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?

It’s that time of the year again to start thinking about Veterans Day. The Veterans Committee will be setting a date for our Vets to visit Buena Regional High School. Last year was a great success.

The students were eager to hear how and why we served our country. After school starts we will set a date in November.

Any Veterans who would like to participate please contact the Township Clerk’s Office at 856-697-2100 Ext 1.

Written by: Veterans Advisory Board Chairman John Armato

Drop-Off Convenience Center at Public Works Yard

The Convenience Center is open to all Township residents on the 1st Saturday of each month at the Public Works Yard located at 430 Union Road between 8 am & 12 noon (some holidays may cause dates to change). Items Accepted at No Charge are: appliances, metals, motor oil, brush/leaves in biodegradable Kraft-type bags, recyclables, e-waste (computers and televisions), auto/light truck tires (rims must be removed) limit up to 4, truck/farm equipment tires (rims must be removed) limit up to 2 per month.  The Township reserves the right to limit quantities and to refuse unacceptable items and you must be able to unload yourself.  For questions, please contact the Public Works Department at (856) 692-4121.

Parking of Certain Vehicles in Residential Districts Restricted

Per Ordinance No. 43-2017, no commercial vehicles, meeting certain characteristics, shall be parked on the roadway(s) in a residential zone at any time.  Certain vehicles are exempt such as fire trucks, school buses (with certain criteria), van(s) and pick-up truck(s). For questions, please contact the Township Clerks Office at (856) 697-2100 ext. 11.

Trapping of Feral Cats

Do you have overwhelming number of feral cats hanging around your property or neighborhood? Shore Animal Control is here to help. As the Township’s contracted Animal Control, they will trap feral cats and work with agencies that participate in spaying and neutering the cats for release. To set up trapping, please contact Shore Animal Control at 1-800-351-1822.

Written by: Lisa A. Tilton, Township Clerk

Not an Actual Image of the Trails

At the Independence Day Festival on Sunday July 3, 2017 the Environmental Commission distributed three boxes of peaches to Buena Vista township residents donated by Muzzarelli Farms as well as a produce basket and gift certificate raffled off to participants.

Another produce basket was raffled off donated by Bertuzzi’s market. Another contributor Levari’s farm market donated A large variety of plants and herbs for any resident to take Home.

Also, two projects the environmental commission is working on: one is the revitalization of the trail located in Michael Debbi Park in Richland and the second is the creation of a 3, 2 and one-mile trails that will be located behind the Collings Lake Elementary School. These trails are scheduled to be completed during the summer of 2018.

Written by: Environmental Committee Chairman John Williams

Great things are happening in Buena Vista Township! Local business, The Missing Piece Puzzle Company will be providing a puzzle as a clue for an episode in the new season of the TV Series Elementary!

The clue will be view in episode 5 on prime-time television. This is a huge accomplishment and level of recognition that Buena Vista Township could not be more proud of.

Tune in for episode 5 scheduled to air during the new season in early fall on CBS.

On Wednesday, October 18^th Buena Vista Township will be hosting a blood drive at the Township Hall from 2pm to 7pm.

The American Red Cross will be collecting blood from any and all residents and members of other Township’s throughout the afternoon.

The event will be held in the court room of our Township Hall at 890 Harding Highway, Buena, NJ 08310.

For additional information regarding the event, please contact the Clerk’s Office at 856-697-2100 Ext. 1 or go to www.redcrossblood.org to register for the drive and enter Sponsor Code of “Buena Vista”.

Brick Pavers can still be ordered at the Buena Vista Township Mayor’s Office to be part of the walkway around “The Tree Monument” in Saw Mill Park. Pavers are available for purchase. Details can also be found on our website at www.buenavistanj.com.

The new Comar ID Center opened in Buena Vista Township were the executive offices use to be located on Comar Place. The center will be used to create production selections including product container design, label design, and packaging for their clients nationwide. Township Committee along with Township Administrator Kenia Nunez and Township Clerk Lisa Titlon toured the facility on Friday, June 30, 2017.

Longtime Chief Robert J. Gibney retires after 50 Years of active service with the Dorothy Volunteer Fire & EMS Company. He was honored at Buena Vista Township Television night by Township Committee and Mayor Chuck Chiarello.

Cheryl Chiarello stands by the Veteran’s Memorial located on the front lawn at the Township Hall on Monday, May 29th. Cheryl’s great uncle William DeRosa who served in the army and lost his life in WWII at a prisoner of war facility called Camp Tokyo is listed on the monument.

