HAPPY 150TH, HAMMONTON!
FOUNDERS’ DAY COVERAGE • SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE MEMORABILIA SUPPLEMENT
SESQUICENTENNIAL!
p. 15-20.
p. 29-40.
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Volume 20 • Issue 10
by Kevin Troilo
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
www.hammontongazette.com
dent than ever when New Jersey
Manufacturers Insurance hosted
Founders’ Day on March 4, honoring the Hammonton sesquicentennial. For most, it was the official
Man charged with
shoplifting 50” TV
HAMMONTON—The feeling
of hometown pride was more evi-
by Gabe Donio
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—Isaac
Sotelo, 18, of Hammonton, was
apprehended by security at
ShopRite after allegedly attempting to shoplift a 50-inch television
at 9:20 a.m. on March 3, Hammonton Police Captain Nick Sal-
Founders’ Day honoring town held at NJM
kickoff of the town’s 150th anniversary celebrations and the perfect opportunity to celebrate its
history with friends and family.
More than 125 people gathered to
hear about Hammonton’s rich history from a number of speakers, in-
cluding New Jersey Congressman
and friend of Hammonton, Frank
LoBiondo (R-2nd).
Hammonton was incorporated
on March 5, 1866.
The afternoon began with a
beautiful performance by the Ham-
monton High School Choir, who
sang for the crowd under the direction of Marissa Carrafiello. A special posting of the colors was
presented by the Color Guard Unit
of the 177th Fighter Wing New Jer-
See FOUNDERS, Page 14
vatore said.
“He attempted to remove a 50inch television and was arrested
and charged with shoplifting,”
Salvatore said.
Sotelo was placed in the Atlantic County Jail by Cpl. James
Pinto in lieu of payment of $2,500
bail set by Hammonton Municipal
Judge Frank Raso, Salvatore said.
Officials: SJ Gas
HQ should stay
by Kevin Troilo
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—A special
meeting of mayor and town council was held on March 3 at town
hall. The meeting gave council
members and members of the
See CRIME, Page 14
public the opportunity to voice
their opposition regarding the relocation of South Jersey Gas
headquarters from the Folsom to
Atlantic City.
More than 50 people from the
public were on hand to show their
support for this ongoing battle
Car hits downtown building
See COUNCIL, Page 4
Taste of Town
coming on April 3
THG/Joseph Bruno. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
Mayor Stephen DiDonato (right) and Councilman Michael Pullia (center) present Sesquicentennial Committee President Harry Stafford with a plaque celebrating the town’s sesquicentennial. For more photos, see Pages 15-20.
by Kevin Troilo
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—The 13th annual Taste of the Town event will
be held on April 3 from 3 p.m. to
6 p.m. at Hammonton High
School. The one-of-a-kind event
will feature nearly two dozen local
restaurants, all of which will be
serving up their signature dishes.
The theme of this year’s event is
“Through the Years” and will
highlight Hammonton’s history,
specifically among the restaurants,
to help commemorate the town’s
sesquicentennial.
The gym provides ample space
to provide each restaurant their
own area and hand out samples at
their tables. An adult ticket costs
$25 and a student ticket just $10,
Town building codes
may be re-examined
by Kevin Troilo
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
THG/Gabe Donio. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
A two-car accident led to a car hitting the building at the corner of Third Street and Bellevue Avenue on March 3.
Fire, police and rescue units responded to the accident.
SUBSCRIBE TO The
HAMMONTON—There were
many important topics discussed
when town council met on February 22. Town solicitor Michael
Malinsky addressed possible revisions to the town’s form-based
See TASTE, Page 3
codes.
“At the end of last year, there
were some amendments that came
before mayor and council regarding the form-based code. What I
wanted to bring up was considering doing a re-examination of the
master plan authorizing the planning board to at least get some
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See TOWN, Page 12