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The Woodbury Wire
Page 8
The
Welcome to City Hall. . .
Over the past year, several changes were made in certain departments in City Hall to help improve and streamline
services. Please help to welcome Stephanie Petersen (x.127) to the Construction Office, Pam Duckworth (x.116)
and Cricket Hanson (x.144) to the Tax & Utilities Department.
Construction/Planning & Zoning Office
Administration
Left to Right:
John Leech
Housing Official/Bldg Inspector
Brian Bosworth
Planning/Zoning Board
Administrator, Housing
Inspector
Stephanie Petersen
Principal Technical Assistant
Robert Kunkle
Construction Official
Barbara Schweigart
Administrative Assistant
Fall 2014
Message from the
Mayor
Tax & Utilities Office
Left to Right:
Cricket Hanson
Metering Coordinator/
Assistant Billing Clerk
Lorraine Reeves
Tax & Utiility Collector
Pam Duckworkth
Tax & Utility Clerk
Valarie Harris
Tax & Utility Clerk
Left to Right:
Mike Theokas - Business Administrator
Bob Law - Cheif Financial Officer
Roy Duffield - Municipal Clerk
Randi Woerner - Economic Development
Fran Nigro-Administrative Assistant
Design & layout courtesy of Stefanie Parker
City of Woodbury
33 Delaware St.
Woodbury, NJ 08096
As I am winding
down my second
year in office, I am
proud to say that
over the past 21
months, the City
of Woodbury has
experienced many
great successes. Besides bringing back
the traditional 4th of July fireworks
---two years in a row, the City has
welcomed a total of 25 new businesses,
with several more businesses looking
to open in 2015.
Through the proactive efforts of
the governing body the tax rate has
stabilized and the municipal budget
was cut and trimmed. We restructured
the construction office. We welcomed
a for-profit business in a non-profit
building that is now a tax ratable for
the first time and saved a historic
building. We assisted in the sale of the
Woodbury Country Club to a developer
and we recouped over $600,000 in past
due water charges. We were also able
to hire five Special Law Enforcement
Officers to help watch over Broad
Street and we purchased 220 South
Broad Street, which will be the new
home to our Police Station, opening in
April of 2015.
With the assistance of grant
funds, we were able to pave 18 streets
throughout the City and schedule
six additional roads to be paved in
2015. We are also adding bike and
pedestrian paths in all our parks.
We also started a wonderful
program with Woodbury High
continued on page 7
www.facebook.com/cityofwoodbury.newjersey
Vol. 1 No. 2
Arts ~ History ~ Home
13 New Businesses Open in 2014
1. In March, Fat Louie’s took over the space at the former A & M Deli, 132 E
Red Bank Avenue. They serve Italian specialty sandwiches, cheesesteaks
and a slew of fresh made sides.
Fat Louie’s is open seven days a week: Monday thru Thursday from 11 am
– 9 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11 am – 10 pm and Sunday from 10 am – 4
pm. Call for more information: (856) 853-1000.
2. On May 5th the CompleteCare Family Medicine Center opened at Inspira’s
Woodbury campus serving NJ FamilyCare recipients. They are open Monday
through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. To schedule an appointment call: 856853-2055.
3. On August 13, the City of Woodbury proudly broke ground for the first
Patient First facility in NJ. Opening winter of 2015, the facility is located at
630 Mantua Avenue, across from the Woodbury Acme Market. They will
have six full and part-time doctors and between 40 to 60 local employees on
staff.
Patient First will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., 365 days a year and will
offer urgent care; work,
school, camp, sports
and travel physicals;
occupational
health;
and primary care for
patients who do not
have a primary care
physician, digital x-ray
services, lab work and
prescriptions on site.
continued on page 2
“The people in
Woodbury are wonderful
and the store is doing
well. The City’s leaders
and the residents are
very supportive and
have made this a great
experience all the way
around.”
