County Commissioners

GRANT RECEIVED – Pictured, from left to right, (front), Josephine Taranto, Preservation Planner for Somerset County’s Department of Engineering and Planning; Jane Kiernan, Treasurer of the Franklin Inn – Van Liew Homestead Association; Nancy Hohnstine, Trustee of the Franklin Inn – Van Liew Homestead Association; Barbara ten Broeke, President of the Franklin Inn – Van Liew Homestead Association; Suzanne Ochse, …

FINALLY FINISHED – Cars pass over the newly opened New Brunswick Road bridge over Al’s Creek on November 14. The bridge replacement work was completed about a month-and-a-half later than originally estimated. A construction job on New Brunswick Road that was originally expected to take 33 days is finally done, nearly 90 days later. Replacement of the bridge over Al’s …

Somerset County and The Food Bank Network of Somerset County are partnering to host an emergency food distribution event to support Somerset County residents that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.  The event will take place at the Somerset County Public Works Complex at 411 Chimney Rock Road, Bridgewater, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 15. This free, drive-through …

Entries are being accepted for the Somerset County Park Commission’s 2025 Photo Contest. The contest is open to all Somerset County residents, according to a press release. Shutterbugs are invited to send in their best pictures of Somerset County parks. “Capturing the beauty of Somerset County’s parks was an unexpected and rewarding experience, but having my work recognized in the photo …

LEADING THE CHARGE – Mayor Phil Kramer led the Franklin delegation in a virtual public comment session run by state environmental officials about permit applications for a controversial natural gas pipeline project. More than 170 area residents – including a healthy contingent from Franklin – took to the Internet September 10 to persuade the state Department of Environmental Protection to …

A township-based cultural organization was awarded more than $26,000 in two grants from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission. The Ukrainian History and Education Center was awarded a $20,175 Local Arts Program grant to provide in-person and virtual programming on Ukrainian folk arts and traditions for Somerset County residents. The organization was also awarded a $6,000 grant through the …

PORTION OF ROAD TO CLOSE – New Brunswick Road between Cedar Grove and Wells lanes will close around August 18 for the reconstruction of the Al’s Brook bridge. A 46-year-old bridge deemed to be “structurally deficient” will be replaced later this month, resulting in part of the road being closed into September. The bridge, known as K0607, carries New Brunswick …

EXPLAINING THE PLAN – Debbie Hartman, a consulting engineer for Somerset County, explains the proposed plan for the Griggstown Causeway that is hoped will improve safety and reduce traffic congestion. Somerset County officials on July 1 unveiled a $2 million project that is hoped will alleviate traffic congestion problems at the Griggstown Causeway. If approved, the plan would not come …

PROJECT EXPLAINED – Bruce Klein of T&M Associates, speaks about the proposed improvements to a 1.7-mile stretch of Hamilton Street on March 12. Reducing the number of lanes on part of Hamilton Street from four to three, and making Home Street a one-lane street to ease turns onto Hamilton, were two of the many safety improvements to part of Hamilton …

The Colonial Park park ranger station on Mettlers Road is among the many locations where residents can drop off donations for the 2024 Toys for Tots campaign. This year, the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Somerset County Park Commission to collect donations. The deadline for donating at all Somerset County Park locations is December 7. “The Somerset …