Environment

A planned March 13 cleanup of a Blackwells Mills Road property has been postponed because of the snow, a state Department of Environmental Protection spokesman said. “We’re rescheduling it for late March or early April,” DEP spokesman Bob Considine said. DEP Commissioner Bob Martin will also attend the cleanup, as he was scheduled to do next week, Considine said. The …

We could be in for 2 to 6 inches of snow by Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. The NWS has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for our area from 6 p.m. today until 10 a.m. tomorrow. A mix of snow and rain should begin this afternoon, with some freezing rain possible later in the day, according to …

A complete replacement of the township’s “water emergencies” ordinance that would place voluntary and mandatory restrictions on regular outdoor water use and require that residents keep a log of watering days was tabled at the Township Council’s Jan. 28 meeting. Councilman Ted Chase, (D-Ward 1) asked that the measure be tabled because it had not yet been vetted by township …

Somerset County’s pilot single-stream recycling program could begin in Franklin in July, the Township Council was told at its Jan. 28 meeting. That’s if the county feels its outreach program to residents and businesses is working, said Paul McCall, the county’s Director of Public Works. Otherwise, “we might have to wait a little bit longer,” he said. McCall said the …

The Franklin Township Shade Tree Commission is holding its seventh annual shade tree sale through Feb. 7 The trees being offered this year are Red Maple and Zelcova for shade, and the ornamentals, Sweet Bay Magnolia and Redbud. Prices are $60 for one, $100 for two and $135 for three. The trees measure 6- to 8-feet tall; there are only …

Township residents may notice a change in the taste ad smell of their drinking water starting later this month, as New Jersey American Water temporarily switches its water treatment process. The company will change from using chloramine to using free chlorine to treat water at several plants, including the Canal Road Water Treatment Plant in Somerset, from about Jan. 21 …

A plan for a township agricultural heritage center on Jan. 8 crept a little closer to being included in the township’s Master Plan. Two members of the township’s Historical Preservation Advisory Commission – Barbara Lawrence and Andrew Gurian – appeared before the Planning Board to ask that it include their project in the plan. Doing so, they said, would give …

Residents wishing to recycle their Christmas trees may do so from Dec. 26, 2013 to Jan. 31, 2014 at Parking Lot F in Colonial Park, 156 Mettlers Rd. Trees will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week. The recycling is sponsored by the Somerset County Park Commission. Each family is limited to one natural tree. …

The extent to which trees were cleared at Middlebush Park sparked some comments from two Environmental Commission members at the Dec. 2 meeting. Commission vice-chair Arnold Schmidt and member David Triggs voiced some concern over the number of trees that were cleared for the park, and over the lack of a buffer between the park and nearby residents. “It looks …

The First Saturday of the Month recycling drop offs for regular waste and electronics are set for Dec. 7 in Somerset and Bridgewater. Residents with electronics that need to be recycled can bring them between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. to Newtech Recycling, 600A Apgar Dr. The company also accepts “e-waste” weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents with …