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!

On May 27, 2017 as part of the 3^rd Annual Richland Village Festival, the official dedication of “The Tree Monument” was held at 12 noon with a crowd of over 200 in attendance. “The Tree Monument” can be viewed daily in Saw Mill Park on US Route 40 in Richland Village.

“The Tree Monument” depicts almost 40 different carvings that show the past and modern history of what we call home, Buena Vista Township.

It was dedicated in time for the 150^th Birthday of Buena Vista Township. A self-guided tour brochure can be found on our Township website at www.buenavistanj.com, you can print the brochure or stop by the Township Hall to obtain a copy.

Tour Guide Page 1
TourGuidePage2

It is well worth the tour to learn about your townships history and to see “The Most Unusual Tree in the State of New Jersey”.

Buena Regional Class of 2017

Congratulations to the Buena Regional High School Class of 2017. The graduating class consisted of many National Honor Society students and not one but three Valedictorians!

Linda Franceschini of Milmay, Daniel Dormanen of Estell Manor and Olga Koturlash of Buena stunned the crowed with their insightful and entertaining speeches during graduation. Buena Vista Township is proud to have so many bright young minds working towards bright futures. Congratulations again from Buena Vista Township.

14^TH ANNUAL Run 4 Ricky 

The 14^th Annual Run 4 Ricky was held on Saturday, June 10^th at the home of remembered student and athlete Ricky Wilcox. The run gathered hundreds of past, present and future students of Buena Regional High School, friends and family, and Township Officials.

The yearly event raises money used to provide deserving students with scholarships at the end of each year. The total for 2017 was $17,500.00. This year’s event was no different, from the awards, runners new and old, walkers both kids and adults and a kids run fit for the little ones of the event. After the run the BBQ for the event was held at Michael Debbi park which involved food, a bounce house, Starbucks Coffee, music and a prize auction.

A very successful event once again. Keep an eye out for next year’s event and how you can help at www.run4ricky.org.

Buena Vista Township is Awarded Clean Communities Grant 

The Clean Communities Grants were awarded in the beginning of June granting money to municipalities and counties all over New Jersey. $2.2 million dollars in grants were awarded to the 21 counties in New Jersey. Buena Vista Township received a grant of $30,713.39.

According to Commissioner Martin, “Clean Communities money is a vital resource for New jersey’s municipalities and counties every year because these grants help fund cleanups that will further enhance our communities, natural resources and roadway.

By taking care of the environment around us, we encourage others to do the same in their own communities and build pride across the state.” Buena Vista is honored to receive such a large grant and continues to focus on making our communities better each and every day.

Buena Chiefs Softball Wins South Jersey Title 

Photo Credit: Press of Atlantic City

The Buena Chiefs softball team coached by Pamela Picket has had quite the season in 2017. Wining their third consecutive South Jersey Title was a huge part of the season topped off by April 8, 2017 when Coach Pam Picket achieved her 600^th career win.

Coach Picket of course gives most of the credit to her players over the last 30 years but she is definitely a spectacular coach and woman herself. Players of the Buena Chiefs Softball team both present and past, feel that they are the players they are today because of Coach Picket or Coach Pick for short.

During the season, Aysiah Cintron crushed another record help by a previous play Samantha Horner for her career hits. Cintron broke schools record by hitting her 143^rd hit in the 2017 season.

Another proud moment for Coach Picket and the team. We look forward to seeing the team next year during another great season!

Buena Vista Township Committee Tours Outside of New Teligent Building

On Tuesday, May 9, 2017 Mayor Chuck Chiarello, Deputy Mayor Teresa Kelly, Committeeman Steve Martinelli and Committeeman John Williams toured the new construction work at the Teligent site on Lincoln Avenue. Also in attendance was Township Administrator/CMFO Kenia Nunez and Township Clerk/Planning – Zoning Board Secretary Lisa Tilton. Teligent Vice President Peter Gallagher led the tour which featured pointing out some of the construction process and European style used in the design of the building. The project is moving along rapidly and work has already begun inside the new 75,000 sq. ft. addition. Teligent is a manufacturer of generic medical products.

