The Hammonton Gazette 01/29/14 | Page 2

Anthony Mento opens brokerage office downtown p. 9 Special Super Bowl 12-Page section p. 23-34 Harry Potter World expanding in Florida p. 40 SCHOOL SEEKS TOWN’S HELP Wednesday, January 29, 2014 Volume 18 • Issue 5 www.hammontongazette.com by Lauren Bucci Gazette Staff Writer HaMMONtON—During the regular meeting of town council on January 27, Hammonton Board of education President Joseph Giralo came before council to request that the town start issuing tickets on the road to excellence (the road that runs from fourth Street to Old Wants speeders on the road to excellence ticketed forks road, connecting the elementary school to the high school) to help ensure safety following a traffic survey and previous discussions. “the key is that when the traffic study was done, cars were clocked doing as high as 65 miles per hour on the road to excellence. it’s in no one’s best interest that that happen,” Giralo said. town solicitor Brian Howell told Giralo that an ordinance was probably required for such action but it could be set in motion for the february meeting. “Since we met, and i think you’ll find you have full support of this council, i don’t think that’s an issue at all, procedurally we may have to do it in the form of an ordinance, that may take a little longer than we would like…we’ll have that on the february agenda first reading, if we have a special meeting we can accelerate that,” Howell said. interim Public Works Manager/ Business administrator Jerome Barberio was not present at the meeting. Barberio was attending a course to become certified in the construction techniques necessary to help build the drip irrigation systems for the Boyer avenue site, ac- HPD: House fire New members join NHS chapter ruled accidental by Gabe Donio Gazette Staff Writer HaMMONtON—according to an e-mail issued by Hammonton Police Det. Sgt. edward Slimm, the cause of the fire at 39 Centennial Drive was ruled accidental. See COUNCIL, Page 12 the horrific blaze that completely destroyed a house and displaced a family of five also generated enough heat to damage the exterior of several homes around it. according to police, John Businesses expand and open in town by Paul J. Macrie IV Gazette Staff Writer HaMMONtON—there are several new and expanding businesses in the town of Hammonton. each owner has put a significant investment in the town and feels that it is an ideal location to con- See POLICE, Page 10 duct business. as the national economic landscape remains unsettled, these local businesses continue to put their trust in the area and its surroundings. On November 17, taco Bell opened up in Hammonton in the former KfC building on the White Horse Pike (route 30) across from Cleaning up after the big snow District prepared See TOWN, Page 3 THG/Joseph Bruno. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940. Hammonton High School’s NHS Chapter welcomed new members on January 23 during a ceremony held inside Hammonton High School’s Performing Arts Center. For more photos and an article covering the event, see Page 19. for bullying issues by Paul J. Macrie IV Gazette Staff Writer HaMMONtON—throughout the country, each school district is faced with the issue of bullying and it occurs at all grade levels. Hammonton School District assistant Superintendent and anti- Bullying Coordinator robin Chieco provided information on how the district handles bullying cases and if it changes based on age and grade levels. also, Chieco offered tips and examples of bullying, and classified the most common types. each school district building has an Board approves solar panel plan by Paul J. Macrie IV Gazette Staff Writer THG/Joseph Bruno. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940. A snow storm brought more than six inches of snow to Hammonton on January 22. Leo Petetti clears the sidewalk from Fairview Avenue to his parents’ house on Fourth Street. For more snow photos, see pages 36 and 38. SUBSCRIBE TO HaMMONtON—On January 23, the Hammonton zoning Board of adjustment had its reorganization meeting for 2014. During the beginning portion of the session, the board had to elect three officers for one-year terms, along with The Gazette! ONLY $20 FOR 52 WEEKS! CALL: (609) 704-1940 See BULLYING, Page 10 making five other one-year appointments. there was one major item on the agenda, which was a use variance to permit installation of a solar array system at 643 South first road. the applicant was Jonathan Lee for John and annette Scipione. five new members of the zon- See  ZONING, Page 4