News-pourri

Bank of America won Planning Board approval July 14 to erect a standalone drive-through ATM kiosk in a Hamilton Street parking lot, but it remains to be seen whether the company will go ahead with the project. That’s because in approving the plan, the board required Bank of America to abide by all suggestions included in township planning staff reports, …

About 96 percent of township teachers are “effective” or “highly effective,” according to the state’s new educator evaluation system. The new system, called “AchieveNJ,” evaluated teachers and school leaders based on ” multiple measures of educator practice and student achievement,” according to a press release from the state Department of Education.

The eight members of the Township Police Department and the Franklin Middle School’s school nurse were commended July 14 by the Township Council for their work in saving the life of a student in May. The student, who is 12 years old, went into cardiac arrest during a gym class. Members of the group commended were able to bring the boy back …

Township Councilman Brian Regan (D-At Large) announced his resignation at the July 14 council meeting. Regan, who has been a councilman for eight years, said he was resigning because he is running for a seat on the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

The bumpy ride over railroad crossings at Veronica Avenue and Clyde Road will come to an end soon. Weather permitting, Conrail – which owns the tracks – will repave the pothole-scarred crossings on July 14 and July 15.

Three applications for alterations to existing buildings were approved June 7 by the Historic Preservation Advisory Commission. The commission approved certificates of appropriateness for Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corp., which asked to change the HVAC units on a dialysis clinic at 1135 Easton Ave.; the owner of a Franklin Street home who wants to build a deck on the rear …

St. Peter’s University Hospital is holding a free “Just For the Health of Franklin” health fair from 1-4 p.m. July 11 at 630 Franklin Blvd. Offered will be blood pressure and sugar screenings, nutrition and diabetes education, healthcare insurance information and “Ask the Doctor” and health educator sessions.

The intermittent rain chased away some revelers at the township’s Independence Day celebration July 2, but the majority of attendees stuck it out for the food and the fireworks. Hundreds of township residents descended on the municipal complex on DeMott Lane to take part in the annual event. Kids rides, food vendors and musical acts were on the agenda, as …

Residents on 28 roads in the southern part of the township will have their recycling day changed on July 13. The pick-ups will be made on Mondays rather than Fridays, according to a press release from Somerset County.

The Township Council needs to “revisit” its decision to not fund four new police officers for the Hamilton Street business area, Mayor Chris Kelly said at the June 23 meeting. Kelly made the comment after Pat Gianotto, chairman of the Hamilton Street Advisory Board, told the council that more needs to be done to make the area safer, especially in …