On Friday evening, July 1, 2016, no one would have likely expected that in about a 2-hour period, the Township would be hit with approximately 6.6” of rain in the southern half of our community.

The sudden and excessive downpour flooded streets, driveways, retention basins and homes.  Twenty people were evacuated form a multi-family residence in East Vineland.  The entrance to Cranberry Run was under water and the huge field between the Buena Vista Township Municipal Building and the John C. Milanesi Elementary School turned into “Lake Milanesi” during this unusual storm.

Our fire companies and rescue squads immediately responded along with our Emergency Management Coordinator Debra Bell and her deputies Ron Ruggeri and Bill Collins.  The Township Public Works Department called in 5 employees to block roads, search for damage and assist wherever possible.

The front of Michael Debbi Park was totally flooded as were certain points along Route 40 in Richland due to the huge volume of rain all at one time.  Mayor Chuck Chiarello, Committeeman John Armato and Public Works Supervisor Gene Sykes were out during the entire evening making sure the situation was brought under control.

Special thanks to the East Vineland, Richland and Collings Lakes Volunteer Fire Companies along with the BVT EMS and the State Police.  While there was rain in all areas of the Township, a particular band of this storm breezed through Vineland and then into East Vineland, Richland and the Buena area.

Even the sun came back out to shine about 7:30 p.m. that night.  Next time you see one of our volunteers, say “Thank You” for keeping our community safe.

On Sunday July 3, 2016, during the Independence Day Festival, Dolores Comparri, long-time Chairwoman the Buena Vista Township Special Events Committee, was the guest of honor.

She served as Grand Marshal for our Independence Day Parade and during the 5 pm program, received the equivalent of an Academy Award for her leadership during the past 25 years.  Dolores has been involved in every special event from Miss Buena, the Easter Egg Hunt, Annual Tree Lightings, Comedy Nights and countless other events that kept the spirit of our Community together.

We will miss her time and dedication to what amounts to being the “Ultimate” volunteer.  All good wishes to your Dolores!

On Sunday, July 3^rd, a crowd of over 3,000 people visited Michael Debbi Park in the Richland Section of Buena Vista Township.  They were there to see the main highlight of the evening which was a fantastic fireworks display filling the Buena Vista skies.

They also came to hear DJ Nicky G, sample foods and beverages from a multitude of vendors and look at 165 cars that were on display at the Patriot’s Pride Car Show sponsored by the South Jersey Cruisers Association.

Spectators were treated to an old fashioned parade through the Township featuring our Grand Marshal, Dolores Comparri, who is retiring after 25 years of leading the Special Events Committee. Miss Buena Ciara Sikking and her court along with Mr. Buena also rode in the parade.

Fire trucks and Emergency Response vehicles plus classic cars and military vehicles filled the rest of the parade along with other locals and their vehicles who join in every year.  There were Bounce Houses for the kids, a Rock Wall, Bubble Ball game and all sorts of vendors and crafters.

The weather was fabulous and now the work begins on next year’s Independence Day Festival which will be part of Buena Vista Township’s 150^th Anniversary year.

The African American Heritage Museum at the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center, 661 Jackson Road in Newtonville will present art from the estates of Fredric Toone Bacon and Lawrence Faust through September 30^th. Among the items will be several limited edition prints of nine woodcuts by Fredric Bacon.

His bold black and white prints are striking examples of African American art.  Lawrence Faust curated his own Art Park and Sculpture Gardens in the Adirondacks for many years.  He was a self-taught artist passionate about creating wood, metal, and found art sculpture in a style he called expressionist. He worked on whimsical and spiritual art pieces until his death in 2014.  Many pieces will be offered for sale.

The Life and Times of Prince (1958-2016) features magazine covers, album covers, and Prince’s CD & VHS music will be on display through the end of September.  Prince was a unique genius and innovator in his sound, voice and colorful outfits.  He graced many magazine covers during his three decade musical career.

