Page 4 • Wednesday , November 9 , 2022 • The Hammonton Gazette
Frank LaSasso V honored by council at meeting
FRANKIE , from Page 1 monton Little League , and in the fall of 2022 when he returned to football with the Hammonton Hawks ,” Oliva read .
The proclamation noted that La- Sasso ’ s return to both sports was met with ceremonies and events in his honor .
“ Frankie LaSasso V ’ s return to school and the sports that he loves was celebrated with family , friends , members of our community , teachers , coaches , teammates , members of town council and the Parks and Rec Commission , who all wished to help raise awareness of childhood cancer and continue the ‘ Fight Like Frankie ’ movement ,” Oliva read .
In other business , Hammonton Town Engineer Mark Herrmann , of Adams , Rehmann and Heggan Associates ( ARH ) had one action item under his report regarding the Hammonton Middle School tennis courts .
“ We received bids on September 21 to redo the tennis courts and pickleball courts . The low bidder was American Athletic Courts ; their low bid was $ 502,790 ,” Herrmann said .
Herrmann requested a motion that the contract be awarded , which was covered under Resolution No . 153-2022 , Award Contract Tennis Courts .
Rodio made the motion , with the understanding that the Hammonton school district has agreed to a 50 / 50 cost share for the project . Councilman Steven Furgione seconded the motion , which passed unanimously .
During his report , Herrmann said that Valley Avenue has received a base paving .
“ We ramped up all the driveways and manholes and utility
THG / Joseph F . Berenato . To purchase photos in The Gazette , call ( 609 ) 704-1940 .
Eight-year-old Frank “ Frankie ” LaSasso V ( center ) stands with his family and holds a proclamation that was presented to him by Councilmen Sam Rodio ( left ) and Jonathan Oliva ( second from left ).
valves , so that ’ s done ,” Herrmann made to St . Joseph Academy . said .
“ We can get the water main installed , pressurized , tested and
Herrmann said that compaction tests were performed during paving , ing ,” Herrmann said .
start with the concrete and pav-
“ Everything looked pretty good , Councilman Steven Furgione but I ’ m going to review them — commented further . and if I find any areas where I “ We videoed the lines in the think we need to add some additional ones to confirm we have what ’ s going where . As Mark said ,
parking lot , trying to figure out
good compaction , I ’ ll get some I think we got that dialed in pretty tests ,” Herrmann said . well now . We ’ re going to provide
Herrmann said the current plan a couple extra connections — is to pave the top coat on Valley whether it be sewer , or storm and Avenue while the base coat is sanitary sewer , for them in the future if they need it ,” Furgione said . being laid on School House Lane .
Regarding School House Lane , Regarding Hammonton Lake Herrmann said that he was satisfied with the utility connections morial Playground . Herrmann
Park ’ s Cpt . Gerard V . Palma Me- said
that the rubber surface has been poured , and that work is due to commence on the concrete walkway , fencing and parking lot striping .
Mayor Stephen DiDonato referenced a conversation he had with Recreation Leader Denise Mazzeo regarding walkways .
“ Right now , what we have out there is a gravel mix with a chemical on it that was going to hold , where you can use wheelchairs and strollers on it . The contractor — correct me if I ’ m wrong , Mark — is willing to do concrete for the same price . Is that correct ?” DiDonato said .
Herrmann replied .
“ It ’ s more per square yard , but there won ’ t be any increase to the contract ,” Herrmann said .
Herrmann explained further to The Gazette after the meeting .
“ The concrete costs more per square yard but there are a few other items — including paving — that we used less quantity than estimated , so the net result is not an increase ,” Herrmann told The Gazette . DiDonato continued . “ This will give us an impervious surface , a better surface for a wheelchair to make it accessible , and better for strollers ,” DiDonato said .
DiDonato then made a motion to formally change to concrete for the work , which Councilman Thomas Gribbin seconded .
Oliva asked for clarification as to which specific walkway in Cpt . Gerard V . Palma Memorial Playground , and DiDonato responded .
“ This is the walkway up to the blueberry , so to speak , coming from the monument where the — it ’ s the , oh man , Vietnam veteran , the Vietnam memorial ,” DiDonato said .
Public Works Manager Robert
Vettese offered assistance . “ Charles Palma ?” he said . DiDonato continued . “ Charles Palmer Vietnam Memorial is there , right ? To come there , and to get to the blueberry , it ’ ll all be impervious surface . It ’ ll be all ramped ; there ’ ll be no steps ,” DiDonato said . The motion carried . Herrmann ’ s report also contained the following information items :
• NJDOT FY2022 Municipal Aid — Old Forks Road : ARH has begun the preparation of the con-
See ARH , Page 16