---Tom Whitman
Owner, DelBuono’s Bakery
Inside this issue:
S & P Rating Increased - Page 2
Make a Difference Day - Page 3
Community News - Pages 4, 5, 6
Woodbury’s Community Garden - Page 5
City Notes - Page 5
Trash/Recycling Schedule - Page 6
New Polling Places - Page 7
New Tree Ordinance - Page 7
www.woodbury.nj.us
The Woodbury Wire
Page 2
Woodbury’s
Rating Increased
to AA
In May 2014, the City of
Woodbury was notified by Standard
& Poor’s Rating Service that the
City’s rate rose from A+ to AA based
on local General Obligation (GO)
criteria. A double A rating means the
City is highly credit worthy and is
meeting its financial commitments.
Mayor Bill Volk commented on
the letter stating, “When S& P rates
the City’s management conditions
“as strong with good financial
practices”, I feel confident that the
decisions we have made over the
past year are helping us achieve a
level of long term financial stability
which is necessary for our economic
development plans and any future
growth in the City”.
The letter also stated that the
City’s
financial
management
assessment (FMA) was changed
from standard to good reflecting
an update in the City’s fiscal policy
information primarily related to
revenue, expenditure and investment
management policies.
Volk adds, “There were many
policy changes since I took office
and with the help of the new
administration and the new members
of the governing body, specifically
Dave Swanson who is chair of the
finance committee, everyone has
really worked together to ensure that
the City can survive financially and
still be fiscally sound”.
“I couldn’t be happier
that people are making an
investment in Woodbury
and so many people are
interested in being here
and being a part of
our growth.”
---Mayor Bill Volk
New Businesses continued from page 1
4. On August 20, Del Buono’s Italian Bakery opened the doors at 39 S. Broad
Street, this is their fourth South Jersey location and first store in Gloucester
County.
The bakery features many different freshly baked bread items along
with pizzelles, coffee cake, cinnamon rolls, soft pretzels and coffee. The
Woodbury location is opened: Monday thru Friday 8 am – 5:30 pm, Saturday
and Sunday -8 am - 2 pm. For additional information and special orders you
can go to their website delbuonosbakery.com or call them at: (856) 537-5038.
5. On August 27, 2014, Studio 240 opened their new hair salon owned by
partners Alana Talarico and Arielle Boucher.
Studio 24 is opened Tuesday –Friday from 11 am -8 pm and Saturdays
from 9 am – 3 pm. For more information about their services and prices
visit them online at www.studiotwoforty or follow them on Facebook and
Instagram at @studio240 or call for an appointment at: 856-537-7272.
6. On September 3, Higher Standards Performing Arts Preparatory celebrated
with Mayor and Council at their ribbon cutting ceremony. Partners Tellie
Johnson and Thilana Chandler are the first retailers in the newly renovated
GG Green building at 108 S Broad Street.
They offer a variety of classes covering all forms of art; from Ballet and
Modern dance to Praise Dancing, music classes, art painting nights, parent
and child classes and exercise classes like Zumba on Thursday nights. They
are open Monday through Saturday. Their schedule is online at: www.
hstandardprep.com or call them at: (856) 537-5370.
7. On September 17, Excess Reinsurance relocated to 48 N. Broad Street, the
former home of Masonic Lodge #87. The Woodbury office is the company’s
headquarters, employing over 35 local residents. They also have regional
offices near Minneapolis and Boston and do business worldwide.
8. On Tuesday, September 23, the Greater Woodbury Chamber of Commerce
and Main Street Woodbury organizations’ opened their new home at 36 S.
Broad Street. The two organizations are sharing an office. The City also
welcomed the new owners of La Piazza DiScotto’s Restaurant and Pizzeria
located at 40 S Broad Street. La Piazza is opened Monday thru Thursday
from 10 am – 10 pm, Friday and Saturday 10 am – 11 pm and Sunday from
11 am – 10 pm. DiScotto’s also provides catering for all occasions. To place
an order call: 856-384-7700.
9. On October 1, Perry’s Clock Shop formally opened its doors at the Woodbury
Antique center at 66 S Broad Street. Besides selling antique clocks, Gregg
Perry is certified to work on 17th-19th century clocks and pocket watches,
20th century wristwatches, 17th – 19th century scientific and astronomical
instruments, and is a clock case conservationist in marquetry, sculpting, East
Asian lacquer work, gilding, veneering and film finishes. He also works on
barometers and music boxes. Call 484-264-9131 for hours of operation.
