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State of the Township 2006

Buena Vista Township

“State of the Township 2007”

by Mayor Chuck Chiarello 

As we start 2007 there are two words that come to mind, “hope and challenges”.  There is hope that many of the initiatives that this Township Committee has put into place will continue to nurture and blossom.  There are also challenges, mostly of the unknown type that we face on the road that lay ahead of us.  There are uncertainties as to what challenges will be put in front of us by the State of New Jersey.  Challenges that include state aid funding for our municipality and our school district. Challenges of sharing services and consolidation.  What incentives will be available and what spirit of cooperation will there be between our neighbors to take on these new challenges. 

I do not want to paint too rosy of a picture, nor be too gloomy, just realistic.  The Township Committee team at the front of this room has worked hard to steer a new course to meet these challenges. 

I have asked Committeeman Peter Bylone to deeply explore the options that lay in our court system being “regionalized” so it can benefit multiple communities.  I have also asked Committeewoman Sue Barber and  Committeeman Peter Bylone to explore shared services and consolidation ideas that make sense for our residents and our neighbors.  I have asked Deputy Mayor Teresa Kelly to stay focused on pending legislation that is coming out of Trenton to keep the Committee abreast of changes in laws that will affect our community.  I have asked Committeeman Mike Rivera to play a bigger role in Recreation and the Martin Luther King Community Center.  As a team, this Township Committee will look for the best of opportunities for our residents. 

2007 will continue to bring progress to our Richland Village and Lincoln Avenue Projects.  While we have talked so much about Richland Village in the past couple of years it holds so many possibilities for our future.  You don’t know what can happen until you try.  I am proud to say that 1,000 people visited the Patcong Valley Model Railroad this past weekend alone.  Since they opened in the beginning of December 3,000 people have visited Patcong Valley.  Never could I believe that there would be that much interest in people visiting Buena Vista Township.  Since August 5,000 people have ridden on the Cape May Seashore Lines Train.  Almost 3,000 of them came to ride the Santa Express.  These numbers signify hope that we are indeed on the right track in developing Richland Village.  2007 will see more sidewalks, lights and street improvements.  Two sections of Main Avenue will be rebuilt and widened from US Route 40 towards Tuckahoe Road.  Cedar Avenue from US Route 40 to the Prep School will be rebuilt with a Bikeway.  A 1,900 foot railroad siding will be constructed this Spring that will greatly improve train service in Richland.  Additional buildings will be brought into Richland Village including a 1906 Switch Tower, a service station, an outhouse and another caboose.  This will add to the character of the project.  The Legacy Restaurant will open, Lee’s Primitive Country Crafts will open, along with another antique store.  Down on Route 40 where Rumors used to be will be Giorgio’s Italian Restaurant, Pizzeria and Lounge.

An agreement with the Pinelands Commission will allow the long awaited Middle School Project to move forward and a development of 55+ age-restricted luxury homes on Lincoln Avenue should add to our ratable base.  The Township Committee has also started the long awaited Revaluation Process.  This will take several years, but will lead to the equalization of taxes in our community.  We are close to adding some 70 acres to Michael Debbi Park through the Atlantic County Open Space Program.   Road work will be done by the county on Oak Road and local road projects include Waldeck Avenue and West Jersey Boulevard.  We have a grant to study the area around Comar for potential commercial development ideas.  All in all, progress continues to be made.  These highlights are above and beyond the everyday things that are maintained and improved and replaced on behalf of our residents by the Township to run an efficient small town local government.  I hope you are as proud as I am with the initiatives that this Township Committee has shown.  I am happy with our staff and leadership, and proud of our employees.  In closing, I want to thank the Township Committee and especially my wife Cheryl for putting up with me during the last several months with the difficulties I have faced with my knee.  I rested up all week to be here with you tonight and I wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year.

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The League's Mayors' Hall of Fame 1/05

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Commissioner Susan Bass Levin Awards Buena Vista Township $50,000 Smart Future Grant for Rehabilitation of Historic Structures 2/7/05

Commissioner Susan Bass Levin awards Buena Vista Mayor Charles Chiarello a $50,000 Smart Future Planning Grant to support the township’s planning efforts. 

TRENTON, N.J. – Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Susan Bass Levin today awarded a $50,000 Smart Future Planning Grant to Buena Vista Township in Atlantic County. The grant will support the township’s coordinated planning along Route 40 and the rehabilitation of historic structures. 

