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Grant enables video expert to direct teen filmmakers
Route 40 in Buena set for reconstruction BUENA
BOROUGH - Mayor Joseph Baruffi announced the reconstruction of Weymouth/Malaga
Road Wednesday after Atlantic County Freeholders accepted a contract Tuesday for
$977,000.
Patriots celebration in Buena Vista - Diversity sets spirit at festivity
Problematic county road to get $977K makeover BUENA -- Leo Haugen could not save the life of his dog when flooding around his Weymouth-Malaga Road home brought the water nearly waist high. That was several years ago, he said. Now, the problem may be drying out. Atlantic County freeholders unanimously approved a $977,000 contract with Asphalt Paving Systems in Hammonton for the reconstruction of Weymouth-Malaga Road, including drainage improvements. The project will go from Route 40 in Buena Borough to Route 54 in Buena Vista Township. That stretch of county road serves a handful of farms and residences and Buena Regional High School. Initial reconstruction will begin near the school, so most of the work is finished by September, Atlantic County Planner Joe Maher said. "The problems of residents who have been sorely in need of drainage will finally be addressed," said Mayor Joseph Baruffi, who was instrumental in bringing the problems to the freeholders' attention. Principal drainage difficulties occur at the road's intersection with Route 40, Freeholder James Curcio said. Potholes riddling the road often make for a restless night's sleep, said Haugen, 76, of Buena Borough. "Trucks start early in the morning, and they wake me up all the time because the holes are so bad," he said. The road also is a shortcut connecting Route 54 in the township and Route 40 in Buena Borough as drivers try to bypass the intersection where the two roads meet. As many as 20 school buses run the course of the road during the high school's arrival and dismissal times, added Superintendent Diane DeGiacomo. Additional buses for vocational students, after-school clubs and athletics also run throughout the day. The school will prepare contingency plans should the road be under construction when students arrive. The county has known about the problems along Weymouth-Malaga road for years, Curcio said. Band-Aid improvements did not reach the root of the problem. Freeholders freed up enough money for the project after receiving about $2.2 million in state aid. Weymouth-Malaga Road was moved to the top of the county's priority list, Curcio said.
Township pushes for expansion approval BUENA VISTA -- Township Committee members are urging the Pinelands Commission to approve a major expansion to a local mobile home park. They're arguing the enlarged housing development would benefit the community and the environment. The committee unanimously approved a resolution detailing its support of the expanded Alpine Village Inc. project. It would include 43 new units on 35 acres next to an existing mobile home park off Main Avenue. But the township's conditional support for the project would require the new mobile home park to operate as a "55-plus" senior housing community, according to the resolution's amended language. The original draft, which was crafted by developers, did not include the restrictive phrase. But township officials included it to address the concerns of local residents worried about the potential impact on the local school tax rate. The proposed mobile home-park expansion exceeds the maximum number of units per acre allowed under the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan. To make up for that, developers have promised to deed restrict an additional 150 acres next to the state-protected Peasley Wildlife Management Area against future development. They also have designed a drainage system that would preserve and improve the headwaters of the Manumuskin River. "This will be a benefit to the environment in the land set aside and the watershed," Mayor Chuck Chiarello said. "It allows a local property and businessperson to expand in a plan that is conservative and efficient." The homes also would meet the increasing demand for housing in the area, he added. The resolution will now be passed to the Pinelands Commission. Developers believe the Pinelands may look more favorably on the project with the township's formal backing.
Buena Vista officials say roof of MLK Center is safe
Much to taste, see and hear this weekend In North
Wildwood, Cape May County, the state's finest grill-masters barbecued head to
head. In Millville, they crashed cars at the Cumberland County Fair's famed
demolition derby.
African-American museum finds home in Buena
Mobile home spike worries fire officials BUENA VISTA -- Further growth of the mobile home parks in the township could place an undue strain on the area's volunteer emergency crews, Milmay fire officials warned Monday night. The pronouncement comes on the heels of a unanimous resolution by Township Committee supporting a proposed expansion to the Alpine Village mobile home park off Main Avenue. The fire company makes an annual contribution of $500 to the Buena Vista Township EMS, which provides rescue services to the 56-homes park, said Eric Hensel, chairman of the Fire District 4 Board of Commissioners in Milmay. While that figure may appear slight, it's about double the amount the fire company reaps each year from the park, he said. Most mobile home parks in the township pay levies on land and improvements, other than the mobile homes. A $20 monthly fee to the township is paid per mobile home on the site. That's not enough to compensate for the services the volunteer squad offers to those areas, Hensel said. "We are putting more and more pressure on the rescue squads and, as you keep putting that workload on the volunteers, there comes a time when they get burnt out," Hensel said. The parks also are the source of a disportionate number of emergency calls compared to other areas, added one Fire District 4 commissioner. Committee members agreed to look into the problem and assess the legalities of possibly increasing the fees paid by the parks. Mayor Chuck Chiarello emphasized the township is in support of the "general idea" of expansion at Alpine Village. Developers promised to deed-restrict an additional 150 acres next to the state-protected Peasley Wildlife Management Area against future development and designe a drainage system that would preserve the headwaters of the Manumuskin River. Township's support is contingent on the development being age-restricted to residents 55 and older, he said. But Waldeck Avenue resident Nancy Glindmyer questioned whether the project is a positive trade-off for the township, as officials seem to believe. The land proposed to be deed-restricted may not be buildable anyhow, and the river water that will now be treated was "ruined" by the mobile home park in the first place, she said.
