News-pourri

EXPLAINING OPTIONS – Township attorney Lou Rainone explains what options are available to the Township regarding the Williams-Transco NESE pipeline project. The last of the state permits needed for the construction of a $1 billion, multi-state natural gas pipeline project – part of which will come through Franklin – was approved January 12, and was immediately blasted by state environmentalists and …

A handful of ordinances related to the Township’s Affordable Housing Plan were introduced at the January 13 Township Council meeting. The ordinances would create four inclusionary zones and a redevelopment zone in different areas of the township to allow for the affordable housing developments. The Township has received state approval for its plan to provide for 659 affordable housing units …

GAZEBO VIGIL – Michael Steinbrück, left, leads crowd in song during the January 11 “Ice Out For Good” vigil in the Cultural Gazebo. Dozens of people gathered in the township Cultural Arts Gazebo on January 11 to hold a vigil for those who lost their lives in interactions with agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The “Ice Out For Good” …

MAKING ART – Attendees at the Muslim Heritage Month event in the Township Library January 10 make Turkish mosaics. The art and culture of Turkey was on display January 10 at the Township Library’s Muslim Heritage Month observance. The event was co-sponsored by the library and the Muslim Heritage Month Coalition. Ayeshah Ali, a library Trustee and member of the coalition, …

INTRODUCING THE CONCEPT – John Grib, representing the developer of the proposed storage space, talks about it at the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting. The developer of a proposed outdoor storage space on State Route 27 is reviewing its plans after appearing before the Zoning Board of Adjustment on January 8. The reconsideration came after it became apparent that Board …

ENGINEER’S TESTIMONY – Joe Holzapfel testifies about the proposed warehouse on Davidson Avenue at the January 7 Planning Board meeting. A 37,000-square-foot warehouse planned for a site on Davidson Avenue was approved January 7 by the Planning Board. The warehouse will be located behind an existing building housing a light manufacturing business. The new building will hold 35,511 square feet …

ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT – Schools Superintendent John Ravally will retire at the end of this school year, ending an 11-year tenure in the district. Schools Superintendent John Ravally has notified the Board of Education that he intends to retire at the end of June, ending an 11-year stewardship of district schools. Ravally notified school board members of his intention in a …

MAKING A POINT – Chris Szalay, an engineer for the 14-home project, gestures while he testifies at the January 7 Planning Board meeting. The developer of a proposed 14-unit luxury home community on Cedar Grove Lane was sent back to the drawing board by the Planning Board on January 7. Board members objected to a number of the plan’s elements, …

NEW BOE LEADERSHIP – Dr. Dennis Hopkins, president, and Erika Inocencio, vice president, after their election at the January 6 Board of Education reorganization meeting. Dr. Dennis Hopkins was picked as president, and Erika Inocencio as vice president, at the Board of Education January 6 reorganization meeting. Also at the meeting, newly elected members Clara Wilson and Meher Pervaaz-Rafiq were …

BLOWER BAN PROPOSAL – Environmental Commissioner Arnold Schmidt has proposed banning fossil fuel-powered leaf blowers six months out of the year. A suggested Township ordinance amendment that would ban the use of gas-powered leaf blowers six months out of the year was the main topic of discussion at the January 5 Environmental Advisory Commission meeting. The idea was brought up …