General News

EXPLAINING THE PLAN – Debbie Hartman, a consulting engineer for Somerset County, explains the proposed plan for the Griggstown Causeway that is hoped will improve safety and reduce traffic congestion. Somerset County officials on July 1 unveiled a $2 million project that is hoped will alleviate traffic congestion problems at the Griggstown Causeway. If approved, the plan would not come …

DOT, DOT, DASH, DASH, DOT – Josh Kozlow attempts to contact another Morse Code operator at the American Radio Relay League Field Day June 28. A group of Ham Radio enthusiasts are gathered in a parking area off Route 518 to take part in a two-day annual event that’s a combination festival and competition. The group, members of the David …

READING IS FUN – Board of Education member Bill Grippo reads to students June 28 at the main branch of the Township Library. About a dozen students gathered in the Township Library’s main branch June 28 for a special reading of a classic book. The book was “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” by Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. …

POWER 100 – Ed Potosnak and Patrick Murray (left to right) were named to the 2025 Insider NJ Policy Makers Power List. Two township residents are included in a list of the state’s 100 most powerful policy makers. Township Councilmember Ed Potosnak and pollster Patrick Murray were included in the list, published by Insider NJ, a political publication. Murray, No. …

School supplies are being collected for distribution in the annual “Project Backpack” drive sponsored by state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17). The drive is meant to get school supplies in backpacks to students throughout the 17th Legislative District. “Over the last 10 years, we have distributed well over 10,000 backpacks to students across the 17th Legislative District thanks to our friends, …

NEW PRINCIPAL – Edgar Vazquez speaks to the Board of Education after being named new principal at Pine Grove Manor Elementary School. Edgar Vazquez was named the new Pine Grove Manor principal by the Board of Education at its June 19 meeting. A 7-year veteran of the school district, Vazquez for the past two years has been the Vice-Principal at …

PLANNING THE PARTY – Historic Commissioner Bob LaCorte talks about the ideas being formed for the Township’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding. The newly minted chairman of the as-yet-unnamed committee to plan the Township’s commemoration of the country’s 250th anniversary recently gave a few sneak peeks into early planning of the event. Bob LaCorte, who was …

Artist’s rendering of proposed compressor station in Franklin. A Texas-based natural gas pipeline company has asked a federal agency to reinstate its authorization for the company’s 3-state pipeline project that includes a large compressor station in the township. The petition for reinstatement of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the project, called the Northeast Supply Enhancement Project, or …

NEW COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN – Bob LaCorte was recently named the chairman of a new committee to spearhead Franklin’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding. (File photo.) The first member of an as-yet-unnamed township committee to guide Franklin’s commemoration of the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026 was recently named. That person, nominated by Mayor Phil Kramer …

ENJOY YOUR BOOK! – A TEECS student selects a book he wants from the school’s new book vending machine. Teachers and administrators at a local charter school are betting their students are willing to trade snacks for books. Students and staff at Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School on Pierce Street unveiled their newest acquisition on May 28, a vending machine …