As we near the close of 2022, on behalf of Mayor and Township Committee, I would like to thank all of our residents, businesses and employees for their support in making 2022 a great comeback year. The past two (2) years have tested and tried many municipal operations with the bottleneck of economy resources, but the resiliency of many employees has allowed the services the Township provides to our residents continue and even improve.
With grant money, the Township was able to purchase a new leaf vacuum which has allowed the much-needed service in the community to be reinstated this year. The Township also purchased a Billy-Goat debris loader to clean out debris in drains and reduce the potential of flooding. Earlier this year the Township purged several pieces of equipment and vehicles in Public Works that were no longer needed and that yielded over $33,000 in revenue. This has allowed the Township to focus on newer equipment and vehicles including the purchase of a new dump truck.
The Township also settled and approved a new five-year contract with public works employees. This contract was able to bring additional stability, and include two (2) new team members to the workforce, in addition to a seasonal employee that added depth and experience to the department.
Another big accomplishment this year was a program to review many parcels of land the Township owned by selling land no longer needed for public use to potential buyers and adjoining neighbors. With those sales, the Township was able to raise an additional $39,000 in revenue this year in proceeds.
The Township continued this year with Earth month in April by opening our convenience drop-off center at Public Works every Saturday, and then ended with a huge community yard sale at Michael Debbi Park in May. This was such a great success that we are bringing it back for 2023, so stay tuned.
We were also able to end this year with a community partnership in raising donations for our annual toy drive. So many residents donated toys, and in combination with monetary donations, we were able to raise over $4,000. Hundreds of toys were purchased and handed out at our annual tree lighting ceremony at Town Hall where over 300 people came to celebrate the holiday season. It was the best around town!
While we look forward to another year in Buena Vista Township, we are already making plans to increase services in the community for 2023 as we keep BVT Strong. Have a safe, prosperous and Happy New Year!