News-pourri

AGAINST THE PLAN – Churchill Avenue resident Laurinda Harper speaks in opposition to an application made by Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity for a one-family affordable home on Churchill at the September 17 Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting. The Franklin Township Zoning Board of Adjustment on Sept. 17 unanimously approved Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity’s plan to build a 100% …

Here’s the latest on the road resurfacing projects conducted throughout the Township. Please note due to extreme heat and weather conditions these dates are subject to change 

Two beginner-friendly fundraising events in support of Safe+Sound Somerset are set for 9 a.m.. to 9 p.m. September 26 at the Colonial Park Tennis Center, 156 Mettlers Road. The events are hosted by Yes We Thryve, a New Jersey based organization that hosts pickleball socials, bachata dance nights, hikes, and wellness activities. Yes We Thryve hopes to raise $5,000 for …

RIBBON-CUTTING – Board of Education President Dr. Dennis Hopkins cuts the ceremonial ribbon at the new Franklin Park pre-school playground, flanked by (left to right) Board member Clara Wilson and FPS principal Angela Pape. School and District officials gathered September 15 at Franklin Park School to. formally dedicate the new pre-school playground.

RUNNING DOWN THE NUMBERS – Tara Kenyon, the Township’s Open Space Consultant, tells the Open Space Committee September 15 about financial issues facing the Meadows Foundation. For the second time in two years, the Township Open Space Advisory Committee voted unanimously Sept. 15 to spend up to $30,000 through December 2027 to pay the utility bills at four Township-owned historic …

SELLING THE SALE – Township manager Robert Vornlocker told the Township Council on September 8 that the three parcels up for sale serve no purpose for the Township. The Township Council gave final approval Sept. 8 to the sale of three township-owned lots to Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity for the construction of low-income homes, over the objections of a …

Here is the latest on the various road resurfacing projects throughout the township. Please note due to extreme heat and weather conditions these dates are subject to change. 

SOLEMN REMEMBRANCE – Bill Cullen, former Chief of the Elizabeth Avenue Volunteer Fire Department, lead the annual ceremony. Firefighters from across Franklin Township gathered at St. Matthias Catholic Church on September 11 for the 25th annual first responder commemoration service, where the names of every emergency worker killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks were read aloud.

A schematic view of the proposed Catalpa Park. After more than a decade of false starts, redesigns, and bids that came in too high, the Township Council on Sept. 8 took the votes that will finally lead to a Catalpa Park.

LEGAL ADVICE – Township Attorney Lou Rainone told the Township Council on September 8 that it would be “in the public interest” to settle the Williams-TRANSCO eminent domain matter. The Township Council has agreed to accept a total of $600,000 from Williams-Transco for a township-owned easement the Houston-based natural gas company needs to construct a planned natural gas compressor station, …