CULTURAL APPRECIATION NIGHT – Schools Superintendent John Ravally was one of many attendees for whom turbans were prepared by members of the Sikh Youth of Franklin group. Franklin Township’s wealth of diversity was on display May 12 at the inaugural Diversity Night Festival at Franklin Middle School – Sampson G.Smith campus. The event featured performances, food and crafts highlighting the …
Read More »Youth Center Readies For First Anniversary Party
CONGRESSWOMAN RETURNS – Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, seen here speaking at the 2022 Youth Center grand opening, will return to the center on May 20 for its first anniversary. (File photo). U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman will be the featured speaker at the Franklin Youth Center’s first anniversary celebration, slated for noon on May 20. Coleman will speak during the …
Read More »MVC Mobile Unit Returns To Franklin Township
A MAN AND HIS DOG – State Assemblyman Joe Danielsen and his dog, Brie, outside the MVC mobile unit on May 11. The state Motor Vehicle Commission’s mobile unit paid another visit to the township on May 11, this time to cater to patrons of the Senior/Community Center. Staking out some space behind the Villagers Theatre in the Municipal Complex, …
Read More »Updated: Township Council Introduces $66M Budget With Slight Local-Purpose Tax Increase
BUDGET INTRODUCTION – Township Manager Robert Vornlocker broke down the proposed 2023 township budget at the April 11 Township Council meeting. Update: The Council adopted the budget at its May 9 meeting The $66.3 million 2023 budget introduced on April 11 by the Township Council carries with it a 1 percent increase in the amount of local purpose taxes to …
Read More »FR&A Gallery: Busy May 6 In The Eight Villages
There were a number of events in Franklin on May 6, all of which benefited from the perfect Spring weather. The Franklin Reporter & Advocate covered a few of them: Promise Walk for Preeclampsia Township residents Trashaun and JP Powell have been active in the Preeclampsia Foundation since they lost their baby, Mia, in 2013 several hours after birth to …
Read More »Planning Board Resumes Hearing Of B9 Schoolhouse Warehouses
CROSS-EXAMINATION – Stuart Lieberman, an attorney representing a residents’ group opposed to the warehouses, questions three of the developer’s witnesses at the May 3 Planning Board hearing. The developer of two proposed warehouses at Mettlers and Schoolhouse roads took another shot at approval May 3 in a marathon hearing before the Planning Board. Link Logistics presented a plan that has …
Read More »Zoning Board Approves Variances For Permitless Addition
A township couple’s quest to legitimize a home addition built in 2018 moved along May 4 with a variance approval from the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Board members approved the three bulk variance applications – for sideyard setback, total area coverage and percentage of impervious surface – but they made it clear they weren’t happy about it. The Drake Street …
Read More »Plan For RVCC Campus At Tulipwood Scuttled
ON TO PLAN B – Plans to turn the historic Tulipwood House into an RVCC satellite campus were shelved due to cost and historic preservation concerns. A plan to convert an historic township building into a satellite campus for Raritan Valley Community College was scuttled, mainly because of renovation price constraints. The idea of converting the circa-1892 Tulipwood House on …
Read More »Two From Franklin Make Political ‘Power List’
Patrick Colligan Patrick Murray Two people with Franklin ties are among 100 state residents recognized by an online publication as being among the most powerful non-elected political figures in New Jersey. The 2023 edition of the New Jersey Globe’s “Power List” includes Patrick Murray, a township resident and head of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, and Patrick Colligan, a township …
Read More »Food Bank Holds Soggy 34th Annual Tour De Franklin
WHAT RAIN? – Cyclists riding to raise money for the Franklin Food Bank didn’t let a little rain deter them in the 34th annual Tour de Franklin. More than $126,000 was raised by the Franklin Food Bank through the 34th annual Tour de Franklin, held on April 30. More than 270 cyclists were expected to pedal out from Franklin High …
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