The Hammonton Gazette 11/24/21 Edition | Page 4

DiMeglio Septic , Inc .
Layaway now for Christmas !
HaMMONtON — at the regular meeting of town council , held November 15 in town hall , Mayor Stephen DiDonato held a moment of silence for Joseph Cacia , who died on November 9 .
“ He ’ s a former councilman of the town of Hammonton . He was also a planning board and zoning board
One Sindoni Lane , Suite C , Hammonton ( 609 ) 270-7886 • www . meadowsbridalshop . com
Now carrying Blush by Hayley Paige and Maggie Sottero
We carry gorgeous dresses by : Hayley Paige , Maggie Sottero Casablanca , Mori Lee , and so much more !
member , and he was an educator and a tremendous football coach . Joe Cacia will be sadly missed ,” DiDonato said .
During the meeting , council held an official swearing-in for richard Brown iii , Matthew Heiser and Harry Valentin , the three newest officers of the Hammonton Police Department . Councilman thomas Gribbin administered the oath of office to each . Before the proceedings , Hammonton Police Chief Kevin friel thanked the members of council for the opportunity to “ further enhance our police department .”
“ We had hired , in the last council meeting , three new officers — and when i say ‘ new ,’ one of them is not new , because he ’ s been an officer for eight years . through the new program through the state of New Jersey , we ’ re able to do hire transfers from other agencies ,” friel said .
Brown was the first officer brought forward .
“ He comes to us from the city of egg Harbor . He has eight years ’ experience as a police officer , and he helps to backfill some of the seniority that we were lacking in our structure as we ’ ve had some departures through the years ,” friel said . friel said that Brown is fully certified and trained and has “ a lot of tools in his tool belt .”
“ He ’ s been assigned , in the previous agency , on the county SWat team . He has gone through extensive training for drug detection , working as an investigator in egg Harbor City as well , so it further enhances that capabilities of our department ,” friel said .
Heiser was the next officer brought forward , and friel noted that he has more than “ 12 years ’ military experience .”
“ He is a person who is an older first-start as a law enforcement officer , bringing him in at age 30 .
Wednesday , November 24 , 2021 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3

Joseph Cacia remembered at Nov . 15 council meeting

by Joseph F . Berenato Gazette Staff Writer
He ’ s reaching the point where , as a municipal officer , the cut-off is 35 — so this is another great way for him to be able to start his law enforcement career , as he was picked up as only a Class ii officer for the city of atlantic . We were able to hire him as a full-time officer ,” friel said . friel said that Heiser ’ s skillset is “ extensive .”
“ He was trained as a military police officer and was also trained in a lot of weapons and tactics — as he was part of a nuclear recovery and protection team for nuclear devices . So , he has a lot of extensive training , which hopefully the town of Hammonton won ’ t ever need , but , should we , i ’ m confident to say that he would be the person we would send out front for that ,” friel said .
Valentin , a former police officer in New York City , was the third to come forward .
“ Both of his parents retired as detectives in the New York City Police Department , and this man gave up his position in New York City ’ s Police Department to come here to be by the side of his mother after she lost her husband — Harry ’ s father . that is something that is totally commendable — and certainly something that anyone would do for their family with a lot of love . Bringing him into our family here at the Hammonton Police Department is something that i ’ m happy to say that we were able to do ,” friel said .
Valentin was an investigator for the atlantic County Sheriff ’ s Department , which friel said is an ad hoc position .
“ if there was another sheriff elected , they could have said , ‘ Harry , thanks for knowing you ; it was a great time having you , but we ’ re relieving you of your position .’ i ’ m proud to have him have a place to grow here where he has a solid foundation ,” friel said . after the oaths were administered , friel said that two retiring officers will be honored at the December council meeting .
“ We ’ ll have a plaque ceremony for that . then , after the first of the year , we ’ ll have another one of our officers retiring , so , to keep our 34 number , we ’ ll be increasing our fold into the new year ,” friel said . in other police business , friel said that the department is still conducting its third annual food drive .
“ We ’ re helping out St . Vincent de Paul food Bank , and they are in need . if , in your shopping travels , you could pick up a couple extra dry goods — or , on thursdays at Shoprite , even fresh milk , eggs , meat , anything of that nature can be collected on that night and brought directly to the food bank . We ask that , while you ’ re going out there , put a couple extra items in your shopping cart to help those in need ,” friel said .
See TOWN , Page 12

DiMeglio Septic , Inc .

Est . 1975 ~ DEP 03261 ~ Paul DiMeglio 1 ( 800 ) 427-4617 ~ 561-1007 ~ 561-3597
491 White Horse Pike • Ancora , NJ
• Grease Trap Cleaning • Portable Toilets
• Septic Certifications • Jetting Service

Yes , there really is a Santa Claus

Layaway now for Christmas !

CUSTOM ENGAGEMENT RINGS & WEDDING BANDS REPAIRS COMPLETED ON PREMISES
121 S . White Horse Pike Across from McDonald ’ s Hammonton • 561-6222