News-pourri

BALLOT TALLIES – Poll workers drop off vote tallies at the Municipal Building after voting ended on November 3. Democrat Adam Hamawy outpolled Republican Gregg Mele by roughly 3-to-1 in Franklin Township’s Election Day voting on November 3, part of a commanding performance across the four-county 12th Congressional District that propelled him to victory in the race to succeed retiring …

Franklin Township school officials are considering extending the District’s current strategic plan until June 2027 while exploring new ways to finance school construction projects and preparing to survey families and students about the District’s cellphone policy.

Weather conditions could change these dates.  Canal Rd Resurfacing – PAVED  Randolph Rd Area Resurfacing -In Progress  Randolph Rd – Concrete work in progress Bell St Bort St Sanders Ave -Paved Jimmy Ct -Paved Campus Dr – Concrete work in Progress Belmont Dr  Golf View Area Resurfacing – In Progress Vilet Rd Golf View Dr -Paved Carraige Trail -Paved Champlain Way Horseshoe …

RENOVATIONS PLANNED – Bids are being sought for major renovations to the library main branch in the Municipal Complex. Bids are being sought for the largest renovation project in the township library’s main branch in more than two decades.

The June fire that destroyed a Hamilton Street store and closed the plaza in which it was located forced the relocation of the annual Halloween on Hamilton trunk or treat event, but it didn’t affect attendance. Ghouls, goblins, superheroes and several Michael Jacksons gathered at Nora Plaza for what has become a business district tradition.

The Board of Education at its October 27 meeting approved contracts worth $482,554.86. The approved contracts were:

WINNER! – This photo, taken by Laura Herndon at North Branch Park, was the winner in the Events category in the 2025 photo contest. (Photo: Somerset County Parks Commission.) The Somerset County Park Commission will accept submissions for its 2026 Photo Contest from November 1 through December 31, 2026.

State Assemblyman Joe Danielsen, a township resident, has introduced legislation that would require police to obtain warrants before using automated license plate reader information to track vehicles identified at multiple locations, as communities across the country continue reconsidering their use of the controversial surveillance technology. Danielsen, D-17, introduced Assembly Bill A5637 on October 15. The measure would impose new restrictions …

The Board of Education is taking the first steps toward a potential $50 million capital improvement program affecting nine township schools, seeking the assistance of the Somerset County Improvement Authority to arrange financing for renovations and other improvements.

LEGAL ROADBLOCK – Township Attorney Lou Rainone explains why the Township Council cannot gt involved in Zoning Bord of Adjustment applications. Residents hoping to enlist the Township Council in their fight against a proposed mosque on South Middlebush Road ran into an obstacle Oct. 27: The New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law.