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Volume 28 • Issue 12

Landscapers replaced trees throughout downtown last week .

HAMMONTON — The Hammonton Board of Education approved the school district budget for the 2024-2025 school year during the March 14 meeting . The total general fund budget is $ 64,336,080 with a local tax levy of $ 18,626,279 .

The total special revenue fund budget is $ 3,839,008 with no levy ; the total debt service fund is $ 2,026,282 with a local tax levy of $ 1,662,175 .

The total budget for the 2024-2025 school year is $ 70,201,370 with a local tax levy total of $ 20,288,454 .

Board President John Lyons called the meeting to order and all board members were present at the Samuel A . Donio Memorial Library .

During the Finance Committee Report , Lyons discussed the budget .

“ The initial budget as presented does not raise taxes , does not lower them ; it ’ s a zero budget . Our state aid figures we got a little over $ 100,000 more from state aid . Our ratable base , meaning houses and new buildings built in Hammonton that raised the tax base , went up about $ 138,000 . On the expense side certainly contractual obligations with the teachers and the other bargain units , health care costs and in general inflation on the expense side of the

BY DONALD YAMASAKI FOR THE GAZETTE

HAMMONTON — The Environmental Commission members were not pleased with the town for disregarding obtaining approval of tree removals from the Commission before cutting down 21 trees across the town .

Public Works Manager Robert Vettese attended the March meeting of the Environmental Commission on behalf of the town of Hammonton . Vettese came to seek approval for the removal post facto of 21 trees , since they have already been cut down . Vettese was also seeking the Commission ’ s perspective on how to move forward from this point . Vettese explained the town plans to add around 60 more trees on different streets around town .

Commission Chair Dan Bachalis and the rest of the attending members of the Environmental Commission voiced their disapproval of the actions taken by the

budget and really increasing , but we ’ ll look at what we need to add . There ’ ll be discussion ,” Lyons said .

Earlier in the meeting , Warren E . Sooy Jr . Elementary School Principal Dr . Kristina Tigro gave a presentation on what ’ s happening at the elementary school .

Tigro said in February during American Heart Month 126 students participated in the Kids Heart Challenge .

“ The students collectively raised an impressive sum of $ 19,324.85 . I ’ m pleased to report that our school was the top fundraiser in Atlantic County for the American Heart Association for the second consecutive year ,” Tigro said . town without their approval .

“ The Commission is being disrespected . Our mayor is being disrespected . Our environment is being disrespected . Downtown has been disrespected . This is a great disservice on many counts .” Bachalis said .

If the Commission wishes to do so , they could contact code enforcement about the trees being taken down illegally . The town could be forced to pay a fine , but Bachalis said the chances of the Commission taking legal action is unlikely .

Vettese provided the Commission with packets that had photos of contractors implanting trees into soil in the downtown area . The Commission members were not pleased with what they saw in the photos provided .

In one of the photos provided , a tree can be seen covered in soil while still covered in the burlap sack used to transport the trees . This is detrimental to the lifespan of the tree according to the Commission .

See TREES , Page 3

BY KRISTIN GUGLIETTI GAZETTE STAFF WRITER

Craig Richards / THG

During her presentation , Tigro discussed the Warren E . Sooy Jr . Elementary School Care Closet / Pantry , which was established last year through a Hammonton Education Foundation grant written by teachers Angela Cirillo and Nicole DeFelice .

The purpose of the Care Closet / Pantry is to support students and families in need within the school community .

“ Funds from the grant have provided the initial resources needed to get the Care Closet up and running , but it ’ s the ongoing support from teachers , community members and service organizations like

See BOARD , Page 8

BY DAN RUSSOMAN GAZETTE NEWS / SPORTS DIRECTOR

HAMMONTON — The Hammonton Men ’ s Basketball League opened its 85th season on March 12 with a pair of games at Hammonton High School .

One of the oldest leagues of its kind in the country , the Men ’ s League will feature five teams this season .

Ben Castone , who directs the league and played in it for several seasons ,’ was pleased to see another season-opener .

“ The league started in 1939 and there aren ’ t too many that have been around that long . It ’ s special to me because In played in it and so did my father and my grandfather ,” Castone said .

Castone presented a plaque to town councilman Thomas Gribbin , thanking him for the town ’ support .

“ This is a great league . Ben and the other guys do an excellent job and it ’ s something to be proud of ,” Gribbin said .

The league features five teams this season and games are played every Tuesday and Thursday evening at Hammonton High School .

For more on the Men ’ s League , see page 44 .

Dan Russoman / THG .

Hammonton Councilman Thomas Gribbin ( holding ball ) joined team captains to help celebrate the opening of the Hammonton Men ’ s Basketball League ’ s 85th season on March 12 . Pictured from left : Joey Umosella , Bobby Barbieri , Kelvin Rivera , Gribbin , Tony Quigley and Ian Brown . one dollar