Towne Drama returns to
the stage this month
p. 31
Traveling through Europe
with Rick Steves
p. 23-30
See Curcio at the Levoy
in Beauty & the Beast
p. 38
FROG ROCK DEAL BEGINS
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Volume 22 • Issue 32
www.hammontongazette.com
Less land for $1.4M; Torrissi, Furgione vote no; Hearings Aug. 13, 20, 22, 27
by Stephen Pistone
G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER
council passed the first reading of a
bond ordinance (Ordinance No.
034-2018) that proposed to appro-
priate $1,450,000 ($1.4M for land,
$50,000 for soft costs, according to
the town) in order to purchase a
portion of Frog Rock Golf and
Country Club (Block 4303, Lots 13,
14, 15, 16 and 20 on the town tax
map), where the town is planning to
discharge the excess treated effluent
from its wastewater treatment plant
by using the course’s on-site irriga-
tion system.
According to the town, only 14
holes of the golf course will be pur-
chased under this new deal.
A motion to pass the first reading
of Ordinance No. 034-2018 was
Customers love the Cutting the ribbon at Maplewood
new Maplewood
HAMMONTON—During a spe-
cial meeting held on August 6, town
by Stephen Pistone
G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER
HAMMONTON—Local Italian
restaurant
Joe
Italiano’s
Maplewood Inn (470 S. White
Horse Pike) has been a mainstay
among the Hammonton dining
scene for nearly three-quarters of a
See GOLF, Page 8
century. After 73 years, guests at
the Maplewood can still expect the
same
high-quality
dining
experience
they’ve
grown
accustomed to, but will now
experience it in a completely
reimagined setting after the
restaurant recently unveiled an
extensive
expansion
and
Planning bd. OKs
affordable plan
See MAPLEWOOD, Page 2
by Stephen Pistone
G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER
HAMMONTON—For the second time in two weeks, housing and
planning consultant Shirley M. Bishop and town conflict solicitor Brian
Howell appeared before the Hammonton Planning Board to discuss the
parameters of the housing element and fair share plan that is the result of
a June settlement with the Fair Share Housing Center (FSHC) regarding
Hammonton’s future affordable housing obligation, which Bishop said
See PLANNING, Page 4
THG/MarySusan Hoffman. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
Joe Italiano’s Maplewood held a ribbon cutting for their newly-expanded and remodeled restaurant on August 1. Pic-
tured (l-r): Mayor Stephen DiDonato, Jeremy Italiano, Jessica Lockhead, Jim Italiano, Jimmy Italiano, Robin Italiano,
contractor Joseph Continisio, Greater Hammonton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director John Runfolo and pictured
in front are Justin and Isaac Italiano .
NJ Fringe Festival
returns to town
by Stephen Pistone
G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER
HAMMONTON—The down-
town art district highlighted the
unorthodox side of performing
arts during the Third Annual New
Jersey Fringe Festival, which
returned August 3 to 5 for three
days
of
eclectic
theatre
performances, live music and
more—all in a festive, centralized
downtown setting.
The festival was first launched
by Eagle Theatre Producing
Director Ed Corsi, who co-created
it with the theatre’s Managing
Director Ted Wioncek and Chief
Discovering Yesterday
looks at family history
G AZETTE C ONTRIBUTING W RITER
THG/Stephen Pistone. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
Members of Philadelphia-based band Fallible Being hang out in the beer garden (off of Second Street) before taking
the stage to perform at the New Jersey Fringe Festival held downtown on August 3, 4 and 5.
SUBSCRIBE TO The
HAMMONTON— Living in
Hammonton is a family affair; as
so many families have been in
town for generations, and now one
local woman is offering her
services to help families discover
their rich histories and origins.
Gazette • SUBSCRIBE NOW! • CALL 609-704-1939
Robyn Berenato is the
president, founder, and researcher
of Discovering Yesterday, a
business that specializes in family
record research and genealogy.
Berenato is originally from the
Atlantic City and Pleasantville
areas, but moved to Hammonton
with her husband, Joe Berenato,
and living here has further
See HISTORY, Page 10
by Franki Rudnesky
See FRINGE, Page 3