News-pourri

Township Councilman Charles Onyejiaka successfully defended his position and two incumbents and a newcomer were elected to the Board of Education on Nov. 8. School board incumbents Nancy LaCorte and Christine Danielsen won re-election, and newcomer Ardaman Singh won the seat being vacated by board member Julia Presley, who did not seek re-election.

The 2016 Somerset County Sheriff’s race will go down as the most expensive campaign for that office in the last 15 years. According to the latest contribution and expenditure reports filed with the state Election Law Enforcement Commission, the two candidates for sheriff – longtime Republican incumbent Frank Provenzano and his Democratic challenger, former township police Lt. Darrin Russo, a newcomer …

A printer’s error led to the names of Township Council candidates being left off the ballots sent to some residents, but that problem should be rectified this weekend. That’s the word from Somerset County Clerk Brett Radi, who said the affected ballots were sent to residents who live in District 24, which is part of Ward 3.

Verizon Wireless received approval Nov. 2 to erect a 118-foot-tall communications tower near the Cedar Hill Swim Club on Cedar Grove Lane. The tower – which company representatives called a “monopine” – will be disguised to blend in with surrounding trees. The approval for the tower was given by the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

The Township Council presented several commendations at its last meeting, including one honoring the founders of New Jersey Orators. Jim and Karen Hunter founded the youth organization more than 30 years ago, and in that time it has become a preeminent molder of township youth in the township and throughout the state.

Work on the Route 518 bridge between the township and Rocky Hill should resume near the end of November, a state Department of Transportation spokesman said Oct. 27. The $2.75 million bridge replacement project was among those stalled on July 8 when Gov. Chris Christie signed Executive Order 210, which froze funding for all state Transportation Trust Fund-funded road construction projects …

A township teenager received one of three Somerset County Disabilities Advocate Awards given at the Oct. 25 Board of Chosen Freeholders meeting in Somerville. Samantha Petersen, 17, received an award for her work raising Seeing Eye puppies for the blind and vision-impaired.

The Township Council at its Oct. 1o meeting awarded commendations and proclamations to Franklin residents. The first commendation was given to Jeff Baumley, a longtime member of the township Shade Tree Advisory Committee.

Township officials are looking into whether loud fireworks displays can be curtailed. The effort came at the request of Mayor Phil Kramer, who said he received complaints about an Oct. 9 fireworks display at the Ukranian Cultural Center on Davidson Avenue.