hammontongazette . com Wednesday , April 24 , 2024
St . Joseph Academy ’ s “ The Rising ” honors Bagliani family
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Volume 28 • Issue 17
Rotary hosts wine tasting
Photo Courtesy of Jennifer McGraw
Michael Thompson , Eric Guggenheim and Sean Masson pose for a photo before pouring wine for guests at the Hammonton Rotary Club ’ s annual Wine Tasting event on April 20 .
BY JENNIFER MCGRAW FOR THE GAZETTE
HAMMONTON — For a town that prides itself on boosting the “ Garden State ” name , Hammonton ’ s community really knows how to make good wine . Hammonton ’ s Rotary Club hosted their 18th Annual Hammonton Rotary Wine Tasting on April 20 .
The mild warm-weather evening brought Hammonton out for food , drinks and a free wine glass with their event ticket purchase . Winemakers participated and poured wine samples to guests , who voted on their favorite wines throughout the evening .
Joint Land Use Board reviews car wash app .
BY KRISTIN GUGLIETTI GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON — The Hammonton Joint Land Use Board reviewed an application to add a car wash on 150 S . White Horse Pike during the April 17 meeting .
The applicant , Spark Car Wash , LLC sought a site plan with a subdivision with C and D variances .
Before reviewing the application , Councilman Jonathan Oliva and Planning Board member Edward Wuillermin recused themselves .
The property is centered on the corner of Broadway and the White Horse Pike .
The applicant started with an interpretation or an alternative in the D1 variance relief for the use itself and an interpretation or alternative variance relief regarding the applicability of the height of a first-story requirement .
Volunteers within the community also stepped up to help accommodate guests with wine . The contest consisted of guests choosing their favorite wines and cast their vote with a ballot box near the corresponding wine .
Blueberry wine was a surefire favorite for the guests , but other great tastes include California pinot noir and sweat pear . When necessary , guests ate saltine crackers to clean their palate and try more wine .
The Best of Show - Cello Division winner was Frank Raso . The first
CherylLynn Walters , the attorney representing Spark Car Wash , LLC said the applicant originally filed for preliminary and final major site plan approval and minor subdivision for the lot line adjustment on or about Nov . 21 , 2023 and supplemented it on Jan . 2 , 2024 with a copy of the N . J . Pinelands Commission certificate of filing for the project .
During the interpretation , Walters said the application falls under the umbrella of local service , which is a conditionally permitted use in the GW2 zone .
However , town planner Stuart Wiser disagreed .
“ It ’ s my opinion that a car wash does not qualify as a personal service as our ordinance defines it ,” Wiser said .
He said Chapter 175 , the zoning code , has no definition for
See PLANNING , Page 3
hammontongazette . com Wednesday , April 24 , 2024
See ROTARY , Page 12
OLMC speaks at council
BY KRISTIN GUGLIETTI GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON — Our Lady of Mt . Carmel Society President Louis J . Pantalone gave a presentation on the Preservation of the Our Lady of Mt . Carmel Festival during April 22 town council meeting .
According to their website preservationoftheolmcfestival . org , the Preservation of the OLMC Festival was “ created for religious , charitable and education purposes , particularly to preserve and celebrate the history of the annual Our Lady of Mount Carmel Festival held by Italian immigrants in the Hammonton , southern New Jersey area since 1875 and to educate the general public about such history .”
This year will be the Festival ’ s 149th
BY KRISTIN GUGLIETTI GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON — Hammonton Republicans announced their slate of town council candidates last week .
In addition to councilwoman Renee Rodio , who is seeking reelection , Joseph Caruso and Rick Sepe will be running for seats .
Caruso , a volunteer fireman for 35 years , previously ran for town council last year and is looking for a seat on council again this November .
When he isn ’ t volunteering at the fire department , Caruso works as an electrician foreman for Christopher ’ s Construction Co . He ’ s worked there for five years and he used to operate his own company , an electrical contracting business .
One of Caruso ’ s main goals is to revitalize the Planning and Zoning Board because
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anniversary , and there are big plans in the works for the 150th anniversary in 2025 such as a commemorative coin .
Later in the meeting after the Our Lady of Mt . Carmel Society left , mayor Stephen DiDonato received a text from Pantalone asking the public to bring in their pictures and send their thoughts on the Festival to the Our Lady of Mt . Carmel Society .
Earlier in the meeting there was a retirement presentation to Audrey Boyer .
Councilman Thomas Gribbin said Boyer has worked for the town for 35 years and 10 months .
Boyer started working at the tax office then later became the purchasing agent . When her sister retired , she took over as
See COUNCIL , Page 8
Republicans announce slate
Rodio , Caruso , Sepe running for council
he said the process is too stringent to the average taxpayer .
Caruso also wants to address the homeless situation because it ’ s an epidemic across the country .
If elected , Caruso brings his extensive knowledge in construction , fire department , EMT service and the police department .
Sepe , the president and radio personality of WNJHRadio , is running for town council for the first time .
Sepe said he ’ s always wanted to run for town council , but previously couldn ’ t do so because when he was an H & R Block franchise owner for 32 years , he had a contract which prohibited him from running for public office .
Sepe ’ s interest for public office started several years ago when he ran for school board .
See REPUBLICANS , Page 2
All smiles at SJA Prom
Photo Courtesy of Betsey Karl
Joshua Mitchell , Marlaina Mantuano , Grace Walz and Robert Troyano enjoyed the St . Joseph Academy Prom on April 18 . This year ’ s event was held at Brigalias in Sicklerville . For more photos , see Pages 13 and 18 . one dollar