Merighi’s Savoy Inn Expands Luna’s Outdoor Restaurant 

On Thursday, May 18, 2017 Buena Vista Township Planning-Zoning Board approved an expansion for Luna’s outdoor restaurant located at Merighi’s Savoy Inn in East Vineland. The new expansion will enhance the dining experience and expand the outdoor kitchen area which will include a fire pit and an outdoor waiting area. Parking will be redesigned to have a front parking area and the rear banquet area parking. Work is expected to begin immediately so that the “Key West” Style restaurant will be fully operational this summer. It will be a nice addition to a very successful establishment in Buena Vista.

Shoreline Vintage Grand Re-Opening 

Shoreline Vintage located on Route 40 in Richland Village has added new vendors to their Antique/Consignment Retail Store. Stop in and take a look at the changes.

On May 29, our country celebrated Memorial Day. For different families across the country, that day held a different significance. For me, that last Monday in May always brings me back to May of 1967, the month I became an airman in the U.S. Air Force.

Coming from Buena Vista Township, joining the Air Force was both exciting and nerve-wracking. People always ask me why I chose to enlist during a time when our country was at war. My answer has always been because I believed it was the right thing to do.

We owe so much to our veterans. Just getting them home safely is not enough. We need to make sure that these men and women are educated on the financial and medical services that are available to them. And we need to do what we can to remove the barriers that stand between them and these services.

As chairman of the Buena Vista Township Veterans Committee, I’ve had the privilege to serve our veteran community here in Buena Vista. Every day I work to make sure our veterans have access to the benefits they deserve. Recently, a resident came to our committee to ask if we could help her obtain her late husband’s medals. She had been trying for years but to no avail. With the help of our congressman, we got the job done. When she invited me over to see the medals, I was so gratified to see the Purple Heart that she could now share proudly with his friends and family.

Our veterans, our fallen soldiers and their families deserve our respect and commitment. In Buena Vista, our committee took on the task of getting a proper memorial stone at Township Hall that listed all the names of our neighbors who had given the ultimate sacrifice for their country. But we must do more than just memorialize. Too many veterans don’t know what services they have available to them or how to access the ones they’re aware of. For those who have already sacrificed so much to serve our country, that’s unacceptable. To be able to make their lives easier or solve challenges they might be facing, are tasks I feel honored to take on.

Our men and women in the military made the choice to risk their lives so that we could continue to enjoy our lives back home. On Memorial Day, let’s remember those who made the greatest sacrifice and let’s recommit our efforts to serve those who have come home.

John Armato

Buena Vista

Mark your calendars for 9 – Yes, 9!!  Wednesday night’s beginning June 29^th and running through August for music and dancing under the stars at Michael Debbi Park in Richland.

The concerts begin at 7 pm until 9 pm (weather permitting).  They are performed at the Special Events Center Gazebo.  If it rains, the concert will be rescheduled to another date.  Affordable refreshments will be available.  Flyer coming soon.

Hot dogs, desserts and beverages will be sold. Bring your dancing shoes. Seating is available or bring your own lawn chairs. (weather permitting)

• Wednesday, June 28th – John Clark – Little Big Band
• Wednesday, July 5th – Joe Kelly – Tear It Up
• Wednesday, July 12th – In High Gear
• Wednesday, July 19th  – Poor Mouth Henry
• Wednesday, July 26th – Kenny I Entertainment
• Wednesday, August 2nd- Lonnie Youngblood
• Wednesday, August 9th –  45 RPM Oldies Concert
• Wednesday, August 16th – Ed Rodriquez – Ten Eddy Drive
• Wednesday, August 23rd – Dr. Cheeko
• Wednesday, August 30th – Reserved for Rain Date

This schedule is subject to change.