“Working together is a major factor in making Smart Growth successful in New Jersey,” Acting Governor Richard J. Codey said. “We stand committed to partnering with our municipalities to grow smart and create hope for a better future.” 

“If we are to preserve our quality of life in New Jersey, we must work together to strategically manage growth,” Commissioner Levin said. “Buena Vista has accomplished that with its comprehensive growth plan, while also preserving the township’s cultural and historical treasures.”  

With its grant, Buena Vista will coordinate planning along Route 40 near Richland Village.  The Township has already undertaken a streetscape project for the portion of Route 40 bisecting the Village, including sidewalk installation and tree-lined streets.    

“The Richland Village project is vitally important to the town,” said Buena Vista Mayor Charles Chiarello.  “DCA and Smart Growth’s support allows us to properly progress with this project.  It gives us the ability to properly design this project, which will have a great impact on the future of our community.” 

Smart Future Planning Grants are part of the Smart Future Initiative, which promotes smart growth planning between municipalities and Counties throughout New Jersey. They are funded through DCA’s Office of Smart Growth, which is leading the effort to promote sustainable development, protect the environment, preserve open space and revitalize older communities.  

DCA is dedicated to making smart investments across the State, to create strong and vibrant communities where people want to raise families and build businesses. These investments support local governments, protect the environment, provide housing, advocate for women and minorities, and improve the quality of life for all New Jersey citizens.

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Mayor Chiarello receives "Stand By Me Award" from Mayor Ralph Peterson

Saturday, January 15, 2005

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Mayor Regular on Comcast CN8

Host Jill Horner along with Mayor Chuck Chiarello at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey on January 25,2005.

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State of the Township 2005

2004 - Year in Review

The year 2004 brought continued progress for the residents of Buena Vista Township.

A new modern 7,000 sq. ft. public works facility addition was opened. This facility gives us the opportunity to be better equipped and better able to serve our community.

Congratulations to Rich Calareso and the staff at Public Works for kicking off the Richland Village Project. Their efforts show the amazing "in-house" skills that we are capable of.

Speaking of Richland Village the Township had a memorable groundbreaking ceremony on November 23rd as the Cape May Seashore Lines train blew its whistle and paid a visit to the Route 40 crossing. Hundreds were in attendance to see federal, state, and local officials demonstrate their support for Richland Village. The Project will bring future economic vitality with a focus on our history to residents and tourists alike. The Township made numerous property acquisitions from our economic development fund to enhance the Richland Village Project.

A new Nature Trail was opened at Michael Debbi Park on Veterans Day. It was made possible with two DEP Grants. It will be another asset for our residents to enjoy. A grant was also received to rebuild the tennis courts at Michael Debbi Park.

Buena Vista Township took over daily operations at the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center along with a cooperative seniors group, clergy support, and the spirit of the African American Heritage Museum. The Township is continuing it's search for new directions for this beautiful facility in Newtonville.

Five local roads were resurfaced in various parts of the Township and a state grant was received to pave Oak Road from Route 40 to Tuckahoe. A new Case front end loader was ordered to better help our Public Works Department in loading their trucks and doing heavy duty jobs. A new pick up truck was also added to the Public Works fleet.

A new sign for the Township was erected in front of the Municipal Building along Route 40. The Township also unveiled new Welcome to Buena Vista signs featuring a beautiful logo that gives locals and visitors a warm feeling when they come home to Buena Vista.

A new 3 - year dispatching contract was reached with Buena Borough for our emergency services - - police, fire and ambulance. The Township, Buena Borough and the Pinelands Commission have been negotiating an agreement to bring additional water and sewer services to Buena Vista, in and around the Route 40 area.

The Township converted our local newspaper to full color. Most of this work we are able to produce in house on our own computer. Special thanks to Joan Stahl in my office for her creative and information services.
Thanks to Diane Morgan of our staff for coordinating Food Baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas along with distribution of hundreds of toys to needy families this Holiday Season.

Several Township employees reached milestones in their careers in 2004. These include: our Township Clerk LaVerne Gunter (20 years), Planning & Zoning Secretary Diane Morgan (15 years), Court Constable Al Popa (15 years), Tax Assessor Bernadette Leonardi (10 years), and Public Works Supervisor Gene Sykes (10 years).

SO WHAT'S AHEAD IN 2005!

As 2005 begins the Township has now taken delivery on our Case front end loader and training has begun with our Public Works crew.

