Effective immediately, a Zoning Permit is required to be obtained from the Buena Vista Township Zoning Officer prior to most building permits from the State Building Inspectors.

You must complete and submit the application and payment to Rick Bracaliello, Zoning Officer.  The Zoning Office hours are every Tuesday 5 pm to 7:30 pm.

Applications are available on our website buenavistanj.com and at the BVT Municipal Building 9 am to 5 pm Monday thru Friday, Tuesday evenings until 7:30 pm.

Questions regarding permits can be made to the Zoning Officer by telephone (856) 687-2100 ext. 9 or by email: zoning@buenavistanj.com.

February has been nationally recognized as Black History Month since President Gerald Ford in 1976. However, the history of celebrating, recognizing, and researching the achievements of African Americans dates back as early as 1915 and in 1926, the first national Negro History Week was established by Carter G. Woodson.  The 2^nd week of February was designated because it coincided with the birthdays of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. For more information and reference about Black History Month go to www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month.

On February 20^th, the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center held a Black History Program to help inform and recognize various historical references and how they have impacted the African American culture. Rev. David Mallory of the First Baptist Church of Richland presented an audio and video presentation of performances and musical selections that helped express African American culture through song. These performances also demonstrated historic dance, storytelling and hardships African Americans faced and how music is some ways was an outlet of their suffering and celebration of their faith.

Upcoming events at the MLK Center include our very first Job Fair on Tuesday, March 15^th from 10 am – 2 pm. Representatives from Bayada Home Health Care, Comar, Caesars Entertainment, Resorts, South Jersey Industries, Pep Boys, Utiliquest and Cape May Brewery are just a few that will be on hand. We are expecting a large turnout, be early, be prepared and dress to impress.

Also in March our annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held Saturday, March 12^th at 1 pm so mark the date on your calendar and come and have some family fun (rain or shine). We will have a coloring contest, puzzles and other activities   The MLK Center also has other activities and programs for school-aged children. For our high school students, The MLK Peer Leadership, “We Care,” Group meets every Thursday at 7 pm in the Roberta J. Corbitt Community Room located in the rear of the Center.  For our elementary and middle school-aged children, Cocoa’s Story Hour is held the 2^nd and 4^th Friday of each month. For our senior citizens, The Seniors of the Newtonville Area meet at the MLK Center every Wednesday at 10 am. If you are interested in joining, call us at 609-704-7262.

The African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey is also housed at the MLK Center. Their new exhibit – “Jet Black Brown and Tan on the Beach” is currently on display. Please call 609-350-6662 to arrange a tour.

The MLK Center is also available to rent for your family celebrations.  We can accommodate up to 100 people. Applications are available at the MLK Center or call us for details. The MLK Center is open weekdays 11 am – 7 pm, Wednesdays 9 am-6 pm.

If you like to get more information on our programs or activities or wish to volunteer please call us at 609-704-7262 or email us MLKCenter@buenavistanj.com. Check us out on the Buena Vista Township website or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/mlkbuenavistatownship

by Quentin McClendon, Director

The Buena Vista Township Green Team will be taking on conservation and nature projects that will be educational, recreational, resourceful and fun!

Our goal is to help make everyone in our Township more aware of the importance of nature and its preservation to live more sustainably and to “Get out and smell the roses!”

Some of our proposed projects are:

• Reopen the Nature Trail at Michael Debbi Park with educational signage about the habitat.
• Save the Monarch Butterfly Project.  We will be planting a Monarch Butterfly garden (all other pollinators will be welcomed also) at Michael Debbi Park to coincide with the Nature Trail.  We will also make Milk Weed Plant seeds available for home gardeners to plant as this is the ONLY plant where a female Monarch Butterfly lays her eggs and the ONLY food source for the caterpillar stage to feed on to metamorphosis into a Monarch Butterfly!
• A community garden where vegetables can be grown and shared.
  We are seeking people that are positive and interested in being a part of our Community Township Green Team. To be part of the Green Team projects, please contact Committeeman John Williams at 609-513-7318 or email jwilliams@buenavistanj.com.  Be sure to check every month for Green Team News and Tips!

by the BVT Green Team

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR RECYCLING ELECTRONICS
Personal Computers (laptop & desktop), Computer Monitors, Televisions and other electronic items can no longer be put out with your trash.  This has been required by New Jersey State Law. You can drop these items off to Buena Vista Township at no cost.  Curbside pickup is not available.

These items will be accepted on the first Saturday of each month at the BVT Public Works Yard between 8 am and 12 noon.  You may also call Public Works at 856-692-4121 to drop these items off in the morning or late afternoon when someone is present at the yard.  You can also use these local options for electronics recycling instead:

GOODWILL STORES:
6701 Black Horse Pike, Cardiff, NJ 08234 – Monday thru Saturday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm.; Sunday 12 noon to 6:00 pm – Call 609-569-1112 for more information.

200 White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ 08037 – Blueberry Crossing Shopping Center, Monday thru Saturday, 9:00 am – 8:00 pm; Sunday, 12 noon – 6:00 pm – 609-704-1744 for more information.

EARTH 911:  Visit www.earth911.com and enter “electronics in the first search box and your sizp code in the second box to find disposal locations near you.

BEST BUY STORES:
100 Consumer Square, Mays Landing, NJ 08330 – 609-485-0500 for more information.

Most electronic items are accepted, including tube TVs up to 32”, flat screen TV under 50”, DVD players, MP3 players, cell phones, small electronics, fans & vacuums, desktop and laptop computers.

STAPLES:
2300 Wrangleboro Rd., Mays Landing, NJ 08330
9 Bethel Rd., Somers Point, NJ 08244
Staples accepts computers, monitors, printers, ink and toner cartridges, cell phones.  Visit www.staples.com/recycling for more information.

