News-pourri

SOMERVILLE – Franklin Township representatives were among those taking center stage at a Feb. 4 rally and candlelight vigil here protesting Pres. Donald Trump’s immigration restrictions and plan to build a wall on the Mexican border. Those from the township who spoke from the steps of the Historic Courthouse were Mayor Phil Kramer, the Rev. Tiina Nummela of the Robert …

Update: The legislation won state Senate approval, and now heads to Gov. Chris Christie’s desk for his signature. Original story: Legislation designed to boost assistance for wounded warriors and their caregivers was recently advanced by a state Senate committee.

The school district’s pre-K program did not meet enrollment estimates this year, a fact the school board president blames on the township’s two charter schools. Board of Education president Ed Potosnak said that the increasing amount of money that the district has to send to the township’s charter schools forced the board to start charging for pre-K this year. The …

An ordinance that would prohibit pet stores from selling animals bred in large-scale commercial breeding facilities is making its way to the Township Council. The ordinance wold be symbolic at this point because the last township pet store that sold dogs and cats – Pets, Pets, Pets, on John F. Kennedy Boulevard – closed its doors several years ago. The …

The township is getting ready to auction off the farming rights for a number of plots. The Township Council at the Jan 24 meeting set at $8 per acre the minimum auction price for 414 total acres, 261 of which are tillable.

A bill guaranteeing financial support for workers who are attacked while supervising inmates or detainees awaits final approval before the state General Assembly. The bill, A-3422, is co-sponsored by Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17).

A $4,000 donation to Second Chance for Animals and commendations for a township man’s good works and the former deputy mayor kicked off the Jan. 24 Township Council meeting. Mayor Phil Kramer in 2016 donated all of the fees he would have collected for performing marriages to Second Chance for Animals the organization that funds the Franklin Township Animal Shelter.

A bill that would establish a public awareness campaign about opioid addiction has been cleared by a state Assembly committee. The bill, known as the “Heroin and OPIOD Drug Public Education (HOPE) Intiative,” is co-sponsored by Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17.) The bill would require the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of Human Services to establish …

The Board of Education Jan. 26 thanked one of its former members for her service. Julia Presley, who chose not to run for re-election last year after two terms and several tumultuous years at the helm of the board, was presented with the traditional plaque honoring her service by current board president, Ed Potosnak.

Legislation co-sponsored by state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17), designed to preserve the integrity of the state’s historic sites, was approved by the Assembly on Jan. 23. Assemblyman Jamel Holley (D-20) co-sponsored the bill with Danielsen.