News-pourri

Contracts totaling $1.7 million were approved by the Township Council at its October 28 meeting. The contracts awarded were: A 2-year contract worth $800,000 per year for water department supplies to Core & Main of Edison. A 4-year contract worth $5,520 in total to Ricoh USA of Parsippany for a copier lease for the Franklin Township Police Department’s Community Relations …

SURPRISE DONATION – Franklin Food Bank executive director Derek Smith, left, hugs Township Councilman Alex Kharazi after Kharazi announced a $5,000 donation to the food bank from the Masjid-e-Ali on Cedar Grove Avenue. Franklin Food Bank executive director Derek Smith walked into the October 28 Township Council meeting prepared to tell members about the dire situation many township residents face …

HERITAGE MONTH HONOREE – Vimal Sodhani thanks the Township Council for recognizing Hindu Heritage Month at the October 28 meeting. A local Hindu community leader was feted at the October 28 Township Council meeting. Vimal Sodhani, of the Sodhani Foundation, was featured during the Council’s annual recognition of Hindu Heritage Month. Sodhani’s foundation has made numerous charitable donations to a …

The Franklin Township school district is one of 31 throughout the state which recently received a state grant to help train teachers to improve student literacy. The District received a $50,000 Reading Intervention for Secondary Engagement (RISE) grant for secondary and high school students. The District will use its grant “for professional development to enhance the knowledge of our secondary teachers …

NEW AD – Anthony Brito thanks the Board of Education October 28 after he was named the new Franklin High School Athletic Director. The Board of Education on October 28 picked a seasoned veteran to be the next Franklin High School Athletic Director. Anthony Brito, a 27-year district veteran, previously served as Assistant Athletic Director. Brito replaces Ken Margolin, who …

NEW FPS PRINCIPAL – Angela Pape speaks to the Board of Education October 28 after being named the new principal at Franklin Park Elementary School. Angela Pape was named the new Franklin Park Elementary School principal by the Board of Education at its October 28 meeting. A 13-year veteran of Franklin schools, Pape replaces former FPS principal Jennifer Stein, who …

The Somerset County Board of Commissioners is reminding residents that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits may not be available on Nov. 1 due to the federal governmental shutdown. The state has been notified by the federal government that if the shutdown continues, funding for November SNAP benefits will be delayed, according to the County statement. SNAP benefits that were loaded …

UNDER CONSIDERATION – The Eagle HD Portable Bariatric Power Wheelchair is one of three mobility devices under consideration for purchase by the County Parks Commission. The Somerset County Park Commission is looking for the public’s input on the planned purchase of an all-terrain wheelchair or other power-driven mobility device. The device would be used to help visitors enjoy trails and other …

SQUAD LEADERSHIP – East Millstone First Aid Squad Deputy Chief Christine Van Deursen and President Marylyn Kampo (left to right) at the Jeni Fund fundraiser on October 25. More than $7,000 was raised for two organizations – including the East Millstone First Aid Squad – at a fundraiser held at Twenty/20 Taphouse on Cedar Grove Lane on October 25. The …

IN THE HOME STRETCH? – Work on the New Brunswick Road bridge is now expected to be finished in mid-November, six weeks past its original completion estimation. The estimated completion date for the New Brunswick Road bridge repair has been extended to around November 14. An October 22 post on the Somerset County web site states that “Various roadway construction …