We’ve heard about instances of craven politics before, but this takes the cake. The Township Council has on its agenda for the Nov. 8 meeting a resolution that must be seen to be believed. It excuses Councilman Rajiv Prasad from attending council meetings due to “family and work matters.”

Township Deputy Mayor Shanel Robinson helped make history Nov. 6 when she became one of the first two Democrats elected to the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders in nearly 40 years. Election Day 2018 also saw the apparent return of two former Board of Education members and the victory of an incumbent.

Sponsored Content. Central Jersey College Prep Charter School (CJCP) is a tuition free, K-12, public charter school located in Somerset, New Jersey. It was established in 2006 with only 77 students, and is now home to 820 students during the school year 2018-19.

The township is “not equipped” to handle any potential disaster that could occur at a planned gas turbine compressor station targeted for a 52-acre tract in Little Rocky Hill, state environmental officials were told Nov. 5. That was the word from state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17), one of more than 100 people who were scheduled to speak during a Nov. …

Two township residents were among the winners in the fourth annual “Show us Somerset County Through Your Camera Lens” photo contest for residents and county staff. John Carroll won first place in the amateur architecture and urban design category, and Julie Daigle won second place in the community and events category.

Update: The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the matter, according to Det. Jeanne Trillhaase, the SCPO spokeswoman. She said the office “can’t provide details since the investigation is active and ongoing.”

Franklin’s Nigerian population was honored by the Township Council on the occasion of the 58th anniversary of Nigerian independence. The council at its Oct 23 meeting presented a proclamation to the township’s West African Community organization, commending it “through its Chairman, Ambassador Foday Mansaray for their continued efforts and Commitment in promoting sovereignty by cultural diversity programs in Franklin Township” …

It’s been open since Sept. 20, but the Claremont Elementary School was officially opened Nov. 1 with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony. The school is the newest building on the district’s roster, having been the centerpiece project in an $84 million facilities referendum in 2014 that also resulted in the realignment of the district.

A townhouse project targeted for Cedar Grove Lane, which was the subject of a lawsuit, received final approval Nov. 1 by the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Known as The Grove at Somerset, the 34-unit development is planned to be built on nearly eight acres between the Jain Center and Cedar Hill Landscaping, across the street from Cedar Grove Plaza.

How recyclables are separated and picked up will change for a number of township residents in early December. About 425 homes will be switched to dual-stream recycling, which means they will be getting separate containers for cardboard and paper products and for glass, cans and plastics.