News-pourri

A plan by Rutgers Preparatory School to build a pavilion on its Easton Avenue campus got the blessing of the township Historic Preservation Advisory Commission June 5. The pavilion would include two bathrooms and a space to sell refreshments, said Peter Richardson, the school’s director of operations. The pavilion would be located near the school’s turf field, close to the …

More than 120 acres of primarily farmland at Weston Canal and Randolph roads will be converted into three warehouses under a plan approved June 6 by the Planning Board. The project, proposed by Bridge Development Partners of Parsippany, will result in more than 1.7 million square feet in three buildings. Two of the buildings will measure 308,550 square feet, and …

The district’s outstanding students were honored June 4 at a special Board of Education meeting. Students in the past have been honored at board meetings in April, May and June, but, schools Superintendent John Ravally said, this year students suggested a different approach. “We talked about the recognition the board likes to offer to our students who do amazing things, …

The final part of the redevelopment of a 9-acre parcel at Route 287 and Easton Avenue is nearing Zoning Board of Adjustment review. Representatives of the Engel Burman Group of Garden City, N.Y. appeared before the township Historic Preservation Advisory Commission on June 5 for its review of a plan for a Quick Chek convenience store and gas station on …

Mother Nature cooperated May 28 and the township’s Memorial Day commemoration once again included a parade down DeMott Lane. Participants in the parade included the township’s Boy Scout, Girl Scout and Cub Scout troops, the Franklin High School Warrior Marching Band, and a contingent from the Canal Walk Veterans Association. A formal ceremony, including a flyover by a U.S. Coast …

A female township police lieutenant faced a steady stream of gender discrimination from top police brass and other officials that culminated earlier this year in her being placed on administrative leave after a “manufactured” claim of harassment was lodged against her, according to a recently filed lawsuit. Additionally, the Franklin Township Police officer, Lt. Kristen Durham, charges in the suit …

A 12-year educational veteran was named the first vice-principal of the new Claremont Road Elementary School May 24 by the Board of Education. Madlen Rizkalla will follow her former boss from Franklin Park School to the new elementary school, slated to open in September. She begins her new job on July 1 with a salary of $95,000. “This has been …

The school district’s educators of the year were honored May 24 in an annual breakfast held at the Imperia on Easton Avenue. Each of the district’s eight schools were represented by a teacher of the year and an educational services professional of the year. Introductions were made by building principals, and the awards were handed out by Board of Education …

Township resident Madison Whiting was one of 11 area students to recently receive scholarships from Somerset County 4-H. The 4-H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension. Open to members and alumni of the Somerset County 4-H Youth Development program, the 11 winners will receive a total of $21,000 for their continuing education. …

The inaugural Graduation Conference, sponsored by the Warrior For Life Scholarship Foundation and the Franklin Youth Initiative is set for noon to 3 p.m. June 17 at the township Community/Senior Center in the Municipal Complex on DeMott Lane. The event is designed to provide resources to township students and families focused on pre-college programming, post-high school planning, and career readiness. …