General News

AFFORDABLE HOUSING NUMBERS EXPLAINED – Township attorney Lou Rainone discusses the state Department of Community Affairs report giving guidance on towns’ affordable housing obligations for the next decade. Township planning officials are studying a state Department of Community Affairs report, released last week, designed to provide guidance on state towns’ affordable housing obligation over the next decade. The report, described …

QUESTIONS PROPOSAL – Township Councilman Alex Kharazi was among the Councilmembers who said they were not comfortable with a proposed ordinance that would require registration of private parties with more than 100 guests. An ordinance that would have required the hosts of private parties with more than 100 guests to register with the Township was shelved by the Township Council …

EXPLAINING THE AMENDMENT – Township Attorney Lou Rainone shepherded the proposed ordinance amendment through the Township Council’s October 22 meeting. An ordinance amendment that is seen as making it easier for police to crack down on excessive noise was introduced at the October 22 Township Council meeting. The amendment would scrap the existing noise ordinance and move “noise nuisances” to …

The Franklin Department of Public Works has released the latest update in the 2024-25 street resurfacing program. Cornelius Way Resurfacing – Paving Pucillo Lane and Virginia Ct – 10/21/24. Paving Railroad Ave and Debow St -10/22/24. Weather permitting Cornelius Way – Paved Gunther Loop- Paved Pucillo Ln -Milled Debow St- Milling Jean Rd – Paved Lenape Dr Railroad Ave – …

Singers and dancers ruled the night October 18 at the inaugural Franklin’s Got Talent: Youth Edition variety show held at Franklin Middle School’s Sampson G. Smith campus. The stars of the show were Franklin students from all schools in the township: the traditional township schools, plus Central Jersey College Prep Charter School, Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School and Cedar Hill …

PARKING TESTIMONY – Jay Troutman, the church’s traffic engineer, makes a point during his testimony at the October 16 Planning Board hearing. After being told twice in the past two years to return to the drawing board, representatives of a Booker Street church on October 16 seemed to present a plan for a new building with which Planning Board members …

The Raritan Valley Symphonic Band returns to Franklin High School, 500 Elizabeth Avenue, to start its 42nd season with its free Fall concert, “American Voices”, at 3 p.m. October 20.  The band is under the direction of Music Director William Berz. American composers of many different types of music, diverse backgrounds, and different eras will be featured during the performance. …

Balmy weather on October 13 served as a backdrop for a number of events in the township. Franklin High School Project Graduation held the first of what will be three clothing drives. The organization get paid by the pound for the clothes, which are sent to needy people overseas. We stopped in at the event, held at Franklin Middle School …

The Township’s 2024 Leaf Cleanup Program begins the week of October 28, and extends to the week of December 9. Run by the Department of Public Works, the program’s goal is to “keep our neighborhoods pristine during the fall season,” according to a press release on the program. Leaves can be placed in any 30-gallon biodegradable brown paper leaf recycle …

MAKING HER CASE – Public Safety Director Quovella Maeweather explains the need for changes to the Township’s noise ordinance during the October 8 Council meeting. Classifying noise as a “nuisance” and better regulating large outdoor parties were topics of conversation at the October 8 Township Council meeting. The Council took up two proposed ordinance amendments: one that would require registration …