Pure Jersey: Coffee roaster declares new town of Beltley between Belleville, Nutley

Musician, small business owner, founding father. John "Cozz" Cozzarelli is a man of many talents. The one with the most Jersey chutzpah, though, may be his spontaneous decision to declare a patch of land between the "Welcome to Nutley" and "Welcome to Belleville" signs the new town of Beltley.

Cozzarelli, who owns and operates Belleville-based Cozz Coffee, stuck a sign in the grass in front of a park on Joralemon Street that read "Welcome to Beltley." A series of videos announcing the town's founding quickly went viral.

Soon, visitors were adding "amenities" to the town: a bin of books became the Beltley Public Library, a dog crate became the Beltley Dog Park, and two sand buckets became the Department of Public Works. Cozzarelli's sign disappeared, but the spirit of Beltley lives on.

"Beltley is more than a town. It's really an idea of two things coming together and becoming one -- similar to a belt. It holds everything up," Cozzarelli said. "It's just an idea of unity. That's what Beltley is about."

Beltley vs. Nutville

Some aren't satisfied with the name of the town and its Belleville leanings, spawning Nutville signs and a social media campaign to change the name.

All kidding aside, Beltley is technically within Belleville's borders, and Cozzarelli will use the fake town's notoriety to raise money for Belleville Recreation. Cozzarelli listed "Welcome to Beltley" merch on his business website and will donate the funds.

When he's not selling coffee or founding towns, Cozzarelli can be spotted performing with his punk rock band, most recently opening for comedian Chris Gethard at The Vogel in Red Bank. The pair collaborated on the song "Lord Let Me Die in Essex County."