The Times They are a Changin’…

I wanted to take a moment to tell our residents that real progress is being made in Buena Vista Township. On March 21^st new Digital LED Lights were tested at Michael Debbi Park, and they looked terrific. This offers the newest state-of-the-art lighting and energy savings to our residents using the baseball, softball, and football fields. This $800,000.00 project, approved by Green Acres, as a loan, will put us in a new dimension of lighting that will take us forward for the next 20 years.

The $400,000.00 Buena Vista Township Local Road Program is well underway re-asphalting over a dozen roads throughout the Township including 6^th Road in Newtonville. The Township has always had a local road program each year for as long as I can remember. We try to evaluate roads to make living and traveling in Buena Vista Township a little easier. Unfortunately, we have 125 miles of paved roads in our Township and can only do so many each year.

We are in the process of replacing a 1988 Road Grader. It is no longer working and parts are not available. A newer 2008 model is in the bid process which will help to maintain our dirt roads throughout the Township. It will even assist during snow storms.

This year we completed the long overdue Weymouth Road Project after six years of State Road Aid Grant money. The next project we have requested from the State is to help rebuild Chestnut Avenue in East Vineland and we are waiting for approval.

Another project that will begin soon is at our Public Works building on Union Road in East Vineland. The plans are complete, and the funding is in place to remove the old concrete portion of the building which was built in the 1950’s. A modern replacement steel structure will be built on the same footprint that will allow us to store more equipment indoors, have a better work area for repairs, offices, and a meeting room/kitchen area. The funding for this project comes from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a long-term loan.

The Township also plans on purchasing some new equipment for our Public Works Department that is long overdue. Included are dump trucks and pick-up trucks so that our fleet can stay up-to-date and be able to serve the community better.

It is important that the Township try to maintain our buildings, equipment, parks, and roads, so that we can continue to offer all the services that we do. Please know that a great deal of thought goes into making these decisions. Some of the projects mentioned in this article have been in the planning stages for as long as ten years.

Mayor Chuck Chiarello

State Senate President, Steve Sweeney, acknowledges Buena Vista Township Deputy Mayor Teresa Kelly for her service as President of The Atlantic County League of Municipalities on Friday, February 16, 2019, at a dinner held at the Mays Landing Country Club.

The First Baptist Church of Richland held their annual African American Cultural Day on Sunday, February 24, 2019. The event, led by Rev. David Mallory, was filled with culture, music, poetry and special guests.

Pictured here is Musician/Singer Lonnie Youngblood who shared his talents during the day and Mr. Ralph Hunter, the head of the African American Heritage Museum at the MLK Center. Township Committee members were also in attendance at this event.

On Friday, March 1, 2019, Committeeman John Williams read Dr. Seuss Books at Gateway School during Read Across America. In recognition of the birthday of the beloved children’s author, Dr. Seuss, on March 2nd, the purpose of Read Across America program is to motivate children to read. It is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers. Thank you Committeeman John Williams for recognizing the importance of and participating in this day.

Assemblyman John Armato swore in the 2019 Pineland Municipal Council members at Buena Vista Municipal Complex on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.

On Friday March 8^th, 2019, Buena Vista Township Committeeman John Williams was sworn-in as the new President of The Atlantic County Association of Township Officials. He was sworn-in by Buena Borough Council President, Rosalie Baker.

Buena Vista Township hosted their annual rabies clinics that were held on March 2^nd and March 16^th. Many fur babies came out and visited Township Employees and Committee who helped with the clinic.

A crowd of about 80 people were in attendance on January 7, 2019, to see the swearing in of the newly re-elected Committee Members Chuck Chiarello and Teresa Kelly.

Mayor Chuck Chiarello was sworn in to serve his 23rd year as Mayor alongside of Teresa Kelly as Deputy Mayor, serving her 21st year.

Chiarello and Kelly also started their 28th year as an elected Township Committee Team.

The entire Committee looks forward to serving the community together again. A mass swearing in was held for all of the new appointees and reappointments to the Township sub-committees and staff.

The New Jersey State Police Color Guard presented the Flag while Eugene Moore of Newtonville sang our National Anthem.

We were also honored to have Congressman Jeff Van Drew with us, and he gave a very motivational speech to the audience. Music was provided by Miss Veronica Farkas.

The Rev. David Mallory of the 1st Baptist Church in Richland and the Rev. Ken Albert of the Abundant Living Church in Williamstown delivered the invocation and benediction respectively.

All ages, abilities, and groups welcome. No experience required! The program is supported by Impact Harvest and the Buena Vista Township Environmental Commission.

You would be supplied with plants you choose from a list of plants provided by Impact Harvest. You would plant, weed, and water your bed throughout the season. You would get to harvest the produce and take some home for yourself and leave some for the Food Bank to help the community.

There will be monthly classes on gardening tips and environmental topics. These classes will be educational and accompanied by a small, easy-to-do project. And best of all…It’s FREE! You need only give your time & effort. Don’t wait, we will be beginning soon.

If interested, please contact Beth Conway at Conway.bethann@yahoo.com or Valerie Behrens@impactharvest.org

Health & Wellness Fair at Buena Regional Middle School will be held on February 21, 2019 from 5 to 8 pm.

Free and open to students and families of Buena Regional School District. Door Prizes & Giveaways. Free Dinner from 5 – 7 pm. 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament. Activities and Demonstrations.

