Wednesday , December 6 , 2023

Volume 27 • Issue 49

by Delaney Smith FOR THE GAZETTE

HAMMONTON — A presentation regarding the safety of Hammonton ’ s water supply system was given during the town council meeting on Nov . 27 at town hall .

Hammonton ’ s water supply system consists of five active groundwater supply wells , two water storage towers and a water distribution piping network . Water is treated and transported from the supply wells to the piping network or stored in one of the water towers .

To test the water , samples are taken from treated samples from each well in the town . They are then tested and broken down into if there are any organic , inorganic or pathogenic substances in the water , sometimes measuring these substances ’ presences down to the micromillimeter .

Dr . Raymond A . Ferrara , who gave the presentation and compiled the evidence regarding the quality of Hammonton ’ s water supply , drew data from water tests as far back as 2021 . Hammonton ’ s drinking water has consistently stayed under the limits for the vast majority of water tests , including those for polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS ( better known as forever chemicals ), lead and copper and pathogenic organisms like E . coli .

All data regarding the water quality of Hammonton ’ s systems are available online in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act . The online portal , called the New Jersey Drinking Water Watch , contains data from water systems all over the state .

“ It ’ s all reported in the Drinking Water Watch ,” Ferrara said , referring to the public database of drinking water quality reports . “ The data for Hammonton — as well as any other drinking water purveyor — will be there and available for public viewing .”

Private wells were not tested . The only data received were from public water sources . Citizens who have a private well should look into getting them tested , especially because these wells can have higher concentrations of nitrates that could be harmful at high concentrations , Ferrara said .

During the second portion of the meeting where the public was allowed to be heard by the Town Council on any matter , Cherie Calletta , a resident of Elm Street , voiced concern about the noise ordinance and how up-to-date it is .

She said that there is a house on Third Street that blasts music loudly

See NOISE , Page 4

Kristin Guglietti / THG

People learned about the birth of Jesus during Victory Bible Church ’ s Drive-Thru Nativity from Dec . 2 to Dec . 3 . For more photos , see Page 13 .

HAMMONTON — Santa Claus lit up the tree during the annual Downtown Tree Lighting event on Dec . 2 from 6 p . m . to 9 p . m . on Central Avenue .

Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel has been participating in the Tree Lighting event ever since he was a police officer back in 1993 .

“ It ’ s one of the highlights of our wintertime festivities that we have , and it really marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Hammonton . It ’ s a great place for everyone in the community to come out to celebrate the holiday spirit ,” Friel said .

Friel said he looks forward to seeing Santa ’ s arrival each year .

“ No matter how young or old you are , Santa always strikes that childlike feeling and ignites it for the holiday for you , and to see Santa step off the truck and light up the Christmas tree , it ’ s just one of the great feelings in town ,” Friel said .

To keep everyone safe , there were extra Hammonton Police Department officers in

Photos Courtesy of Candice Atwell

Santa Claus arrived at the Downtown Tree Lighting on Dec . 2 by firetruck and lit the town tree .

by Kristin Guglietti GAZETTE STAFF WRITER attendance as well as roads closed to facilitate the event .

During the Tree Lighting , people got to enjoy carriage rides , which started at the Hammonton Family Success Center . The rides went up Bellevue Avenue to School House Lane , down to School House Lane to Third Street and then Third Street back to Bellevue Avenue , Friel said .

There was also a Mistletoe Mart on Central Avenue where local artisans sold various items including jewelry . The Hammonton Arts Center in collaboration with GoMez Studio also had a holiday ornament craft for kids at the Mistletoe Mart .

There were also fire pits for attendees to warm up as they waited eagerly for Santa ’ s arrival .

Robin Ford , MainStreet assistant to the director , helped set up the event with volunteers .

Ford said she looks forward to seeing Santa the most because the kids get excited .

“ Kids are excited . The positivity and the excitement of all that for the kids is in the air , and once that starts it ’ s just a nice feeling for

See DOWNTOWN , Page 14

by Jennifer McGraw FOR THE GAZETTE

HAMMONTON — Rainy weather didn ’ t stop Hammonton residents from attending the two-day WinterFest holiday vendor fair hosted by Hammonton ’ s Rotary Club from Dec . 2-3 at the Our Lady of Mt . Carmel fairgrounds . Instead , it was a time to begin holiday shopping with the town ’ s finest handmade gifts .

Vendors lined the left and right of the venue with some fun ways to support the community in the middle . Guests and families checked out everything that was to offer while children had

the chance to play holiday-themed games with others . Children also had the opportunity to write letters to Santa .

The first day of the Rotary Club ’ s Winter- Fest was a fantastic day for holidays in Hammonton . A few vendors completely sold out in their first day . Convenient with the rainy weather , some of the fun activities could be moved inside on the second day to account for the space from the sold out vendors .

Among the vendors were Keyman & Stitch , a father-daughter duo who showed up to sell handmade gifts like glass ornaments and knitted creations . They emphasized the time

See WINTERFEST , Page 12 one dollar