News-pourri

PRAYERS FOR THE COUNTRY – The Rev. Sonya Redd reads a prayer during the Franklin Township Interfaith Coalition’s observance of the National Day of Prayer May 1 in Veterans Memorial Park. Members of Franklin Township’s faith-based community gathered at Veterans Memorial Park on DeMott Lane on May 1 for the annual observance of the National Day of Prayer. The observance …

Community members can create their own floral bouquets May 9 and May 10 at Venus Jewelers’ “Blooms for Mom” Mother’s Day event. The newly renovated store, located in Rutgers Plaza on Easton Avenue, will feature a flower bar where participants can create their bouquets at no charge. Designed as a gesture of appreciation for moms and caregivers, this no purchase …

The Township Department of Public Works has issued the following updates to street resurfacing projects. Newkirk and Evergreen Resurfacing -Awarded  Rodgers Ave Area Resurfacing -Milling and paving to begin May 12th on Holly St.  Rodgers Ave – Paved Waldorf St – Paved Hunt Rd -Paved Continental Rd -Paved Elmwood St -Paved Holly St  Victor St -Paved Martin St -Paved Van …

A $209 million general fund budget for Fiscal Year 2026 was approved April 24 by the Board of Education. The spending plan is powered by a tax levy of $179,484,985. This is not the budget originally introduced by the Board in March. That budget included $6 million in cuts, which would have meant an end to after-school bussing and the …

FIGHTING BACK – State Assemblyman Joe Danielsen talks during the April 23 energy forum about legislation he is sponsoring to help mitigate upcoming electricity rate increases. The state agency responsible for regulating utilities in New Jersey has taken an “all-hands-on-deck” strategy to help mitigate coming spikes in the amount Garden State residents will pay for electricity, residents were told at …

The Township Council approved $1,075,689.24 in purchases of goods and services at its April 8 meeting. The Council awarded: A contract worth $309,650 to Whitfield Schneider Enterprises of West Long Branch for boiler replacement at the Franklin Township Senior/Community center. A contract worth $199,999.48 to Riverview Paving of Hackettstown for the Newkirk and Evergreen resurfacing program. A two-year contract worth …

TALKING CHICKENS – Kate Brown, from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, speaks about raising hens for eggs April 17 in the Township Council chambers. About two dozen aspiring chicken keepers were provided the ins and outs of raising hens in their backyards at a special forum April 17 hosted by Township Council Member Ed Potosnak. The forum comes in the wake …

PARADE PLANS SET – The annual Memorial Day parade is scheduled for May 26. (File photo.) Franklin Township invites you to a day of pride, remembrance, and community spirit as we commemorate Memorial Day on Monday, May 26, 2025. Join us for a truly special celebration honoring the heroes who have courageously served our nation. The Memorial Day Parade begins …

STREAM CLEAN-UP – Some of the items recovered during the annual John Clyde Stream Clean-Up of Mile Run on April 12. A number of environmental groups from the township and New Brunswick – including the Franklin Township Environmental Commission – gathered April 12 at the Mile Run entrance on Hamilton Street for their annual stream clean-up. As usual, volunteers carried …

FOR HIS APPROVAL – Face painting was just one of the activities offered during the annual Bunny Bonanza on April 12. Bunny ears were the fashion accompaniment of the day at the annual “Bunny Bonanza” celebration held April 12 at the Senior/Community Center on DeMott Lane. Children of all ages had the chance to get their face painted, do arts …