News-pourri

The Township Council on December 14 approved minor stipend increases for some Fire District Commissioners for 2022. Approved were increases from $7,500 to $7,650 for commissioners in Fire District 2 and increases from $7,584 to $7,750 for commissioners in Fire District 3. The $8,000 stipend for commissioners in Fire District 1, the $8,500 stipend for Fire District 1’s chairman, and …

A rendering of the proposed 3-story self-storage facility targeted for the current Fama Nursery property on Route 27. An Arizona-based self-storage developer is eying the Fama Nursery property on Route 27 for a 125,000-square-foot, 3-story facility. The application by 1784 Capital Holdings is scheduled to be heard by the Zoning Board of Adjustment at its December 16 meeting. All of …

Artist’s rendering of the warehouse approved December 15 by the Planning Board. A 183,000-square-foot warehouse on Elizabeth Avenue was approved December 15 by the Planning Board. The warehouse, which does not as yet have any tenants, will sit on about 15 acres, bordered by Shop Rite and The Palace catering hall. The project calls for a 182,780-square-foot warehouse, within which …

The Township Council is going on record opposing a plan by Levin Properties to build a 4-storey residential building in Rutgers Plaza. In a rare move, the Township Council is inserting itself in a Zoning Board of Adjustment application, opposing a plan to build a 4-storey residential building in Rutgers Plaza. The Council voted to take the action at its …

Township Councilman Ted Chase, seen in this file photo, was honored at the December 14 Council meeting, his last. Township Councilman Ted Chase (D-Ward 1) was honored by his Council colleagues and members of the public at the December 14 meeting, Chase’s last. Chase, who has served on the governing body since 2010, opted to not seek re-election last month …

State Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17) is running his annual winter clothing drive until February 15. The Head to Toe clothing drive is seeking donations of winter clothing for children aged 3 to 16 from individuals and community partners throughout the 17th Legislative District. Winter clothing items being sought include hats, scarves, mittens/gloves, and socks.  Last year his office collected more than 1,000 pieces …

Mayor Phil Kramer will probably advocate for a continuation of virtual township meetings when the Township Council meets on December 14. Update: The Township Council on December 14 unanimously passed a resolution continuing the mandate that all township meetings would be held virtually until March 31, 2022. Mayor Phil Kramer said there has been a sharp spike in the number …

Schools Superintendent John Ravally on December 14 sent a letter to parents delineating some of the steps the district has taken to ensure student safety. (File photo.) An online threat against a Franklin Middle School campus discovered the evening of December 14 – the second in a week – was deemed by township police to not be credible, a school …

Robert “Kash” Kashinsky for Community and the Franklin Republican Club are sponsoring a clothing gift drive for Franklin Township children in foster care. Working with a local agency, Kashinsky set up the drive which has donors pick a child from the provided list, purchase the gifts, and drop them off at his DeMott Lane home, from where they will then …

Township Manager Robert Vornlocker said a letter is going out to residents, explaining the issue. (File Photo). News that low pH levels were found in the township water supply earlier this year should not be a cause of concern for residents, township officials said on December 10. That’s because the potential effects of low pH in water pipes were not …