Officials outline nearly $1M funding request while addressing public safety, projects
BUENA BOROUGH, N.J. – Borough officials moved through a full agenda Monday night, approving personnel changes, advancing nearly $1 million in federal funding requests, and outlining upcoming budget plans, while also detailing ongoing projects and public safety activity across the community.
The meeting, held in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, included action on multiple resolutions and committee reports, with Mayor Joseph Baruffi and council members highlighting infrastructure needs and operational updates. No members of the public came forward during the designated comment period.
Early in the meeting, council unanimously approved Resolution 44-26, formally accepting the retirement of longtime Deputy Clerk Pamela Johnston effective July 1. “Pamela has been an employee here with the borough for 25 years,” officials said during the meeting. “She served in several capacities during her tenure and we wish her nothing but the best in her retirement now in the future years.”
Borough pursues nearly $1 million in park improvements funding
Baruffi detailed an aggressive funding strategy tied to improvements at Bruno Melini Park, including a federal درخواست totaling $976,000 to replace aging athletic field lighting infrastructure.
“The borough has submitted congressionally district spending CDS applications to the offices of Senator Andy Kim and Senator Corey Booker seeking $976,000 of funding to replace the hazardous and deteriorating athletic field lighting and poles,” Baruffi said. “This project addresses a known public safety concern as the existing wooden lights are aging, unstable, and no longer meet current standards for safe evening use.”
He added, “Replacement of these infrastructure is necessary in order to restore full and safe operation of the borough’s primary recreational facility and to reduce ongoing liability exposure.”
Officials noted the project is ready to proceed if funding is approved, with a projected six-month construction timeline. The borough is also awaiting a separate $700,000 Green Acres funding decision. “We’re hopeful that again, we’re banking on everything right now,” Baruffi said, adding that additional funding could address “other soft spots… in the park.”
Key Points
- Council accepted retirement of a 25-year borough employee effective July 1
- Officials submitted $976,000 federal funding request for park lighting upgrades
- Budget introduction scheduled for early April as financial planning continues
Budget introduction expected in early April
Finance Committee Chair Jorge Alvarez confirmed that the borough is preparing to introduce its annual budget at the first council meeting in April.
“We’re going to have introduction on our first meeting of April for our budget,” Alvarez said. “We’re still hashing out a few little things, so we want to make sure it’s 100% clear before we introduce.”
Additional resolutions approved during the meeting included the appointment of Angel Collelexo Gomez as supervising emergency medical technician and a contract award not to exceed $30,000 for engineering services tied to road resurfacing projects on Atlantic Avenue and Janet Street.
Public safety reports detail activity, ongoing concerns
Council President Douglas Adams delivered reports from the fire and police departments, outlining recent activity and training efforts.
Fire officials responded to five carbon monoxide alarms and conducted required annual training. The department also hosted the Atlantic County Fire Chiefs Association meeting earlier this month.
Police reported 837 calls for service in February, including 330 motor vehicle stops, 258 traffic summonses, and 12 arrests. Adams highlighted one officer’s performance, stating, “Officer Reevil is a model employee who comes to work with a positive attitude and outstanding work ethic.”
Adams also addressed ongoing issues with stray cats in the borough. “We are not a trap and release community and we are not a trap and release cat colony community,” he said. “Some municipalities encourage cats running wild, but we don’t.”
Recreation, infrastructure projects move forward
Recreation Chairman Richard Giovinazzi reported strong turnout at recent community events. “It was a beautiful day filled with smiles, laughter, and joy throughout the borough,” he said of the Easter breakfast and egg hunt.
Officials also discussed progress on pickleball court upgrades, with coordination underway to install poles and nets before resurfacing. “We need the poles and the nets before they recode it,” one official said during discussion, emphasizing timing concerns.
Infrastructure updates included planned road paving on West Avenue, Atlantic Avenue, and East Summer Road, as well as ongoing pothole repairs and drainage work.
Facilities maintenance and planning updates
Councilwoman Patricia Andaloro outlined maintenance efforts across borough facilities, including upcoming generator testing and repairs at Borough Hall and the Louise Basil Center.
“Emergency evacuation route papers have been posted at the Louise Brazil Center,” Andaloro said, adding that additional improvements and seasonal preparations are underway.
Planning and zoning updates included continued work at a local cannabis facility and coordination on existing property matters. “Work continues at the cannabis facility… and fire extinguishers are being added as we speak,” Councilwoman Marina Barsuglia said.
The meeting concluded with no unfinished or new business raised. Officials confirmed the next council meeting will be held April 13 at 6:30 p.m.
AI Disclaimer: Some portions of this article were assisted with artificial intelligence. Shore News Network occasionally employs AI-assisted tasks such as transcribing audio and video of meetings and events, fact-checking, spelling, grammar, keyword, and key point headings. All articles are proofed by a human editor and writer before publishing. If anything in this article is incorrect, please let us know at news@shorenewsnetwork.com. Please read our Ethics Policy here.
