Pics from the two
re-org meetings
p. 15 and 16
Remembering Ben
Franklin on his birthday
p. 23-30
More photos from the
town’s NYE Bash
p. 21 and 33
TOWN DROPS ZONING BOARD
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
Volume 22 • Issue 2
by Stephen Pistone
G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER
HAMMONTON—Town coun-
cil introduced an ordinance (#001-
2018)
during
its
2018
reorganization meeting on January
2 that proposed to amend Chapter
www.hammontongazette.com
Council reorganizes; Votes 5-2 for combined planning/zoning board
175 Articles IV and V of the
town’s general ordinances to
merge the zoning board of adjust-
ment and planning board in order
to cut costs and “minimize red
tape” for developers, according to
Mayor Stephen DiDonato.
DiDonato said the merger
would save the town between
$12,500 and $15,000, a savings
which he said could go back to the
taxpayers and could be used to
fund local events, such as the in-
augural New Year’s Eve Bash on
December 31.
“I’d like to see us add fireworks
to that blueberry drop next year.
Why not take some savings, elim-
Three sworn in on Sacco takes
board of education council seat
by Tania Rivera
G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER
HAMMONTON—The Ham-
monton Board of Education held
their reorganization meeting on
January 2, 2018.
The newly-elected board mem-
ber Kelli Fallon and re-elected
board members Sam Mento III
and Ray Scipione were sworn in
during the meeting.
Scipione was sworn in by Judge
Michael Donio and was accompa-
nied by his wife, Sharon Scipione,
and their children, Ryan and Bran-
don.
Prior to swearing in Scipione,
Chief Jones: Look
out for scammers
by Gabe Donio
G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER
HAMMONTON—Hammonton
Police Chief Robert Jones told The
Gazette that he wanted to warn
residents of a scam that is cur-
rently circulating and impacting
people, particularly senior citi-
See SCHOOL, Page 12
zens.
“Please do not respond to phone
calls threatening to turn off your
phone or gas or other utilities if
you do not go to a local place like
Walmart and Rite-Aid and pur-
chase gift cards and send them in
to an address. Utility companies
inate some red tape, turn the
money back to the taxpayers and
let them have a party?” DiDonato
said.
A motion to approve the first
See COUNCIL, Page 10
THG/Joseph Bruno.
Councilwoman Brooke Sacco was admin-
istered the oath of office on January 2 by
Hammonton Municipal Judge Frank Raso.
Raso said the last time Sacco and her hus-
band, Jim, were before him was on their
wedding day. Holding the Bible for Brooke
Sacco were her daughters, Elena and
Greta. This is Sacco’s first term on council.
She is a member of Hammonton First.
First Blueberry Drop
THG/Joseph Bruno.
A giant blueberry was lowered on New
Year’s Eve. For more pics, see Pages 21 &
33.
Fallon begins first term on board New tax law event
See POLICE, Page 14
Thurs., Jan. 18
by Stephen Pistone
G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER
HAMMONTON—The
Tax
Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA)
went into effect on January 1 and
represents a sweeping overhaul of
the U.S. tax system, which hasn’t
been seen since the Ronald Rea-
gan administration.
The $1.5 trillion tax reform
package includes the largest cor-
porate tax cut since 1939 and is
projected to bring a tax reduction
to most American households in
2018, but it also contains many
changes that will impact local tax-
payers beginning in 2018.
The new changes to the tax
School anti-bullying
efforts a priority
by Stephen Pistone
G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER
THG/Michael Rizzotte. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
Kelli Fallon began her first term on the Hammonton Board of Education on January 2. Her sister, Kerri Cody, admin-
istered the oath of office. Fallon was joined by her husband, Chris, and daughters Caroline and Eleanor.
SUBSCRIBE TO The
HAMMONTON—The Ham-
monton School District systemat-
ically adheres to the New Jersey
Department of Education’s Ha-
rassment, Intimidation and Bully-
ing (HIB) framework to ensure
See ALLOY, Page 4
every student is kept safe and
healthy while at school and that no
incident occurs that would impede
their education.
Each of the district’s schools
approach anti-bullying with a spe-
cialized approach that is tailored
each year to fit the school. Topics
like team-building, tolerance and
Gazette • $20 FOR 52 WEEKS • CALL 609-704-1939
See BULLY, Page 3