General News

ON TO PLAN B – Plans to turn the historic Tulipwood House into an RVCC satellite campus were shelved due to cost and historic preservation concerns. A plan to convert an historic township building into a satellite campus for Raritan Valley Community College was scuttled, mainly because of renovation price constraints. The idea of converting the circa-1892 Tulipwood House on …

Patrick Colligan Patrick Murray Two people with Franklin ties are among 100 state residents recognized by an online publication as being among the most powerful non-elected political figures in New Jersey. The 2023 edition of the New Jersey Globe’s “Power List” includes Patrick Murray, a township resident and head of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, and Patrick Colligan, a township …

HISTORY MAKING – Audrey Taylor reacts during the 2019 NJSIAA Tournament of Champions championship game at the Rutgers Athletic Center. (File photo.) Franklin High School’s boys’ and girls’ basketball programs took hits recently with the resignations of both of their head coaches. Girls’ head coach Audrey Taylor, who gained national recognition during the historic 2018-19 season, and boys’ head coach …

GETTING CLOSER – An opening date for the new Franklin Park library branch has not been set, but the old branch is now closed. (File photo). Work continues on the new Franklin Park branch of the Franklin Township library, although it’s still not known when it will be open. A problem with sourcing a large electrical panel delayed construction for …

The Ukrainian History and Education Center and the Millstone Valley Preservation Coalition were two of eight Somerset County organizations awarded grants recently through the County History Partnership Program. The grants assist organizations with general operating support and special projects. The Preservation Coalition’s $15,500 grant will be used to create a smart phone enabled audio tour of the Millstone Valley Scenic …

A longtime township resident has been named the new Somerset County Chief Financial Officer. Yvonne E. Childress, currently Director of Fiscal Operations at the County, was promoted to the position by the Somerset County Board of Commissioners. Childress replaces former CFO Nicola Trasente. Childress first joined the County in 2007 as Deputy Treasurer, according to a press release about her …

SCOUT’S HONOR – Dalton Vassanella speaks at the conclusion of his Eagle Scout Court of Honor April 2 at St. Matthias Church. Boy Scout Troop 154 formally welcomed its newest Eagle Scout with an Eagle Scout Court of Honor on April 2. Dalton Vassanella, a senior at St. Joseph’s High School in Metuchen, was given his Eagle Scout Court of …

Submitted by the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners. The Somerset County Board of Commissioners is utilizing American Rescue Plan funds to support a second year of Franklin Township YMCA’s Camp SOAR at Colonial Park for under-resourced children from Bound Brook, Manville, Franklin, and South Bound Brook. The Commissioners agreed to fund an additional three weeks in 2023 to extend the Camp SOAR …

NEWEST EAGLE SCOUT – Dalton Vassanella speaks after receiving his commendation from the Township Council. The Township’s newest Eagle Scout received a commendation March 28 from the Township Council. The Scout, Dalton Vassanella, is the son of Township Councilman James Vassanella (D-Ward 5.) The younger Vassanella was awarded his commendation by Mayor Phil Kramer with Vassanella’s father, the Assistant Scoutmaster …

VIVE LES PARTISANS – Michel Mockers speaks after receiving the key to the township from Mayor Phil Kramer. It was 78 years in the making, but Michel Mockers, a member of the French Resistance during World War II, finally received the highest recognition available from his native country at a special ceremony March 21 in the Township Council chamber. Mockers, …