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Wednesday, September 9, 2015
$65,000 TO EAGLE THEATRE
Volume 19 • Issue 36
by Brittany Mauro
Gazette Staff Writer
HaMMonton—Council held
a special meeting September 2
to take action on what they called
economic development initiatives,
including the first reading of a tax
abatement plan and a separate
abandoned property maintenance
plan, as well as $65,000 to the
www.hammontongazette.com
Council oKs marketing money to theater, tax abatement plan
eagle theatre, funds that a resolution passed by council six to one
said would be used for a theateradministered “broad-based advertising program ... focused on
attracting visitors to Hammonton
and in turn stimulating economic
growth.”
before the public portion of the
meeting began, town council went
into closed session for about 35
minutes before returning. Mayor
Stephen DiDonato made a statement before any action was taken.
“atlantic County hired a firm to
provide an economic action plan,
cost of this service was $175,000.
again, that’s funded through the
county, it’s a county initiative. the
full report will be presented on
September 19, but the preliminary
report was presented to a group of
business leaders three weeks ago.
in that meeting, Hammonton, more
specifically the arts, and the eagle
theatre in Hammonton were
called the shining stars of atlantic
County. they compared the eagle
theatre to Garden theatre in Winter Garden, florida. the Garden
theatre tremendously complements the economy in Winter Garden driving many art festivals
through that town and having a
profound impact on its economy,
Former hospital St. Joe students return to school
plans continuing
by Kevin Troilo
Gazette Staff Writer
HaMMonton—the former
Kessler Memorial Hospital is receiving the facelift it has needed
since closing as Kessler Memorial
Hospital in March of 2009 and the
closure of the atlantiCare-run
emergency Department a few
See COUNCIL, Page 10
years ago. after nearly three years
of delays in construction and licensing, the nearly 100,000square-foot building that once
employed more than 500 people
will re-open as a medical arts
complex within the next year and
house numerous healthcare related
services.
Board approves
redevelopment plan
by Kevin Troilo
Gazette Staff Writer
HaMMonton—the Hammonton Planning board met on
august 19 to discuss ongoing
business regarding redevelopment
plans. Chairman ed Marinelli
See KESSLER, Page 3
headed the meeting. there were
two applications received by the
board. the application of Primex
Properties, LLC, a group who applied for a “major site plan”, was
postponed indefinitely. the second application was previously
submitted by John Panichello.
See PLANNING, Page 12
Locals serve on cnty.
boards, commissions
THG/MarySusan Hoffman. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
St. Joseph Regional Elementary School and St. Joseph High School students returned to the classroom last week.
For more pictures, see Pages 35, 38 and 39.
by Paul J. Macrie IV
Gazette ContributinG Writer
HaMMonton—there are 28
boards and commissions that are
considered atlantic County boards.
Hammonton residents continue to
serve on many of these important
boards and commissions that help
to develop ideas and solutions to
make the county a better place to
live and prosper.
according to Linda Gilmore,
public information office for atlantic County, 15 Hammonton residents are involved in respective
Ben Castone donates
landscaping at SJHS
by Kevin Troilo
Gazette Staff Writer
THG/Kevin Troilo. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
The former Kessler Memorial Hospital is under construction. The building is undergoing a complete remodel.
SUBSCRIBE TO The
HaMMonton—ben Castone, owner of ben Castone Landscaping, has given the exterior of
St. Joseph High School a whole
new look. During the past two
weeks, Castone has donated countless hours of his time into the renovation of their landscape.
See COUNTY, Page 14
“i went to St. Joe for my junior
and senior year and graduated in
2000. My father holds scoring
records in basketball that were set
right here in this gym, so it’s important for me. We’re right here in
downtown Hammonton and
there’s this big eye-sore as people
go by. it really broke my heart to
see it and i wanted to give back by
re-doing their landscape. the prin-
Gazette • $20 FOR 52 WEEKS • CALL 609-704-1939
See CASTONE, Page 4