News-pourri

AWARD CEREMONY – Harry Delgado, director of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (left) speaks at the July 14 Township Council meeting about Franklin’s police department while township Public Safety Director Lloyd Fredericks looks on. The Franklin Township Police Department has earned accreditation from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police for the fifth year, …

VOLUNTEER COMMENDED – Township Councilwoman Kimberly Francois (front left) talks about honoree Deborah Myers Davis (front right) during the July 14 Township Council meeting. A “cherished member” of the township community was honored July 14 by the Township Council.

HONORED BY COUNCIL – Hanna Didehvar and Manha Uppal, in foreground, received commendations at the July 14 Township Council meeting for their fundraising efforts benefiting the Franklin Food Bank. Two Sadiq School students were recently honored by the Township Council for their fundraising efforts for the Franklin Food Bank. The students, Hanna Didehvar and Manha Uppal, 4th Graders at the …

A FEW CORRECTIONS – Township Councilman Ram Anbarasan suggested some changes to the proposed cannabis business ordinance amendment. Update: The ordinance was approved at the Council’s August 11 meeting.

WHEN IN THE COURSE OF HUMAN EVENTS – Mayor Phil Kramer reads part of the Declaration of Independence July 8 during the township’s participation in a nationwide event commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration’s first reading. Twenty township residents took part in a national exercise on July 8: the reading of the Declaration of Independence.

NEW PLAN DETAILS – Bill Feinberg, the project’s architect, told the Commission of the changes made to the plan during the July 7 hearing. The township’s Historic Preservation Advisory Commission on July 7 approved a certificate of appropriateness for a two-building retail center planned for Route 27, on the site of Somerset County’s original courthouse, clearing the way for a …

SHOWING THE PLAN – Architect Robert Grimaldi on July 7 takes the Historic Preservation Commission through the plans for converting the former McDonald’s in Village Plaza into a Popeye’s. The township’s Historic Preservation Advisory Commission voted unanimously July 7 to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for the conversion of a former McDonald’s in the Village Plaza on Easton Avenue into …

Backpacks and school supplies for those students in need for the upcoming school year are being collected by state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17). The drive is on from now through August 21. Donations can be dropped off at a variety of sites throughout the 17th Legislative District, including:

Franklin Township is ringing in America’s 250th anniversary year with its annual Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks at 6 p.m. July 2 at the Franklin Township Municipal Complex, 475 DeMott Lane This free event is open to the general public and will culminate with a spectacular fireworks display at 9:15pm.

A total of 32 school district retiring employees – including schools Superintendent John Ravally – were acknowledged at the June 23 Board of Education meeting. Ravally, who served as Superintendent for 11 years, and Franklin High School Class of 2026 vice principal Rod Brundidge, who was with the District for 24 years, received separate commendations from the Board.