News-pourri

The East Franklin Fire Department is looking to the public to help one of their own. Fire fighter Jhon Lopez, a Highland Avenue resident, lost all of the tools he uses in his contracting business during a Dec. 12 fire at his home.

The Township Council officially began the search for a new police chief on Dec. 12, but the decision to do so was not without its drama. Current Police Chief Lawrence Roberts is retiring on Dec. 31. He announced his intention in June.

We took our live stream camera out and about the township on Dec. 16. Our first stop was at Tompson Park in Middlebush, across from the Middlebush Reformed Church. There, we met up with members of the Middlebush Volunteer Fire Company, who presented Santa Claus to village families.

Organizers of the effort to raise money for a proposed township gazebo took some time Dec. 14 to thank their donors, including one who got the ball rolling in a big way. It was also announced at the event that the group’s goal is to have the gazebo ready for next year’s July 4th celebration.

The Township Council said goodbye Dec. 12 to one of their own and to the township’s police chief. FTPD Chief Lawrence Roberts is retiring at the end of the year, capping a 30-year career in law enforcement, while Councilwoman Roz Sherman did not run for re-election this year.

A much-discussed proposal to build 32 homes at the corner of Amwell Road and Cedar Grove Lane was approved Dec. 6 by the Planning Board. The project will result in about 11 acres of open space along Amwell Road that will ultimately be owned either by the developer, Anatol Hiller, the homeowner’s association for the new development or the current …

The Queens Bridge between South Bound Brook and Bound Brook will be closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. weeknights in December to allow for completion of deck repairs, the state announced Dec. 4. The bridge had been closed from early September through October for repairs to the part of the span that covers the Delaware & Raritan River canal.

The Millstone Valley Fire Co. held its annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 3. The tree is located on the triangle at Market Street and Amwell Road, adjacent to the East Millstone First Aid Squad building.

The first weekend of December in the township is usually quite busy, holiday-wise, and this one was no exception. Events held on Dec. 2 included the annual Greens and Goodies craft sale, held by the Griggstown Historical Society; the St. Matthias Crafts Sale, and the Second Chance for Animals’ Santa Paws fundraiser.

Legislation co-sponsored by state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen that would ensure hospital staff is well informed to deliver proper care and oversight for patients suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia advanced in the legislature on Nov. 30. An Assembly panel sent the bill, A-918, on to the fill Assembly. The measure is also co-sponsored by Assembly members Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Daniel Benson, …