New Polling Location for Voting District 3 Starting June 7th
ATTENTION to all voters in Buena Vista Township Voting District 3 which includes Newtonville, Lake Ann, Buena Acres and Weymouth Road: The election polling location has been changed from the Newtonville Fire Hall.
Voting will now take place at the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center, 661 Jackson Rd. in Newtonville for both the elections in June and November of 2016, as well as in the future.
Residents; Contractors Reminded of Zoning Permit Requirements
Effective immediately, a Zoning Permit is required to be obtained from the Buena Vista Township Zoning Officer prior to most building permits from the State Building Inspectors.
You must complete and submit the application and payment to Rick Bracaliello, Zoning Officer. The Zoning Office hours are every Tuesday 5 pm to 7:30 pm.
Applications are available on our website buenavistanj.com and at the BVT Municipal Building 9 am to 5 pm Monday thru Friday, Tuesday evenings until 7:30 pm.
Questions regarding permits can be made to the Zoning Officer by telephone (856) 687-2100 ext. 9 or by email: zoning@buenavistanj.com.
Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center Report
February has been nationally recognized as Black History Month since President Gerald Ford in 1976. However, the history of celebrating, recognizing, and researching the achievements of African Americans dates back as early as 1915 and in 1926, the first national Negro History Week was established by Carter G. Woodson. The 2nd week of February was designated because it coincided with the birthdays of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. For more information and reference about Black History Month go to www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month.
On February 20th, the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center held a Black History Program to help inform and recognize various historical references and how they have impacted the African American culture. Rev. David Mallory of the First Baptist Church of Richland presented an audio and video presentation of performances and musical selections that helped express African American culture through song. These performances also demonstrated historic dance, storytelling and hardships African Americans faced and how music is some ways was an outlet of their suffering and celebration of their faith.
Upcoming events at the MLK Center include our very first Job Fair on Tuesday, March 15th from 10 am – 2 pm. Representatives from Bayada Home Health Care, Comar, Caesars Entertainment, Resorts, South Jersey Industries, Pep Boys, Utiliquest and Cape May Brewery are just a few that will be on hand. We are expecting a large turnout, be early, be prepared and dress to impress.
Also in March our annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held Saturday, March 12th at 1 pm so mark the date on your calendar and come and have some family fun (rain or shine). We will have a coloring contest, puzzles and other activities The MLK Center also has other activities and programs for school-aged children. For our high school students, The MLK Peer Leadership, “We Care,” Group meets every Thursday at 7 pm in the Roberta J. Corbitt Community Room located in the rear of the Center. For our elementary and middle school-aged children, Cocoa’s Story Hour is held the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month. For our senior citizens, The Seniors of the Newtonville Area meet at the MLK Center every Wednesday at 10 am. If you are interested in joining, call us at 609-704-7262.
The African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey is also housed at the MLK Center. Their new exhibit – “Jet Black Brown and Tan on the Beach” is currently on display. Please call 609-350-6662 to arrange a tour.
The MLK Center is also available to rent for your family celebrations. We can accommodate up to 100 people. Applications are available at the MLK Center or call us for details. The MLK Center is open weekdays 11 am – 7 pm, Wednesdays 9 am-6 pm.
If you like to get more information on our programs or activities or wish to volunteer please call us at 609-704-7262 or email us MLKCenter@buenavistanj.com. Check us out on the Buena Vista Township website or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/mlkbuenavistatownship
by Quentin McClendon, Director
Welcome to the Buena Vista Township Green Team News!
The Buena Vista Township Green Team will be taking on conservation and nature projects that will be educational, recreational, resourceful and fun!
Our goal is to help make everyone in our Township more aware of the importance of nature and its preservation to live more sustainably and to “Get out and smell the roses!”
Some of our proposed projects are:
- Reopen the Nature Trail at Michael Debbi Park with educational signage about the habitat.
- Save the Monarch Butterfly Project. We will be planting a Monarch Butterfly garden (all other pollinators will be welcomed also) at Michael Debbi Park to coincide with the Nature Trail. We will also make Milk Weed Plant seeds available for home gardeners to plant as this is the ONLY plant where a female Monarch Butterfly lays her eggs and the ONLY food source for the caterpillar stage to feed on to metamorphosis into a Monarch Butterfly!
- A community garden where vegetables can be grown and shared.
We are seeking people that are positive and interested in being a part of our Community Township Green Team. To be part of the Green Team projects, please contact Committeeman John Williams at 609-513-7318 or email jwilliams@buenavistanj.com. Be sure to check every month for Green Team News and Tips!
by the BVT Green Team
Mayor Chuck Chiarello Participates in Read Across America
Mayor Chuck Chiarello of Buena Vista Township participated in the Read Across America program on Thursday, March 3, 2016. He read to children in Mrs. DeCesero’s kindergarten class at the John C. Milanesi Elementary School.
The kids enjoyed their Dr. Seuss book reading and even presented the Mayor with a giant birthday card that they had each individually signed.
Recycling Electronics is the Law; Drop-off Locations Listed
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR RECYCLING ELECTRONICS
Personal Computers (laptop & desktop), Computer Monitors, Televisions and other electronic items can no longer be put out with your trash. This has been required by New Jersey State Law. You can drop these items off to Buena Vista Township at no cost. Curbside pickup is not available.
These items will be accepted on the first Saturday of each month at the BVT Public Works Yard between 8 am and 12 noon. You may also call Public Works at 856-692-4121 to drop these items off in the morning or late afternoon when someone is present at the yard. You can also use these local options for electronics recycling instead:
GOODWILL STORES:
6701 Black Horse Pike, Cardiff, NJ 08234 – Monday thru Saturday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm.; Sunday 12 noon to 6:00 pm – Call 609-569-1112 for more information.
200 White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ 08037 – Blueberry Crossing Shopping Center, Monday thru Saturday, 9:00 am – 8:00 pm; Sunday, 12 noon – 6:00 pm – 609-704-1744 for more information.
EARTH 911: Visit www.earth911.com and enter “electronics in the first search box and your sizp code in the second box to find disposal locations near you.
BEST BUY STORES:
100 Consumer Square, Mays Landing, NJ 08330 – 609-485-0500 for more information.
Most electronic items are accepted, including tube TVs up to 32”, flat screen TV under 50”, DVD players, MP3 players, cell phones, small electronics, fans & vacuums, desktop and laptop computers.
STAPLES:
2300 Wrangleboro Rd., Mays Landing, NJ 08330
9 Bethel Rd., Somers Point, NJ 08244
Staples accepts computers, monitors, printers, ink and toner cartridges, cell phones. Visit www.staples.com/recycling for more information.
The NJDEP maintains a list of consumer electronics recycling facilities at www.nj.gov/dep. You can also visit Atlantic County Utilities Authority at www.acua.com.