A township couple’s quest to legitimize a home addition built in 2018 moved along May 4 with a variance approval from the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Board members approved the three bulk variance applications – for sideyard setback, total area coverage and percentage of impervious surface – but they made it clear they weren’t happy about it. Don’t Miss Out! …

Lawrence Karlin of Somerset passed away on May 3. He was 89.He was predeceased by his wife, Lois, in 2017; parents, Michael and Jeanette Karlin; and brothers, Stanley and Seymour Karlin.Surviving are his sons and daughters-in-law, Rabbi Gary Karlin of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Steven Karlin and his wife, Cynthia Hoftizer of Arlington, Virginia and Richard Karlin and his wife, Ann …

ON TO PLAN B – Plans to turn the historic Tulipwood House into an RVCC satellite campus were shelved due to cost and historic preservation concerns. A plan to convert an historic township building into a satellite campus for Raritan Valley Community College was scuttled, mainly because of renovation price constraints. The idea of converting the circa-1892 Tulipwood House on …

PARTY HEARTY – Members of the Franklin Township Senior Citizen’s Club line up for lunch during the club’s 50th anniversary celebration on May 2 at the Senior/Community Center. Seniors thinking they were attending the regular weekly meeting of the Franklin Township Senior Citizen’s Club on May 2 got a surprise … a party. May 1 marked the 50th anniversary of …

Patrick Colligan Patrick Murray Two people with Franklin ties are among 100 state residents recognized by an online publication as being among the most powerful non-elected political figures in New Jersey. The 2023 edition of the New Jersey Globe’s “Power List” includes Patrick Murray, a township resident and head of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, and Patrick Colligan, a township …

Robert Bruce Hawkins passed away on April 28 at the age of 77. He was born on July 18, 1945, in Somerville to Wilbur and Myrtle Hawkins. Robert was a lifelong resident of Somerset, and his unwavering commitment to serving his community made him a cherished and respected member of the New Brunswick and Somerset area. After serving honorably in …

Walter W. Friedberg, 93, passed away on April 27 at his home in Somerset. Born on June 13, 1929, in Brooklyn, New York, he was the son of Isador and Ida (Pearlman) Friedberg. Walter lived in Houston for a short period of time, before returning to Brooklyn and eventually finding his home in Somerset. He honorably served in the Army …

WHAT RAIN? – Cyclists riding to raise money for the Franklin Food Bank didn’t let a little rain deter them in the 34th annual Tour de Franklin. More than $126,000 was raised by the Franklin Food Bank through the 34th annual Tour de Franklin, held on April 30. More than 270 cyclists were expected to pedal out from Franklin High …

HISTORY MAKING – Audrey Taylor reacts during the 2019 NJSIAA Tournament of Champions championship game at the Rutgers Athletic Center. (File photo.) Franklin High School’s boys’ and girls’ basketball programs took hits recently with the resignations of both of their head coaches. Girls’ head coach Audrey Taylor, who gained national recognition during the historic 2018-19 season, and boys’ head coach …

GETTING CLOSER – An opening date for the new Franklin Park library branch has not been set, but the old branch is now closed. (File photo). Work continues on the new Franklin Park branch of the Franklin Township library, although it’s still not known when it will be open. A problem with sourcing a large electrical panel delayed construction for …