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!

Imagine shopping the world for holiday gifts without leaving New Jersey!! Come and shop for items from Thailand, Lebanon, Malaysia, India, Africa and many other countries at the Annual International Boutique Fundraiser.  This year’s event will be held on Saturday, December 1 from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday, December 2 from 10 am to 5 pm at the St. Augustine Prep School, 611 Cedar Ave. in Richland.

This Fundraiser is sponsored by AMURTEL, an international relief organization whose projects aid and empower women and children around the world.  All proceeds from the sale will be used to help women and children locally and abroad.  Please visit their website at www.amurtel.org to learn more.  You can also go on line to www.internationalboutique.org to view some of the items that will be available for sale on the above dates.

Beirut, Kuala Lumpur, New Delhi, Katmandu, exotic places all, where wonderful and unique items can be found and  purchased for AMURTEL’s International Boutique fundraiser.  The main focus in traveling is shopping for the gifts and also visiting the  AMURTEL projects that they support.

On October 9, 2018, the Mayor and Township Committee appointed Lisa A. Tilton as Township Administrator. She will hold this position along with her current title as Clerk/Registrar. Lisa will also continue to serve as the Planning/Zoning Board Secretary and is a member of the Township’s Master Plan Committee, Development Review Committee and Advisor to the Environmental Commission for Sustainable Jersey.

Assemblyman John Armato administered the Oath of Office to Ms. Tilton on October 22, 2018, with her family present. “It is an honor and privilege to not only work, but be part of Buena Vista Township” Tilton said.  Lisa has worked in Government for over seventeen (17) years, is a life-long resident of Atlantic County and a graduate from the Pilgrim Academy in Galloway Township in 1995.

Lisa came to Buena Vista Township in January 2014 as a temporary employee and was made a permanent appointment shortly thereafter. On August 4, 2014, the Township Committee appointed Lisa Tilton as Township Clerk/Registrar. She is a Registered Municipal Clerk, Certified Municipal Registrar, Certified Technical Assistant, Certified Planning Board Member, and a Notary.

Lisa works with a dedicated staff in the Clerk’s Office, which includes Lori Ricci as the Deputy Clerk/Deputy Registrar and Lori Faisst as Clerk Typist/Alternate Deputy Registrar.

On October 22, 2018, Dr. Leonard Long attended the Buena Vista Township Meeting TV night and addressed Committee and the public. He was hired this year as the new Principal of Collings Lakes Elementary School after the retirement of Mr. Benedetto at the end of the 2018 school year.

Dr. Long was very honored and has many valuable qualifications that will help to make the school a better place. His goal is to train the children of the community to be leaders and active in their communities.

Mayor and Township Committee were presented with a picture made by the students representing their thanks and appreciation for all that the Township does for the community.

On behalf of the Mayor and Township Committee, we would like to welcome Dr. Long and wish him the best in his new position. He will be an asset to our community.

On October 22, 2018, the Buena Vista Township Committee was proud to present Mrs. Vicki Yeager with a “Making Buena Vista Proud Award”. Vicki was the recipient of the Governor’s Educator of the Year Award for Cumberland County 2018. She teaches Chemistry at Vineland High School where she has been for 36 years.

Her unique approach to education and hands-on teaching methods bring Chemistry to life for her students. Vicki is a resident of Buena Vista Township and the mother of Kate Volpe, member of the Buena Vista Township Special Events Committee.

Thank you, Mrs. Yeager, for inspiring our youth!

Our 14^th Annual Halloween Fun Day was a great time for the children of Buena Vista Township. Congrats to all of our Coloring Contest winners and Costume winners. They did fantastic work on their coloring pages and costumes!

Thanks to all who came out and volunteered, and to Duke’s Vending for providing wonderfully yummy food for us. It was a FUN Halloween Fun Day!

On Friday, August 31, 2018, Governor Phil Murphy, along with State, County and Local Officials gathered in Buena Vista Township for the Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting and Jamboree located at Teligent, Inc.  Teligent, a specialty generic pharmaceutical company which has expanded their facility by over 75,000 square feet, celebrated their grand opening with a ribbon cutting, parade, live entertainment, food, tours and games for the kids.  Governor Murphy and Teligent CEO Jason Grenfell-Garner cut the ribbon opening the doors to over 500 people in attendance to tour the new facility.

New Jersey Department of Corrections Color Guard complete with Drums and Bagpipes lead the parade with New Jersey State Police, East Vineland Vol. Fire Company, Newtonville Vol. Fire Company, Collings Lakes Vol. Fire Company, Richland Vol. Fire Company and Estell Manor Vol. Fire Company. Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office Color Guard presented the arms with Newtonville resident Eugene Moore singing the National Anthem.

“Today is a great day for Atlantic County, all of South Jersey and, indeed, our entire state. It’s also a very good day for our efforts to expand the innovation economy here in New Jersey,” said Governor Murphy. “Groundbreaking pharmaceutical research has been one of our core economic pillars for a long time and we are committed to ensuring it remains so for a long time to come.”

“As more and more companies see what Teligent sees – our highly skilled workforce, our proximity to global markets, and our New Jersey values – they will come to the same conclusion Teligent did: There’s no better place than New Jersey to call home,” the Governor added.

“Teligent’s major plant expansion is the largest project of its type to ever come to Buena Vista Township and Governor Murphy’s attendance is a clear sign of the importance of bringing new business opportunities to all of New Jersey,” said Buena Vista Township Mayor Chuck Chiarello.

“This facility opening is an important milestone for our company, and recognizes the great achievements of our team over the last two years. We look forward to receiving the FDA for our readiness inspection later this year, so we can manufacture high-quality, affordable sterile injectable medicines for hospitals around the country,”said Jason Grenfell-Gardner, President and CEO of Teligent. “We are grateful to Mayor Chiarello and the local community, as well as so many Atlantic County and State officials, who have supported our journey from vision to reality.”

 In addition, the expansion has nearly doubled employment to 225 at the Buena facility, bringing with it new positions in advanced engineering and technology as well as entry-level and administrative positions.

On August 27, 2018, the Township Committee recognized Lisa Tilton, Buena Vista Township Clerk, and Soren Hudyma, of the Public Works Department and Chief of Buena Vista Township EMS, for their outstanding performance in securing the safety of the Township employees, and contacting and assisting the State Police in identifying the person of interest in an incident that occurred at the Municipal Complex on July 26, 2018.

Lisa Tilton found a suspicious looking package outside the side entrance door and immediately contacted State Police and Public Works. Soren Hudyma arrived on scene and secured the complex and ushered all employees out of the building to safety.

He then proceeded to assist State Police in identifying the person who had left the package. The package ended up being two empty liquid laundry detergent containers with used medical needles inside. They were taped and secured around with duct tape.

The resident was under the impression that he could bring such disposals to the Municipal Complex. It ended up being a simple mistake, but could have been much worse. The Township is honored to have such dedicated and competent employees, capable of handling situations like these when they arise.

For your information: Used medical needles can be disposed of within plastic containers, such as liquid laundry detergent bottles, and securely taped and disposed of in your regular trash.