Township Council

John Samba, Abdul Gabisi Township Councilman Charles Onyejiaka, and Lamin Alharazim, (left to right) listen as Township Councilman James Vassanella reads the proclamation. April 27 was officially crowned “Sierra Leone Day” by the Township Council at its April 26 meeting. The West African country is celebrating its 61st year of independence. On hand to receive the Council’s proclamation were several …

The Hamilton Street Special Improvement District’s $53,222 budget for 2022 was approved by the Township Council at its March 22 meeting. The budget is usually funded by a special assessment on property owners in the Hamilton Street Business District, but this year the Hamilton Street Advisory Board decided to use surplus and not impose an assessment. The Hamilton Street Business …

Deborah Mitchell, who administers the township’s CDBG program, speaks to the Council at its March 22 meeting. Representatives from some of the organizations asking for more than $150,000 in federal grants made their pitches before the Township Council on March 22. The money is coming from the federal Community Development Block Grant program, which is designed to fund programs that …

A $2 million decrease in water utility collections may lead to a rate increase during the year, the Township Council was told on March 15. Township auditor Andrew Hodulik told the Council during its second budget hearing that the utility’s fund balance decreased from $10 million to $8 million over the last year. “You’re probably going to look at a …

Mayor Phil Kramer broached the idea of returning to in-person meetings at the March 8 Township Council meeting. Maybe the third time is the charm. The Township Council on March 8 decided to allow for the resumption of in-person township meetings starting in April. Masks will still have to be worn in township buildings, and senior citizens participating in clubs …

FTPD Officer Michael Stallings and Public Safety Director Quovella Maeweather at the February 8 virtual Township Council meeting. Township Councilman Ram Anbarasan often talks about promoting diversity in the township workforce, and on February 8, he let his money do the talking for him. Anbarasan awarded his first $2,000 Workforce Diversity Scholarship to Michael Stallings, one of the newer Franklin …

Mayor Phil Kramer said conditions have improved to the point where the indoor mask mandate in businesses and other venues was no longer needed. Visitors to township businesses and other venues will no longer be required by the Township to wear a mask against Covid-19. The Township Council at its January 25 meeting rescinded the mandate that it passed at …

FTPD Sgt. George Habeiche was sworn in virtually during the January 25 Township Council meeting. The Franklin Township Police Department’s supervisor ranks grew again January 25, with the formal swearing in of another department Sergeant. Sgt. George Habeiche was sworn in virtually during the Township Council meeting. Aside from the Council, on hand to witness the swearing-in were Public Safety …

Township Councilman Ed Potosnak, right, is sworn in by state Sen. Vin Gopal during the Council’s January 4 reorganization meeting. Newly minted Township Councilman Ed Potosnak made history January 4 when he took his Oath of Office, becoming the first openly LGBTQ person to hold the office. Council members also chose Crystal Pruitt (D-At Large) to serve as this year’s …

The Township Council on December 14 approved minor stipend increases for some Fire District Commissioners for 2022. Approved were increases from $7,500 to $7,650 for commissioners in Fire District 2 and increases from $7,584 to $7,750 for commissioners in Fire District 3. The $8,000 stipend for commissioners in Fire District 1, the $8,500 stipend for Fire District 1’s chairman, and …