Township Council

More than $400,000 in federal CARES Act money will be used by the township to help low- and moderate-income residents whose employment was impacted by Covid-19 train for new jobs. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act money is funneled through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development through its Community Development Block Grant program. The Council at …

Township Council members decided to have a smaller version of the annual July 4 celebration this year. There will still be the rockets’ red glare and “bombs” bursting in air, but little else at the township’s annual July 4 celebration this year. The removal of state restrictions on outdoor gatherings gave Township Council members the confidence to plan a scaled-down …

The Township Council is following the state government’s lead and will require masks in all public areas of township-owned buildings, beyond the removal date of the governor’s mask-wearing mandate. Mask-wearing inside municipal offices will be up to the discretion of the person occupying that office, the Township Council decided at its May 25 meeting. Gov. Phil Murphy on May 24 …

The number of violent crimes reported in Franklin during 2020 decreased compared to the previous year, but the township saw an increase in the number of reported non-violent crimes. The increase was enough to kick the total number of reported crimes up a bit, from 855 in 2019 to 859 in2020, according to statistics provided by the township police department. …

Township Manager Robert Vornlocker said municipal buildings would re-open on May 19. The municipal complex will re-open on May 19, and in-home inspections and other work by township employees will resume on June 1, the Township Council was told at its May 11 virtual meeting. The news came from Township Manager Robert Vornlocker. Vornlocker said the May 19 municipal complex …

The cultivation of marijuana would be one of six cannabis-related licenses allowed in the township under an ordinance set to be introduced at the Township Council’s May 11 meeting. Update 2: The Township Council gave unanimous final approval to the ordinance at its June 22 virtual meeting. There was no discussion on the measure by Council members. Update: The Township …

Councilwoman Crystal Pruitt grew emotional April 27 as she spoke of her reactions to issues over the past year during teh Township Council meeting. An emotional Crystal Pruitt on April 27 gave voice to the anxiety over the issue of police violence normally felt by people of color and exacerbated after the verdict in the case of a white former …

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 …

The Franklin Township Police Department has become more diverse over the past several years, but it still has a ways to go before it reflects the demographics of the township, township officials said on February 23. Demographic statistics of the department were reviewed during the Township Council’s virtual meeting by Councilwoman Crystal Pruitt (D-At Large). “This is something that is …