News-pourri

Submitted by the Somerset County Park Commission. The Somerset County Park Commission’s award-winning Putting Course and the Paddle Boats on Powder Mill Pond at Colonial Park will open for the season on Saturday, May 5.

More than 700 cyclists helped to raise about $78,000 in the 29th annual Tour de Franklin on April 29. The tour is the largest fundraiser for the Franklin Food Bank.

Sierra Leonians gathered at Naaman Williams Park April 28 to celebrate the 57th anniversary of their nation’s independence. The day was marked with music, food and the ceremonial raising of the Sierre Leonian flag on one of the park’s flag poles.

More than 900 pounds of food and $600 in donations was gathered April 28 for the Franklin Food Bank at the two township Stop and Shop supermarkets. The donations were made as part of the chain’s second annual “Feeding Our Families” food drive.

Township officials are considering banning parking on Franklin streets when they are snow covered. The idea – still in its infancy – was discussed at a recent meeting of the Township Council’s public works subcommittee, Councilman Ted Chase (D-Ward 1) said at the April 24 council meeting.

The township came one step closer April 24 to inoculating itself against lawsuits from developers who want to build housing in Franklin, and the potential of up to 3,000 more homes being built. The Planning Board in a special meeting adopted a housing element and fair share plan that establishes that the township exceeds its obligation to provide for low-and …

The bulk of the township’s limb pickup program should be done by May 7, with the northern section of Franklin completed first. Streets south of the Claremont Road area will be done after that for logistical reasons, Township Manager Robert Vornlocker said at the April 24 Township Council meeting.

“Little Free Libraries” may soon be coming to township parks and trails. The idea to place the small “libraries” in various parts of Franklin was broached by Tara Kenyon – the township’s open space consultant – at the April 17 meeting of the Open Space Advisory Committee.

A plan to construct a new building on Somerset Street that could hold up to three retail stores was approved April 18 by the Planning Board. No brands have as of yet been secured for the new structure, the board was told.

An ordinance that would prohibit the takeoff and landing of drones on township-owned property is being readied for the Township Council. The ordinance is being written by township attorney Louis Rainone at the behest of the council’s land use subcommittee, acting on a suggestion by the Open Space Advisory Committee.