Rec. commission updated on two projects

by Julie Fink, Gazette Staff Writer

HAMMONTON—At its meeting on March 18, the Hammonton Parks and Recreation Commission heard a status report from Dave Cella of Adams Rehmann and Heggan (ARH) on the Hammonton Lake Parking and the Boyer Avenue Phase III projects.
Comments were received back from the New Jersey Pinelands Commission that ARH is addressing, including identifying the number of parking spaces currently available for comparison, he said.
It was estimated somewhere between 200 and 250, according to Councilman Jerome Barberio.
If more than 100 spaces are added, then a traffic study, specifically an air quality study, will need to be conducted, according to Cella.
Cella will present the commission with a timeline for construction, aiming for the middle of November.
The Boyer Avenue site has been graded, and drainage and sanitary sewer plans are complete, according to Cella.
Cella anticipates a traffic study requirement from Pinelands and requested the commission touch base with town traffic engineer Jerry Canter.
According to Barberio, it was determined that Green Acres money will be used to fund this project.
Barberio presented to the commission a park maintenance plan for the town’s parks that included and promoted the use of organic and phosphorus fertilizers.
“We want to start and promote a green approach. With the implementation of the green committee, we want to lead by example; instead of just asking the residents to do so, we want to do it ourselves,” he said.
He asked the commission to review and comment on the plan at the next meeting.
This plan complimented the goal of the Hammonton Lake Water Quality Advisory Committee to educate and promote ways in which the public can help keep the lake clean.
According to HLWQAC Chairman Paul Galletta, the two highest nutrients in the lake remain to be fecal coliform and phosphorus, identified by head biologist of the New Jersey Fish and Game Chris Smith.
Smith made a presentation to the HLWQAC of his fish inventory study, indicated that the chemistry of the lake was pretty good and suggested the creation of artificial and natural habitats to encourage the overall health of the fish.
The Hammonton Recreation Department and the Family Community Center will hold a Summer Camp from July 1 to July 31 for children ages six to 12.
Held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, alternating from the Hammonton Middle School and the Hammonton Lake, the Summer Camp can accommodate 50 children.
Planned activities include kickball, softball, Tae Kwon Do, dodge ball, hockey, arts and crafts, science projects and computers.
There will be field trips to the Cape May Zoo, a bowling alley, a skating rink and Clementon Park.
Presentations by the Camden Aquarium, Philadelphia Zoo and the Hammonton police, rescue and fire departments along with Kessler Hospital are scheduled.
Cost will be $500 per child with discounts given to multiple children of the same family at $450 for the second child and $400 for third. Sign ups will be held at the Hammonton Family Center, Atlantic Human Services Building, 310 Bellevue Ave. Call 567-2900 for details.
Charlie Baldi, coach for the girls seventh and eighth grade softball team, appeared before the commission requesting funds for some lacking equipment, including softballs and a catchers mask.
The commission agreed to look into the recreation trust fund, subsidized by town home and commercial developments, to purchase the equipment.