News-pourri

The 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York, Arlington, Va. and Shanksville, Pa. – and the six Franklin residents who lost their lives that day – was commemorated in two separate ceremonies. Among the 2,977 people killed in the attacks were township natives John Collins, Stephen Joseph, Ganesh K. Ladkat, Vanesha O. Richards, Jeffrey Robinson …

Household items destroyed by Tropical Storm Ida could be picked up starting as early as September 13. Update: The cost for the pickup will be more than $290,000. The Township Council on September 13 will vote on an emergency resolution allocating $223,350 to AshBritt for the pickup, and $69,622.68 to Tetra Tech for the monitoring. Curbside pickup of household items …

A virtual panel discussion entitled “Understanding Franklin’s Racist Past, and How We Get to a Racially Just Future” is set for 7 p.m. September 13. The discussion is sponsored by the JFK Club, the township’s Democratic Club.

Township government has a contractor assessing the township with the hope of providing curbside pickup for bulk items that were destroyed by Tropical Storm Ida and the flooding it spurred. In a Facebook post, the Township says it’s hoped this pickup will begin in the next few days.

Township residents whose homes were damaged during Tropical Storm Ida are getting a helping hand from the township. Beginning September 7, residents may take their storm-damaged material to the township Convenience Center, School Avenue and Berry Street, from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at no charge.

A number of water rescues were necessary between September 1 and 2 as a result of the floodwaters spurred by Ida. The remnants of Hurricane Ida roared into the township on September 1, dropping torrential rain and causing the Millstone River to rise to nearly historic levels, spurring what one township official called “catastrophic” flooding. Hurricane Ida made landfall in …

If Covid-19 vaccine booster shots begin to roll out around September 20, as is the federal government’s current plan, Somerset County will be ready. That was the word September 1 from Michael McCarty, the County health department’s liaison to the township’s Advisory Board of Health. McCarty told the Board at its regular meeting that the County has dosages of all …

Re-enactors portraying members of the First Rhode Island Regiment march down Canal Road. Canal Road in Griggstown was once again trod upon by Revolutionary War soldiers adorned in their battle dress on August 28. Well, not really, but close enough.

Re-enactor Algernon Ward will be among those participating in the anniversary celebration. (Photo: Millstone Valley Preservation Coalition.) Submitted by the Millstone Valley Preservation Coalition. The Millstone Valley Preservation Coalition (MVPC) is teaming up with Franklin Township on August 28 to commemorate the 700-mile victory march of American and French troops along the Millstone River 240 years ago.

Jared Sheffrin and Nikki Tatum are the school district’s newest vice principals. Vice principals for Hillcrest School and the Road To Success Program, and Franklin Middle School – Sampson G. Smith campus, were appointed August 26 by the Board of Education. Nikki Tatum will leave her dual position as vice principal at Claremont and Franklin Park elementary schools to take …