Township Council’s Ad Hoc Retail Signage Committee Holds First Meeting
Changes to the Township’s retail signage regulations that take into account a businesses’ location rather then set broad-brush standards may be in the offing. That was the upshot from the first open meeting of the Township Council’s ad hoc committee on retail signage, held April 29. The virtual meeting was more of a town hall, […]
Water Rate Hike, New Meter Fee, Introduced By Township Council
Water rates would increase nearly 17 percent under an ordinance amendment introduced at the Township Council’s April 23 meeting. The Township would also charge a water meter fee ranging from $4 to $257.25 per quarter, depending on the size of the meter. The hike, if approved, would be the second increase in two years. The […]
Williams TRANSCO Drops NESE Project, Gas Compressor Station
The company behind a $1 billion, multi-state gas pipeline proposal that would include a compressor station in the township has decided to walk away from the project. Williams-TRANSCO told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on April 10 that it would let the current approval for the project – known as the Northeast Services Enhancement Project, […]
2024 Township Budget Carries Tax Increase
Skyrocketing mandated costs are behind a small municipal portion tax increase included in the Township Council’s 2024 budget. Final numbers weren’t available at the April 9 Township Council meeting when the budget was introduced, but the bottom line is the owner of a home valued at $477,100 – the township average – will see an […]
Opposition From Liquor Store Owners Kills Proposed Regulation Change
An ordinance that would have eliminated the requirement that liquor stores be located at least 2,000 feet from each other was defeated at the April 9 Township Council meeting after liquor store owners showed up to oppose the measure. The store owners told the Council that allowing future liquor license holders to set up shop […]
Township Council OKs Construction Program Partnership With Board Of Education
With an enrollment-based “guardrail” in place, the Township Council on April 9 voted to partner with the Board of Education to offer some Franklin High School students training in the construction trades. The Council voted to fund the program with $300,000 from its American Recovery Program funds. Franklin received more than $7.7 million in those […]
Mayor Kramer’s Earthquake Update
Today at 10:23 AM Franklin Township experienced an earthquake which was centered in Lebanon NJ with a magnitude of 4.8. About 18 miles from our municipal complex. I have contacted our public safety director Quovella Maeweather who indicated the state, which obviously includes Lebanon, has activated the office of emergency management but Somerset County and […]
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 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 […]
Township Council Issues Proclamations And Commendations
Commendations to Girl Scouts and proclamations acknowledging holidays were among those issued March 12 by the Township Council. Two teams of two girls each were acknowledged for reaching their Girl Scout Silver Awards, the second-highest ranking Girl Scouts can receive. Kennedy Price and Yashmee Yatham were honored for achieving the award with their project entitled, […]
