Town hall moves forward

THG/Gina Rullo
Town hall lead designer Joe Piccari and Dolan Mechanical Inc. project manager Ralph Varalli on the roof of the new town hall.

by Julie Fink, Gazette Staff Writer

HAMMONTON—The steel is up, the framework is built and cement is poured. The masonry is complete, windows, doors and balustrades installed and the roof-top cupola and gables are constructed.
The new town hall in Hammonton located at Central Avenue and Vine Street has reached a significant milestone.
Dolan Mechanical Inc. is buttoning up the last of the exterior work and has moved inside adding colorful paint, a variety of flooring and stately cherry wood millwork to finally give the building its character and distinctive style.
“The design of the town hall is a traditional, colonial style reflective of a stately public building that gives the presence of strength and integrity,” Lead designer and project manager Joe Piccari said.
“Now it is beginning to look like a building and finally take shape,” Construction Manager Stephen DiDonato of KMD Construction said.
As of January 15, $3,671,411 has been spent on the town hall project out of a budget of $5.9 million, according to Mayor John DiDonato.
“The town hall project is on time and on budget,” Piccari said.
Additionally, Stephen DiDonato reported that less than $20,000 has been spent on change orders to date.
The drywall is being completed and the painting of the interior of the building has begun, Stephen DiDonato said.
Work is scheduled to begin on the decorative staircase and railing system of the two-story foyer and the cherry wood millwork in the courtroom area, Piccari said.
The ceramic tile, carpeting, and vinyl tile flooring, interior trim work, and installation of the decorative electrical fixtures, once complete will soften the interior of the building and give the building its personality.
“We are beginning on the first floor and working up the ladder,” Stephen DiDonato said.
The installation of the drop ceiling will come next highlighted with a special ceiling design in the courtroom including soffit lighting, decorative tile and hanging chandeliers, according to Piccari.
Other unique touches were included in the design utilizing natural light as well.
“A special made stained glass window with the Hammonton blueberry logo will sit as a backdrop to the judge and mayor,” Piccari said.
An anticipated temporary certificate of occupancy is planned for early April.
Prior to the move, town officials are planning a public tour of the building to enable residents and interested parties to view the finished product, Mayor DiDonato said.
“People can walk through areas that would normally be closed off to the public once we are officially open,” he said.
The demolition of the old town hall is anticipated for summer with the construction and paving of the municipal parking lot to begin late summer to early fall, according to Mayor DiDonato.
The prospect of coordinating the project with the repaving of Second and Vine Street is being reviewed, he said.
Wrapping up loose ends, town officials are also working on a few issues raised during construction.
One included the Hammonton Police Department’s location of a sally-port.
An easement agreement has been reached with the adjacent property owner to allow for easier access and a larger turning radius, Mayor DiDonato said.