News-pourri

Township Councilman Shubhendu Singh was the only person to file a petition for the Ward 1 Council seat for the June primary. Singh was appointed to the seat in February. Former Councilmember Ed Potosnak resigned in January following his nomination as Commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Protection by Gov. Mikie Sherrill.

WELCOME ABOARD – Corey Cohen, the District’s new Supervisor of Elementary Special Education, and Janet Warbeck, the District’s new Supervisor of ESL and Bilingual Education, speak to the school board at the March 24 meeting. Two new educational supervisors were introduced at the March 24 Board of Education meeting.

The Franklin Township Police Department is partnering with Goya Foods and several civic organizations March 31 in a large-scale food giveaway to as many as 500 families in need. The event is set to take place from 4-6 p.m. at Franklin Middle School – Hamilton Street Campus, 415 Francis Street.

EXPLAINING THE NUMBERS – Stephen Fried, the school district’s business administrator, reviews the 2026-27n preliminary budget at the March 24 school board meeting. A $221 million general fund preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2027 was introduced March 24 by the Board of Education. The $220,518,992 preliminary budget is powered by a $194,391,315 tax levy, an 8.3% increase over the FY …

A schematic view of the proposed Catalpa Park. It was déjà vu all over again March 24 when the Township Council went out for bids on the construction of Catalpa Park.

THEY’RE OFF! – Runners in the Garden State Track Club’s 10-Miler Start their run March 22 in Colonial Park. Thousands of runners were expected to take part in the Garden State Track Club’s annual Garden State 10-Miler and Cooke Chase 5K March 22 in Colonial Park. Proceeds from the event will be used for scholarships for certain Franklin High School …

NO KINGS – Franklin Residents and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman are expected to take part in the March 28 “No Kings 3” protest set for March 28 in New Brunswick. (File photo). Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman is expected to join speakers from a broad coalition of students and activists – including a number from Franklin Township – at a No …

Tickets are on sale for a special immersive event starring re-enactors portraying George and Martha Washington. Sponsored by The Meadows Foundation and Franklin 250, “George & Martha: A Cocktail Affair” is designed to bring visitors face‑to‑face with the nation’s first First Couple in a warm, engaging, and historically rich setting.

RECEIVES HONOR – Township Councilman Ram Anbarasan was recently named to the national 2026 “250 Champions” list of public servants. Township Councilman Ram Anbarasan (D-At Large) recently won a national award for public servants.

Capital wish lists from various township departments were presented to the Township Council on March 17 at the second of two budget meetings.