Its Run4Ricky time again, June 9th! The 15th Annual event being a 5K, walk, and Kids Fun Run for kids 12 and under. This year’s event will include as always, the All you can Eat BBQ – Family Fun Day with your race registration fee!! Come over to Michael Debbi Park after the Run for great food, Basket Auction, A1 Entertainment, face painting, inflatable obstacle course, and a lot of fun!

The Foundation is again seeking Sponsors, donations, BBQ contributions, and baskets for our Basket Auction. Anyone wishing to donate their time or Talent, is also greatly appreciated!

We welcome everyone’s involvement. Hope you all will join the family and community in making this another great day by participating and supporting this event and the students at Buena Regional High School.

Your generosity is appreciated! This event supports the Ricky Wilcox Memorial Scholarships awarded each year in June.

Register on line, mail in or day of event at www.run4ricky.org.

Officials work extremely hard to make sure property owners comply with the Rules and Regulations of the Township. Sometimes it takes a little bit longer than anticipated. Once an alleged violation is reported Township Officials immediately go to work on identifying the appropriate department to oversee complaint.

An inspection of the reported property is performed in order to understand the severity of the complaint.  The property owner is then sent a notice to comply and given a specific timeframe to cure the violation.  If a violation is not cured by the timeframe Township Officials then issue a summons to court.

A process of this nature could take anywhere from 60-90 days. During that time Township Officials continue to urge the property owner to correct the violation.  The Township understands the frustration it may pose on the adjoining property owners that may experience the slow timeframe for neighbors to cure violations.

The Township strives in making Buena Vista Township a wonderful place to live and encourage all residents to be mindful of their neighbors and of the rules and regulations of the Township. For questions and concerns, please contact the Township Clerk’s Office at (856) 697-2100 ext. 1.

Zoning Permits

Are you looking to improve your home by installing solar, a pool, building a shed or garage or even constructing an addition to your home? Well, the Township is here to help you obtain the proper permits.  All improvements, including the installation of a fence requires a zoning permit prior to construction. The application can be found on the Township’s website www.buenavistanj.com or at the Township Clerk’s Office. Fee varies depending on the work.

Property Maintenance

April showers brought May flowers as well as very green grass.  Get out those lawn mowers to make sure your grass is cut. Residents are required to maintain their properties, which includes cutting of grass, maintenance of building and grounds, including trees.  If you see a property not maintained, please contact the Township Clerk’s Office at (856) 697-2100 ext. 1.

Selling or Renting a House

Are you looking to sell, purchase or rent a home in one of the friendliest towns, Buena Vista Township? Make sure to contact the Township Clerk’s Office and schedule for a fire certification inspection.  Each property is required to be inspected by the Township Fire Marshal before it is occupied or rented.  If you are landlord renting a home, a copy of the lease is required to be provided for verification purposes.  The application can be found on the Township’s website www.buenavistanj.com or at the Township Clerk’s Office.

For more information, please contact the Township Clerk’s Office at (856) 697-2100 ext. 1 or email ltilton@buenavistanj.com.

Article Written by Lisa A. Tilton, Township Clerk & Planning/Zoning Secretary

The Pickwickian Tavern & Smokery located at the corner of Route 40 and Cedar Avenue in Richland Village is now OPEN! Formally known as The Rail, the Pickwickian brings a unique experience in their newly top of the line renovated restaurant.

Their hours of operation are Sunday – Thursday 11am – 11pm and Friday & Saturday 11am to 2am. Check it out!

Buena Vista Township hosted their annual rabies clinics that were held on March 3^rd and March 17^th. Many fur babies came out and visited Township Employees and Committee who helped with the clinic.

Energy assistance is still available in southern New Jersey to help Atlantic City Electric customers pay for winter energy bills. Through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Atlantic City Electric customers can receive up to $1,000 in grant support toward their energy bill that they do not have to pay back. Customers must apply during LIHEAP’s open period to ensure they can secure their grant while money is still available.

Atlantic City Electric customers can submit LIHEAP applications now to secure their grants. Customers can apply for LIHEAP through April 30, 2018 by visiting nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/html or by contacting their local LIHEAP agency. For a list of LIHEAP agencies by county, visit state.nj.us/dca/agencydirectorylist.html.

“We understand that our customers may face financial challenges in meeting their energy needs, so we help them secure the essential energy assistance they need to help pay their utility bills,” said Vince Maione, Atlantic City Electric region president. “It is essential that our customers submit their application now, before this important money runs out.”

Last week, Atlantic City Electric employees traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in LIHEAP Action Day hosted by the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition. The employees advocated for policies that protect funding for the LIHEAP program by sharing stories with elected officials and policymakers that demonstrate the program’s value to vulnerable households in southern New Jersey.

To be eligible for a grant, a customer’s annual household income cannot exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines. Each state has determined eligibility guidelines based on household size and income. Homeowners, renters, roomers and subsidized housing tenants may be eligible. Customers do not have to be behind on their bills to receive a grant.

