Winter concerts
held in the schools
2013 Year
in Review
Longwood Gardens
is a winter wonderland
NO GO FOR WAWA
p. 24 and 33
p. 25-32
p. 39
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Volume 17 • Issue 52
by Paul J. Macrie IV
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—The Hammonton Zoning Board of Adjustment held its final meeting of 2013
www.hammontongazette.com
Board votes 4-3 for use variance, needed 5 votes
on December 19. Chairman Gaetano J. Matro opened the proceedings by asking for a motion to
approve the November 21 meeting
minutes, and the members of the
board granted the approval. After
presenting its application for a use
variance to allow development of a
proposed Wawa Food Market and
Fuel Station at two North White
Horse Pike locations in a Gateway
Crossing District 3 area on April 25
and again on September 26, Bellevue Property Associates, LLC. provided its third and final testimony
Battery thieves at Homes decorated for holidays
Walmart arrested
by Gabe Donio
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—Three men
who attempted to steal car batteries that were returned to the Walmart on the White Horse Pike
(Route 30) in order to be recycled
were arrested by police at 4:30
See WAWA, Page 10
p.m. on December 17, Hammonton Police Captain Nick Salvatore
said.
“They opened a gate where
Walmart puts their recyclables
and took car batteries. They
breached a locked fence to get to
the batteries,” Salvatore said.
Mayor outlines
goals for 2nd term
by Paul J. Macrie IV
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—In November, Stephen DiDonato was
elected to a second term as mayor
of Hammonton. DiDonato will be
officially sworn in for his second,
four-year term in the mayoral seat
See POLICE, Page 2
on January 1, 2014. He is set to
become the first two-term (fouryears each) mayor in town history.
DiDonato said his main goals
for the short term include the commencement of the Grape Street,
Packard Street, Pratt Street and
Second Road reconstruction proj-
Memories from some of the oldest Hammontonians
See DIDONATO, Page 4
THG/Amanda Measley. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
The home at 505 Railway features lights, inflatables, holiday statues and more. For more festive homes, please see
page 19.
by Gabe Donio
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
H A M M O N TO N — S e v e r a l
months ago, The Gazette asked its
readers to send information about
people who were considered the
oldest Hammontonians.
The
newspaper asked for submissions
to only include people who had
lived their entire lives in the community.
The Gazette received many responses, and conducted interviews
with three people who are among
the oldest living Hammontonians.
These are not officially the oldest
living people who have lived in
Hammonton their entire lives, but
they are certainly among the oldest.
Mildred Penza is 100. Anne
Capelli is 98. Anthony Tomasello
is 91. Together, they have nearly
Parks and Rec.
discusses Bulldogs
by Lauren Bucci
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
Courtesy Photo
Mildred Penza, 100, with the 1935 wood stove she purchased from Rubba Furniture Company on Bellevue Avenue
that same year. The stove has remained in her home’s kitchen on Middle Road since the year it was bought.
SUBSCRIBE TO
The Hammonton Parks and
Recreation Commission held its
final meeting of the year on Tuesday, December 19. Public Works
Manager and Business Administrator Jerome Barberio was not
present.
The Gazette! ONLY $20 FOR 52 WEEKS! CALL: (609) 704-1940
See OLDEST, Page 3
During the brief meeting, the
committee passed a motion for a
full carpet cleaning at the Canoe
Club in the amount of $561 by
South Jersey Building Services.
The Canoe Club will be closed on
the day of the cleaning, which will
take place on January 31.
During the new business por-
See PARKS, Page 14