Contracts worth $228,577 were approved by the Township Council at its November 26 meeting. The Council awarded a contract worth $36,400 to Wireless Communications & Electronics of Philadelphia for the purchase of 10 Panasonic tablets for the police department. A contract extension worth $175,000 was awarded to Patriot Paving of Washington for snow removal for this season. This is the …

Mrs. Paula Kraus passed away on November 26 at JFK Hospital in Edison. She was 77 years old. Paula was born in Newark and raised by her parents, Morris and Mildred Rood, in Maplewood. Her infectious joy and love of life were evident from an early age. She graduated from Columbia High School, then trained as a dental assistant, working …

Councilman Has Ideas – Township Councilman Carl Wright suggested the formation of certain committees at the November 26 Township Council meeting. Township Councilman Carl Wright (D-Ward 4) believes the Township could be more creative in spending the cannabis sales taxes it collects. He also thinks more thought should be given to providing for affordable housing in Franklin. Never one to …

HIS FINAL ADDRESS – Outgoing Director of School Management, Orvyl Wilson, speaks to the RTS students at their annual; Thanksgiving celebration on November 26. More than 50 students enrolled in the school district’s Road to Success program were treated to a Thanksgiving buffet on November 26. The event was held at Franklin Middle School – Hamilton Street campus, where much …

Helen Elizabeth (McNelis) Bell, of Somerset, passed away peacefully on November 24 at the Bristal Assisted Living community in Somerset, surrounded by her family. She was 93 years old. Born in Hazelton, PA, she spent her childhood in Freeland, PA, amidst the love of her siblings, creating memories that would remain in her heart forever. Helen later moved to Middlesex …

Norman L. Halvorsen of Somerset passed away at the Francis E. Parker Memorial Nursing Home in New Brunswick on November 24. He was 79. Born and raised in the Prospect Park and Bay Ridge sections of Brooklyn, he has lived in Somerset since 1987. He worked as a Program Manager for AT&T, first in New York City then later in …

EQUITY AND INCLUSION UPDATE – Daryn Plummer, the school district’s Supervisor of Equity and Inclusion, discusses the four-year District Equity Plan at the November 21 Board of Education meeting. A four-pronged, four-year plan to ensure equity in education for Franklin Township students was unveiled at the November 21 Board of Education meeting. The so-called District Equity Plan “signifies a dedication …

Stage 3 fire restrictions have been lifted by the state Department of Environmental Protection, but authorities urge caution. Drought conditions persist, so safety tips should be followed, according to a press release from Franklin Township. Here are some key fire safety tips to keep in mind: Safe Distance: Always place fire pits at least 10 feet away from any building, tree, …

QUAIL BROOK SENIOR CENTER 625 New Brunswick Road Somerset, NJ 08873 908-203-6151 Meet a Care Manager From the Office on Aging and Disability Services, Shaquana Thompson, Dec. 5, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Shaquana will be available on the first Thursday of each month to answer questions about the Office on Aging and Disability Services, assist with referrals for services, …

Florence Hart, of Somerset, passed away on November 22 at the Spring Hills Assisted Living in Somerset. She was 97. Born in Jersey City and raised in Lyndhurst, she lived in Newark then the Morgan section of Sayreville for more than 50 years before moving to New Bern, North Carolina. She has lived in Somerset for the past 12 years. …