Mayor Chuck Chiarello

The State of Buena Vista Township is good.  During 2017 we celebrated our 150^th Anniversary through the Miss Buena Vista Pageant, the Dedication of the “Most Unusual Tree in the State of New Jersey” at Saw Mill Park, and a Special Edition of our Community Calendar celebrating 150 years of Buena Vista in history and photographs.

2017 began an effort to make Buena Vista more energy efficient. All street lights in the Township were converted to LED lighting, our Municipal Building, the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center, and our Public Works Facility also received LED lighting upgrades and other energy saving improvements.  Security systems at all facilities and parks were added or upgraded.  A new phone system was added replacing equipment that was 20 years old.  A new mini-dump truck and other equipment was added to our Public Works Department.  Plans moved forward with a low-interest loan from the USDA to replace the old portion of our Public Works Facility in East Vineland which dates back to the 1950’s.   Work is expected to start in 2018.

A long delayed Green Acres lighting Project through the NJDEP will finally begin in 2018 to replace the lighting at the football, baseball and softball fields in Michael Debbie Park with new brighter LED lighting and additional energy savings.  Plans for a solar project started in 2017 will move forward in 2018 providing power to the Municipal Building and the Milanesi School in a joint effort with the Buena Regional School District.  A solar project is also in the works for the King Center. Line Street in Milmay and part of Don Road in the New Kuban area of Buena were paved.

More Road Projects are in the plans for 2018. As in past years, the Township Committee has strived to keep our Municipal Tax Rate as stable as possible.  I would like to remind our taxpayers that in most years, 17 cents of every tax dollar you pay to Buena Vista go to operate all the facilities, services and staff that we offer our residents. The balance of 83 cents of that dollar goes to our schools, Atlantic County Government, and our Fire Companies.

This Township Committee is dedicated to serving our residents in a cost effective way and to provide quality services for this rural community. I would like to say how happy we are that even with Pinelands Restrictions and other obstacles business is investing in Buena Vista. The expansion of Teligent on Lincoln Avenue in size and employees in the Pharmaceutical industry is very exciting.  Comar on Tuckahoe Road replaced their Corporate Office with a new Product ID Center to better serve their customers and is expanding manufacturing of medical syringe production at this facility.  Sidelines East Sports Bar & Grill opened in Milmay, the 54 Diner is under new management and is now The 50’s Diner of Buena with an expanded menu of breakfast, lunch & dinner. Luna’s is set to expand in 2018 at Merighi’s Savoy Inn. The Rail Tavern in Richland Village was sold and is completely renovated.  It is set to become the Pickwickian Tavern & Smokery in the near future.

On December 26, 2017, Mayor & Township Committee toasted the efforts of Township Committeeman John Armato as he heads off to be the first Assemblyman ever elected from Buena Vista to represent all the citizens of the 2^nd District in the New Jersey Legislature.  John will still be around, but we will miss him.     We are thrilled to have David Turner joining us officially, though he has already been serving Buena Vista Township on various sub-committees and at the MLK Center for a number of years. David’s work background and experience will be an asset to our residents. Buena Vista should also be proud of the rest of the Members of Township Committee: Teresa Kelly, Steve Martinelli and John Williams.  We are also proud of our staff that serves this community every day. Special thanks to my wife Cheryl for her help in this past year. I wish all our citizens a Happy and a Healthy New Year in 2018.

by Mayor Chuck Chiarello

Mayor and Township Committee say goodbye to Committeeman John Armato who elected in November 2017 to the seat of Assemblyman.

Armato becomes the first ever Assemblyman to have been elected from Buena Vista Township.

Armato joins Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo in representing District 2, which includes Buena Vista. John will remain active with the Township’s Veteran’s Advisory Board and Municipal Alliance as an Advisor.

Good Luck Assemblyman!

NJ State Consumer Affairs offers several tips to protect you against fraud. Some of those include warning signs for Home Improvement Contractors, New Car Lemon Laws, Tips on Buying Used Cars, Playing it Safe on the Internet and Telemarketing Scams including those sweepstakes mailings.

If you feel you have been a victim, you can contact the Office of Consumer Protection at (973) 504-6200 and request a complaint form or visit their website at www.consumeraffairs.gov. Want to stop those annoying calls?

Call 1-800-382-1222 and add your phone number to the Federal “Do Not Call” Registry.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center located at 661 Jackson Road, Newtonville will begin an after-school program starting on Monday, January 8, 2018. Participants are required to register for the program which will include activities, arts & crafts and recreations.

All children are welcomed, school aged from 6-18 years old. The program will be conducted on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 4-6 p.m. which also includes a free dinner.

For more information, please contact the community center at (609) 704-7262.  Registration forms are available at the community center, on the Township website or at the Municipal Complex.

Preserve your name or that of a loved one well into the next millennium with a personalized Premium Brick Paver.

These pavers will be part of new walkways that were added in the area of the “Most Unusual Tree” monument at Sawmill Park where hundreds of people visit.

There are two sizes available – a 4” x 8” for $100.00 with 3 lines of text, 13 characters per line including spaces and punctuation and an 8” x 8” for $200.00 each with 3 lines of text, 13 characters per line including spaces and punctuation (up to 3 extra lines are available on the 8” x 8” size at $20.00 per line, same rules).

Order forms can be found on our website www.buenavistanj.com or pick one up at the Township Hall.   All funds raised will go directly to this project.  We would truly appreciate any help you would consider.

Please make checks payable to Buena Vista Township Special Events, P.O. Box 605, Buena, NJ 08310.  For further information, contact the Township Clerk’s office at 856-697-2100, then press 1.

CLICK HERE for ORDER FORM

Come and see highly detailed HO scale models of many different trains operate on a large realistic model railroad at the Patcong Valley Model Railroad Club. Located at 1308 Harding Hwy., (Rt. 40) & Fir Avenue in Richland Village. They will be open January 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 & 21, 2018, 10 am to 4 p.m., which are Saturdays and Sundays.  Admission is free, but donations are greatly appreciated. Check   their   website   for additional information at www.patcongvalley.com.

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