Business View Magazine | December 2020

361 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 MOUNT OL I VE TOWNSHI P , NEW JERSEY Mount Olive consists of two sections: Budd Lake, named for John Budd, who acquired 1,300 acres of land in 1714, and Flanders, named for a group of early settlers who vacationed in Flanders, Long Island. The Township was named after Benjamin Olive, a local land owner. Mount Olive began on March 22, 1871 through the splitting of the area known as Roxbury. In 2021, the Township will celebrate its 150th Anniversary. Over the years, Mount Olive re-zoned certain areas of town to allow for smart growth and redevelopment areas. With the implementation of the Highlands Water Planning and Preservation Act in 2004, placing 79% of the Township within the restrictive Preservation Area, along with Mount Olive currently protecting 6,925 total acres of preserved open space, the Township took steps to identify developmental areas, while keeping its commitment to protect the natural resources, farmland, watershed land, and scenic views. This balance has allowed Mount Olive to flourish with responsible residential and commercial development. Business View reached out to Mount Olive Business Administrator, Andrew Tatarenko, for updates on the Township’s growth and sustainability efforts. The following report highlights his insights on various aspects of importance to this exceptional community. Technology Technology is an essential piece in delivering municipal services and most importantly being transparent and communicating with the public. The Township website was recently updated giving residents an easier tool to navigate and we have a large social media presence. Many of our services are accessible on-line, such as requesting public records, submitting permits & licenses, paying taxes, and live streamed meetings. GPS is used to track our fleet, a work- order platform helps us prioritize our service