Saint Joe welcomes new NHS students p . 17
It ’ s going to be warmer soon . Is your yard ready ?
p . 23-34
Dinosaurs come alive in Georgia p . 39
Wednesday , March 22 , 2017
Volume 21 • Issue 12 www . hammontongazette . com
SCHOOL TAX HIKE : 3.95 ¢
by Stephen Pistone
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON — Wells 1 and 3 of the town ’ s water department have been offline for the past 15 months while South Jersey Gas ’ remediation project of a former manufactured gas plant ( MGP ) at the
HAMMONTON — There were two incidents of thefts and one incident of attempted theft from cars in the area of Boyer Avenue and Moss Mill Road , Hammonton Police Lt . Kevin Friel said .
Numbers regarding budget released at meeting
Expert : Town can use Wells 1 and 3
by Stephen Pistone
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
by Gabe Donio
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
2 groundwater contaminants found
corner of 12th and Lincoln Streets took place . During the town council meeting on March 20 , special
See COUNCIL , Page 4
Boyer , Moss Mill
thefts from cars
“ Change was taken from two of the vehicles and another had some items moved around ,” Friel said .
Police remind all residents to lock their car doors at all times to prevent theft , Friel said . Anyone with any information about the thefts should contact the Ham-
See POLICE , Page 12
HAMMONTON — The board of education introduced the budget for the 2017-2018 school year during its meeting on March 16 . According to board member and finance committee chair Manny Bermudez , the proposed budget would include a total tax levy of 3.95 cents , equivalent to an increase of 3.06 percent and an annual increase of $ 89 for the average Hammonton homeowner . The proposed budget and local tax levy were laid out in the second of three
Welcoming committee organizes
THG / Stephen Pistone . To purchase photos in The Gazette , call ( 609 ) 704-1940 .
Members of the Hammonton Welcoming Committee ( HWC ) and local business representatives met recently at the Ranere House at the AtlantiCare Health Complex to discuss the HWC ’ s upcoming “ Welcome to Hammonton ” program .
finance items voted on under Resolution No . 17 03 S ( W ) as follows :
Budget ($ 50,214,020 total ):
• Total General Fund :
by Stephen Pistone
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
The committee was formed a year ago during a call to collaboration at a seminar for Creative Hammonton , an organization stemming from a broader organization , Creative New Jersey , which is dedicated to “ fostering creativity , innovation and sustainability by empowering cross-sector partnerships in commerce , education , phi-
See HWC , Page 3
by Stephen Pistone
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON — With the help of eight local businesses and counting , the Hammonton Welcoming Committee ( HWC ) is working on becoming a vital resource for newcomers in the community .
SUBSCRIBE TO The Gazette • $ 20 FOR 52 WEEKS • CALL 609-704-1939
$ 45,565,722
• Total Special Revenue Fund : $ 2,252,530
• Total Debt Service Fund : See SCHOOL , Page 14
Hundreds attend MS event
THG / Joseph Bruno . To purchase photos in The Gazette , call ( 609 ) 704-1940 .
Lee Domenico ’ s foundation Lee ’ s MSketeers held its annual fundraiser on March 18 at Kerri Brooke Caterers . Hundreds attended the annual event which raises money to help those battling multiple sclerosis in the Hammonton area . Domenico is pictured with her son , Brandon , and grandson , Gennaro Critelli .
SJ Gas discusses Lincoln St . work
HAMMONTON — The Public Works & Transportation Committee and Water & Sewer Committee ( PWTC / WSC ) met with several representatives of South Jersey Gas to discuss the progress of the manufactured gas plant remediation project on Lincoln Street and various complaints about the manner in which the company has notified the public of road closures for service and installation projects during its meeting on March 16 .
Speaking on behalf of the remediation project were South Jersey Gas project manager for environmental affairs Kenneth Sheppard
See PWTC , Page 10
New welcoming comm . has plans