Read about The Grand
in Cuisine
p. 20
New car previews in this
month’s Driven section
p. 15-19
Bike racks wanted
for the downtown
p. 25
TOWN FIGHTS RESTRICTIONS
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Volume 18 • Issue 3
www.hammontongazette.com
by Gabe Donio
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—The New
Jersey Pinelands Commission imposed restrictions on development
in the town as it awaits the construction of a new drip irrigation
system this spring, according to a
letter from Pinelands Executive Director Nancy Wittenberg to Mayor
Out of the stream; Pinelands imposes building limitations
Stephen DiDonato dated December
3, 2013 obtained by The Gazette.
“Please be advised that, pursuant
to the Commission’s February 10,
2011, water allocation approval, effective December 10, 2013, Commission staff must call up for
review all new development proposed to be served by public sani-
tary sewer as being inconsistent
with the water quality provisions of
the CMP [Comprehensive Management Plan]. Development projects
that are called up cannot proceed
until the CMP inconsistency is resolved,” the letter from Wittenberg
said.
During an interview with The
Gazette on January 13, DiDonato
said he expected the town and the
Pinelands to resolve the matter by
March.
According to a statement by
Pinelands Commission Spokesperson Paul Leaken sent to The
Gazette on January 13, the
Pinelands has not imposed a sewer
moratorium in Hammonton.
“The Pinelands Commission has
not imposed a sewer moratorium in
Hammonton. We will accept and
review new applications for development in town. We are working
with Town officials, and we’re very
pleased with the progress that has
Man caught after New mural nears completion
fleeing from police
by Gabe Donio
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—At 10:02
a.m. on January 13, Ralph
Rescigno III, 43, of Hammonton
was charged with eluding the police, Hammonton Police Captain
Nick Salvatore said.
See TOWN, Page 12
“He attempted to flee while he
was pulled over for careless driving,” Salvatore said.
When Rescigno was eventually
stopped, he was charged with failure to stop, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license and
eluding the police in a motor ve-
Longtime teachers
retirements accepted
by Lauren Bucci
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—The Hammonton Board of Education accepted letters of retirement from
three longtime educators in the
district effective July 1, 2014 at
their regular meeting held Thurs-
See POLICE, Page 10
day, January 9.
Elementary school teacher
Donna Curcio, middle school
teacher Toni Condon and high
school teacher Maria Della Peruta
will be retiring at the end of the
school year after a combined 85
years of teaching experience.
The board also accepted letters
THG/MarySusan Hoffman. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
The mural for Wendy’s is nearly complete. The mural (designed by Jon Toothman of Hammonton High School) was
created by art students at the school. An unveiling with be held at Wendy’s on Saturday, February 15 from 10 a.m.
to 12 p.m. Hammonton High School Art Club Advisor John Toothman (left) poses with the mural and the students
who painted it. Wendy’s District Manager Brian Triolo is pictured at the right.
Fire Dept. honors members New Republican
party holds mtg.
See BOARD, Page 3
by Lauren Bucci
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—The Hammonton United Republican Party
held it’s first meeting on Tuesday, January 7 at Annata Wine Bar
at 8 p.m. Approximately 20 people attended the meeting.
The party was founded by former councilman Michael Torrissi,
Otto Hernandez and former councilman Steven Furgione with the
goal of winning elections in
mind.
“The three of us got together
and decided we needed to start
winning some elections here in
Env. Commission
reorganizes for 2014
by Paul J. Macrie IV
THG/Joseph Bruno. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
The Hammonton Fire Department honored its members at an awards banquet on January 11 at Hammonton Fire
Co. No. 2. Above: Dennis Berenato accepts a ceremonial ax from Joe Caruso. Berenato, Joe Donio and John Warren
were honored for 40 years of service, Tom Hutchinson for 25 years of service and Frank Silvesti for 65 years of service.
Past chiefs were also honored.
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HAMMONTON—The
first
Hammonton Environmental Commission meeting of 2014 began
with councilman Dan Bachalis
taking nominations from the board
The Gazette! ONLY $20 FOR 52 WEEKS! CALL: (609) 704-1940
See REPUBLICAN, Page 10
to determine the chairperson and
vice-chairperson for the calendar
year. It was decided by a unanimous vote that Robert Reitmeyer
and Terri Caruso-Cafiso would remain the chairperson and vicechairperson, respectively. Angela
Donio, Michael Hozik, Kathy
See COMMISSION, Page 4