Environment

A film screening and panel discussion about a proposed “Green Amendment” to the state Constitution is set for 7-8 p.m. November 14 at the Board of Education administration building, 2301 Route 27. The event is sponsored by the Franklin Township Environmental Commission. The after-movie panel will include state Sen. Andrew Zwicker (D-16), one of amendment’s prime sponsors; activist, author and …

EXPLAINING THE PLAN – Sohum Gupta, a local Boy Scout, explains his Eagle Scout project to the Open Space Advisory Committee. A township Boy Scout recently received support from the Open Space Advisory Committee for his Eagle Scout project. The committee on September 17 unanimously voted to provide $928 to the Scout, Sohum Gupta,to subsidize the costs of the project, …

AMERICAN YELLOWWOOD – An American Yellowwood Tree, one of three varieties offered in the shade tree sale. Township residents can once again purchase shade trees through the annual Franklin Township shade tree sale. Trees, which cost $110 each, are available on a first-come, first-served basis by registering online at  https://franklintwp.seamlessdocs.com/f/ShadeTreeSale 🌳FAQs: – Only Franklin Township Residents can purchase a tree …

CLEANUP VOLUNTEERS – Seeley’s Run was the target of the annual John Clyde Stream Cleanup on April 13. Pictured are the volunteers before starting their work. (Photo courtesy of the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership.) About 100 people were expected to gather in a rear parking lot at Somerset Village on Easton Avenue April 13 for the annual stream cleanup sponsored …

FIREFIGHTER HONORED – Senior Fire Marshal Charles Maria holds his commendation at the February 27 Township Council meeting. Two township residents received commendations for their volunteer work at the February 27 Township Council meeting. Charles Maria, the Township’s Senior Fire Marshal, was honored for his volunteer work in fire service, and Sara Malone was honored by the township Environmental Advisory …

(Submitted by the Somerset County Public Information Office) Help save the environment by recycling a Christmas tree at the Somerset County Park Commission’s free, annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program from Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, to Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. Residents can drop off their trees at Colonial Park Gardens or North Branch Park. Free mulch will be available at the drop-off …

MAKING HIS CASE – Environmental Commissioner Arnold Schmidt asks the Commission for its support of his plan to change the definition of a tree in the township tree ordinance. The Environmental Commission is taking another stab at changes to the township’s tree ordinance. The Commission at its December 18 meeting voted to forward an email, written by Commissioner Arnold Schmidt, …

OBJECTOR – Shade Tree Commissioner Arnie Schmidt said he was not in favor of taking PSE&G’s offer of 40 free trees because the area targeted for them has not yet been prepared. An offer by Public Service Electric & Gas to give 40 trees to the Township received a rocky reception at the October 26 Shade Tree Commission meeting. After …

NO MORE WAREHOUSES – Environmental Commissioner Robin Suydam said at the meeting that too many trees have already been sacrificed for development. The Environmental Commission on October 16 decided to recommend that the Township Zoning Board of Adjustment not approve an application for a warehouse at Weston Canal and Cottontail roads. The application, submitted by Somerset Properties Realty, calls for …

AGGREGATION ON HOLD – Township Councilmember Ed Potosnak explains to the Environmental Commission why the planned energy aggregation effort will probably wait until next Spring. Energy aggregation for township ratepayers will have to wait at least until the Spring of 2024, a Township official said on October 2. Updating the Environmental Commission on the Township’s progress in implementing energy aggregation, …