News-pourri

ON THE HOT SEAT – Corey Chase, a traffic engineer for the developer of the proposed B9 Schoolhouse warehouse project, testifies during the June 21 Planning Board hearing. The traffic engineer for the proposed B9 warehouses at Schoolhouse and Mettlers roads came under prolonged questioning from the Planning Board and public during a continuation of the application’s hearing at the …

NEW PRINCIPAL – Jennifer Stein, the newly named principal at Franklin Park School, speaks after her appointment at the June 20 Board of Education meeting. The Board of Education named a new school principal and vice-principal at its June 20 meeting. Jennifer Stein was named the new principal at Franklin Park School, and Angela Pape was named the new vice-principal …

The school district’s retirees and volunteers were honored by the Board of Education at their June 20 meeting. The Board had special callouts for Franklin Middle School Sampson G. Smith campus principal Evelyn Rutledge, Early Childhood Education supervisor Kathleen Damore, Franklin High School Booster Club leader Marisa Gallagher and outgoing district Parents Organization Presidents’ Council president Nicolas DiMeglio.

The second annual Juneteenth Parade and Festival – organized this year by the SC Juneteenth Committee Inc. – kicked off from Pine Grove Manor elementary school on June 17. The parade made its way up Highland Avenue, then down a stretch of Hamilton Street before turning off at Matilda Avenue and into Naaman Williams Park for the festival.

SUPPORTIVE WORDS – Attorney Howard Cohen, representing the Canal Walk Homeowners’ Association, speaks to the Township Council at its June 13 meeting. Amendments to the Township’s Noise Ordinance which restrict the time that industrial-related loading and unloading operations, as well as the use of vehicles with backup beepers, can be used on properties that abut Scenic Corridors which are adjacent …

Author Wheeler Antabanez will appear at the Franklin Township Library’s main branch on DeMott Lane to present a video tour of the old Boonton railway line, and sign his book on the same topic. The talk, entitled “Walking the Old Boonton Line: A Photographic Journey on the Abandoned Rails of New Jersey,” is scheduled for 1-2:30 p.m. June 24.

Most of the Warrior 4 Life Scholarship Foundation‘s 2023 awardees gathered at the Township Cultural Gazebo in the Municipal Complex June 11 for the annual photo op. Foundation founders Nicholas and Rebekah Solomon and Daryn and Adrian Plummer explained the Foundation’s mission and introduced the award winners.

JUST SAY NO – Shade Tree Commission member Arnold Schmidt led his fellow Commissioners in sending a letter to the Township Council opposing a proposed deal that would allow public money to be spent on planting trees on private property. The Township Shade Tree Committee voted at its last meeting to tell the Township Council it opposes a proposed deal …

McDonald’s has to provide a few more details about its planned restaurant in Rutgers Plaza before it can receive the township Historic Preservation Advisory Commission’s blessing. Specifically, the Commission members want to see details of facade treatment for the enclosed trash area.

Students from across the district were honored for their achievements during the past school year in a special June 5 Board of Education meeting at Franklin Middle School – Hamilton Street Campus. Students received awards for a variety of activities, from athletics to academic competitions to artistic endeavors.