News-pourri

John Samba, Abdul Gabisi Township Councilman Charles Onyejiaka, and Lamin Alharazim, (left to right) listen as Township Councilman James Vassanella reads the proclamation. April 27 was officially crowned “Sierra Leone Day” by the Township Council at its April 26 meeting. The West African country is celebrating its 61st year of independence. On hand to receive the Council’s proclamation were several …

More than 600 riders took part in the 33rd annual Tour de Franklin charity bike tour on April 24, the first time the ride has been held in-person in two years. The tour is one of the largest fundraisers for the Franklin Food Bank. Lisa Frey, a Food Bank Board of Trustee member who organized this year’s ride, said the …

Paul Mutch, engineer for the proposed self-storage facility, describes some of the project’s changes to the Zoning Board at the April 21 meeting. A modified version of a proposed self-storage facility on Route 27 received a warmer reception by the Zoning Board of Adjustment April 21 than did its predecessor. The 125,000-plus square foot, 3-story structure is targeted for land …

Franklin Township Public Safety Director Quovella Maeweather, seen here at the April 14 Township Council meeting, said the FTPD will not punish officers who use legal marijuana during off-duty hours. Franklin Township will apparently not follow the lead of at least one other New Jersey town when it comes to police officers partaking of legal marijuana during their off-duty hours. …

Architect William Mandara describes the self-storage facility to the Planning Board on April 20. Applications to build a self-storage facility on Davidson Avenue and a warehouse on Campus Drive were approved April 20 by the Planning Board. Their approval will allow Franklin Storage LLC to build a 3-story, 120,750-square-foot storage facility where a single-family home now stands. The home will …

After a 2-year pandemic hiatus, the RCDCU ride against prostate cancer is back in person this year. (File photo.) The 16th annual Renaissance Cyclists Defeating Cancer United fundraising ride is once again in-person, after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The ride has raised thousands of dollars for prostate cancer awareness and research. This year’s event is set …

Blair Wilson and Bill Grippo (left to right) at the Franklin Food bank headquarters. Blair Wilson has been a supporter of the Franklin Food Bank for more than a decade; now he has a title to go with that effort. Bill Grippo, who created the Food Bank’s Ambassador Program several years ago, said on March 27 that Wilson is the …

From left, Somerset County Commissioners Director Shanel Robinson, Mayor Phil Kramer, Commissioners’ Deputy Director Melonie Marano, Township Councilman Ram Anbarasan and Township Councilwoman Shepa Uddin cut the ribbon at the Franklin Food Bank’s March 27 re-opening. Township officials and Franklin Food Bank supporters were on hand March 27 to celebrate the “re-opening” of the Food Bank, and to welcome the …

The Hamilton Street Special Improvement District’s $53,222 budget for 2022 was approved by the Township Council at its March 22 meeting. The budget is usually funded by a special assessment on property owners in the Hamilton Street Business District, but this year the Hamilton Street Advisory Board decided to use surplus and not impose an assessment. The Hamilton Street Business …

Submitted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern New Jersey. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern New Jersey is seeking volunteers who live or work in Somerset County to become mentors to several local children.   BBBSCNNJ offers one-to-one mentoring for youth ages 6-18 (Littles), providing them with tools and resources to become competent, confident, and …