Crackdown on Illegal Riders -Police aim to silence ATV's roar BUENA VISTA -- Illegal ATV riders beware. Beginning this weekend, state police will redouble efforts to crack down on people who unlawfully operate all-terrain vehicles in the township and neighboring Folsom. The reinvigorated enforcement plan espouses a zero-tolerance policy that targets trespassers and other illegal ATV riders. Troopers plan to ride specially equipped ATVs and conduct aerial surveillance to help them nab violators. Those who are caught face a range of charges -- from minor offenses such as trespassing to more serious crimes like reckless driving. Riders also may have their vehicles impounded. "If you are found in violation, we will take enforcement action," said Lt. Larry Brown, Buena Vista station commander. State police adopted the no-holds-barred approach after they became aware of local concerns, which mostly center on trespassing and unsafe driving along public streets. "I see (the kids) doing all kinds of crazy things," said Miriam Feldman of Buena Vista. She said her road is constantly cluttered with ATVs operated by riders who barely make elementary school age. Safety concerns are not far from Feldman's mind. "They don't yield for vehicles, they ride two on a vehicle, they ride in the middle of the street, they follow no traffic laws and sometimes they're not even wearing helmets," she said. "Really, I'm waiting for someone to get killed." The noise caused by the ATVs -- most of which aren't equipped with mufflers -- is "deafening," she said. Buena Vista Committeewoman Sue Barber said many residents throughout the township bemoan the "constant hum and barrage of noise" that interfere with their quality of life. Township ordinance prohibits the use of ATVs on public roads and property, including playgrounds and recreational areas. Riders also must have written consent to operate an ATV on private property. Other provisions outlaw ATV riders from causing excessive noise or driving negligently. But those rules are often broken in this rural community. Buena Vista's share of sand mines and open fields present diverse and attractive terrain for ATV riders, Mayor Chuck Chiarello said. Such terrain also makes it difficult to catch elusive riders, who duck through woods and trails to avoid capture, he said. The major problem spots are Collings Lakes and Richland, but the rest of the township isn't spared, Chiarello said. A Pleasantville man was killed a few years ago while riding an ATV on Unexpected Road. Buena Vista officials are happy to hear state police are responding to their plight. "If it's going to save a life or cut down on the number of disturbances and trespassing and road hazards, then I'm definitely in support of that," the mayor said. An earlier offer to donate ATVs to help police in their efforts still stands, he said.
Buena Vista, Verizon close on tower deal BUENA VISTA -- A lightly wooded swath of township-owned property behind the state police barracks may be the site of a new Verizon Wireless cellular tower. Township officials last week signed off on a deal with the company, but the contract is pending approval from the state Pinelands Commission. Under terms of the long-term lease, the township would reap about $18,000 in annual revenue. A provisionary clause also provides for that amount to increase after a certain number of years, Mayor Chuck Chiarello said. One specification in the bid contract would allow all emergency services -- including firefighters and ambulance services -- to put communications equipment on the tower at no cost to the township. "We're looking forward to this being a source of income for the township that will benefit our taxpayers once it's approved," Chiarello said. Approval will depend on whether the deal meets criteria established by the Pinelands Commission, which governs where cellular and PCS sites can be located throughout the 1.1 million-acre Pinelands region, said commission spokesman Francis Rapa. The proposed site for the 200-foot lattice tower is a 100-by-100-foot parcel along Dixon Road that's entirely in a Pinelands-restricted growth area. On two previous occasions, local officials were unsuccessful in trying to locate cellular towers on open township land where Pinelands laws govern, off Unexpected Road and behind Newtonville Park, the mayor said. Restrictions limiting the number of cell towers in the Pinelands are in place to ensure scenic resources are impaired to the least extent possible, Rapa said. The nearest Verizon Wireless cell towers are about 6 miles away in Hammonton and about 8 miles away in Buena Borough. The new Buena Vista location would work well with those existing sites to provide needed coverage enhancements for cell phone users, said Sheldon Jones, a spokesman for the company's Philadelphia Region. That would mean fewer cell phone calls dropped or blocked for customers in the area, he said.