Don’t miss these extraordinary exhibits.  Hours: Monday – Friday, 11 am to 5. Saturday and Sunday by appointment only. Call 609-561-7262.

An “Estimated Tax Bill” has been mailed out.  Payment is due for this quarter by August 1, 2016.   After August 10th, you will be subject to interest of 8% on the 1^st $1,500.00 and 18% above $1,500.00 (unfortunately, this is state law).

The regular Tax Bills have been delayed due to various circumstances between the State of New Jersey, Atlantic County and the City of Atlantic City.  A series of bills were passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor to resolve this situation.  There is disagreement about the percentage of taxes due to Atlantic County on what the casinos are supposed to pay to Atlantic City and Atlantic County along with related tax appeals.   If this issue is not resolved in an equitable manner, it will force higher property taxes on the County portion of the tax bill affecting every town in Atlantic County.

Our taxpayers will receive a reconciled tax bill before September 30^th, but until that time, the estimated tax bill must still be paid for August 1, 2016.

Buena Vista Township had a zero tax rate increase again for the year 2016.  Our local tax rate is essentially the same for the last three years.  The bad news is that the Township has to send the estimated tax bill out that includes everyone else’s tax requests including Atlantic County, Buena Regional School District and our Fire Districts.  By law, we are allowed to charge 100% of last year’s tax levy for these other entities on your tax bill.  Buena Vista’s rate of tax was already determined months ago.

This letter is to keep you better informed of the crisis that currently exists in Atlantic County stemming from Atlantic City, but affecting all of us.

by Mayor Chuck Chiarello on behalf of the Township Committee

Teligent Inc., a specialty generic pharmaceutical company located on Lincoln Avenue, celebrated a groundbreaking event on June 24, 2016 to mark the 75,000 sq. ft. expansion of its manufacturing, research and development plus warehouse space at the complex expected to be completed sometime in 2017.

The company which now employs approximately 100 workers, projects the expansion will help that number grow to around 200 by 2018.  Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, Mayor Chuck Chiarello, Buena Vista Township Committee Members and officials from state, county and local government offices were on hand to witness this significant milestone for Buena Vista Township.

The total size of Teligent’s facility will grow to 110,000 sq. ft. and will cost about $50 million to build and equip.

After graduations in June, the Seniors of the Newtonville Area group honored the graduating students from Buena Regional High School. We awarded a total of 12 scholarships to those graduating seniors from our area.

Members of our group attended the Independence Day Festival held at Michael Debbi Park on July 3^rd.  All enjoyed the parade and the activities at the Festival and had a wonderful time.

During the month of July, we provide FREE LUNCHES to all school-aged children every Wednesday from 1-3 pm. Lunches are distributed in the Roberta J. Corbitt Community Room located in the rear of the MLK Center. Food Vouchers designed for Seniors to purchase Jersey Fresh Produce were distributed on July 6^th at the MLK Center.

Recently, the Seniors had an expert speaker from NAPA, who came out and explained to us about various car problems that may arise. He brought displays and models of many of the basic components of vehicles, and demonstrated things to look for and when you have a problem, what is the best way to handle the situation. The information was extremely helpful and we appreciated the presentation by NAPA – “Under Car Sales”.

Our Bayada Nurse Representative made her monthly visit to keep us updated on any health issues and followed up with our monthly exercises.

The Seniors meet weekly on Wednesdays at 10:30 am at the MLK Community Center, 661 Jackson Road in Newtonville.   After our meeting, we have lunch and invite anyone over 55 to our lunch for a $1.00 donation. We also welcome any senior over 55 to join our group.

The Foodbank at the MLK Center operates on the 1^st and 3^rd Wednesday of each month. In August the food pantry will be on the 3^rd and 17^th from 1-5pm. Donations of non-perishable foods are accepted at the MLK Center during normal business hours.

by Esther M. Deal, Acting President

The Municipal Drug Alliance of Buena Borough-Buena Vista Twp-Weymouth Twp will be hosting a Substance Abuse Summit on the current epidemic affecting Atlantic County and our local Community. This event is open to all. An informative panel of speakers will be presenting the community with valuable information on all forms of substance abuse and the affects within our homes, towns and county. Attendees will have an opportunity to write anonymous questions to be answered by the panel in an open forum at the end of the event.