A new Deputy Public Works Director position has been created to further improve our operations. We want to wish Karl Molinelli the best of luck with this new position.

A $145,000 grant was received from the State of New Jersey to rebuild McDonald Avenue in the Milmay section of town. McDonald Avenue along with Oak Road from our 2004 grant are both targeted for completion by late spring/early summer.

An $80,000 grant to continue our bikeway in Richland between Route 40 and the Prep school has also been received.

Requests have been made to Atlantic County to repave Cedar Avenue from Route 40 to the Prep School.

Bids have been awarded for the reconstruction of the Tennis Courts at Michael Debbi Park. The work should be started by late Spring.
As temperatures warm up Phase I and Phase II of the Streetscape Project for Richland Village will be completed. Sidewalks, old fashioned lighting, benches and more will highlight this area.

It is hoped that 2005 will be our "Year of the Grants".

The Township has made numerous requests for funding for Richland Village, as well as other projects.

A grant has been applied for to further develop the Village Square Park in Richland.

Grant proposals are being worked on to improve the building that will house the Patcong Valley Model Railroaders at Route 40 and Fir Avenue. The area around the railroad track on Route 40 is also being looked at for grants for the proposed railroad station for the Cape May Seashore Lines.

Additional streetscape grants will be applied for through NJDOT and a proposal is being worked on for federal funding through Rural Development for other improvements in Richland Village.

Another grant is pending for replacing the remaining older part of our Public Works Facility on Union Road in East Vineland.

The Township is also working towards dealing with new storm water management regulations that have come down the State of New Jersey. A meeting was held to consider some joint ideas with Atlantic County.

We are also waiting for tax map approval from the State of New Jersey so the Township can begin the re-evaluation process of all the properties in our community. This process equalizes the values of older and newer properties and needs to be done.

Heating and cooling improvements are scheduled for the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center.

The Township Committee remains optimistic that in 2005 we will continue to do the best job working with the resources that we have. Financial
situations with the State of New Jersey have made it increasingly more difficult to seek out funding for projects, but Buena Vista will continue to do more with less.

As our new year begins I want to acknowledge the staff at Buena Vista Township for all the effort they make everyday to keep everything running smoothly.

There are always ups and downs in everything we do here in the Township - - our Taxpayers are affected by the decisions we make, as well as, those made by our county, schools and fire districts. All in all Buena Vista is a place where people want to live. We are seeing a growing interest in home sites and property values are increasing like never before. In the end, our goal on Township Committee is to keep up-to-date and well equipped - - yet about 5 steps behind the rest of the world in changing our rural country ways.

Special thanks to our Township Committee. We have a great working team. And extra special thanks to my wife Cheryl for another year of continued
putting up with my crazy schedule.

Thanks and Happy New Year Everyone!

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STATE OF THE TOWNSHIP

by Mayor Chuck Chiarello
on behalf of the Township Committee

I am happy to report that the Township is in sound financial health and able to progress even with limited resources.  In 2003, we were able to achieve most of our anticipated goals. 

NOW FOR 2004 - WHAT’S AHEAD!

Phase I covers from Cedar Avenue to Main Avenue in Richland and four additional grants are pending to improve this business area along the Route 40 corridor.  When this project is complete residents can expect to see sidewalks, new lighting, a modern bus shelter, additional parking, and new park areas. 

In conjunction with this project our Economic Development Advisory Board a new program will be established to improve the appearance of  businesses in the Richland area of Route 40 and to attract new ones.  The current working title of the project is called “Richland Village” and will also feature new banners and welcome signs. 

 CONCLUSION

I would like to wish all our residents a “Happy New Year” and especially to thank the Township Committee as a team for making these projects and our community function in a first class manner.  I also want to thank our Municipal Building and our Public Works Staff for doing more with less than most towns in the region.  Special thanks to my wife Cheryl for her on-going support.

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The State of Buena Vista Township 2003….Is Good!!!
by Mayor Chuck Chiarello
on behalf of the Township Committee
 

The State of New Jersey and our schools faced a difficult year in 2002. Limitations on State Aid in 2002 and even dimmer prospects for 2003 have forced the Township to do what we have always done - - which is to live within our means!
Census results received in 2002 show that our population had gone down slightly since 1990 in Buena Vista… but we know that the Government statistics are wrong and that we have hundreds of more homes than we did 10 years ago…
Despite being 90% under the jurisdiction of the Pinelands Commission, not part of an Urban Enterprise Zone, a Federal Empowerment Zone or subject to any CRDA funding we continue to survive and lead a good life here in Buena Vista now in our 136th year.