The NJDEP maintains a list of consumer electronics recycling facilities at www.nj.gov/dep.  You can also visit Atlantic County Utilities Authority at www.acua.com.

CLICK HERE for FLYER

A crowd of over 150 was on hand on Friday, December 4^th to greet Mr. & Mrs. Claus plus their Elves as they arrived via the Richland Volunteer Fire Co. and a parade of Fire & Emergency vehicles.

Once the tree was lit, Santa heard the wishes of all the children gathered and they received a special gift just for them.  There was singing and refreshments for all.

Anna from the movie “Frozen” made guest appearance along with Miss Buena Ciarra Sikking.

The lobby of Township Hall had a beautiful tree decorated with ornaments made by the children of the Milanesi and Collings Lakes Elementary School Children’s choirs welcome Santa.

Santa’s “Secret Elves” prepared the goodie bags for Santa to give to all the good little boys and girls.

The 54/40 Community Shuttle began service on Monday January 4^th with service between Richland Village, Buena Borough, Newtonville, Collings Lakes, Folsom and Hammonton.  The new Shuttle connects to multiple bus routes and the train in Hammonton allowing our residents without cars to make connections to take them anywhere.

The main benefit is for those seeking jobs or being able to get to them.  There is no cost.  This is a one-year experiment so please give it a try so we can meet the requirements to keep it running after the first year. The Shuttle runs in the mornings and late afternoons Monday to Friday.

You can see a complete route map at www.buenavistanj.com or on our Facebook page.

Emil Dandrea, Frank Dandrea. Standing: Peter Micheletti, and Cosmo “Corky” Giovanizzi, son of the late Cosmo Giovanizzi

The Buena Historical Society held their 18^th Annual Anniversary Party/Christmas Celebration this year on December 16, 2015 at Martin’s Custom Catering in Landisville.  Each year local residents are chosen to be honored for their extreme commitment and dedication to Buena Vista Township and Buena Borough.

This year’s honorees were Frank Dandrea, Emilio Dandrea, Peter Micheletti, Cosmo Giovinazzi.  Mayor Chiarello, Deputy Mayor Kelly and Committeeman Steve Martinelli attended.  Each of the honorees were presented with a plaque from Buena Vista Township. A full buffet dinner was served and holiday music played all night.  It was a very special event!

On Monday, January 18^th, the Township Committee dedicated the large Community Room at the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center in Newtonville in memory of Roberta J. Corbitt who passed away in October 2015.

Mrs. Corbitt’s family and many friends were on hand for the dedication.  The Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center was Roberta’s pride and joy.  She was instrumental in starting the Community Food Bank at the Center and during her tenure as President of the Seniors of the Newtonville Area, held lunch programs, bake sales, fish fry’s, high teas and countless other activities.

She has left a lasting impression on us all and she will be deeply missed by our community and everyone’s life she touched.  Mayor Chuck Chiarello, Deputy Mayor Teresa Kelly along with Township Committee members Steve Martinelli, John Williams and John Armato were on hand to unveil the dedication sign.  Mayor Chiarello, Rev. David Mallory and members of the Corbitt family spoke.

On Monday, January 4, 2016, the Township Committee appointed Eric M. Bernstein, Esq. as the new Township Solicitor, Labor Counsel and Foreclosure Solicitor.

With almost 30 years of experience, Mr. Bernstein handles matters on a wide range of subjects within the labor/employment law fields, including general advice and assistance, contract negotiations, interest and grievance arbitrations, disciplinary matters and litigation involving union and non-union employees.

Mr. Bernstein, as a municipal attorney, has handled such diverse issues as land use matter, ethics issues, municipal construction, local public contracts law issues, tax appeals and government affairs.  He is a member of the First Amendment Lawyer’s Association and the Free Speech Coalition.

He attended Drew University, magna cum laude with honors in 1979-B.A.; University of Oklahoma College of Law-J.D., 1982 and Cornell University/Baruch, Industrial & Labor Relations-M.S., 1985.

The Buena Vista Township Committee unanimously introduced legislation that would strengthen and regulate the requirements for the care of a domestic animal.  The Township recently suffered a horrible tragedy with the passing of two dogs, a puppy and its mother after they were not able to recover from the extreme weather conditions.

The tragedy has made the Township recognize that a stronger law needed to be implemented in order to protect the animals and provide guidance to the owners/keepers of those animals.

The new regulations once adopted, would require owners, caretakers or handlers of dogs to exercise diligence and reasonable care in order to prevent the dogs from leaving their premises. As such, outdoor pens or other enclosures must be a certain height and size (square footage) in order to accommodate the needs of the pet. Those enclosures have to be properly constructed and contain certain bedding such as straw or other absorbent material in order provide adequate protection for the animal.

Dogs must also be able to move freely when chained or tethered and should be confined for a period no greater than nine hours within a twenty-four hour period. The chain or tether must be a minimum of 15 linear feet and constructed properly so the dog can remain tangle free.

The final piece of this new law will tackle the tragedy head on and help the animals have a healthy and comfortable life. Owners/keepers of these pets will be required to bring the animals indoors in extreme weather conditions, which includes when the outside temperature is below 32 degrees or above 95 degrees. The type of indoor enclosures would include any residence or temperature controlled area that is either heated or air-conditioned such as a kennel.

The Township and its animal control officers will enforce this new law as necessary in order to bring compliance to those regulations. Such penalties are enforceable by a Judge and could include upon conviction a fine of $200 or a maximum of $1,000 or imprisonment per violation.

Buena Vista Township is committed in taking a proactive approach in making sure such a tragedy like this does not occur again. The Township staff is always available for those to help understand the new requirements and provide any guidance as needed.

by Township Clerk Lisa A. Tilton