ARCHITECT SPEAKS – David Minno, the architect for the proposed 200-unit apartment building in Rutgers Plaza, testifies before the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The Rutgers Plaza retail center will get a complete facelift with the approval of a proposed 200-unit apartment building in the former K-Mart space, the Zoning Board of Adjustment was told during a contentious June 20 hearing. …

SWEARING IN – Fr. Simon El Hajj, Rabbi Eli Garfinkel and Rev. Jamin Powell, left to right in white shirts, are sworn in to their FTPD Chaplaincy positions at the June 25 Township Council meeting. Three of the five Chaplains in the Franklin Township Police Department’s “revamped” Chaplaincy program were sworn in at the June 25 Township Council meeting. Rabbi …

DEADLY CRASH AFTERMATH – The mangled remains of a car in which two people were killed after a crash on Route 27 on August 27, 2023 sits where it came to rest in front of the R&J Glamour Salon. (File photo.) A 30-year-old Somerset man faces up to 15 years in state prison after pleading guilty June 18 to two …

By State Assemblyman Joe Danielsen. Last year, we distributed approximately 1,000 backpacks to students across the 17th Legislative District thanks to the friends, neighbors, and members of our community. The demand far exceeded the supply and I ask everyone to join me again this year. My staff and volunteers will be collecting backpacks and school supplies through August 31st. Don’t …

PARKINSON’S PATIENT – Mayor Phil Kramer announced that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. (File photo). Mayor Philip Kramer has been suffering from Parkinson’s Disease since the middle of 2019, he said on June 24. Kramer, 68, said the disease has not affected his mobility and that he has no plans to resign the seat that he’s held since …

Albert “Al” Maglio, passed away peacefully on June 22 at his home in Somerset, surrounded by his loving family. He was 77 years old. Born on December 3, 1946, in Montclair, Al was the cherished son of the late Albert and Ada (Sullivan) Maglio. Raised in Bloomfield, he developed a strong sense of duty and commitment early on. In 1964, …

John “Jack” A. Shafranski, 80, passed away peacefully on June 19 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. Born on February 7, 1944, in Perth Amboy, Jack was a lifelong resident of Somerset. He was the beloved son of the late John and Judy (Gulick) Shafranski. Jack was a dedicated and passionate educator. He received his Bachelor’s Degree …

By Bill Connell. Last night (June 20) I attended the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting regarding the Levin/Kmart property proposal for mixed use housing-retail, similar what is being built on Hamilton Street. Most of the residents who attended were completely unaware that the Zoning Board is a semi-judicial body whose sole purpose is reviewing the applicant’s proposal. The theatrics of …

APARTMENTS APPROVED – An artist’s rendering of the 5-story, mixed-use Hamilton Street building approved by the Planning Board on June 19. A 120-unit apartment building and affordable day care center targeted for a tract in the Hamilton Street Business District was approved June 19 by the Township Planning Board. The Board vote was unanimous, although there was some reticence expressed …

WORDS OF ADVICE – Central Jersey College Prep’s Class of 2024 Valedictorian, Nehal Bajaj, speaks during the June 18 commencement ceremony. Central Jersey College Prep Charter School’s Class of 2024 was exhorted to step out of their “comfort zone” as they face life’s challenges during their commencement ceremony on June 18. “You will, in your day, be challenged to embark …