 IN 2002…
The 2nd phase of Tuckahoe Road from 5 Points in East Vineland to 20th Avenue in Milmay was completed by Atlantic County. The final section of Main Avenue in Richland to Pancoast Mill was completed with a State Road Aid Grant. Paving on Phase I of Ruth Street in Newtonville was completed along with new surfaces on Tereck Road, Kazkav Place and Don Road in Buena.
A new dump truck and leaf collection machine were added to Public Works.
A dance floor was purchased for the summer concerts at Michael Debbi Park.
Lighting was added to John Quigley Park in Collings Lakes. Softball Fields at all Township Parks were rebuilt.
A new phone system was added to the Municipal Building.
A new 3 mile Bikeway Loop was completed in and around Michael Debbie Park.

IN 2003…
A $150,000 State Road Aid Grant will allow for the completion of Ruth Street and all the side streets to Route 54.
A $200,000 New Jersey Department of Transportation Livable Communities Pilot Program Grant will allow for improvements to the Route 40 corridor in Richland.
A $60,000 Atlantic County Open Space Grant will allow for Football Field Development Newtonville and Richland.
Atlantic County will pave Weymouth Road from Buena Borough past the High School to Route 54.
Atlantic County will also complete Phase III of Tuckahoe Road to the Weymouth Township line in Dorothy and will pave Broad Street in Milmay.
The Township Committee is looking at improvements to our Public Works Facility in East Vineland.
A new Nature Trail will open at Michael Debbi Park in Richland.

 A new full traffic signal will be installed by the State of New Jersey at Route 54 and Jackson Road.
Heating and Cooling improvements are scheduled for the King Center in Newtonville.
A new emergency generator will be installed at the Municipal Building to allow the Township to operate in difficult situations.
An agreement will be signed with Verizon to install a Cell Tower near State Police Headquarters to improve communications and provide revenue to the Township.

WHAT'S AHEAD….
This Township Committee will continue to work with our School District to find additional funding to ease our tax burdens and support a new Middle School Project.
We will continue to support legislation that is in the best interest of our taxpayers like the Clean Communities Grant that Governor McGreevey just signed back into law. This will help our budget.
We will continue to support our State Police and our Volunteers to provide the best level of service to our taxpayers.
Thanks to all the people that make this Township run - our Employees both here in the Municipal Building and in Public Works. Special thanks to Joan Dickerson our Public Works Director who has just retired. Thanks to our dedicated citizens that support our Committees and serve this Township in so many ways. Congratulations to Sue Barber for working hard and winning the confidence of our voters to join us for her second term. Thanks to the rest of the Township Committee for allowing me to continue to lead - It's a labor of love for me. Thanks to my wife Cheryl for her continued support and warm wishes for a Happy New Year to everyone.

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July 9, 2002

Superintendent Joseph Santiago

New Jersey State Police

River Road

PO Box 7068

West Trenton, NJ 08628 

RE:  Community Policing Unit 

Dear Superintendent Santiago:

It was a pleasure meeting you on Monday, July 8 in my other role as Manager of the Atlantic City Expressway.  It was great to see you out in the field and spending time with the Troopers. 

In my role as Mayor of Buena Vista Township we are the Host Community to Troop A Headquarters and the Buena Vista Road Station.  We are very proud of this modern “state of the art” facility being located in our community.  We are also proud of our Community Police Officers and the level of service they provide to our community. 

Recently, we have heard that the Community Policing Unit as we know it may be changing as of September 1^st.  It is my understanding that because of manpower shifts for Camden and the possible changing of the daily work schedule that this may be happening.  I am writing to let you know how valuable the officers dedicated to this program have been.  They have come into our schools with the D.A.R.E. Program, attended community events, provided additional public visibility and attended Township Meetings to make presentations.  While the same number of Troopers may be in our area, the focus is certainly a concern to us, as well as the four other rural communities which they serve from Buena Vista.  In a time of budget crisis and strained resources we believe the Community Policing Unit provides a great return on investment. 

Having had the chance to meet you and feel your genuine concern for the well being of New Jersey I felt I could write you and express my feelings.  I would certainly appreciate your review of this matter and any input. 

Sincerely, 

Mayor Chuck Chiarello

on behalf of the Buena Vista Township Committee

 FCC:jss 

cc:       Township Committee Members

            Ron Trebing

            LaVerne Gunter 

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