News-pourri

DENIAL OVERTURNED – Hundreds of residents attended each of the eight Planning Board hearings on the proposed B9 warehouses application. (File photo). In a scathing decision in which he called out what he said was the Planning Board’s “unmitigated hypocrisy,” a state Superior Court judge recently overturned the Board’s denial of a controversial two-warehouse development near the Canal Walk housing …

The Board of Education approved nearly $57 million worth of contracts for goods and services at its April 24 meeting. Contracts awarded were: A professional service contract with A Caring Connection to provide 1:1 Nursing, Substitute Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistant services for the 2024-2025 school year in the amount of $75,000.  The additional amount of $50,000 needed for Nursing …

SAY CHEESE – A student takes a selfie with one of the animals in two petting zoos during the 3rd Annual Green Fair held May 3 at Franklin High School. A ribbon-cutting for the groundbreaking of the new Franklin High School outdoor learning center highlighted the 3rd Annual Green Fair held May 3 at the school. The new center, located …

Franklin Middle School’s Hamilton Street Campus was the scene May 2 of the 3rd Annual Diversity Festival. The event uses food, music, dance and games to celebrate the diversity in Franklin Township public schools. Here’s an interview with Daryn Plummer, the event’s organizer:   Stay ‘In the Know,’ subscribe to the Franklin Reporter & Advocate! No other media outlet covering …

PRAYERS FOR THE COUNTRY – The Rev. Sonya Redd reads a prayer during the Franklin Township Interfaith Coalition’s observance of the National Day of Prayer May 1 in Veterans Memorial Park. Members of Franklin Township’s faith-based community gathered at Veterans Memorial Park on DeMott Lane on May 1 for the annual observance of the National Day of Prayer. The observance …

Community members can create their own floral bouquets May 9 and May 10 at Venus Jewelers’ “Blooms for Mom” Mother’s Day event. The newly renovated store, located in Rutgers Plaza on Easton Avenue, will feature a flower bar where participants can create their bouquets at no charge. Designed as a gesture of appreciation for moms and caregivers, this no purchase …

The Township Department of Public Works has issued the following updates to street resurfacing projects. Newkirk and Evergreen Resurfacing -Awarded  Rodgers Ave Area Resurfacing -Milling and paving to begin May 12th on Holly St.  Rodgers Ave – Paved Waldorf St – Paved Hunt Rd -Paved Continental Rd -Paved Elmwood St -Paved Holly St  Victor St -Paved Martin St -Paved Van …

A $209 million general fund budget for Fiscal Year 2026 was approved April 24 by the Board of Education. The spending plan is powered by a tax levy of $179,484,985. This is not the budget originally introduced by the Board in March. That budget included $6 million in cuts, which would have meant an end to after-school bussing and the …

FIGHTING BACK – State Assemblyman Joe Danielsen talks during the April 23 energy forum about legislation he is sponsoring to help mitigate upcoming electricity rate increases. The state agency responsible for regulating utilities in New Jersey has taken an “all-hands-on-deck” strategy to help mitigate coming spikes in the amount Garden State residents will pay for electricity, residents were told at …

The Township Council approved $1,075,689.24 in purchases of goods and services at its April 8 meeting. The Council awarded: A contract worth $309,650 to Whitfield Schneider Enterprises of West Long Branch for boiler replacement at the Franklin Township Senior/Community center. A contract worth $199,999.48 to Riverview Paving of Hackettstown for the Newkirk and Evergreen resurfacing program. A two-year contract worth …