Township Council

CDBG GRANTS – Deborah Mitchell, administrator of the Township’s Community Development Block Grant program, discusses this year’s program at the Township Council meeting. An application for more than $348,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant money was approved July 11 by the Township Council. The program, overseen by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, is designed to help …

TAKING THE OATH – FTPD Lt. Brandon Domotor is ceremonially sworn in to his new rank at the July 11 Township Council meeting. Four rookies – one of them a township native – and a seasoned officer were ceremonially sworn in to the Franklin Township Police Department at the July 11 Township Council meeting. Also at the meeting, two newly …

FLORA NON GRATA – The Township Council has introduced an ordinance that would limit future bamboo plantings to those in above-ground bins. (Photo: Shutterstock.) Spurred by resident complaints at the June 13 meeting, the Township Council on July 11 introduced an ordinance that would limit how running bamboo can be planted in Franklin. Under the ordinance, all new plantings of …

YMCA ANNOUNCEMENT – Township Councilman Ram Anbarasan announced that a feasibility study concluded the township would support a YMCA branch. An idea that was first broached about 20 years ago, but never materialized, is coming back in focus. Officials at the Greater Somerset YMCA announced June 27 that a feasibility study recommended they move forward with placing a YMCA branch …

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 …

Amendments to the township’s noise ordinance that elicited applause from some Canal Walk residents opposed to a nearby warehouse application was introduced at the Township Council’s May 23 meeting. The ordinance restricts 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 …

A HEALTHY IDEA – Fran Palm, Zufall’s CEO, talks about the proposed partnership at the May 23 Township Council meeting. The Township Council appears to be heading into a three-way partnership that could result in a permanent community health center established at one of the Franklin Middle School campuses. Council members spoke favorably of a proposal to contribute $1.5 million …

BUDGET INTRODUCTION – Township Manager Robert Vornlocker broke down the proposed 2023 township budget at the April 11 Township Council meeting. Update: The Council adopted the budget at its May 9 meeting The $66.3 million 2023 budget introduced on April 11 by the Township Council carries with it a 1 percent increase in the amount of local purpose taxes to …

A Republican candidate for Township Council has been disqualified by the Township Clerk on residency issues. James Holzheimer, a retired Franklin Township Police Officer, had hoped to run for one of the three At-Large Council seats up for grabs in November. But his petition for the June 6 primary election was disqualified by Township Clerk Ann Marie McCarthy, she said …

NEWEST EAGLE SCOUT – Dalton Vassanella speaks after receiving his commendation from the Township Council. The Township’s newest Eagle Scout received a commendation March 28 from the Township Council. The Scout, Dalton Vassanella, is the son of Township Councilman James Vassanella (D-Ward 5.) The younger Vassanella was awarded his commendation by Mayor Phil Kramer with Vassanella’s father, the Assistant Scoutmaster …