The Hammonton Gazette 10/16/13 | Page 2

Sweet Creations moves to Bellevue Avenue p. 9 Stylish home decorating tips p. 27-38 St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Parish holds fall festival p. 23 NEW TOWN MURAL COMING Wednesday, October 16, 2013 Volume 17 • Issue 42 by Gina Rullo GAZETTE STAFF WRITER HAMMONTON—At the October 10 meeting of the Hammonton Board of Education, a check for $3,500 was presented to the district from the company that owns www.hammontongazette.com HHS students creating artwork for uptown Wendy’s the local Wendy’s franchise. In total the company donated $4,122.10 to the district. Briad Wenco LLC gave the donation to support arts programs. A portion of the money will be used for a scholarship for a graduating senior, another portion will be used for materials to create the “History and Heritage of Hammonton” Mural to be placed on an open wall on the Hammonton Wendy’s building on the White Horse Pike (Route 30), a third portion will be used to reestablish the Hammonton High School (HHS) Art Club by funding the stipend for the advisor and the final portion will be used for arts programs, according to the district. “We look forward to the mural being completed at Wendy’s,” Briad Wenco LLC District Manager Brian Triolo said. “Thank you for the partnership. The money will go to great use,” Freeholder mtg. Firefighters welcome kids held at theater when the county freeholder board came to a Hammonton venue to conduct its meeting. The most notable part of the proceedings was when Mayor Stephen DiDonato addressed the members of the board about the tax increase the town was issued by the county. by Paul J. Macrie IV GAZETTE STAFF WRITER HAMMONTON—On October 8, the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders held its regularly scheduled meeting at The Eagle Theatre. It was a rare time See FREEHOLDERS,?Page 10 HPD traffic detail increases safety by Gabe Donio GAZETTE STAFF WRITER HAMMONTON—A pedestrian crosswalk safety detail conducted on Bellevue Avenue from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on October 9 by seven members of the Hammonton Police Department was a success, Cpl. James Pinto said. “It has increased the level of safety for the pedestrians. After we do run the details, there comes a period of time when we don’t run the detail, and then we do notice a decrease in safety for pedestrians. The pedestrians that do use the downtown a lot thank us when we do a detail. They inform us See SCHOOL,?Page 14 THG/Joseph Bruno. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940. Joe Berenato let Eric Flores try on a firemen’s uniform during Hammonton Volunteer Fire Co. No. 2’s Open House on October 9. The open house featured fire safety information, demonstrations, giveaways, tours of the uptown fire station and more. Isabella Locilento and William Castilla each won a bike during the Route 30 event. Fire departments from around the region came out and participated and supported the fire company’s event. For more photos turn to Page 39. Papale speaks on Columbus Day Downtown vacancies See SAFETY,?Page 4 are being filled again by Paul J. Macrie IV GAZETTE STAFF WRITER HAMMONTON—In Hammonton’s downtown area, there are few buildings left that remain vacant at the present time. In recent months, Bank of America, directly in the middle of the downtown district, closed its doors and though there has been speculation on what business or businesses can occupy that space, nothing is currently planned, officials said. MainStreet Hammonton executive director Cassie Iacovelli and Greater Hammonton Chamber of Commerce executive director John Runfolo both stated that Env. Comm. hears subdivision plans by Paul J. Macrie IV GAZETTE STAFF WRITER THG/MarySusan Hoffman. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940. Vince Papale was a guest speaker at the Sons of Italy Columbus Day event on October 14. Papale once played for the Philadelphia Eagles and continues to hold the record for being the oldest rookie in the National Football League (kickers excluded). He is pictured with Sam Mento, 9, and Sarah Mento, 11. Related story on Page 2. SUBSCRIBE TO HAMMONTON—The Hammonton Environmental Commission held its regularly scheduled meeting at town hall on October 9. During the regular monthly meeting, town resident Dora Berenato’s application review and plan The Gazette! ONLY $20 FOR 52 WEEKS! CALL: (609) 704-1940 See DOWNTOWN,?Page 10 was presented to the environmental commission, and will proceed to the planning board phase on October 16. Berenato is seeking the subdivision of nine lots on the property located on Ninth Street. Before the review and presentation took place, the September 11 meeting minutes were approved by the board. Commission mem- See COMMISSION,?Page 3