The Hammonton Gazette 05/29/19 Edition | Page 4

Fire Chief Macri agrees to send information to town council Wednesday, May 29, 2019 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3 COUNCIL, from Page 1 to make the zero-tax increase a truly zero-tax increase.” Leon P. Costello, CPA, of Ford-Scott & Associates, said. Mayor Stephen DiDonato also indicated that the financial state of the town would probably enable it to obtain a AA or AAA bond rat- ing, something which Costello said was on the agenda for this year. In other council business, Res- olution #012-2019 to Amend Chapter 25 of the General Ordi- nances of the town of Hammonton regarding fire companies was taken off the agenda and moved to June’s meeting. DiDonato will meet with two members from each of Hammonton’s fire compa- nies on May 26, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the resolution be- fore then. Many members of both of Hammonton’s fire companies were in attendance Monday night in anticipation of the resolution, including Hammonton Fire Chief Sean Macri. The mayor did, however, make mention of the increase of the fire department’s budget from $102,000 in 2018 to $227,000 in 2019. Additionally, he said the town has received a grant of $700,000 for new turnout gear for the department, with 10 percent being contributed by the town. Di- Donato also indicated hesitance at granting $10,000 of the budget, having not received a copy of the department’s red book, nor an equipment list with vehicle mileage, which he said was re- quested several months ago. “We proposed a budget tonight that increased the fire department by $125,000 in a good-faith effort to remove the animosity between this seat and the fire department, but I’m really flying blind to the fact that I don’t know where this $125,000 is going.” DiDonato said. Macri addressed the council and agreed to furnish the information via email or flash drive by week’s end. Bond Ordinance #007-2019 for various capital improvements and the issuance of $1,693,470 in bonds was approved. These im- provements include: Now carrying Blush by Hayley Paige and Maggie Sottero We carry gorgeous dresses by: One Sindoni Lane, Suite C, Hammonton (609) 270-7886 • www.meadowsbridalshop.com Hayley Paige, Maggie Sottero Casablanca, Mori Lee, and so much more! • The acquisition of a Police Pro-Phoenix and 911 System (ap- propriation and estimated cost, $226,000; estimated maximum amount of bonds and notes: $214,700) • The acquisition of a pick-up truck and four wheel drive vehi- cles for the Police Department (cost: $207,600; bonds and notes: $197,220) • The 2019 Road Program, in- cluding Grape Street, North 1st Road, Chestnut Street, Sindoni Lane, School House Lane, Or- chard Street, Washington Street, 4th Street, Wood Street, Union Road, North Street, Valley Av- enue, Golden Eagle Drive, Grand Street, Vine Street, Gatto Avenue and other various roads that may need paving (cost: $1.2 million; bonds and notes: $1.14 million) • Reconstruction and other roadway improvements (Phase III Project) for 14th Street ($350,000, including a grant in the amount of $305,000 from the State of New Jersey Department of Transporta- tion; $42,750) • The acquisition and installa- tion of an airport hanger fire sup- pression system (cost: $70,000; bonds and notes: $66,500) Bond Ordinance #008-2019 for various utility improvements and the issuance of $1,007,000 in bonds was improved. This in- cludes: • Painting of the water tower on 12th St. and Lincoln St., and touch-up painting on the water tower on the Road to Excellence (cost: $960,000; bonds and notes: $912,000) • The acquisition of a pickup truck and a utility vehicle (cost: $100,000; bonds and notes: $95,000) Street parking is no longer al- lowed heading east on Woodman Avenue, in accordance with Pub- lic Ordinance #009-2019. Council voted unanimously to approve Ordinance #010-2019, amending Chapter 54 of the gen- eral ordinances, pertaining to the roles and responsibilities of the Business Administrator and the Public Works Manager. Ordinance #011-2019 fixed the salaries of certain town employ- ees: • Town Clerk/Accountant/ Deputy Registrar/Airport Admin- istrator/Business Administrator (minimum: $45,000; maximum: $120,000) • Public Works Manager (min.: $45,000; max: $100,000) • Department Head of Public Works (min.: $45,000; max: $100,000) • Municipal Court Interpreter (min.: $75/session; max.: $125/ session) The passage of Ordinance DiMeglio Septic , See TOWN, Page 15 Est. 1975 ~ DEP 03261 ~ Paul DiMeglio Inc. 1 (800) 427-4617 ~ 561-1007 ~ 561-3597 491 White Horse Pike • Ancora, NJ • Grease Trap Cleaning • Portable Toilets • Septic Certifications • Jetting Service