News-pourri

The Board of Education on October 19 approved contracts for goods and service worth more than $185,000. The Board approved: A contract worth $9,457 to Open Systems Integrators of Hamilton to upgrade access systems at a Board administration building. A contract worth $2,200 with the state Department of Human Services/Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired for a student to …

Submitted by the Raritan Valley Symphonic Band. The Raritan Valley Symphonic Band returns to Franklin to start its 41st season with its Fall concert, “Jubiloso”, at 3 p.m. November 5 at Franklin High School, 500 Elizabeth Avenue. The band is under the direction of Frank Amato.  Admission is free. “Jubiloso” is a musical term used to direct musicians to perform …

Source: Board of Education. Approximately 18 percent of Franklin Middle School students –  nearly one-in-five – were suspended from school in the 2022-23 school year, a reality that concerns district officials. That number is dramatically higher than the suspension rates at the district’s elementary and high schools, which are .8 percent and 6 percent, respectively. Suspension rates in township schools …

Supporters of the Franklin Township Youth Center gathered at the Lewis Street facility on October 19 for the unveiling of a commemorative plaque. The plaque lists the names of the people responsible for bringing the center to fruition. The center, which was dedicated on May 14, 2022, recently celebrated its 1-year anniversary. Township Councilwoman Kimberly Francois, who championed the Youth …

TUESDAY NIGHT TALK – Township leaders spoke about security in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. Religious, political and law enforcement leaders were brought together online October 17 for an installment of the FTPD’s Tuesday Night Talks, this one dealing with security in the wake of the Israeli-Hamas war. Hosted by Township Public Safety Director Quovella Maeweather, the roughly hour-long …

A “Why We Vote” town hall meeting is set for 6-8 p.m. October 26 at Franklin Middle School – Sampson G. Smith campus, 1649 Amwell Road. The town hall is sponsored by the Central Jersey Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, the League of Women Voters of the Greater New Brunswick Area (GNBA), the New Brunswick Area Branch …

NO MORE WAREHOUSES – Environmental Commissioner Robin Suydam said at the meeting that too many trees have already been sacrificed for development. The Environmental Commission on October 16 decided to recommend that the Township Zoning Board of Adjustment not approve an application for a warehouse at Weston Canal and Cottontail roads. The application, submitted by Somerset Properties Realty, calls for …

CALL FOR MERCY – Rabbi Eli Garfinkel speaks during the Vigil for Israel, held October 11 at Temple Beth El on Hamilton Street. The Rabbi of Temple Beth El on Hamilton Street told his congregation that hatred of all Palestinians is not the productive response to the terror attacks carried out in Israel over the weekend by a Palestinian-linked terrorist …

LOCAL HISTORIAN – Township Councilman Ram Anbarasan holds up the book, Community Collection for Kingston NJ, written by Kingston resident Markus McParland (right.) A 14-year-old Kingston historian was commended October 10 by the Township Council for his work in creating a book about the history of his home town. Marcus McParland was an 8th Grader at the Ying Hua International …

CHECK PRESENTATION – State Assemblyman Joe Danielsen talks about the $1.5 million he secured in the state budget for the Franklin Township Youth Center and Somerset County Action Program. A $1.5 million state budget appropriation for the Franklin Township Youth Center and the Somerset County Action Program was delivered at the October 10 Township Council meeting by state Assemblyman Joe …