News-pourri

It looks as though the answer to the question of whether the township will be declared a “sanctuary city” is no, at least for now. That’s because the Township Council at its April 11 meeting was told by police officials that doing so would have no real effect.

All systems are “go” for the Central Jersey College Prep Charter School to move into its new digs, now that it has approval for its gymnasium. The township Zoning Board of Adjustment on April 6 unanimously approved the charter school’s application to convert 11,500 square feet of warehouse space in 101 Mettlers Road into a gym.

A local banquet hall owner received Planning Board approval to build two homes on Amwell Road. Rupen Patel, the owner of The Imperia on Easton Avenue and the new Springhill Suites hotel on Cedar Grove Lane, wants to build the homes for family members who work at the businesses, the board was told.

The Hamilton Street Advisory Board will ask the Township Council for a modification to the township’s anti-graffiti ordinance. Board members decided at their April 3 meeting to make a suggestion that the ordinance’s compliance time be shortened from 90 days to 30 days.

Press Release Submitted by Rochelle Kipnis. Daryl J. Kipnis, Esq., who has received the endorsements of the Middlesex County Republican Organization and Somerset County Republican Organization in connection with his candidacy for the New Jersey State Senate in the 17th Legislative District, packed Panico’s Restaurant in New Brunswick wall to wall with supporters as he joined forces with the renowned …

Republican parties in Middlesex and Somerset counties have endorsed an all-Franklin Township slate for the state Assembly and Senate races in the 17th Legislative District. The candidates are all newcomers to the political scene: Daryl Kipnis for senate and Nadine Wilkins and Robert Quinn for assembly. Somerset County Republicans made their endorsements several weeks ago, their Middlesex County counterparts picked …

A divided Board of Education on March 23 introduced major changes to its policy regulating sponsorship signage, and who in the district can solicit sponsors. The changes restrict sponsorship advertising – such as banners – to only the high school athletic complex, meaning the football stadium and the gym. The underlying policy, which was approved in 2010, allowed sponsorship signage …

Two township residents are among the candidates Somerset County Democrats picked March 23 to run under their banner in November. State Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17) was nominated to run for re-election, and Township Councilwoman Shanel Robinson (D-At Large) was picked to run for an open seat on the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Nearly three dozen water sources in seven township schools contain levels of lead higher than is considered safe by federal standards. The levels of lead found in the water ranged from 15.6 parts per billion (ppb) to 1,720 ppb. Federal guidelines recommend that lead levels in water in excess of 15 ppb be remediated because of health concerns.

Girl Scout Week, National Nutrition Month Hindu and Muslim holidays and Women’s History Month were acknowledged at the March 15 Township Council meeting. The council proclaimed March 12-18 as Girl Scout week in the township in a proclamation that noted nearly 300 township girls participate in the scouting program.