News-pourri

EXPLAINING RESOLUTION – Mayor Phil Kramer talks about the proposed resolution banning federal immigration enforcement actions on Township property at the February 24 Township Council meeting. Federal immigration authorities are banned from conducting civil immigration enforcement actions on Township property under a resolution approved by the Township Council at its February 24 meeting. The resolution bans the immigration enforcement actions …

THE BIG DUMP – As much as 18 inches of snow fell in the township from February 22-23, according to the state Climatologist. The snowstorm that dumped between 14 inches and 18 inches of snow in the township from February 22-23 was “formidable,” but did not even crack the top 10 in terms of total snowfall, the state Climatologist said. …

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 …

A special concert performance of a new musical commemorating George Washington and troops crossing the Delaware River on Christmas 1776 prior to the battles of Princeton and Trenton is set for 7 p.m. February 28 at Franklin Middle School – Sampson G. Smith campus, 1649 Amwell Road. The musical, “The Crossing: A Revolutionary New Musical … In Concert,” will feature …

NEW COUNCILMAN NAMED – Shubhendu Singh, the newly appointed member of the Township Council, speaks February 10 after his swearing-in. A 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.

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:

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.