A look back at the fall
sports season
Kids making music together
The must-see
movies this season
p. 25
p. 27-42
Cookie Bake-Off is Dec. 8p. 8
p. 53
ST. MARTIN CHURCH SOLD
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Volume 20 • Issue 47
by Gabe Donio
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—Kevin
Rodio, owner of Spellcaster
Productions LLC, purchased the
former St. Martin de Porres Roman
www.hammontongazette.com
Kevin Rodio bringing ‘Kathedral Event Center’ to property
Catholic Church Property at the
corner of S. Egg Harbor Road and
Park Avenue for $600,000 on
November 17. Rodio said the
property would be renamed
“Kathedral Event Center” and
Council authorizes
$100K settlement
by Stephen Pistone
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—Town council approved the mutual release
and memorandum of a settlement
agreement between the town of
Hammonton and Indian Harbor
Insurance Company during its
would have the pews removed and
hold at least two concerts a month
in a standing-room floor area.
Banquets are planned to be the
main use for the basement hall
area, Rodio said.
The closing for the property,
which transfered ownership to
Spellcaster Productions LLC was
held at Landis Title, and Angela
Ruberton of Crowley & Carr Real
Estate was Rodio’s agent. Rodio
said his company purchased the
property, which includes 11 acres,
the church and rectory.
According to Rodio, the Diocese
of Camden originally asked for
$1.4 million for the property, then
lowered their figure to $1.1 million
See KATHEDRAL, Page 16
meeting on November 21, resulting in the town having to contribute a $100,000 contribution,
Hammonton Town Solicitor
Michael Malinsky said during the
meeting.
The settlement pertains to past
litigation between the town and a
proposed Treatment Solutions re-
Board of education
approves spending
by Tania Rivera
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—The Hammonton Board of Education held
their regular meeting on November
17.
The board approved the following amounts, as stated on the
agenda:
See COUNCIL, Page 14
• ratify the purchase order lists
for September/October 2016 in the
amount of $1,099,368.94
• approve the bill list for November 2016 in the amount of
$887,032.58
• ratify the check lists for October/November 2016 in the amount
of $697,196.04
Dancing to the classics at Frog Rock
See SCHOOL, Page 3
Public works
committee meets
THG/MarySusan Hoffman. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
Kevin Rodio (center), of Spellcaster Productions, is pictured inside Landis Title on November 17. Rodio purchased
the St. Martin de Porres Church property to be used as an event space. He is pictured with Lori Amos of Landis Title
(left) and real estate agent Angela Ruberton of Crowley and Carr.
by Stephen Pistone
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON —The Public
Works & Transportation Committee and Water & Sewer Committees (PWTC/WSC) went over the
current change orders for the ongoing, utility replacement project on
Valley Avenue during their meeting
on November 17.
Councilman/Water and Sewer
Committee chairman Steven Furgione said the town has declined
“many” of contractor Mathis Construction’s 28 submitted change orders. Furgione estimates that
approximately $30,000-worth of
change orders have been rejected
so far.
“I have to add up the numbers,
but the numbers that we’re reject-
Parks Comm. says no
to Main Road tot lot
by Stephen Pistone
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
THG/Stephen Pistone. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
The dance floor was packed during the November 18 fundraiser at Frog Rock Country Club. DJ Tony Macrie played
hits from the 1950s, ‘60s, 70s and ‘80s. Proceeds will benefit local veterans groups. See Page 14 for more pics.
SUBSCRIBE TO The
HAMMONTON—The Parks
and Recreation Commission unanimously voted against a proposed
recreational facility at the apartment complex located at 35 Main
Rd. during its meeting on November 15.
See PWTC, Page 10
Project design engineer Andrew
Coursen, of Churchill Consulting
Engineers; Attorney Jeffrey Chang
and Project managing partner
Michael Colucci appeared before
the commission regarding the
project. Also at the meeting was
town solicitor Michael Malinsky,
who was asked by town council to
attend and give an overview of the
Gazette • $20 FOR 52 WEEKS • CALL 609-704-1939
See PARKS, Page 4