BALLOT INSIDE
A glimpse inside
‘Handmaids’ Tale’
Businesses show their
Blueberry Fest support
SEX ASSAULT CHARGES
p. 20
p. 31-42
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Volume 23 • Issue 25
by Gabe Donio
G Azette S tAff W riter
HAMMONtON—According
to a release read to The Gazette by
Hammonton Police Lt. Kevin
p. 57
www.hammontongazette.com
Police: Alleged abuse was reported to HPD
friel, Anthony J. Perona, a 66-
year-old Hammonton resident, has
been charged with aggravated sex-
ual assault as well as other related
charges and jailed pending a court
date. the allegations were inves-
tigated by law enforcement after
two individuals came to the police
department and reported the sex-
ual assault, friel said.
“On June 11, an adult and a
minor came to police headquarters
to report a sexual assault that had
been ongoing prior to that date.
the Hammonton Police Depart-
Hammonton First HHS Class of ‘19 graduates
announces slate
by Gina Rullo
G Azette S tAff W riter
HAMMONtON—Hammonton
first announced its candidates for
town council in a press release is-
sued to The Gazette. Councilman
See POLICE, Page 2
Gribbin, Sacco &
Oliva for council
thomas Gribbin and Council-
woman Brooke Sacco are running
for reelection and are joined on the
council ticket by Jonathan Oliva.
Hammonton holds
123rd graduation
ceremony indoors
See SLATE, Page 12
by Stephen Pistone
G Azette S tAff W riter
HAMMONtON—Proud parents, family members and supporters of
local students filled the gymnasium bleachers on June 17 as the Hammon-
ton High School (HHS) Class of 2019 set off into the future. A total of
342 seniors (based on the diploma list submitted by the school) turned
New rain garden at HHS Blueberry Festival
See HHS, Page 4
THG/Kelly Hunt. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
Hammonton High School Assistant Principal Dr. Kimberly Rudnesky presented her daughter Danica Rudnesky with
her diplomas during the high school’s graduation ceremony on June 17.
coming June 30
by Stephen Pistone
G Azette S tAff W riter
HAMMONtON—With blue-
berry growing season now under-
way, Hammonton will soon flex
its muscles as “the Blueberry Cap-
ital of the World” during the
Greater Hammonton Chamber of
Commerce’s 33rd Annual red,
White and Blueberry festival,
which will return to the Hammon-
ton High School (HHS) grounds
(566 Old forks rd.) on Sunday,
June 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
the festival has rapidly become
an annual highlight for local resi-
dents and regional tourists with its
family-friendly atmosphere that
Plan. board OK’s
auto shop variances
G Azette S tAff W riter
THG/Stephen Pistone. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
Hammonton High School students (l-r) Justin Canovas, Luke McBrearty, Richard Ruberton, John Grasso and Matt Braun
shovel mulch during the recent construction of a rain garden on each side of the school’s main entrance. See related
article inside.
SUBSCRIBE TO The
HAMMONtON—During its
meeting on June 5, the Hammon-
ton Planning Board unanimously
approved a waiver of site plan, c-
variances for setback and lot
width requirements and a d-vari-
ance for a change of use to allow
Gazette • SUBSCRIBE NOW! • CALL 609-704-1939
SB Auto Dealers inc. to convert a
vacant trash facility into an auto
repair/parts storage and used vehi-
cle sales facility.
the proposed facility is the for-
mer site of South Jersey Sanita-
tion, located at 654 S. egg Harbor
rd. (Block 4003, Lot 1, zone M1
on the town tax map) and is
owned by rubin Santana, who
See PLANNING, Page 8
by Stephen Pistone
See BLUEBERRY, Page 3