News-pourri

Township Councilman Ted Chase, seen in this file photo, was honored at the December 14 Council meeting, his last. Township Councilman Ted Chase (D-Ward 1) was honored by his Council colleagues and members of the public at the December 14 meeting, Chase’s last. Chase, who has served on the governing body since 2010, opted to not seek re-election last month …

State Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17) is running his annual winter clothing drive until February 15. The Head to Toe clothing drive is seeking donations of winter clothing for children aged 3 to 16 from individuals and community partners throughout the 17th Legislative District. Don’t Miss Out! No other media outlet covering Franklin Township brings you the depth of information presented by the Franklin …

Mayor Phil Kramer will probably advocate for a continuation of virtual township meetings when the Township Council meets on December 14. Update: The Township Council on December 14 unanimously passed a resolution continuing the mandate that all township meetings would be held virtually until March 31, 2022. Mayor Phil Kramer said there has been a sharp spike in the number …

Schools Superintendent John Ravally on December 14 sent a letter to parents delineating some of the steps the district has taken to ensure student safety. (File photo.) An online threat against a Franklin Middle School campus discovered the evening of December 14 – the second in a week – was deemed by township police to not be credible, a school …

Robert “Kash” Kashinsky for Community and the Franklin Republican Club are sponsoring a clothing gift drive for Franklin Township children in foster care. Working with a local agency, Kashinsky set up the drive which has donors pick a child from the provided list, purchase the gifts, and drop them off at his DeMott Lane home, from where they will then …

Township Manager Robert Vornlocker said a letter is going out to residents, explaining the issue. (File Photo). News that low pH levels were found in the township water supply earlier this year should not be a cause of concern for residents, township officials said on December 10. That’s because the potential effects of low pH in water pipes were not …

Franklin Middle School – Sampson G. Smith campus principal Evelyn Rutledge, foreground, told parents that an “indirect” threat against the school was found to be not credible. (File photo). Township police are investigating an “indirect” threat made against Franklin Middle School’s Sampson G. Smith campus. The threat was found to be not credible, and did not interfere with the school …

World War II veteran Frank DeLuca, seated, with Canal Walk Veterans Club commander Sam Pesci and Bob LaCorte, left to right. Frank DeLuca once surprised his family while they were eating dinner, returning home to Elizabeth after serving three years in the Army during World War II. On December 8, 76 years later, it was DeLuca who was surprised by …

The Planning Board on December 1 approved another use exemption for St. Peter’s office building on Easton Avenue. St. Peter’s University Hospital on December 1 once again won an exemption from a prohibition on medical offices at its Easton Avenue office building, allowing for the transfer of some non-acute care specialties from its New Brunswick hospital. Thanks to the Planning …

The Somerset chapter of Sewa International, a public service group, delivered the last of 1,000 pounds of food to the Franklin Food Bank on December 2. The group had initially donated 300 pounds; this delivery was 700 pounds. Don’t Miss Out! No other media outlet covering Franklin Township brings you the depth of information presented by the Franklin Reporter & …