In Your Opinion: Question For Somerset County Dem Party Leader
By Bill Connell. I know all of Franklin’s leaders on a first-name basis and I think this is important. It is irrelevant if I agree or disagree with any one of them on any one topic. There are 9 people on the Township Council for a reason. You can only hope the average of those opinions is […]
Township Council Hears Applications For CDBG Projects
A public hearing on applications for nearly $350,000 in Community Development Block Grant money was held at the March 26 Township Council meeting. The public hearing is part of the process of awarding the grants, the money for which comes from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. The money is targeted to be […]
Township Resident Leads SomCo VoTech In Bringing Music To Bridgeway
A township woman was among the members of the Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School Band Club who recently spent an afternoon helping local senior citizens celebrate the start of Spring. Club vice president Margaret Kim of Somerset, and club president Vaanya Salwan of Bridgewater, were joined by several other Band Club members at […]
Masjid-e-Ali Iftar Brings Together Many Faiths
Representatives of multiple faith traditions gathered at Masjid-e-Ali on Cedar Grove Lane March 22 for the mosque’s annual Intra- and Interfaith Iftar. The event is held during Ramadan, a month-long Muslim observance of fasting and purification. Ramadan this year runs until April 9. During the month, Muslims fast during daylight hours, breaking that fast with […]
Zoning Board Approves Church In Veronica Plaza Retail Space
A 1,600-square-foot retail space at Veronica Plaza will become a house of worship following a March 21 approval by the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The approval for ECG New Jersey came with conditions, including no more than 49 people in the church during Sunday worship, no more than 15 people in the church during Wednesday […]
In Your Opinion: Assemblyman Danielsen Moving In Right Direction
By Bill Connell. In fairness to Joe Danielsen I need to write one more letter regarding the Open Public Records Act, since he is moving in a direction I was hoping to see. Last night he spoke in front of a group of local Democrats and tried to explain what issues he is trying to […]
School District 2024-25 Budget Expected To Have Small Tax Increase
A steep cut in state aid and a multi-million dollar increase in charter school tuition presented stiff challenges, but school district officials said the proposed 2024-25 budget should only result in a minor increase in the school portion of township property tax bills. Schools Superintendent John Ravally said the tax rate should be what he […]
Cannabis Businesses Prove Profitable For Township, Record $10 Million In Sales
Sales taxes paid by the township’s four operating cannabis dispensaries totaled to more than $200,000 in 2023, a Township official said. Township Manager Robert Vornlocker said the Township received $201,076 from the four cannabis retailers operating in 2023. Vornlocker estimated that the Township could see more than $300,000 by the end of 2024. Cannabis operations […]
Township Council Budget Hearing Reveals Possible Water Rate Hike
A hike in township water utility rates may be in the offing. If it comes to pass, the rate hike would be the second such increase in two years. A discussion about the water utility budget during the March 19 Township Council budget hearing revealed the same problem facing the Council in 2023: current revenue […]
Franklin Food Bank Awarded $1 Million Grant
A $1 million grant to the Franklin Food Bank from a foundation founded by MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of billionaire Jeff Bezos, will be put toward a new, larger facility, according to the organization. The grant was part of $640 million Scott’s foundation, Yield Giving, awarded to 361 non-profits on March 19. “From a pool […]
