Environment

Fearing time is running out to stem the growth of more invasive species in two of the township’s grassland preserves, the Trails Advisory Committee on December 8 resolved to ask the Open Space Advisory Committee to recommend an herbicide spraying program. The recommendation would go to the Township Council. Money to pay for the program, if the Council approves it, …

An unusually warm fall has prompted township officials to extend the annual leaf collection program by one week. Residents who live in Zone 1 will have their final pickup during the week of December 20, and residents who live in Zone 2 will have their final pickup the week of December 13. Township bags are no longer required for the …

The Center School executive director Ronald Rinaldi speaks to the Township Council during the November 23 virtual meeting. The annual Environmental Steward Awards were distributed during the November 23 Township Council meeting. Presented by the township Environmental Commission, the awards are given to an organization or business and an individual that show leadership in environmental issues. This year’s awardees were …

Township open space consultant Tara Kenyon told the Committee about the options available to internally maintain the grassland preserves. Purchases the township will have to make to internally manage the two grasslands preserves were discussed at the October 19 Open Space Advisory Committee meeting. The preserves – Negri Nepote and John Clyde Memorial – need to be protected from invasive …

Township Councilman Ted Chase told the Council that the program is run by volunteers. You’ve heard of the Adopt-a-Road program, now meet the Adopt-a-Drain program. The ambitious program seeks to use volunteers to keep clean the 7,473 storm drain grates located throughout the Eight Villages. Originating in the township’s Environmental Advisory Commission, the project was brought to the Township Council …

Township Manager Robert Vornlocker detailed the effect of Tropical Storm Ida on Franklin for the Township Council. Tropical Storm Ida was one for the record books, the Township Manager told the Township Council on September 14. Record flood levels of the Raritan and Millstone rivers, more water rescues than remembered in past storms and more streets flooded out than in …

Tara Kenyon, the township’s open space consultant, said one of the three stormwater runoff projects she recommended would have to be replaced. One of the three projects the township Environmental Commission hopes will help mitigate the effects of development in the township has to be scrapped, the township’s open space consultant said on August 11. A system that would have …

Mayor Phil Kramer said at the July 20 Open Space Advisory Committee meeting that he is seriously considering calling the Township Council together to reverse its decision to return to in-person meetings. A Township Council resolution to return to in-person meetings in August is not even a week old, and Mayor Phil Kramer is already re-thinking it. Kramer told members …

Megan Hauss, a member of Girl Scout Troop 60607, delivered her presentation about the Spotted Lanternfly to the Trails Advisory Committee on July 14. A local Girl Scout hoping to achieve the organization’s highest honor dropped in on the Trails Advisory Committee’s July 14 meeting to talk insects. Well, one in particular, the Spotted Lanternfly, a particularly destructive invasive species …

Open Space Advisory Committee member Chris Williams said some drones look like predators of birds that nest in the grassland preserves. The operation of drones would be banned from two native grassland preserves under a recommendation from the township Open Space Advisory Committee. The Committee’s concern is that the drones will scare nesting birds – some of which are threatened …