10. On October 8, Woodbury resident, Main Street VP and FAFFer Anthony
Allman along with partners Chris Keiper and Brent Wheaton opened Luke
and Cade’s Toy Chest at 234 S Broad Street. The store features new and
vintage action figures, collectibles, games and statues from Marvel, DC, GI
Joe, McFarlane, TMNT, Transformers, Star Wars and more. They will also
carry horror collectibles and video games. For more information visit: www.
LNCtoychest.com or write to info@LNCtoydchest.com.
www.facebook.com/cityofwoodbury.newjersey
continued on page 3
The Woodbury Wire
Page 7
Woodbury’s Green Team applies to Sustainable
Jersey and creates a City Tree Ordinance
Letter From The
Mayor
Two years ago, the City created a Green Team
Committee to work on actions to support
the application for the City to become a
Certified Sustainable Jersey community.
After finishing and implementing
several “green” initiatives, the team
submitted the application to the state
on September 14, 2014.
Some
green
initiatives
incorporated into the municipal
operations include the adoption of a
Green Purchasing Policy #14-123, a
Green Maintenance Policy #14-124, and a
Sustainable Land Use Pledge #14-122. These
items can be found on the City’s website.
The Green Team also worked on a direct marketing campaign to promote the
NJ Direct Install program to help save commercial property owners 70% on
energy efficient upgrades. Through the Green Team’s efforts, the municipality
conducted their own energy audit. Now, the City is benefiting from the NJ Direct
Install program by saving 70% of the cost to upgrade the HVAC system and the
lights in the Library portion of the building.
School, hiring 12 Woodbury students
in the summer to work in our Public
Works Department to help with
beautification projects and Park
maintenance.
And, of course there is this
newsletter---The Woodbury Wire’s
second edition. It is filled with
important information for residents,
business owners and visitors to keep
you informed of the most recent
events.
All of these great things came
about by people working together. I
am pleased to work alongside such
talented and committed individuals,
all of whom share the successful
future vision for Woodbury. Please
make every effort to support our
local businesses and become involved
in our many different volunteer
organizations. Woodbury’s success
depends on everyone working
together.
Wishing you and your family a
happy and healthy holiday season.
NOTE: The Green Team also created a City “Tree Ordinance”. The ordinance
details how and if a City tree can be trimmed or removed. If you have an
issue with a tree in front of your house or business please call our Public
Works department. They will evaluate the health of the tree and determine
how to proceed. Anyone who removes a City tree could be subjected to fines.
Please review the ordinance on our website. Ordinances: 2200-14/2209-14
Poll Location Changes
REMEMBER TO VOTE-NOVEMBER 4, 2014
Just a reminder, last year we discontinued voting at the public schools.
Please review the new voting locations.
WARD 1-All Districts
Go to the American Legion building Post 133 located at 1018 Washington
Ave. Enter the building from Evergreen Ave.
WARD 2-Districts 1 & 3
Go to Woodbury Mews at 122 Green St.
WARD 2-Districts 2 & 4
Go to Beth El AME Church at 32 Courtland St.
WARD 3
Go to Hope Fellowship Christian Church located at 246 King Street at the
end of S. Warner St. (formerly the synagogue)
Make a Difference Day
continued from page 3
continued from page 1
-Mayor Bill Volk
The Wire is presented by
Woodbury’s Mayor and Council:
Bill Volk-Mayor
Bill Fleming-Council President
Danielle Carter-Ward 1
Richard Hock-Ward 3
Teddy Johnson, Jr.-Ward 2
Lester Lockman-Ward 1
Tracey Parker-Ward 1
David Swanson-Ward 3
Heather Tierney-Ward 3
David Trovato-Ward 2
work to clean up the tree beds along the east and west sides of Broad from Barber to Cooper. If you are interested in joining
this group, please contact Heather Tierney at 856-845-7926 or go to the Make a Difference Day website and sign up online:
http://makeadifferenceday.com/dashboard/project/broad-st-veterans-park-and-beautification-project.
