News-pourri

The Howe Farmstead in Colonial Park is set to be restored and historically preserved. (Photo: Somerset County Historical Society.) The Somerset County Historical Society is seeking financial and labor contributions to the restoration and historical preservation work at the Howe Farmstead in Colonial Park. This is the first time a historic property is being restored as an all-original venue for …

The Arbor Day give-away and the Rose Day Festival at Colonial Park have been cancelled this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Somerset County Park Commission made the decision to cancel those two events, plus the Fourth of July celebration which usually occurs at North Branch Park, until 2022, according to a press release from the Somerset County Park Commission. …

The Council has decided to support all of the potential licenses for the state’s new marijuana industry. The Township Council on March 23 gave the high sign to supporting all six of the licenses that will be available for the budding legal marijuana industry in New Jersey. Council members unanimously supported a motion made by Councilwoman Kimberly Francois (D-At Large) …

Township Councilman Ted Chase will not run for re-election. Longtime Township Councilman Ted Chase has decided to keep his hat out of the ring for re-election this year, capping a 12-year Council career. The township Democrats hope to replace Chase, who represents Ward 1, with current Board of Education member Ed Potosnak. Running for re-election are Council members James Vassanella …

Work will be done on South Middlebush Road this Spring, according to the Somerset County Public Works Department. The County is scheduled to install ADA-compliant curb ramps on the road from March 24 to April 2. Working hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., with single-lane closures possible from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Later in the Spring, the County …

Schools Superintendent John Ravally, center, co-authored a letter to parents with Assistant Superintendent Daniel Loughran calling on township residents to reject hate. The killing of six Asian women and two others in Atlanta on March 16 has spurred the top two school district administrators to speak up. In a letter to parents posted on the district’s web site, school Superintendent …

Owners of South Middlebush Road properties abutting the site of a proposed Hindu temple won some concessions from the developer, but that doesn’t mean they endorse the project, the Zoning Board of Adjustment was told on March 18. Changes to the site plan for the proposed Dada Bhagwan Vignan Institute were presented at the fourth hearing on the application, which …

If the grant is approved, the health center could open in time for the 2021-2022 school year. A partnership that could lead to a school-based, community health center was approved by the Board of Education at its March 17 meeting. The Board approved the partnership with Dover-based Zufall Health to provide health services for students, their families and the general …

Schools Superintendent John Ravally said in a March 3 letter that students attending school in person will do so every week starting April 19. (File photo). Students who attend school in person will do so every week – rather than attend school remotely on alternate weeks – starting on April 19, the schools Superintendent said on March 3. Schools Superintendent …

Assistant Superintendent Dan Loughren talks to the Board of Education about the proposed racial equity plan. It was not unanimous, but the Board of Education on February 25 approved a four-year plan designed to attack systemic racism in the district. The plan is an outgrowth of the board’s anti-racism policy and 2021 goals – which addressed eradicating White supremacy in …