COMMISSION , from Page 1 know when we ’ ll be reopening , and announce all that information as soon as I have it . I cannot wait for it ,” Mazzeo said .
Councilman Sam Rodio commented on the closure of the playground , noting that it might have been premature .
“ We might have maybe dropped the ball a little bit . We probably could have left it open a little longer ; I don ’ t think they realized what they were going to end up in on these roads here . It ’ s not all them ; they ’ re just old roads , with old laterals and water lines and sewer lines , and they ’ re running into all kinds of problems that have put them way back at the playground ,” Rodio said .
Councilman Steven Furgione commented further .
“ We did take more of a hard
stance with the town , trying to get them to get this lake park going . It ’ s got to get done . I don ’ t want to run into another situation where we get too late in the fall and we have concrete issues , or they can ’ t get the rubber down . It ’ s got to be done . They know we ’ re serious ,” Furgione said .
Later in the meeting , Furgione also updated the Commission regarding the proposed turf field at Field No . 4 of the Boyer Avenue Athletic Fields . Furgione said that the original submission sent to the Pinelands Commission was deemed incomplete .
“ Pinelands asked for a whole litany of drainage items ; the engineer for Mr . [ Jeff ] Umosella addressed them all and they have now re-applied to Pinelands . They missed the September meeting ; we should hear something back in October , whether it ’ s deemed complete to move forward or whether they need additional information ,” Furgione said .
Commission Chair Lou Cappuccio inquired further .
“ If we ’ re good to go , when can we start ?” Cappuccio said .
Furgione said that if the goahead is received from the Pinelands Commission is received in October , the project can commence immediately . If not , the start date would likely be in 2023 .
“ If we get the go in November
Wednesday , September 28 , 2022 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3
Rodio on playground : ‘ we might have dropped the ball a little bit .’
or December , I would say probably March . They need six weeks , I think it is , from the day they put the first shovel in the ground . It ’ s going to go quick once they get out there . I just don ’ t know how late in the fall they ’ re going to go — and I don ’ t know when Pinelands is going to come back and say it ’ s complete ,” Furgione said
Also during the meeting , Furgione discussed progress on Phase II of the Hammonton Bike Path project , which will be covered by a $ 745,000 grant . Furgione said that the town has authorized ARH to begin the design of the project .
“ Once the design ’ s complete , we ’ ll go for permitting and hopefully it ’ ll go out to bid next year . There was a discussion about whether or not we ’ ll need an easement from Kathedral ; I believe that ’ s been resolved and we do not need an easement ... We ’ re going to eventually tangle with New Jersey Transit regarding the crossing behind the DAV [ Disabled American Veterans ],” Furgione said .
Rodio said that , hopefully , activity should begin by the beginning of spring in 2023 .
“ Pinelands is 45 to 60 days alone , and it ’ s going to take a few months to get through all the permitting ,” Rodio said .
In other business , Mazzeo discussed the Skate Nights that have been hosted by Skate Hammonton at the 11th Street Recreation Fields . Mazzeo said that the organization has been diligent in sending waivers to the town each week .
“ By Monday or Tuesday , they ’ ll send over the waivers to me . There ’ s probably upwards of 30 waivers signed , so they have a good amount of people each week ; I think the same kids go every week , and they have additional ones on top of that ,” Mazzeo said .
Hammonton resident Somerlee McMahon was present at the meeting , and addressed the Commission regarding the events .
“ I went to the first one , because we were away for the other ones . They had like 20 people ; it was quiet , and the kids were having a good time . It was a good crowd , families ; adults and kids . It was really nice ,” McMahon said .
Mazzeo noted that the last approved Skate Night was scheduled for September 23 .
“ I don ’ t know if they ’ re going to ask for more or not . I know it has to do with their insurance policy ; the dates that they originally asked for were the only ones covered by their insurance policy .” Mazzeo said .
Later in the meeting , Cappuccio asked for an update about the Hammonton Hawks , who he no-
See MEETING , Page 10
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