News-pourri

The Board of Education voted to retain its top leadership, and the three winners in the November election were sworn in to their seats at the Jan. 7 reorganization meeting. Included in the swearing in was newest board member Laurie Merris, who won the seat vacated by former board member Betty Whalen. Also sworn in were returning board members Margaret …

The Franklin Township Municipal Youth Services Commission was recently awarded two grants totaling $7,500 by the Somerset County Freeholders. The money was part of $90,000 in grants awarded by the Freeholders to 14 youth services commissions representing all 21 Somerset County towns according to a press release on the awards. The awards were presented at a Freeholders’ meeting. The Franklin …

For the second time in seven years, an application to turn a vacant building on Old New Brunswick Road into a retail center has been approved by the Planning Board. The board unanimously approved the application of Onyx, LLC to turn the 53,000-square-foot building at 785 Old New Brunswick Road into a strip center. The center would be located next …

Township government officially became an all-Democratic institution Jan. 1 when the team that swept the November election was sworn in to their seats. Taking their oaths were Mayor Phillip Kramer, Councilwomen Kimberly Francois and Shanel Robinson and Councilman Rajiv Prasad, all of whom are At-Large members. Kramer was a Councilman representing Ward 3. Township Democrats will present three candidates to …

Editor’s Note: Starting with this honor, the Franklin Reporter & Advocate will annually recognize one person who, in our opinion, has made the greatest impact on Franklin Township in the preceding year. Our inaugural award goes to Franklin Township Police Lieutenant Darrin Russo. On Dec. 2, 2015, Franklin Township Police Lt. Darrin Russo had a split second to make a decision …

Outgoing Mayor Chris Kelly has some advice for the man who’s going to be filling the seat come Jan. 1, 2016. Well, actually, he has a lot of advice. “Dealing with (Township) Council is kind of like herding cats,” Kelly said. “Trying to get everybody together on the same page is nearly impossible, so don’t go into it thinking you will …

Random thoughts on Christmas to think about today: “Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.” – Janice Maeditere “Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” – Calvin Coolidge. “Christmas gift …

The Somerset County Park Commission will be accepting natural Christmas trees for recycling from Saturday, December 26, 2015 through Sunday, January 31, 2016 at Colonial Park parking lot F, 156 Mettlers Road. The facility will accept trees from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week. Each family is limited to only one tree that must be free of all …

Two separate applications for gas stations and convenience stores were approved by township boards on Dec. 16 and 17. On Dec. 16, the Planning Board approved an application for a WaWa market and gas station on Route 27, and on Dec. 17, the Zoning Board of Adjustment approved plans for a 7-11 store, gas station and small retail center on …

The developer of the Canal Walk active adult community got most of what it was looking for Dec. 16 from the Planning Board, but it did not come easy. Canal Walk Associates was looking for site plan approval for one part of its planned expansion, a 63-unit, single family home development bordered by Schoolhouse Road and Canal Walk Boulevard. The developer …