Free Health Screenings. Wear comfortable shoes & sneakers so you are ready to move. Students must be accompanied by an adult. Free Community Closet will also be available with items from Infants to Adults.

There will also be an Art show in the Library.

Buena Vista Township Fire Companies will be conducting their annual Fire District Elections on Saturday, February 16, 2019 from 2-9pm. Fire Commissioners and proposed budgets will be on the respective ballots. You can vote at your local Fire Hall for Richland Vol. Fire Company, East Vineland Fire Co., Milmay Fire Company, Newtonville Fire Company and Collings Lakes Fire Company.

For more information contact the Township Clerk’s Office at 856-697-2100 and press option 1.

Look for your 2019 BVT Calendar and Municipal Guide!!

2019 is going to be a great year for Buena Vista Township, and our “2019 Calendar and Municipal Guide” is better than ever! Make sure to look for your copy, set to be delivered to each home in Buena Vista Township by January 1^st, 2019. Look at all the wonderful photos, see when your favorite events are scheduled, and make sure to support all the great businesses that helped to make this calendar possible. Happy New Year Buena Vista! Copies can also be obtained at the Municipal Complex.

CLICK HERE for a PDF Version

Neighborhood Crime Prevention – Did you know?…

The modern-day concept of Neighborhood Watch began in the 1960’s. Due to escalating crime rates, the Los Angeles Police Department enlisted assistance from citizens in reporting suspicious activities. The National Sheriff’s Association took the concept further in 1972 when it organized the National Neighborhood Watch Program (NNWP) with funding from the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration.

The Neighborhood Watch Program has become an effective way to get the community involved in crime prevention and help law enforcement. Implementing the program and posting “Neighborhood Watch” signs in your neighborhood and on the homes in the area tells criminals that your neighborhood is not an easy target and that they are probably being watched.

For more information on crime prevention in your neighborhood, contact your local law enforcement agency’s crime prevention department.

Santa Arrives for Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony 

On Friday, December 7th, the Buena Vista Township Special Events Committee held the 19th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Township Hall.

The evening began with a welcome from Deputy Mayor Teresa Kelly.  Karen Coates led the Buena Middle School Select Choir along with Kim Albert who led the Abundant Living Church Children’s Choir in a wonderful selection of holiday songs.

A crowd of over 150 was on hand to greet Santa and Mrs. Claus and their Elves as they arrived via the Richland Volunteer Fire Company in a parade of fire and emergency vehicles.  Once the tree was lit, Santa heard the wishes of all the children and they received special gifts that were donated from our Holiday Toy Drive.

Miss South Jersey, Ashley Murphy and Miss South Jersey’s Outstanding Teen, Gabriela Collins, were here and handed out prescription lock boxes gifted by The Municipal Drug Alliance led by Gia Haws.

Hot chocolate, Apple Cider, and cookies were available to all. A big Thank You to our Special Events Committee for making the evening a success! Merry Christmas! And a very special thank you to the children of Milanesi & Collings Lakes Elementary Schools for the beautiful decorations they made to help “Deck the Halls” of the Municipal Complex.

Congratulations to  the Buena Braves Varsity Football and Cheerleaders

On Monday, December 17^th, 2018, Mayor Chuck Chiarello and Township Committee awarded “Making Buena Vista Proud” awards to the Buena Braves Varsity Football Team and Cheerleaders for an outstanding undefeated 2018 Season. The winning score of 24 – 13 over Somers Point in the final games gave the team their fourth Championship since 2012 in the Atlantic County Football League! And the Buena Braves Varsity Cheerleaders were recognized as well for their dedicated commitment and “Team Spirit” throughout the 2018 football season. Go Braves!!!

Kindergarten Class from Milanesi Elementary School Visits Town Hall

The children of Ms. DeCesero’s Kindergarten class visited Town Hall on December 13^th. They were welcomed by the Deputy Mayor Teresa Kelly, as well as all the management staff and Township Committee Members David Turner and John Williams at the Municipal Complex. They were treated to snacks and juice and each child received a small gift and certificate to commemorate their visit.

They also got to see a NJ State Police car, and one of Buena Vista Township’s own Public Works Trucks. And special Thanks to Newtonville Fire Company and Buena Vista EMS, who were both there that morning, but had to leave on a call before the children could see their vehicles. It was an exciting morning for all. Thanks to all who made it happen, and thanks to Ms. DeCesero’s class for being so wonderful!

The Holiday Gift Boutique was a success!

The Special Events Committee of Buena Vista Township hosted the first “Holiday Gift Boutique” on December 1^st at the Dr. Martin Luther King Center in Newtonville. It was a great day with lots a wonderful crafts and products to see. Those who attended were treated to a variety of specialty and handmade items to purchase for those special people on their gift lists. The vendors were amazing and the members of the Special Events Committee made the day very special! There was food and music and lots of fun. If you missed this one, you missed a great day! Make sure to join us next year.

The Buena Vista Township Special Events Committee presents the 19th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony/Fire Truck Parade on Friday, December 7th at 6:30 pm at Township Hall, 890 Harding Hwy., Buena.

Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Elves will arrive in a Fire Truck Parade. There will be sing-a-longs and lots of Holiday music. Tell Santa what is on your wish list and receive a special present! Complimentary cookies and hot chocolate will be served. Help support our local Food Bank by bringing canned food or a non-perishable item and receive a ticket for a chance to win a prize. Let’s kick off this Holiday Season in the true spirit of Buena Vista. Happy Holidays from all of us to all of you!