News-pourri

ENGINEERING TESTIMONY – Mitchell Ardman, the engineer for Tahweed Dahwah Center Masjid, testifies at the February 19 Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting. Zoning Board of Adjustment hearings on a proposal to build a 19,000-square-foot mosque on a 16-acre South Middlebush Road tract resumed on February 19, and all indications are that this will not be a smooth process. The project’s …

GALA PERFORMANCE – Franklin High School alumna Kailah Johnson sings during the inaugural Franklin Township Warrior Educational Foundation gala and fundraiser. Seven years of grant-making to township schools, and the achievements of three district alumni, were celebrated February 19 at the inaugural Franklin Township Warrior Education Foundation gala. The event served as both a celebration and fundraising opportunity for the …

CEREMONIAL LIGHTING – Township Councilwoman Shepa Uddin, mayor Phil Kramer, Deputy Mayor Alex Kharazi, and Township Councilmen Shubhendu Singh and Ram Anbarasan (left to right) after the ceremonial Moon Crescent was lit at the Township’s annual Ramadan Lighting ceremony. More than 150 people gathered at the Franklin Township Senior/Community Center February 15 for the township’s annual Ramadan Lighting of the …

State Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (File photo). Three bills designed to protect immigrants, reintroduced after they were vetoed by former Gov. Phil Murphy before he left office in December, were reported out of a state Assembly committee February 12. The Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee – chaired by Franklin resident Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-12) – advanced the bills, which aim …

NEW COUNCILMAN NAMED – Shubhendu Singh, the newly appointed member of the Township Council, speaks February 10 after his swearing-in. A 61-year-old Princeton Highlands resident was picked February 10 to fill an unexpired term on the Township Council. The Council chose Shubhendu Singh from among three candidates proffered by the township Democratic Party. Singh fills the Ward 1 seat vacated …

EXPLAINING THE SITUATION – Township attorney Lou Rainone explains to an objector why the Council cannot delay approval of five affordable housing-related ordinances at the February 10 meeting. The Township Council on February 10 approved on second reading five ordinances relating to its affordable housing plan, but not without a speed bump. The five ordinances were: 4489-26, which creates inclusionary …

About 200 people gathered in the St. Matthias School cafeteria February 7 for the annual “Night of Winners” tricky tray fundraiser. The theme for this year was Mardi Gras, and attendees came decked out in masks, beads and headware. “It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year for the community of St. Matthias,” said Mellissa Garlatti, the event’s chairperson. “it’s a …

THE NEW PLAN – Jeffrey Haberman explains changes made to the plan for an outdoor storage site on Route 27 at the February 5 Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting. The second time proved to be the charm February 5 for a company that wants to create an outdoor commercial storage space on Route 27. JC IOS Acquisitions won Zoning Board …

LEADING PLANNING DISCUSSION – Mark Healey, the Township’s Principal Planner, leads the Planning Board in a discussion of the township’s Master Plan at the February 4 Board meeting. Elements for a list of topics related to the township’s Master Plan were discussed at the February 4 Planning Board meeting. Mark Healey, the Township’s Principal Planner, will collate those comments and …

PLAN WITHDRAWN – The property sheet for Rutgers Plaza shows that a lease is pending for the former K-Mart building and attached retail spaces. The owner of Rutgers Plaza on Easton Avenue has withdrawn a controversial application to build a 4-story apartment building in the footprint of the former K-Mart building. Levin Properties was scheduled to return to the Zoning …