The Hammonton Gazette 06/24/15 Edition | Page 2

Check out the Delsea Drive-in p. 49 Local businesses support the 2015 Blueberry Festival Time to vote for the p. 27-38 p. 25 HHS GRADUATES 327 Wednesday, June 24, 2015 Volume 19 • Issue 25 www.hammontongazette.com by Paul J. Macrie IV GAZETTE STAFF WRITER HAMMONTON—On June 18, Hammonton High School had its 119th commencement ceremony at the school’s athletic complex. The Class of 2015 consisted of 327 graduates, 50 of whom were National Honor Society members. Chew, Heath lead 119th class from Hammonton Class President Douglas Fusco welcomed the graduates and attendees to the ceremony. He said graduation day was a time to reflect on the past, appreciate the present and anticipate the future. “Whether or not we admit to enjoying these past four years at Hammonton High A.C. Sheriff Officer Brigandi arrested by Gina Rullo GAZETTE STAFF WRITER MAYS LANDING—An Atlantic County Sheriff’s Officer has been charged with official misconduct in connection with his posi- School, today is the day when we cannot help but look back. We entered these halls four years ago as awkward and confused freshmen, and whether we came from Atco, Hammonton or Folsom, we were all in the same boat. We were sometimes yelled at by the upperclassmen to walk on the right side of the halls, and hurried to the lunch room so we had a place to sit. Whether this felt like four long years ago or just four short days ago, these are the moments dug deep into our memories and displayed in the awkward pic- See HHS, Page 3 tion as President of the local Atlantic County Police Benevolent Association #243, Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced in a release dated June 22. According to the press release from the Atlantic County Prosecu- Council rejects trash removal bids by Brittany Mauro GAZETTE STAFF WRITER HAMMONTON—At the regular monthly meeting on June 22, town council rejected three trash removal bids. Council reviewed and rejected bids for the trash removal service due to bids being in excess of budgeted amount, according to the See BRIGANDI, Page 14 agenda. The bids were as follows: Gold Medal: year one, $733,000; year two, $747,000; year three, $763,000. SJ Sanitation: year one, $574,500; year two, $585,300; year three, $596,100. Waste Mgt: year one, $549,900; year two, $563,640; year three, $577,728. All bids received were rejected, as stated on the agenda. Blueberry season in full force See COuNCIL, Page 10 Planning board hears applications THG/Lauren Crescenzo. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940. Jacob King, Jacob Broyles, Marcus Mitchell, Timothy Curcio and Logan Davis at Hammonton High School’s graduation on June 17. by Paul J. Macrie IV GAZETTE STAFF WRITER HAMMONTON—On June 17, the Hammonton Planning Board held its regular meeting to address a minor subdivision application. Two other previously scheduled applications for the meeting were postponed until July 1. Board solicitor Michael Malinksy said no new notices were to be posted for the delayed applications. A change of use from applicant John Panticello, seeking a change of use from a professional office space to retails and an upstairs apartment on 12th Street, Parks and rec. deals with variety of topics by Brittany Mauro GAZETTE STAFF WRITER THG/Paul J. Macrie IV. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940. Hammonton blueberry growers are in the midst of their season. Macrie Brothers Blueberry Farm’s Nick Macrie in one of the fields off of Weymouth Road on June 20. SUBSCRIBE TO The HAMMONTON—The Hammonton Parks and Recreation Commission met for their monthly meeting June 16 to discuss the signage at Hammonton Veteran’s Memorial Park. Commission members and Lou Payne of Disabled American Veter- See PLANNING, Page 10 ans and Nick Paoletti of American Legion debated the materials for the Hammonton Veteran’s Memorial Park sign. They compared the finances and sustainability of marble compared to bronze for the new sign. “We wanted to thank you for considering producing this sign. I know it is an expense and you don’t Gazette • $20 FOR 52 WEEKS • CALL 609-704-1939 See PARKS, Page 14