www.woodbury.nj.us
The Woodbury Wire
Page 6
Trash/Recycling
Schedule
Election Day
November 4, 2014
Delayed 1 day
No yard debris pickup
Veteran’s Day
November 11, 2014
Delayed 1 day
No yard debris pickup
Thanksgiving Day
November 27, 2014
Thursday’s trash will be
collected Friday 11/28
No yard debris pickup
Christmas Day
December 25, 2014
Delayed 1 day
No yard debris pickup
New Year’s Day
January 1, 2015
Delayed 1 day
No yard debris pickup
City Notes
continued from page 5
From the Construction office:
Check with the Construction
office about any home or office
improvement projects you have
planned. Please call our office
at 856-845-1300 x 127 to find
out if permits are required or
if the planning board needs to
review your plans in an effort to
meet City codes. Renovations of
kitchens and bathrooms usually
require plumbing and electric
permits. Room additions as well
as property additions such as
swimming pools, hot tubs and
spas, sidewalks and paving all
require permits.
Take Note:
Between 2013-2014
26 new businesses
opened in Woodbury!
The Woodbury Wire
Page 3
New Businesses continued from page 2
A New Memorial Day Tradition!
At the request of the Woodbury American Legion and Memorial
Day Parade participants, the City, in partnership with the County
Veterans Administration, the NJ POW/MIA Awareness
MEMORIAL DAY
Committee, the Woodbury American Legion, the Bonsal
Blues and the Woodbury Cub/Boy Scouts decided to
host a special candlelight vigil and forgo the traditional
Woodbury Memorial Parade this year.
According to Woodbury’s American Legion’s commander,
Kevin Mitchell, “Each year it gets harder and harder for our
Veteran’s to walk the parade route. The candle light ceremony is
unique and proved to be a real moving ceremony that made more
of an impact than the parade. I am glad we choose to move
in this direction because it allowed all of our members and
the community to participate in the ceremony.”
Woodbury native, Cmdr. James R. Raimondo, USN, served as Master of Ceremonies
and the vigil included the Missing Man Ceremony, Wreath Ceremony, the Reading of
Names and the Tolling of the Bell, as well as a special Candle Lighting Ceremony and
Rifle Salute.
Over 100 guests attended the event held at the Woodbury American Legion.
Immediately after the vigil, a light buffet was offered to all participants and guests.
The food and drinks were donated from the following Woodbury businesses: The
Nut Shop, Country Sweets Bakery, Caterer’s Corner, Bottom Dollar and Woodbury’s
Municipal Alliance. A special thanks goes out to Lee Weatherby who helped to set up
and clean up after the event.
NOTE: The Woodbury Candle Light Vigil was hosted in part by the NJ POW/MIA
Awareness Committee headed by Mr. Anthony “Tony” Halas III. Mr. Halas, an Air
Force Vietnam Veteran, suddenly passed on July 9, 2014. The 2014 Woodbury Memorial
Day Committee is grateful for his service to this Country and our City and for all the
support he gave us with this new event. Our hearts go out to his family.
11.On October 15, Will Sachs opened the doors at 238
S. Broad Street to his new tattoo shop, Seven Three
Social Club. According to Sachs, “I am really excited
about opening in Woodbury. I specialize in custom
biomechanical tattoos as well as black and gray,
color, and traditional body art. Walk-ins are always
welcome, but appointments are recommended.” For
more information call: 856-537-5378 or email wsachs@
seventhreesocial.com. You can also visit the website at:
www.seventhreesocial.com.
Ribbon cutting at Studio 240 salon.
12.Then on October 29, partners Tracy Craig-Paci and
Kimberly Dechen will open the doors to TK Studio,
LLC., a full service architecture and interior design
firm. They will share the Woodbury space with Jerome
Solomon Associates who has resided at 38 Newton
Avenue for the past 35 years. For more information
about TK Studio call: 856-845-0132.
13. And, on November 8, The Royal Day Spa LLC., located
at 11 Curtis Avenue will open. This is a luxurious day
spa offering a wide array of spa services and amenities,
including: massages, body treatments (with steam
canopy), facials, manicures, and pedicures. The Royal
Day Spa LLC., is owned and operated by Terri N.
Spence. For more information call: (856) 537-1134 or
visit: theroyal.dayspa.tns1@gmail.com
Ribbon cutting at Excess Reinsurance.
