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Volume 28 • Issue 38 hammontongazette . com Wednesday , September 18 , 2024
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BOE addresses safety concerns at meeting Unsubstantiated social media concerns elevate parents ’ fears
BY KRISTIN GUGLIETTI GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON — The frequent national media reports of school shootings and violence have created an atmosphere of high alert in parents and school administrations across the country when it comes to schools . Hammonton is no different . Recently a perceived but unvetted rumor of trouble at the middle school turned into social media postings and communications leading some parents to take precautionary actions .
On September 12 at 2:05 p . m ., the Hammonton School District posted the following on Facebook : “ As you are aware , there are a number of rumors , not based in fact , about threats of violence at Hammonton Middle School . This is not factual and is unfortunately being spread via social media . The administration and Hammonton Police have thoroughly investigated these rumors and are working hard to support students and staff while we follow our established procedures . A number of parents have already signed students out early in response to these unfounded rumors . As an extra measure you will see an additional police presence at the end of the day to provide a level of assurance to our students . If you have questions , please reach out to an administrator via email or phone . Thank you .”
The Hammonton Board of Education addressed these rumored threats of violence at the Hammonton Middle School during the September 12 board of education meeting . During committee reports , Board of Education President John Lyons addressed the situation .
“ We had an unfounded rumor
Tater Tot brings smiles at ECEC
Kristin Guglietti / THG
Hammonton Early Childhood Education Center Therapy Dog Tater Tot , and his owner , occupational therapist Chrissanne Hansbury , hangout in the OT room at the school .
BY KRISTIN GUGLIETTI GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON — A fluffy dog named Tater Tot has been hired at the Early Childhood Education Center ( ECEC ) as a therapy dog .
Chrissanne Hansbury , an occupational therapist at the Hammonton School District , is the owner of Tater Tot who is a 1-and-a-half year old Bernedoodle , which means half Bernese Mountain Dog and half Poodle .
She surprised her three children with
Tater Tot on St . Patrick ’ s Day and noticed how people were drawn to him and his calming disposition .
After talking with some teacher friends , Hansbury thought he could be a great therapy dog .
“ I started researching it , and the principal here , Dr . [ Darla ] Salay , she understands greatly the benefits of animal assisted therapy , what they can do for especially some of the populations we have here in school , so she was on
See TATER TOT , Page 8
HEC meeting gets rooted in tree questions
BY CRAIG RICHARDS GAZETTE PUBLISHER
HAMMONTON —” Just because I don ’ t live on that property , [ it doesn ’ t mean ] it ’ s not my business because the environment is everyone ’ s business now .”
That was the opinion of a citizen speaking during the September 11 meeting of the Hammonton Environmental Commission ( HEC ). But does that philosophy legally apply to others questioning what property owners do on their own property ? Maybe yes , maybe no .
Hammonton resident Suzanne Seckinger attended the meeting to share her concerns about the removal of trees in her neighborhood . Her belief is that discrepancies between official sites and town hall contacts regarding trunk diameters for required permits , citizen awareness of requirements and the policies and procedures of police and town officials when addressing tree removal situations are complicating and perhaps hindering the tree situation in town .
Seckinger provided a copy of the letter to The Gazette that she had sent to a town official , describing a recent interaction with a property owner on her street . That letter detailed the removal of three large maple trees in a neighborhood yard on her street . Seckinger asked the owner if he had obtained a permit . She said when the homeowner said no , she called the police .
An officer responded to the call informing her that since there was no criminal offense , they could not intervene . However , the officer offered to contact zoning and suggested Seckinger do the same . Seckinger said she did so .
According to Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel , the officer followed proper procedure in addressing the citizen ’ s concern . The HPD does not typically receive
that was investigated by the administration and the Hammonton Police Department today that affected the Hammonton Middle School specifically . At no time were any students in danger ; I want to be very clear about that . The process by which we investigate rumors and information that comes in happens very quickly and very thoroughly . We receive information like this almost on a daily basis across the district , and there ’ s a robust process that happens between the administration and the Hammonton Police Department to ensure that students are safe and well cared for while they ’ re here with us ,” Lyons said .
Lyons encouraged parents who have questions to reach out to the building principal , administration or staff where they can receive the latest information . He also said if parents feel the need to remove their child before the school day is finished , parents are free to do so .
“ We do a really good job here of keeping kids safe and educating them in a great environment , and the response I ’ ve given to parents over the course of today and a little bit this evening is if you need to know something , we will let you know . If there ’ s something that ’ s affecting the safety , health and wellbeing of your child , we will absolutely reach out to you through a number of different ways to make sure you have the latest information and specific information so you can make the choices you need to make as a parent ,” Lyons said .
Some parents questioned why the school system did not use the robo-call system in place to notify parents . While the tool is an effective form of mass communication , overuse of it could diminish its effectiveness . Therefore , officials necessitate its usage based on actual verified threats of safety or emergencies .
“ As a matter of course , the school district responds to rumors and information that we receive and in certain limited circumstances , verified threats . All of those things are investigated by the administration and the Hammonton Police in real time ,” Lyons said . “ In respect to the incident this past Thursday , it was determined early on that the incident was unfounded and purely based on rumor and did not rise to a level of a threat . Specifically , at no time were any of our students or staff in danger , which is why we did not use additional communication tools like text messaging or phone calls .”
Lyons went on to explain that
See BOE , Page 3
prenotification for permits such as tree removal .
“ In this instance , there was not a criminal charge to say , so the officer in question followed procedure . If someone did something without permission there may be fines or penalties imposed for such action , but since there is no criminal offense , we could not stop them from removing these trees . The individual questioning the action of the property owner would have to file a complaint with the appropriate authority ,” Friel said .
Seckinger said that apparently someone did visit the property the same day in response to the call and had stated that some branches from the tree in the back of the property had fallen on the roof of a neighboring home and the tree was tilted .
“ I didn ’ t see the permit guy . I don ’ t know who it was ,” Seckinger said , speculating that it appeared that the zoning representative gave the go ahead to finish the job .
Seckinger detailed her belief that the trees were well beyond the legal size to be removed without the permit and commented that they appeared healthy and in good condition , however , no photos or supporting evidence were available at the meeting .
The Hammonton construction office , which handles zoning , code enforcement and housing , confirmed a permit was filed by the property owner on Aug . 15 , 2024 . Reasons for removal in that application included dead parts of the trees , hanging over houses and limbs that have fallen on roofs .
The town ordinance does allow for exceptions to permit requirements as stated in 267- 13 .
That section of code states that trees may be removed without filing a permit application if it is deemed in imminent threat of life or property .
See ENV COMM , Page 4
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