Please join us as we work together to educate on this epidemic.

August 29th at 7:00 PM
Buena Vista Town Hall
890 Harding Highway

Sponsored by Join Together Atlantic County

Committeeman John Armato Donates Purple Heart Sign.  On Friday, May 27^th while attending the Atlantic County’s Annual Memorial Day Services, Committeeman John Armato presented the Atlantic County Veteran’s Cemetery a Purple Heart Reserved Parking Space sign which will be utilized by the cemetery.

Mayor Chiarello Presides Over Panel At Clean Communities Conference.

Mayor Chuck Chiarello was the moderator on Thursday, May 26^th of a panel of League of Municipalities Mayors at the Boardwalk Hall who spoke about various clean community programs their towns use to remove litter and keep a pleasant environment.  The Mayors of Stone Harbor, Longport and Old Bridge were on the panel.

Buena Regional High School Dinner For Honors Graduates Held.  Mayor Chuck Chiarello and Deputy Mayor Teresa Kelly were in attendance at a special dinner on Thursday, June 2^nd at the High School Cafeteria.  Pictured is Ciara Sikking introducing herself and giving some background information on where she is attending college and what her major is.  Each student present did the same thing to the audience which was filled with the parents and guardians.

Local Comcast Employee Honored.  Comcast employee, Luis Rosado, is pictured with his son and Deputy Mayor Teresa Kelly receiving a “Making Buena Vista Proud Award”.  Rosado collected over 4,000 cases of water and delivered them to the people of Flint, Michigan because of their ongoing water crisis.  Luis lives in Collings Lakes and we are very proud of his efforts.

Local Resident Enters The United States Air Force Academy.  Rocco Sangataldo is presented a plaque by Township Committeeman John Armato, an Air Force veteran himself, recognizing Rocco’s achievement.  Rocco was also joined by his immediate family and other members of the Hensel family.

Annual Memorial Day Service Held on Monday, May 30^th.  Members of VFW Post #158 were joined by the entire Buena Vista Township Committee along with other military veterans, family and friends during a rainy Memorial Day tribute.

Motivational Program Held at MLK Center.  Mrs. Shirley Bryant of Newtonville held a program that featured various speakers and local talent at the MLK Center on Saturday, May 14^th.  She appears here with local singer Weniesha Brown of Richland who sang several selections during the event.

MLK Motivational Program Included Environmental Information.  Environmental Committee member, Marie Armato, stands by a wheel that attendees can spin to learn about different types of environmental issues during the event sponsored by Shirley Bryant.

The Natural Helpers Program of the Municipal Alliance Holds Annual Dinner.  The Dinner and program was held at Merighi’s Savoy Inn on Wednesday, May 18^th.  Graduation certificates were given out by Judy Venafro (who heads the program) to all the students involved.  Township Committeeman John Armato represented the Municipal Alliance as Chairman, along with Gia Haws, who is the Coordinator of the program.  Also shown is School Superintendent John DeStefano.

Natural Helpers students are pictured with their acheivement certificates mingling after the dinner was completed.  A “DJ and dancing for the students followed.  The program provides a helping hand and guidance to other students throughout the year at Buena Regional High School.

When Committeeman John Armato (who heads our Veteran’s Advisory Board) heard that his long-time friend Janet Pumphrey had never obtained the war medals that her husband, Overton, received during his military service in Korea, an effort to resolve that problem was taken on.

Within ten days of contacting Congressman Frank LoBiondo’s office, the medals were on hand and a special presentation was made at the May 23^rd televised Township Meeting.

Janet, who is a longtime Matron at the 1^st Baptist Church of Richland, is joined by her pastor, Rev. David Mallory ) who married Overton and Janet).  It was a very touching moment.

John also presented Janet with a restored picture of Overton in uniform.