Protecting the Lower Raritan Watershed and the region’s water supply is the topic of a presentation set for 6 p.m. August 22 at the Franklin Township Library, 485 DeMott Lane. The program will be presented by the Franklin Township Environmental Commission, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions.

State Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17) is once again sponsoring his annual backpack drive for families in his District. Danielsen is collecting donations of backpacks and school supplies now through August 31.

Updates: The New Brunswick woman charged in the death of Fajr Atiya Williams was released on July 25 after her detention hearing. Superior Court Judge Christopher Edwards ordered the woman released with the conditions that she have no contact with children or with the girl’s parents. Montauk president John Mensch issued the following statement on the incident: “We at Montauk …

SIGNS APPROVED – Bank of America won Zoning Board approval for three new signs for its Easton Avenue branch, but the approval didn’t come easily. Bank of America won Zoning Board of Adjustment approval for new signs for its Easton Avenue branch on July 20, but the road to that point was a bit bumpy. The bank applied for three …

OPPOSITION IS HEARD – Mary Paist-Goldman testifies about the B9 Schoolhouse warehouse project’s water management plan while attorney Stuart Lieberman looks on. Opponents of a proposed two-warehouse development at Schoolhouse and Mettlers roads got the chance on July 19 to convince the Planning Board that the application should not be approved. The opponents, the majority of whom are Canal Walk …

REVIEWING PLAN – Members of the township Historic Preservation Advisory Commission review plans related to the proposed McDonald’s restaurant targeted for Rutgers Plaza. It took a few go-’rounds, but the McDonald’s Corp. finally got the needed approval from the township Historic Preservation Advisory Commission July 18 for its new restaurant in Rutgers Plaza on Easton Avenue. The sticking point was …

CDBG GRANTS – Deborah Mitchell, administrator of the Township’s Community Development Block Grant program, discusses this year’s program at the Township Council meeting. An application for more than $348,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant money was approved July 11 by the Township Council. The program, overseen by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, is designed to help …

A member of the Franklin High School Class of 2023 is one of 10 recent graduates awarded scholarships for their work in promoting organ and tissue donation and transplantation. The awards were presented by the Sharing Network Foundation. The scholarships are funded by four funds:

ROAD BUCKLED – Work to replace this section of Canal Road is set to begin on July 17. (Photo: Phil Kramer). Work to fix a 60-foot-long section of Canal Road damaged by the recent rainstorm is set to begin on July 17, Mayor Phil Kramer said. Asphalt buckled on the section north of Coppermine Road, forcing a closure in the …

TAKING THE OATH – FTPD Lt. Brandon Domotor is ceremonially sworn in to his new rank at the July 11 Township Council meeting. Four rookies – one of them a township native – and a seasoned officer were ceremonially sworn in to the Franklin Township Police Department at the July 11 Township Council meeting. Also at the meeting, two newly …