Mayor outlines goals for 2008

by Julie Fink, Gazette Staff Writer

HAMMONTON—At the close of 2007, the town of Hammonton has experienced growth and improvement of roadways, the rebirth of downtown and construction of a new town hall.
What is to come in 2008?
According to Mayor John DiDonato, Hammontonians can expect continued progress in 2008.
“We are looking at a very productive and fiscally responsible year with no tax increase for 2008,” DiDonato said.
The bar was set in 2006 and 2007, and in 2008 the plan is to take it up another level, he said.
The new town hall at Central Avenue and Vine Street is scheduled for completion with a move-in date for town employees set in April.
Crews are currently working on the finishing touches of the HVAC and electrical systems with the interior aesthetic work to begin shortly.
In order to ensure a smooth transfer, there will be a 30-day grace period before the demolition of the old town hall takes place, he said.
According to DiDonato, the hope is to completely fund the demolition, clean up and municipal parking lot construction through state and federal grant money.
That work is scheduled for summer 2008.
DiDonato plans to continue with the upgrade of the Hammonton Police Department’s computer system which began this year with the installation of laptop computers in 10 police vehicles.
The remaining 25 police vehicles will receive the upgraded laptop computers and an advanced software system that allows for instant communication to the dispatch unit and the ability to access information for investigative purposes, he continued.
“It will make the police department more efficient and give the officers the tools they need to know what they are walking into instead of walking into a situation blind,” he said.
Work will continue downtown with the design and implementation of three parking lots to encourage growth and commerce for the merchants in the downtown business district, according to DiDonato.
The plans call for one parking lot located next to the train station near the Chamber of Commerce building, one behind Domino’s Pizza with access from Second Street and Egg Harbor Road and the last behind Elsa’s Hair Studio II on 12th Street.
“They will be paved, lit, safe and clean. More parking will help stimulate ratable growth in downtown,” DiDonato said.
Roadway, sidewalk and curb improvements scheduled for 2008 include Second Street from Bellevue Avenue to Vine Street and Vine Street from Egg Harbor Road to Central Avenue.
Work on Central Avenue will continue with the groundwork being laid for the construction of a meandering walking path along one side of the road beginning from Park Avenue and ending at the White Horse Pike, according to DiDonato.
Bellevue Avenue from Third Street to Valley Avenue will be receiving water and sewer improvements, replacement of curb, sidewalks and roadway, DiDonato said.
“After we complete that, we will jump over to Fourth Street from Bellevue Avenue to Fairview Avenue. Depending on when it is completed, it might be late 2008 or early 2009,” he said.
Also on the mayor’s to-do list for 2008 is the upgrade to the Hammonton Lake Park, specifically the community center.
An overall redesign of the parking and racetrack areas and the renovation of the boat house into a community center is planned, but the project may have to be broken into phases, he said.
According to the mayor, the project is currently in the approval process with the plans being reviewed by the New Jersey Pinelands Commission.
A state grant application was submitted for this project.
Other notable projects by the mayor for 2008 include upgrades to the airport, moving forward with the neighborhood revitalization “Little Italy” project, engineering design work for roadway improvements on Myrtle Street, a building addition to the waste water treatment plant, the increase in water allocation for the town, the construction of a new municipal well, extension of town water to Oak, Pine and Basin Roads, as well as Moss Mill Road, Moss View and Cypress Court and the extension of sewer to the Seventh Street/Boyer Avenue recreation fields.