News-pourri

More than $40,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant money was awarded to nine organizations by the Township Council at its October 26 meeting. The grants were awarded in the areas of housing rehabilitation projects, public facilities, and public services. The grants that were awarded were: Housing Rehab Projects: Alternatives – 558 Madison Avenue – New Bathroom: $20,500Lena & David …

By Robert “Kash” Kashinsky. Councilperson Vassanella, As the Ward 5 candidate, I  publicly request a debate on the issues facing Franklin Township. Voters deserve to see for themselves who is the best candidate to represent them.  The debate will be online either this Saturday, October 30, or Sunday, October 31, from 7-8 p.m. Please choose the date of your convenience. The moderators …

Artist’s rendering of the new equipment to be installed at the Kingston School Park. New playground equipment targeted for the Kingston School Park won approval from the township Historic Preservation Advisory Commission at a special meeting on October 25. The property is owned by the township, but leased to the YingHua International School. Work has already begun on the project; …

Board of Education member Pat Stanley, seen in this file photo from 2020, was forced to leave the October 21 school board meeting for refusing to properly wear her mask. Board of Education member Pat Stanley was forced to leave the Board’s monthly meeting October 21 under the watchful eyes of township police after she refused to properly wear a …

The state Supreme Court has publicly reprimanded a former township Municipal Court Judge over what it said was an “inappropriate” remark made to a female defendant appearing before him in 2017. The Supreme Court agreed with the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct that a comment made by former Municipal Court Judge Hector Rodriguez was sexual in nature and violated three …

A rendering of the updated site plan for the Dada Bhagwan Institute on South Middlebush Road. A year of hearings brought some closure to an application on October 21 when the Zoning Board of Adjustment gave preliminary site plan approval to a 21,000-square-foot Hindu temple targeted for a parcel on South Middlebush Road. Board member Alan Rich was the only …

State Assemblyman Joe Danielsen will once again honor local military veterans with a breakfast. Danielsen (D-17) is hosting the 4th Annual Veterans’ Day Breakfast for military veterans from 9-11 a.m. November 5 at the Stage House Tavern, 1719 Amwell Road. Attendees are asked to be fully vaccinated and wear a mask. Hand sanitizer will be available at the tables, and …

An artist’s rendering aerial view of the project, presented at the Planning Board meeting. A project that will provide 37 three-bedroom apartments in eight buildings was approved October 20 by the Planning Board. The project is the latest phase in the Renaissance Redevelopment area, overseen by RPM Development of Montclair. The building will be constructed on four parcels of land …

Delays in a project at the National Guard Armory on Hamilton Street have forced the relocation of five township polling places. Township Clerk Ann Marie McCarthy told the Township Council at its October 12 meeting that the Armory “had delays in their asbestos removal project,” and so would not be able to serve as a polling place. As a result, …

Changes to speed limits on two streets were introduced by the Township Council at its October 12 meeting. The speed limit on Pleasant Plains Road will be lowered to 25 miles per hour, and a stretch of Union Street between Church Street and Laurel Avenue will be lowered to 20 miles per hour. The rest of Union Street will remain …