The Country Club sells for $3.2 million
On June 16, 2014, in a $3.2 million deal, William Burris and company became the
proud owners of the former Woodbury Country Club. The new site will be called B
Well Rehabilitation.
The City’s redevelopment agreement with Burris includes the construction of a
medical campus with a 150 bed, post-acute rehabilitation facility; a 100 bed long term
care facility; and a 100 bed assisted living, specialized facility. In addition to the medial
campus, Burris will create two residential areas and he will preserve approximately 15
acres of the site for a passive-public park.
Woodbury’s Mayor William Volk states, “From all the projects that were proposed
for this site, I truly believe that Mr. Burris’ plans best embrace Woodbury’s character
and long range goals for development. It is a sustainable project that will bring over
200 jobs to Woodbury and to Gloucester County!”
Burris and company plan to break ground sometime in the fall of 2014. The first
facility, the post-acute rehabilitation building, should be completed and operational
within a year after the start of construction. The two additional medical facilities are
scheduled to be completed by the end of 2015 and the beginning of 2016. The houses
will go up during the course of the next three years and the park should be open to the
public sometime in 2017.
www.facebook.com/cityofwoodbury.newjersey
Woodbury Make a Difference Day
Oct 25, 2014
Volunteers Needed
On October 25, 2014 the City of Woodbury is calling on volunteers to help beautify Broad Street, as part of the nationwide event--Make a Difference Day. The City’s Community Relations Committee needs volunteers to come out on Oct. 25 from 8 am -12 pm to
start the preliminary work to redevelop the park area on the corner of
Broad and Barber, part of the site of future home of the new Police
Station.
In addition, the Woodbury Make a Difference group will also
continued on page 7
www.woodbury.nj.us
Community
The Woodbury Wire
New Teen
Treatment Program
@Inspira
Inspira’s
new
Adolescent
Partial Hospital Program is open
to adolescents ages 13 to 17. It is
located at the Inspira Medical Center
Woodbury/509 N. Broad Street and
offers comprehensive treatment for
teens who suffer from a wide range of
behavioral health disorders including:
depression, anxiety, attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),
oppositional defiant disorders and
substance abuse issues.
The newly constructed unit provides
a warm and inspiring environment
where patients receive individual,
group and family counseling, as well
as classroom education, facilitated by
a team of staff, teachers, a therapist
and psychiatrist. The facility is open
Monday through Friday from 9:30 am
to 5 pm.
To make a referral or to schedule an
evaluation, call 856-251-3310. Inspira
accepts both Medicaid and many
private health insurances. No person
will be denied treatment based on his/
her ability to pay.
Page 4
Woodbury School District’s Strategic
Planning Sessions Open to the Public
Woodbury City Public Schools’ success is accomplished
through adherence to the district’s mission, as well as
a commitment to continuously evaluate and improve its
academic programs through a strategic planning process
that includes Board members, administration, staff,
students, parents, and the general community.
Woodbury City Public Schools started the process of
updating its 2014-2015 Strategic Plan. Meetings took place on September 15
(What is Working Well/Points of Pride) and September 30 (Expectations for
the Future/Visioning a 21st Century School District). Two more meetings are
scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on October 16 (Action Steps to Enable the Vision) and
October 27 (Data Planning Session).
Please check the district’s website, woodburysch.com, for updates and to see
how you can become involved. Everyone’s involvement in this process is critical
and greatly appreciated.
Woodbury’s 5th of July
Celebration
On July 5, 2014 the City of Woodbury
hosted an hour long concert by The Party
Band, thanks to the County Freeholders
Concerts in the Park program. The
concert was followed by a spectacular
fireworks display, reviving a long standing
tradition in the City.
Inspira Health Network, The Greater
Woodbury Chamber of Commerce, Woodbury’s Olde City
Restoration Committee and Main Street Woodbury sponsored
the festivities. The FAF provided food and novelty vendors to create a
festival like atmosphere.
Woodbury’s Mayor Bill Volk states, “Once again, so many people have
come together to make the Woodbury Fireworks happen. It is great to see all
the organizations throughout the City working together for the betterment of our
community. I am actually humbled by the work that is being done to coordinate
this effort year after year.”