New Jersey’s eligibility requirements are as follows:
• $24,120 – One-person household
• $32,484 – Two-person household
• $40,848 – Three-person household
• $49,200 – Four-person household

In addition to LIHEAP, there are many other programs and tips available to help Atlantic City Electric customers save money and manage their energy costs. Customers can also Get more detailed information about your energy usage so you can make more informed choices about how you use energysign up for My Account, which contains tools and detailed energy usage information. By tracking their energy use, comparing usage trends, and discovering the results of energy-saving practices, customers can manage their energy more efficiently. Customers can visit atlanticcityelectric.com to learn more about My Account, available energy assistance programs, and other ways to save money and energy

Customers also can receive financial assistance through Helping Hands, a program, funded by Atlantic City Electric, providing $3 million to help struggling customers meet their energy needs during the next three years. These funds are annually dispersed to low-income residents through the Affordable Housing Alliance, New Jersey SHARES, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Camden and the People for People Foundation.

Atlantic City Electric will work with customers who may have difficulty paying their energy bill. The company offers payment options, like budget billing, which averages payments over a 12-month period to help customers manage their monthly electricity costs, or flexible payment arrangements that offer individually tailored payment installment plans. Customers who may be struggling to make a payment should contact Atlantic City Electric as soon as possible at 800-642-3780.

To learn more, visit The Source, Atlantic City Electric’s online news room. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/atlanticcityelectric and on Twitter at twitter.com/acelecconnect. Our mobile app is available at atlanticcityelectric.com/mobileapp.

The Urban Treatment Assoc. Inc. in   collaboration with Atlantic County Health Department will be conducting a FREE Narcan Training Class on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 from 6-8 p.m. at the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center located at 661 Jackson Road.

This class is open to the public and all are welcome including school nurses, first responders, teachers and those interacting with the public. To register for this class, please contact the MLK Center at 609-704-7262 or email us at MLKCenter@buenavistanj.com.

Buena Vista Township Committee has voted unanimously to become a Bee City USA®. This completed the efforts of the Environmental Commission to accomplish this certification. Bee City USA is a nonprofit national organization that galvanizes communities to sustain pollinators by providing them with healthy habitat, rich in a variety of native plants and free to nearly free of pesticides.

Imperiled pollinators like honey bees, bumble bees, butterflies, moths, bats, hummingbirds, and others are responsible for the reproduction of ninety percent of the world’s wild plant species and one in every three bites of food we consume. Buena Vista Township is the second municipality in New Jersey to become certified as a Bee community.

This certification becomes an initiative for the Environmental Commission in their goals to continue with a Silver Certification with NJ Sustainable Jersey. Buena Vista Township is the second municipality in State of New Jersey (the first in South Jersey) to become certified as a Bee community.

On Friday, February 16, 2018, Deputy Mayor Teresa Kelly was named the President for the Atlantic County League of Municipalities.  New Jersey Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo performed the swearing-in ceremony.

Also appointed were Third Vice President Councilman Clifford Mays, Jr. of Egg Harbor City, Second Vice President Committeeman John Williams of Buena Vista Township, First Vice President Weymouth Township Mayor Kenneth Haeser and as Secretary Paula Geletei, City Clerk of Atlantic City.

Buena Vista Township Mayor Chuck Chiarello has become the new President of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors (NJCM).  On January 10, 2018 NJCM President Jim Perry announced that as a result of the annual re-organization in his municipality he was no longer the Mayor and as such in accordance with the NJCM Constitution and By-Laws could not continue as NJCM President.

Due to the vacancy, First Vice President Mayor Chuck Chiarello immediately assumed the position of President for the balance of the term of Former President Perry, through April 2018, and continues for another year of his regular term as President until the end of April 2019.

New NJCM President Mayor Chuck Chiarello and the members of the NJCM Executive Board all extended their appreciation to Former President Jim Perry, on behalf of the NJCM Membership, for his many efforts in support of the NJCM and wished him well in his other efforts.

Mayor Chuck Chiarello was sworn in at the NJCM winter summit on Thursday, February 8, 2018 at the Mosonic Temple in Trenton by Governor Phil Murphy. There were over 150 Mayors in attendance from around the State.

The colonel of the New Jersey State Police Patrick Callaghan also spoke on behalf of Mayor Chiarello.  Legislative issues were discussed which Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Senator Tom Kean and Assembly Minority Leader John Bramnick.

Buena Vista Township has received one of the biggest grants in recent history. Mayor Chuck Chiarello received a call from the Office of Governor Phil Murphy announcing that the Township will receive a state municipal aid grant in the amount of $356,000 that will complete the reconstruction of Weymouth-Malaga Road from Route 54 heading east.

A process which began in 2012 will finally come to completion as the Township will begin the sixth and final phase of paving which is anticipated to be completed by the summer of 2018. The Township recently reduced the speed limit from 45 to 35mph after many complaints from residents regarding speeding on Weymouth-Malaga Road.

The Township understands the decrease in speed is an adjustment not only for the residents of Buena Vista in that area but also for transit vehicles that utilize Weymouth-Malaga Road as a pass through from town to town. With the newly paved sections of the road vehicles were traveling at a speed above the originally posted 45mph zone.

The reconstruction of Weymouth-Malaga Road has been a long term investment the Township has made in sustaining a local road program.