Weymouth-Malaga project begins today - Work expected to be complete by Oct. A long-awaited reconstruction project along Weymouth-Malaga Road is slated to begin today. The project, which also includes drainage improvements, will run from Route 40 in Buena Borough to Route 54 in Buena Vista. The early phase of the reconstruction will focus on a stretch of county road fronting Buena Regional High School from Route 54 in Buena Vista to South Boulevard in Landisville, said Buena Mayor Joseph Baruffi. The borough made a special request to Atlantic County officials to begin reconstruction on the portion of road near the school so that it could be completed in time for the new school year, he said. Over the past week, the entire stretch of road has been surveyed and marked in anticipation of the road improvements, said Buena Public Works Director Bill Nimohay. County freeholders earlier this month approved a $977,000 contract with Asphalt Paving Systems in Hammonton for reconstruction. The project should be complete by October, said Baruffi.
Martin Luther King Center to get ceiling upgrade BUENA VISTA -- Some ceiling fixtures at the Martin Luther King Center are being upgraded after an inspector hired by the township made the safety recommendation. The inspection was prompted by an incident nearly three weeks ago in which a secretary for Rural Opportunities child care was injured when tiles and a light fell from the ceiling as she worked in an office room adjacent to the day care area. For now, the township is upgrading only the ceiling above the day care. Officials don't know how much that will cost but expect the work to be finished in the next few days, Mayor Chuck Chiarello said Monday. The township eventually plans to upgrade the ceiling throughout the building and will probably pursue quotes from contractors before moving forward because of the large area that will be affected, he said. Buena Vista officials acted swiftly to correct the problem in the interest of the children attending Rural Opportunities, Chiarello said. Since shortly after the accident, the day care has been temporarily relocated to Collings Lakes Elementary School. "Our higher degree of concern is with the children," Chiarello said. "We certainly want to update what we have to make sure the area is safe." The expert who inspected the community center recommended the renovations, saying the ceiling would not meet construction codes if it were built today. The entire building was inspected and approved by the state when originally completed six years ago, Chiarello said. "State building inspectors inspected every step of the process to be able to allow the building to open," he said. But construction codes have changed since then, the mayor said. Contractor Michael LaFrance, whom the township hired to do the work, had expressed concerns about the Newtonville building's ceiling after the accident, saying lights weren't hung independently of the tiles according to construction codes.
Federal grant to help school improve math BUENA -- Milanesi Elementary School could be home to the next Albert Einstein if a six-figure grant it recently won achieves the desired goal: to improve math instruction for students. But that's only part of the equation. In addition to the $150,000 award for the upcoming school year, the district expects to receive more federal money for the initiative during each of the next two years, Buena Regional Superintendent Diane D. DeGiacomo said. Those installments will probably be for smaller amounts, she said. Officials hope the money, awarded through the U.S. Education Department's Comprehensive School Reform program, will help boost math performance for pupils in the school, which houses prekindergarten through fifth grade. The federal program targets high-poverty and low-achieving schools. Students' math scores at Milanesi have traditionally lagged behind language arts literacy scores, DeGiacomo said. About three of every 10 students there are considered only "partially proficient" in math, according to standardized test data from the N.J. Department of Education. Last year, only 69.7 percent of the school's 66 fourth graders had scores in the proficient or advanced proficient ranges on the Elementary School Proficiency Assessment. By comparison, 80.3 percent of the children scored that well in the language arts exam. "We knew we needed additional assistance in the area of math instruction," DeGiacomo said. "So when we saw this grant, we saw a good opportunity to get assistance in staff development, materials and other types of manipulatives that our budget couldn't sustain." The state notified the district earlier this month that it will receive the grant. Milanesi officials plan to use the money to provide staff development and additional resources for teachers, more hands-on instruction tools for pupils and increased communication between school administrators and parents, DeGiacomo said. Milanesi's plans: · It will implement a program called "Mathwings," a nationally recognized initiative administered by the Success For All Foundation in Baltimore, to revamp mathematics curriculum. · The school will increase daily math instruction from 45 to 55 minutes. · A Success For All worker will train the school's math teachers throughout the year. · The school will hire a math specialist to make sure that the programs are implemented under the terms of the grant.
Town's court seeks order in Buena Vista Township - What are neighbors for?
Neighborhood Farm Markets - Bertuzzi Farms
Casazza'a Maplewood 25th Anniversary
Park to inherit name of former committeeman in Buena Vista BUENA VISTA -- Continuing the tradition of naming parks after historic local figures, officials agreed to rename the Newtonville recreation park after longtime African-American committee member Wilder Hines. Hines, who is now deceased, served a total of nine years as committeeman and 20 years on other township committees including recreation and planning boards. He also was active in local sports. Officials decided on the nomenclature to honor Hines' dedicated time and service to the community, Mayor Chuck Chiarello said. It makes even more sense because the park is located in a predominantly African-American area of the township and, though popularly referred to as Newtonville park, it lacks an official name. Township officials are researching information on Hines to prepare for a formal commemoration tentatively set for September. Other township parks named for notable individuals are: · Michael Debbi Park in Richland, named after the former director of public works. · John Quigley Park in Collings Lakes, named after the former township and recreation committee member. In other news, a public land sale will be held Oct. 6. An 8-acre property on Terreck Road that includes a former Russian Orthodox Church, three homes and a cemetery will be auctioned.
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