Volk adds, “The fireworks are a long standing tradition that brings hundreds
of people to this great City. We had fifteen new businesses open up since last year
and four more in the works, which doesn’t even include the new purchase of the
Country Club. Events like the fireworks help to showcase these businesses and
the redevelopment taking place in Woodbury. We will be handing out a restaurant
guide at the fireworks and believe it or not in only 2 square miles, we have 37
food establishments to serve our guests.”
FIREWORKS
“Over the past two years, we have made several personnel
and policy changes in our construction office which are
helping to make it easier to do business here. Obviously, these
changes are working because we are becoming the first stop in
Gloucester County for many businesses like
Patient First and Del Buono’s.”
--- Mayor Bill Volk
www.facebook.com/cityofwoodbury.newjersey
The Woodbury Wire
Community
Page 5
Woodbury’s Community Garden Celebrates 10 Years
In 2015, the Woodbury Community
Garden will be celebrating its 10 year
Anniversary! The Garden is located
adjacent to the YMCA property on
East Red Bank Avenue as part of
the Stewart Lake and Park property.
Since 2005, founder and Director,
Amélie Harris- McGeehan’s vision
was and still is: To create a garden for
gardeners to grow organic vegetables
and for visitors to enjoy the beautiful
space.
The Woodbury Community Garden
provides a tranquil environment
where adults and their children can
rent a space to plant vegetables and
flowers. There are picnic tables and
benches for folks to relax, making it a
great place for bird-watching, taking
pictures, sketching, and much more!
In early spring of 2014, 23
individuals including adults, their
children and Woodbury High School
students worked together to make
changes to the garden lay-out which
increased the amount of available
plots to 30. During the 2014 season,
plots were maintained by 42 adults
and 45 children with two adults and
25 children from the YMCA summer
camp program.
Woodbury gardeners are growing
peas, radishes, a variety of beans,
lettuces, arugula, spinach, collard
greens, swiss chard, kale, broccoli,
zucchini , squash, a variety of
peppers, a variety of tomatoes,
corn, okra, cucumbers, watermelon,
cantaloupe, beets, carrots, potatoes,
sweet potatoes, asparagus, onions,
rhubarb, lots of different herbs and
lots of flowers.
In addition, the Woodbury
Community Garden is a certified
Wildlife Habitat where you can
catch a glimpse of egrets, herons, the
occasional the Bald Eagle overhead
and the Eastern Goldfinch, which is
the New Jersey state bird
As the Autumn harvest starts,
Amélie shares some of her goals for
next year:
1. Do more outreach to those families
in need of food, and to find a way to
have them involved in growing their
own vegetables.
2.
Conduct more field trips for
students,
student
organizations,
families and other groups.
3. Continue to provide environmental
education programs at the community
garden, for folks of all ages and
interests and off-site outreach
programs to the school district.
4. Use the Community Garden as a
tool to connect the community with
nature and their neighbors.
For more information about
Woodbury’s Community Garden
visit:
woodburycommunitygarden.
com.
CITY NOTES
From the Tax & Utility collector’s
office:
The filing deadline for 2012
Homestead
Benefit
applications
was January 31, 2014. Eligibility
requirements and benefit amounts
for 2012 will not be finalized until
the completion of the State Budget
for FY 2015. Homestead benefits for
2012 are EXPECTED to be applied
to May 2015 property tax bills. This
information was taken from the
Division of Taxation’s website. PTR
or Senior Freeze hotline 800-882-6597
or www.state.nj.us/treasurytaxation/
ptr.buffer.shtml
Property taxes are due November
1, 2014. There is a 10 day grace period.
Interest will start to accrue starting
November 11, 2014. If you have not
received your 2014 tax bill please call
856-845-1300 x 119.
Water/sewer bills will be sent
October 15, 2014. We offer a 30 day
www.woodbury.nj.us
interest free period but note, interest
will start to accrue as of November 17,
2014. The meter reading information
is located on the upper left hand
portion of your water bill. If there is
an “E” next to the reading, it means
the bill was estimated.
Please contact the Public Works
Department at 856-853-0892 x 205 to
arrange access for an accurate meter
reading.
continued on Page 6