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Township Clerks Office

The Township Committee appoints the Township Clerk, who shall serve under the Township Committee’s direction.

Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30AM to 4:30PM.
Phone: (856) 697-2100 option #1

Lisa A. Tilton, CPM/RMC/CMR/TA
Township Administrator / Township Clerk / Registrar
Code Enforcement Officer
Custodian of Records
Insurance Fund Commissioner
Planning / Zoning Board Secretary
Certified Public Manager

ltilton@buenavistanj.com

Administrative Staff

Chelsea Wharton, RMC/CMR
Township Deputy Clerk /  Deputy Registrar
cwharton@buenavistanj.com

Lori R

Lori Ricci, CMR
Administrative Secretary / Alt. Deputy Registrar
lricci@buenavistanj.com

The Township Clerk serves as the Secretary to the Governing Body along with Secretary of the Municipal Corporation, Custodian of the Municipal Seal, and all minute books, deeds, bonds, contracts, and archival records. The Township Clerk is also the Chief Administrative Officer in all elections held in the municipality, Chief Registrar of voters in the municipality, Registrar of Vital Statistics, prepares for Public Land Sales, Notary Public and record manager.

The governing body of any municipality, by ordinance, may create the office of Deputy Municipal Clerk and provide for appointments to it including compensation, term of appointment and the powers, duties and functions of such office. During the absence or disability of the Municipal Clerk, the Deputy Municipal Clerk shall have all the powers of the Municipal Clerk and shall perform the function and duties of such office.

Download the following forms:

DESCRIPTION OF DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assist and communicate with the public regarding information pertaining to the daily operation of the municipality. The Municipal Clerk’s Office is the information and communication center of local government. When citizens seek information or advice relative to matters concerning them and their government, they end up visiting or telephoning the Municipal Clerk.

In New Jersey, the Clerk occupies one of the most important and exacting positions in municipal government. In many instances it is the hub of municipal operations. The Clerk, by virtue of his/her position, serves as liaison officer between the governing officials and the taxpayers and between the executive and the general body of municipal personnel. The Municipal Clerk is an important public relations figure in the municipal organization. It is often said the Clerk is expected to know everything about the operations of the municipality and about how to accomplish what needs to be done.

The municipal clerk shall:
1) act as secretary of the municipal corporation and custodian of the municipal seal and of all minute books, deeds, bonds, contracts, and archival records of the municipal corporation. The governing body may, however, provide the ordinance that nay other specific officer shall have custody of any specific other class of record;

2) act as secretary to the governing body, prepare meeting agendas at the discretion of the governing body, be present at all meetings of the governing body, keep a journal of the proceedings of every meeting, retain the original copies of all ordinances and resolutions, and record the minutes of every meeting.

3) serve as the chief administrative officer in all elections held in the municipality, subject to the requirements of Title 19 of Revised Statutes;

4) serve as chief registrar of voters in the municipality, subject to the requirements of Title 19 of the Revised Statutes;

5) serve as the administrative officer responsible for the acceptance of applications for licenses and permits and the issuance of licenses and permits, except where statue or municipal ordinance has delegated that responsibility to some other municipal officer;

6) serve as coordinator and records manager responsible for implementing local archives and records retention programs as mandated pursuant to Title 47 of the Revised Statutes;

7) perform such other duties as are now or hereafter imposed by statue, regulation or by municipal ordinance or regulation. Registrar of Vital Statistics, prepares Public Land Sales and Notary Public.

PUBLIC RELATIONS
The status of the clerk in the respective community depends upon gaining and maintaining the complete confidence of the governing body, the press, the taxpayer, and the citizen. In other words much of the clerk’s effectiveness depends on good public relations.

ABANDONED AND VACANT PROPERTY REGISTRATIONS
The Township of Buena Vista has partnered with Hera Property Registry, LLC to administer its Foreclosure Property Registration program.

In order to comply with the Ordinance, all Mortgagees/Trustees must register online via HERA Property Registry and pay a registration fee.

Hera’s Customer Support contact information:

Email: vpro@heraregistry.com

Phone: (321) 234-5303