Community Building

GET OUT THE VOTE – Activist Larry Hamm urges attendees at the “No Kings 4 – Vote Early” rally at the township gazebo to make sure they and their friends vote in the upcoming general election. Speakers at a “No Kings 4 – Vote Early” rally Saturday urged Franklin Township residents to vote early in the Nov. 3 midterm elections …

DEFENDING THE PLAN – Township Attorney Lou Rainone on defended the location of an affordable housing project during the Township Council’s October 13 meeting. The Township Council unanimously approved a tax incentive program October 13 for the conversion of a former Davidson Avenue hotel into 142 affordable apartments, despite concerns raised by residents about truck traffic, air pollution and access …

Franklin Township spent $62,888.98 in opioid settlement money over the past fiscal year on four programs, led by a summer job-readiness course for young people and a new peer-support initiative for residents in recovery, according to the Township’s annual report on the funds. The report, included in Somerset County’s 2026 Opioid Abatement Report, covers July 1, 2025, through June 30, …

Hundreds of revelers gathered October 3 in Franklin High School’s activities lobby for the annual celebration of Diwali. The Festival of Diwali, which occurs over five days in the Fall, is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists.

Police cruisers, ambulances, utility trucks and a medical helicopter filled the Franklin Middle School Hamilton Street campus on October 3 as the Franklin Township Police Department’s Community Relations Bureau hosted its second Touch-a-Truck event. The event gave children a hands-on look at vehicles they rarely see up close, according to Franklin Township Police Officer Ken Reid, the event’s organizer

Township officials are keeping a wary eye on the weather to help determine weather the September 26 Franklin Day will go on as planned. A coastal Nor’easter is expected to make its presence felt on Saturday, with the National Weather Service on September 23 predicting a 40% chance of rain during the day.

READY TO GO – David Spruill gives last-minute instructions to the 50-mile course riders September 19 at the RCDCU ride for prostate cancer awareness. More than 100 riders and walkers gathered at the township Senior/Community Center off DeMott Lane September 19 to mark the 20th anniversary of a local bicycle tour designed to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

Two beginner-friendly fundraising events in support of Safe+Sound Somerset are set for 9 a.m.. to 9 p.m. September 26 at the Colonial Park Tennis Center, 156 Mettlers Road. The events are hosted by Yes We Thryve, a New Jersey based organization that hosts pickleball socials, bachata dance nights, hikes, and wellness activities. Yes We Thryve hopes to raise $5,000 for …

SOLEMN REMEMBRANCE – Bill Cullen, former Chief of the Elizabeth Avenue Volunteer Fire Department, lead the annual ceremony. Firefighters from across Franklin Township gathered at St. Matthias Catholic Church on September 11 for the 25th annual first responder commemoration service, where the names of every emergency worker killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks were read aloud.

SOLEMN REMEMBRANCE – Mayor Phil Kramer speaks during the Township’s commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Township officials and clergy gathered at Franklin Township’s 9-11 Memorial on September 8 for the annual commemoration of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, with speaker after speaker using the 25th anniversary to ask …