The Buena Girls Softball Team and Coach Pamela Pickett of the Buena Regional High School were honored at BVT Television Night for reaching her 600 Career Wins as well as Coach of the Year. Her team was honored for winning the South Jersey Title this year. All are pictured above with Deputy Mayor Teresa Kelly.

Coach Mary Dunlap of Newtonville, was recognized at BVT’s Television Night for her outstanding abilities. As the Coach of the Egg Harbor Township Girls Softball Team. The team won the state title in 2017 and Coach Dunlap was named Coach of the Year in 2016 and has continued to maintain an extraordinary team and record. Buena Vista is proud to be the home of such an amazing woman and coach.

Pictured above are Committeeman John Williams with Buena Regional High School’s THREE Valedictorians: Olga Koturlash, Daniel Dormanen and Lynda Franceschini. The three were honored at BVT’s Television Night and also rode in the Independence Day parade as the Grand Marshals.

Jennifer Laurrell – Klotz pictured above being sworn into her position as Alternate IV on the Buena Vista Township Planning and Zoning Board.

Kristie Knapp has taken over the position of Mayor Chuck Chiarello’s Administrative Secretary at the Township Hall. Pictured above, she is seen at this year’s 29th Annual Independence Day Festival helping to coordinate the event as the Mayor’s Liaison.

On Monday, July 10, 2017 Collings Lakes Fire Department suddenly lost a long-time member of their department. The passing of Chief Edwin R. Jones was a shock to not only to the department, but to Buena Vista Township.

Chief Jones was a member of the Collings Lakes Fire Department for 40 years as well as an employee of New Jersey State Forest Fire Services where he worked as a maintenance mechanic. Ed was presently serving at Collings Lakes Fire Department as Deputy Chief, but has previously held the position of Chief and Commissioner.

He was a member of N.J. State Fireman’s Relief Association, the N.J. State Exempt Fireman’s Association, and the N.J. State Fire Chief’s Parade Judges Association. Ed or “Jonesy” as many of his friends and family members called him was much more than a Firefighter.

Aside from being an all-around “community man”, he was a husband and above all, a father. Ed’s son Andrew was the light of his life and made him proud every day with each breath he took. Not a day went by that Ed didn’t mention his son multiple times in multiple lights.

Ed’s second family, the Collings Lakes Fire Department will certainly miss that half grin, half smirk walking across the street gripping the radio to respond to a call. They will miss his laughter, his wise cracks and above all, his kindness and brotherhood.

His good advice, his positive spirits and his guidance will keep the men and women of CLFD safe day in and day out on the job. Buena Vista Township extends our condolences to his family, friends and the Collings Lakes Fire Department.

Article by Kristie Knapp
Mayor’s Administrative Secretary and Member of CLFD

Committeeman John Armato Receives Four Chaplains Award

On Saturday, May 6, 2017 Township Committeeman John Armato received the prestigious Four Chaplains Award at the First Baptist Church in Richland. The award which is given by the Chapel of the Four Chaplains, a post of retired former Marines that make the award each year. They are presented to citizens who have gone above and beyond the normal call of duty to help their community. John Armato received the “Humanitarian Award” for his exceptional work with the Richland Fire Company, Buena Vista Township and his efforts to promote drug awareness.

150th Birthday Celebration Promoted on Lite 92.1

Recently to promote Buena Vista Township’s 150^th Sesquicentennial Birthday and 3^rd Annual Richland Village Festival Committeeman Steve Martinelli and Mayor Chuck Chiarello did two live one hour broadcasts on different Saturdays in May. The broadcasts originated from WVLT FM 92.1 Lite in Vineland. During the first show held on May 6^th local car buff and radio host Ben Notaro joined Martinelli and Chiarello. They talked about the festival and took phone calls. On Saturday, May 20^th Martinelli and Chiarello were joined by Committeeman John Armato and Deputy Mayor Teresa Kelly to further promote the event.

Tree Monument Brick Pavers Still Available

Brick Pavers can still be ordered at the Buena Vista Township Mayor’s Office to be part of the walkway around “The Tree Monument” in Saw Mill Park. Pavers are available for purchase. Details can also be found on our website at www.buenavistanj.com.

BrickPaverFormJan26

Richland Kitchen Open for Business

The Richland Kitchen recently opened on Route 40 in the Richland Village area of the Township. They serve 3 meals a day and are open every day but Mondays. The food is good and the prices are reasonable and you should give this new local eating establishment a try. Stop in and see Chef Tim!