Township Councilman Wright Makes Emotional Plea For End To Gun Violence
Saying that township youth are being killed for “stupid” reasons, Township Councilman Carl Wright on September 22 made a plea for an end to the violence. Wright (D-Ward 4), who made his statement during the Township Council’s “Council Member comment” period, was clearly affected by the weekend memorial at Castleton Park for Lionel Macauley, a […]
Township Coronavirus Testing Program Growing In Popularity
The township-sponsored COVID-19 testing program held at houses of worship is on track to test nearly 1,200 people in its first two days. About 545 people were tested on July 27 at St. Matthias Church, and 600 people have registered for the July 31 testing at the former Consolata Missionaries property on Route 27. COVID-19 […]
Franklin Day Festival Canceled For 2020 Over Large Gathering Ban Uncertainty
Uncertainty over whether the state’s ban on large group gatherings would be lifted in the next two months led the township to cancel the annual Franklin Day Festival. Township Manager Robert Vornlocker suggested the cancellation of this year’s September fest, which draws upwards of 20,000 people to Colonial Park, during the July 14 virtual Township […]
Mayor’s Virtual ‘Town Hall’ Covers Many Subjects
The township is helping local restaurateurs prepare for outdoor dining, the Williams pool is getting ready to open, and all parks are open for full capacity. Those were some of the topics covered June 11 during Mayor Phil Kramer’s virtual “Town Hall.” As part of the state’s gradual “re-opening” from restrictions necessitated by the coronavirus […]
Township Council Ruminates On Race, Equality
The issue of racial equality and equity was discussed by Township Council members during the June 9 Council meeting. This was the Council’s first meeting since two racial equality and anti-police brutality marches were held in the township. Some Council members attended the marches. Councilman Ted Chase (D-Ward 1) alluded to the issue after he […]
Township Council Condemns Murder Of Minneapolis Man, Reaffirms Commitment To Racial Justice
The Township Council on June 9 passed a resolution condemning the murder of Minneapolis resident George Floyd. Floyd was killed when a former Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes. The former cop has been hit with several charges, including 2nd Degree Murder. Three other former cops involved in the incident […]
Township Council Eliminates Hamilton Street Business District Assessment For 2020
Business and property owners in the Hamilton Street Business District will not have to pay an additional assessment this year, thanks to action taken by the Township Council on April 28. The District runs down Hamilton Street, roughly from New Brunswick Road to the New Brunswick border. Officially known as a Special Improvement District, business […]
Ban Of Single-Use Plastic, Paper Bags Discussed By Township Council
A township ban on single-use plastic and paper bags, Styrofoam food containers and single-use straws – Somerset County’s first, if enacted – was the subject of a more than two-hour discussion at the January 28 Township Council meeting. At the heart of the discussion was a draft ordinance prepared by Councilman Ted Chase (D-Ward 1). […]
Embattled Municipal Court Judge Rodriguez Not Reappointed By Council
A New Brunswick attorney who is under a state ethics investigation for comments he made to a defendant while serving as Franklin Township’s presiding Municipal Court judge was not reappointed to that position at the January 6 Township Council reorganization. The Council chose to not reappoint Hector Rodriguez, who had served as the Municipal Court […]
Township Council Reorganizes; Onyejiaka Named Deputy Mayor
Township Councilman Charles Onyejiaka made history January 6 when he became the first West African to be voted in as Deputy Mayor. Onyejiaka (D-Ward 3), has been a member of the Council since 2016, when he was selected to fill the one-year unexpired term of Mayor Phil Kramer, after Kramer’s ascension to the mayor’s seat. […]
