News-pourri

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.

Proposed bills co-sponsored by state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen that would ban steel animal traps and allow terminally ill people to end their lives were recently approved by Assembly committees. The bills, A-2451 and ACR-25, now face votes by both houses of the state Legislature.

The state’s largest police and fire unions have endorsed a retired township policeman in his bid to become the Somerset County Sheriff. The New Jersey State PBA, the New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives endorsed former township Lt. Darrin Russo during an event Oct. 5 at The Palace at Somerset …

The Middlesex-Somerset County Police Benevolent Association (P.B.A.) Conference has endorsed Democratic candidate Darrin Russo in his bid for Somerset County Sheriff. “From his commitment to enhancing cyber security and building community relationships, to his plan to forge critical partnerships with the local police departments, Darrin Russo’s vision for law enforcement will better protect residents,” John Granahan, co-chair of the Middlesex-Somerset …

Adults who live or work in Somerset County are invited to apply by Oct. 31 for the Leadership Somerset Class of 2017. Benefits of the program include networking with community leaders, discovering Somerset County resources, exploring capacities of positive leadership, enhancing team and leadership skills and making an impact in the community.

Dozens of Franklin High School students and some parents showed up at the Sept. 22 Board of Education meeting to express their anger over the aggressive enforcement of existing and new policies by the school’s new principal. At the end of the long night, they were told by the board president that the policies to which they objected could be changed, …

A plan to redevelop the Econo Lodge property on Easton Avenue into a suite hotel, an assisted living center and a QuickChek convenience store are under review by township planning staff. The application should go before the township Zoning Board of Adjustment in December, said Mark Healey, the township’s chief planner.

Legislation state Assemblyman Joseph Danielsen sponsored to support the families of military personnel serving overseas was advanced Monday by an Assembly committee. The bill (A-935) would authorize the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to issue specialty “Support the Troops” license plates. The $50 initial fee and $10 annual renewal fee for the plates would help support the families of New …

The Center for Great Expectations received a $300,000 donation at the Sept. 13 Township Council meeting. The money came from the township’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund.