and eastern New York State. The HO Scale Patcong Valley Model Railroad Club is in Richland Village on Route 40 & Fir Avenue about 10 miles west of Mays Landing, near mile marker 38.5. For GPS search, look for 1308 Harding HWY., Richland, NJ.

On Thursday, hundreds will gather to pay their respects and offer words of inspiration to the memory of Sen. Jim Whelan. He leaves a legacy that impacted Atlantic City, Atlantic County, the region and the state.
I remember him most as a fellow mayor.

Someone you could depend on and look up to. Many remember him as a lifeguard, athlete, teacher, coach, councilman, assemblyman and, of course, two-term state senator. A career that spanned a lifetime.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy,” said Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I cannot attend Thursday’s memorial service due to my health, but my thoughts and prayers will be there to remember a man who contributed a lasting legacy.

He was a true public servant.

Mayor Chuck Chiarello
Buena Vista Township

Richland Volunteer Fire Company added a new member to their fleet. A Rosenbauer 3000 Gallon Tender Freightliner. A grant of $23,500 was received to purchase the equipment for the new truck. Mayor Chuck Chiarello said, “we are happy any time that government funds can help the local firefighters in our community.”

A Special Thank You to the men and women of NJ State Police Troop A for their continued support and protection here in Buena Vista Township.

Michael Debbi Parks Infamous Dance Floor has seen its fill. After a successful summer concert season, the dance floor was ruined in a rain storm before a 7pm performance. We are sad to see it go, but are already in the works of replacing it for next year’s summer concert series! Shine up your shoes because it’s going to need some breaking in!

Kenny I Entertainment was new to the lineup during Buena Vista Township’s Summer Concert Series this year. He hit it out of the park with his talented team of musicians and signing.

Fire Trucks in Collings Lakes, lined the streets in memory of Deputy Chief Edwin R. Jones on July 18^, 2017.

Stop by “The Tree Monument” in Saw Mill Park in Richland to pick up a copy of the Self-Guided Tour Brochure and take a walk around the tree. Over 40 Chainsaw Carvings to view, and even a hidden symbol. Can you find it?