General News

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 …

WANTED ANSWERS – John Baptist, a commercial property owner on Hamilton Street, questions the Township Council on May 27 about the Special Improvement District assessment. The first special assessment in 10 years of commercial property owners in the Hamilton Street Special Improvement District was approved May 27 by the Township Council. The total assessment for the year was $34,268, and …

Spectators lined the parade route along DeMott Lane May 26 for the township’s annual Memorial Day Parade. The parade featured classic cars, the Franklin High School Warriors Marching band, Boy and Girl Scout Troops and many others. The parade wound up at the Veterans Memorial Park, in front of the Municipal Building on DeMott, for a short ceremony. The parade’s …

EXPLAINING THE PLAN – Shri Kotdawla, the retail/office project’s engineer, testifies to the Planning Board at its May 21 hearing. A developer wanting to erect a two-building mixed-use office and retail center across from the Somerset Run housing development was told by the Planning Board on May 21 to rethink its plans. The plan, submitted by NPH Real Estate, calls …

SILVER MEDALISTS – SCVTHS Culinary students Alyssa Robinson of Somerset, Francesca Boian-Togyik of Manville, Sharon Castro Benitez of Hillsborough, Michael Dagostino of Bridgewater, Amy Hernandez of Hillsborough, and Delilah Bergman of Hillsborough, left to right, took home a Silver Medal at the NJAC Culinary Cook-off. (Photo: SCVTHS). A Franklin Township resident was part of a team of culinary students from …