News-pourri

AD HOC COMMITTEE MEETS – The Township Council’s ad hoc committee on retail signage chose to hold its first public meeting virtually on April 29. Changes to the Township’s retail signage regulations that take into account a businesses’ location rather then set broad-brush standards may be in the offing. That was the upshot from the first open meeting of the …

BUDGET EXPLAINER – Board of Education Business Administrator Stephen Fried explains the tax implications of the Board’s FY 2025 budget, approved at the April 25 meeting. The Board of Education on April 25 approved its $194.1 million FY 2025 general fund budget, which carries a small school portion tax increase. The newly minted budget is roughly $7 million more than …

JOYFUL DAY – Canal Walk HOA Board of Directors member Bruce Blum and Erick Kasner, commander of the Canal Walk Veterans Club (left to right) cut the ribbon at the dedication of the development’s refurbished Veterans Park. Canal Walk’s military veterans gathered April 24 to dedicate a refurbished Veterans’ Park and celebrate the baker’s dozen among them who received awards …

RATE HIKE EXPLAINED – Mayor Phil Kramer explained the necessity of a water rate hike at the April 23 Township Council meeting. Water rates would increase nearly 17 percent under an ordinance amendment introduced at the Township Council’s April 23 meeting. The Township would also charge a water meter fee ranging from $4 to $257.25 per quarter, depending on the …

WORK UNDERWAY – The first phase of the Franklin Township Library main branch’s roof replacement is underway. The work is expected to last until June. Work is underway in the Franklin Township Library’s $1.8 million roof replacement project at the main branch on DeMott Lane. The work, which began on April 9, will be completed in two phases and is …

AMERICAN YELLOWWOOD – An American Yellowwood Tree, one of three varieties offered in the shade tree sale. Township residents can once again purchase shade trees through the annual Franklin Township shade tree sale. Trees, which cost $110 each, are available on a first-come, first-served basis by registering online at  https://franklintwp.seamlessdocs.com/f/ShadeTreeSale 🌳FAQs: – Only Franklin Township Residents can purchase a tree …

40th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT – The Raritan Valley Symphonic Band will perform at Franklin High School on April 28. The Raritan Valley Symphonic Band celebrates the 40th anniversary of their first concert at their annual free spring concert at 4 p.m. April 28 at Franklin High School, 500 Elizabeth Ave. Musical Director William Berz will lead the band’s performance of five …

Submitted by the FTEC. The Franklin Township Environmental Commission invites all residents for engaging presentations prepared in collaboration with the New Jersey Electric Vehicle Association (NJEVA). Title: Electric Vehicles – The Good and the Ugly When: Monday, April 29th 2024 at 7 PM Where: The Council Chamber, 475 Demott Lane. Cost: FREE (no registration necessary) All residents are welcome to …

MAKING HIS POINT – Planning Board member Robert Thomas makes comments about the proposed Old New Brunswick Road warehouse during the April 17 Planning Board hearing on the matter. The developer of a proposed warehouse on Old New Brunswick Road was told April 17, in so many words, to get its act together and return to the Planning Board with …

STIFF OPPOSITION – Area residents gather at a 2018 meeting to show their opposition to the proposed NESE project. (File photo.) The company behind a $1 billion, multi-state gas pipeline proposal that would include a compressor station in the township has decided to walk away from the project. Williams-TRANSCO told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on April 10 that it …